The Way of Jesus: Re-Forming Spiritual Communities in a Post-Church Age

Description: Countless books have been written about the impending death of the institutional church, but this one both celebrates the resurrection that will follow and lights the way toward a new kind of spiritual community. The Way of Jesus identifies seven principles upon which authentic and vibrant Christian communities can be built in today's diverse and ever shrinking world. Toby Jones traveled across the country, from San Francisco's Glide Memorial Church to New York's Church of the Holy Apostles, and from Chicago's Wicker Park Grace to Minneapolis's Solomon's Porch. He sojourned with seven communities in all and conducted in-depth interviews with their leaders and participants to reveal what distinguishes resurrection communities from those in precipitous decline. In The Way of Jesus, Jones draws both from the scriptures and from such fresh thinkers as Brian McLaren, Dallas Willard, Doug Pagitt, and Shane Claiborne, offering genuine hope and practical direction to the millions of spiritually homeless. But just as importantly, The Way of Jesus offers a clear path to struggling, shrinking congregations who desire to re-form themselves in a way that is both more faithful to the Gospel and compelling to post-modern generations, who have long since abandoned the institutional church. Endorsements: As a documentary filmmaker and a writer, much of my work has focused on spiritual places and practices around the world. As much passion as I have for the journey, I've never been drawn to participate in any organized, institutional religion. But Toby Jones' vision for a new kind of spiritual community based on generosity, compassion, inclusion, and social action is among the most compelling expressions of Christian faith I've come across. --Chip Duncan author of Enough To Go Around: Searching for Hope in Afghanistan, Pakistan, & Darfur The Way of Jesus offers important principles and practical advice for lay Christians to develop and lead alternative communities of faith. Post-church communities will increasingly require lay leaders who are prepared for rigorous discipleship, missional ecclesiology, and ministry from the margins. But this book is not just for laity. Clergy have much to gain from the wisdom in these pages, as Toby Jones makes a compelling case for establishing small, missional communities with bi-vocational pastoral leadership. --Elaine A. Heath author of The Mystic Way of Evangelism In forty years of ministry, I have experienced the painful gap between the institution called church and the life to which Jesus calls us. I thank God for an explorer like Toby Jones who probes the gap and dares the church to close it. If you hunger and thirst for authenticity in your faith and your church, dig in to this gold mine filled with hope for a new day Be warned: Jesus will meet you here --Tom Eggebeen, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles About the Contributor(s): Toby Jones is the founder of Living Vision, an alternative spiritual community for those seeking apprenticeship with Jesus. He is the author of The Gospel According to Rock (2007).…