Bill McAlpine, Joel Thiessen, Keith Walker, Arch Chee Keen Wong.

Catholic, Mainline, and Conservative Protestant Congregations in Canada. 

What does it look like for a congregation to flourish? This is the book’s central question, drawing on Canadian-based social scientific research with Catholic, mainline, and conservative Protestant church leaders as well as those in the pews. The flourishing congregations construct that anchors this book deals with organizational elements (self-identity, leadership, innovation, and structure and process), internal factors (discipleship, engaged laity, hospitable community, and diversity), and outward dynamics (neighbourhood involvement, partnerships, and evangelism) in congregational life. Alongside social scientific observations and analyses, this book deals with a range of challenging theological insights and questions, plus offers numerous practical considerations and possibilities for congregations who wish to flourish. Readers will be left challenged, stimulated, encouraged, and mobilized in fresh ways for their local ministry.

Paperback; 15x23 cm; 262 pages; 0.36 kg

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements... xii
Chapter 1. Starting a Conversation... 1
PART 1 — ORGANIZATIONAL ETHOS... 19
Chapter 2. Self Identity: Say it on a Bus... 20
Chapter 3. Leadership: Umbrella Holders and Key Sharers... 37
Chapter 4. Innovation: Step Out of the Boat... 57
Chapter 5. Structures and Process: Getting from Here to There... 74
PART 2 — INTERNAL....................................................................... 95
Chapter 6. Discipleship: Follow Me... 96
Chapter 7. Engaged Laity: Reducing Free Riders... 120
Chapter 8. Hospitable Community: Embracing Space With/For Another... 135
Chapter 9. Diversity: All Are Welcome at the Table... 150
PART 3 — OUTWARD..................................................................... 170
Chapter 10. Neighbourhood Involvement: Who is My Neighbour?... 171
Chapter 11. Partnerships: Leveraging the Strengths of Others... 187
Chapter 12. Evangelism: Go Therefore... 200
Chapter 13. Continuing the Conversation... 216
Postscript. Congregations Will Never Return to “Normal”... 227
References ... 235

ENDORSEMENTS

“This book is unique in its effort to draw on the social sciences, theology, and a solid understanding of congregations to help groups to become as effective as they can be. The national data provide invaluable input from the churches themselves, that in turn are creatively analyzed by the authors to clarify what is transpiring at local levels both across groups and across the country. The authors ask tough questions and, with grace and sensitivity, offer insightful observations. This book
has the potential to stimulate significant responses, locally, regionally, and nationally. It may well come to be seen as making a major contribution to the elevation of the Canadian congregational scene.”
Dr. Reginald Bibby, University of Lethbridge

“No matter how we define health and life, there is no one who cares about the Church who doesn’t want to see the Fruits of the Kingdom being manifested from their local church. “Signs of Life” is timely, well-researched, broad-scoped and... Canadian, making a singularly unique contribution to the crucial conversation about healthy and flourishing parishes in our Canadian context. I recommend this book to all pastors and church leaders who yearn to see their parishes
flourish.”
Fr. James Mallon, Pastor and author of Divine Renovation, From a Maintenance to a Missional Parish, Divine Renovation
Guidebook and Divine Renovation, Beyond the Parish

“Signs of Life provides a useful framework for churches in Canada to better understand their potential strengths and areas needing strengthening as they yearn to flourish as communities of faith. Furthermore, the authors provide concrete resources and useful assessment questions so that churches can begin discussions in the areas of flourishing they want to explore. I found the authors’ findings true to my experience of different ecclesial traditions, and I found the tools offered helpful and hopeful.”
Archbishop Melissa Skelton, Anglican Church of Canada