Re-Pitching the Tent: Re-Ordering the Church Building for Worship and Mission

Rating:
Summary: For churches that really want to re-pitch their tent!
Review: "Re-pitching the Tent, reordering the church building for worship and mission" is not just a good book for those who want to re-design, or design, their worship space - it's a great book. Written by an Englishman, Richard Giles, it is primarily for liturgical churches, but can be used by any worshipping Christian community. It is liberally illustrated with many color pictures and written in an open, sprightly, and sometimes bitingly observant manner. Our church, an Episcopal Church, is using it to re-evaluate our worship space. A member of the committee charged with leading this re-evaluation said in a recent meeting that she hated reading religious books, books on architecture, and books on church history. She went on to say that this book fit all three categories and was absolutely fantastic, and that every member of the congregation should read it! If you fit the re-evaluation category, get it. You won't regret this great process in re-pitching your worship space!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource
Review: Recently we had the opportunity to meet Richard Giles as he was in our city giving a talk about "Re-pitching the Tent". Our firm specializes in religious facility design and we were anxious to learn what Richard Giles had to offer on the subject of liturgical space. We came away from the workshop with even more enthusiasm for our opportunities to design sacred space. We ordered his book ... and have been using it as a reference in designing two new Anglican churches. This book is not just for architects but for anyone who is interested in the Chirstian Community and the future of the Church.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource
Review: Recently we had the opportunity to meet Richard Giles as he was in our city giving a talk about "Re-pitching the Tent". Our firm specializes in religious facility design and we were anxious to learn what Richard Giles had to offer on the subject of liturgical space. We came away from the workshop with even more enthusiasm for our opportunities to design sacred space. We ordered his book ... and have been using it as a reference in designing two new Anglican churches. This book is not just for architects but for anyone who is interested in the Chirstian Community and the future of the Church.

Rating:
Summary: Even traditionalists will learn a thing or two!
Review: Richard Giles' "Re-Pitching the Tent" will be a read that is very intimidating to the traditional Anglican/Catholic/Lutheran who is used to (and attached to!) the traditional Sanctuary, Chancel, Choir, Nave arrangement of our Churches. The Parish I pastor meets in a small space, so making the most of what we have is important. Giles shows us through his insight ways of making your space count, and how to arrange for worship in such a manner that we express a theology that highlights the participation of the people of the Congregation while still having a very distinct president of the Assembly to lead the Liturgy.

Not all traditionalists will find themseves warming to his ideas at once, but I think, when they compare this book to the modes of the early Church, they may well find some use for the author's suggestions. I know our parish did!

Rating:
Summary: Even traditionalists will learn a thing or two!
Review: Richard Giles' "Re-Pitching the Tent" will be a read that is very intimidating to the traditional Anglican/Catholic/Lutheran who is used to (and attached to!) the traditional Sanctuary, Chancel, Choir, Nave arrangement of our Churches. The Parish I pastor meets in a small space, so making the most of what we have is important. Giles shows us through his insight ways of making your space count, and how to arrange for worship in such a manner that we express a theology that highlights the participation of the people of the Congregation while still having a very distinct president of the Assembly to lead the Liturgy.

Not all traditionalists will find themseves warming to his ideas at once, but I think, when they compare this book to the modes of the early Church, they may well find some use for the author's suggestions. I know our parish did!

Rating:
Summary: Lively and thought-provoking
Review: This book is about looking at outmoded church spaces to see what can be done to meet the needs of contemporary worshippers. Written out of a British context, using British examples and pictures (these pictures are great) the book translates quite well to the American scene, where there is a similar problem. My church in Boston chose to build a series of adult education sessions around the book, and Giles has constructed his text with this use in mind. There is an appendix that acts as a "teacher's guide." What is brilliant about the book is that he discusses pragmatics, but he provides the basis for a theological reflection on the part of the congregation so that they have a faith-basis for whatever plant and programmatic renovations they decide to make.

Rating:
Summary: Lively and thought-provoking
Review: This book is about looking at outmoded church spaces to see what can be done to meet the needs of contemporary worshippers. Written out of a British context, using British examples and pictures (these pictures are great) the book translates quite well to the American scene, where there is a similar problem. My church in Boston chose to build a series of adult education sessions around the book, and Giles has constructed his text with this use in mind. There is an appendix that acts as a "teacher's guide." What is brilliant about the book is that he discusses pragmatics, but he provides the basis for a theological reflection on the part of the congregation so that they have a faith-basis for whatever plant and programmatic renovations they decide to make.