Overview

"""""Where else would you rather be?"""" For many people today, particularly in affluent, lifestyle-driven beachside suburbs, that is their mantra--and being at church and following Jesus is perhaps the furthest thing from their minds. As Christians grapple with how to bring the good news to an increasingly hedonistic and apathetic post-Christian culture, this book shows where we find ourselves culturally, discusses why that is, and suggests some ways forward including how we might reorder people's disordered loves; fostering a faithful presence in our spheres of influence; and seeking ways to connect meaningfully. All this is a way of assisting churches in their particular cultural contexts to move from an attractional mode of thinking about ministry and church life to a mindset that enables them to carry out effective gospel ministry to their community and underlying subcultures. The author hopes it will be a help for churches that have historically struggled to be missionally focused, serving as an encouragement in reconsidering their approach to ministry planning, so they might have a significant, gospel-based, long-term impact on individual church members and the community life of the church to bring blessing to their suburbs, gospel growth to churches, and glory to God."

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9781666784466

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Reviews

"""Academics research topics. Evangelists are passionate about people knowing Jesus. Richard Wenden is passionate that people be saved, and that tone pervades this book. He draws on sociological, relationship, and communication theory, bringing them to life by applying and nuancing them to beachside communities and then testing and sharpening them in real-life situations. This is a work that is well worth the reading."" --Archie Poulos, director, Centre for Ministry Development, Moore Theological College ""Life This Side of Heaven opens our eyes to see people in our towns and cities that we don't often see. It helps Christians grapple with what it means to be 'foreigners and aliens, ' prompting us in thought-provoking ways to bring the gospel to bear in the lives of those around us. This is must-reading for Christian leaders who hope to mobilize their congregations to bless their neighborhoods with the good news of Jesus in the way of Jesus. I highly recommend this book!"" --David M. Gustafson, professor of evangelism and missional ministry, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School"

Author Information

Richard Wenden is the senior minister at Seaforth Anglican Church on Sydney's Northern Beaches. He is married to Juliet and together they have three kids. Richard holds a doctor of ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, he is also an accredited sports chaplain and is the honorary chaplain to Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club, where he's also a patrolling member. He loves talking to people about Jesus so they might find real hope and purpose in him. He enjoys good coffee, watching sport, and spending time at the beach enjoying God's creation.

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