It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian : How the Community of God Transforms Lives

by Bolsinger, Tod E.

• ISBN13: 9781587430893
• ISBN10: 1587430894
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-01
• Publisher: Brazos Pr

Summary

Tod Bolsinger challenges Christians to rediscover the essential nature of God as a Triune community. By doing so, says Bolsinger, the church will recover its vitality as a truly life-transforming communion. Focusing on daily living issues, the book engages writers including John Calvin and Richard Foster. Reclaiming a true trinitarian practical theology will allow Christians to reawaken and nourish a spirituality that is communal, not merely consumerist or individualistic. It will create Christian communities in which God transforms believers together into the likeness of Christ. It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian is designed for pastors, worship leaders, evangelists, and other church leaders.

Author Biography

Tod E. Bolsinger is senior pastor of San Clemente Presbyterian Church in San Clemente, California, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	7	(4)
Introduction: A Latte, Some Friends, and the Trinity	11	(10)
Part 1 In Search of Exceptional Lives
It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian	21	(7)
Come for Supper!	28	(13)
Part 2 History and Theology: Forming Exceptional Lives
God's Spectacular Intention	41	(15)
The Transforming Communion	56	(14)
Living the Trinity	70	(15)
Part 3 An Exceptional Community: Life-Transforming Practices
Transforming Worship I: Performing for God	85	(8)
Transforming Worship II: Worship That Changes Things	93	(16)
Transforming Word I: Look, Listen, Live!	109	(18)
Transforming Word II: Reading at the Table	127	(10)
Transforming Witness I: Praying with Jesus	137	(13)
Transforming Witness II: Discernment and Wisdom	150	(6)
Transforming Witness III: Ministry and Glory	156	(9)
Conclusion: People of the Table---A Spirituality of Fellowship and Following	165	(10)
Notes	175	(28)
Index	203