Strength for the Journey : A Pilgrimage of Faith in Community

by Butler Bass, Diana

• ISBN13: 9780787974251
• ISBN10: 0787974250
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-12
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

In Strength for the Journey, Diana Butler Bass illustrates the dynamic strength and persistence of mainline Protestantism. While many baby boomers left the church, only to come back later in life, Bass was a "stayer" who witnessed the struggles and changes and found much there that was meaningful. Offering thought-provoking portraits of eight parishes she attended over two decades, she explores the major issues that have confronted mainline denominations, congregations, and parishioners during those years-- from debates over women clergy to conflicts about diversity and community to scrimmages between tradition and innovation.

Author Biography

Diana Butler Bass writes a weekly newspaper column on contemporary religion as New York Times syndicate columnist. In addition to being a popular speaker, retreat leader, and seminary professor, this scholar of American religion serves as director of faith formation at Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD BY PHYLLIS TICKLE	ix
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	xv
INTRODUCTION Resurrection
ALL SAINTS CHURCH, Pasadena, California, 1996	1	(20)
CHAPTER ONE Coming Home
ALL SAINTS-BY-THE-SEA, Santa Barbara, California, 1980-1981	21	(32)
CHAPTER TWO Competing Authorities
CHRIST CHURCH, South Hamilton, Massachusetts, 1982-1987	53	(36)
CHAPTER THREE The Establishment
ST. STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Durham, North Carolina, 1987-1989	89	(32)
CHAPTER FOUR Practicing Faith
CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1989-1991	121	(32)
CHAPTER FIVE Interim
Santa Barbara, California, 1991-1994	153	(36)
CHAPTER SIX The Open Door
TRINITY CHURCH, Santa Barbara, California, 1995-1997	189	(34)
CHAPTER SEVEN The Household of God
GRACE-ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Memphis, Tennessee, 1997-2000	223	(38)
CONCLUSION Pentecost
CHRIST CHURCH, Alexandria, Virginia, 2001	261	(24)
BIBLIOGRAPHY	285	(6)
THE AUTHOR	291