Sharing Stories, Shaping Community: Vital Ministry in the Small Membership Church (Vital Ministry in the Small Membership Church)

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Summary: pictures of hope in a community of faith
Review: This readable book tells the stories of hope and giftedness in a small, urban, poor church. These stories will stick with you and you will find yourself re-telling them as parables of the vitality of the church. The premise of these stories is that everyone - really everyone- no matter what "needs" they have - walks in the door with something to give to the greater community. You'll remember Adele, who came to the food pantry for help and ended up as a caterer; Bill, Aaron and Marie, who started Pictures of Hope to use the talent of youth to create a photographic portrait of the richness of the neighborhood; Rob, who came to help in a community where his brother was murdered... Not only is it theologically correct to look for these gifts, the small church cannot afford to overlook these valuable resources (their greatest resource). When people challenge you to prove why you need a church, why not just be a solitary person of faith - this small book provides strong parables to answer that strength lies in a community of faith.