From the Alban Institute's CONGREGATIONS magazine: 

In this age of evangelical megachurches with 24/7 programming and “relevant Bible teaching” (which is usually conservative and literalistic), one wonders if there is a place for smaller, more progressive, mainline Protestant churches. Diana Butler Bass takes the reader on a tour of just such communities, ones that are rooted in ancient Christian practices that transform individuals, congregations, and the world itself. Words like change, journey, practice, pilgrim, and transformation permeate this book, which is the culminating piece of a three-year project that includes two other Alban Institute published books: The Practicing Congregation (2004) and From Nomads to Pilgrims (2006).

This tour begins with a bit of history and a cultural analysis that envisions the creation of a “new village church,” a church that is communal and therefore both spiritual and religious. Although statistical data stand behind this book, Butler Bass gives context, nuance, and definition to these numbers by telling the stories of vital mainline Protestant congregations. These are pilgrim congregations, made up of people walking together and finding “a home in tradition, practice, and wisdom.”

The concluding section of Christianity for the Rest of Us develops the way of transformation—individually, congregationally, and globally. Such transformation, Butler Bass shows, occurs in congregations that are “mission” focused. But mission is not defined in terms of “saving souls.” While it is spiritually based, it is also earthly minded. Butler Bass, being Episcopalian, likes the term “via media” for this venture that cuts between a narrow and exclusive religious vision of the world and a secularist one that allows no room for faith. It is a vision that is “open, inclusive, and tolerant” and seeks to persuade “by goodness, service, and beauty, not by condemnation, force, or violence.”

Linking these two sections of the book is a middle section that explores 10 Christian practices. These signposts of vitality range from hospitality (welcoming the stranger) to justice, from healing to testimony. Each is intentional and not happenstance, but this is not a prescriptive program that says “do this and you will succeed.” Instead, it urges congregations to be true to their congregational identity and tradition and to act in ways that are transformative.

This book comes as good news for mainliners like me who have long heard that conservative Christianity has won the day. Yet here are congregations that are vital, progressive, welcoming, open to change, and committed to becoming agents of transformation. Such congregations help spiritual nomads/tourists—who wander aimlessly looking for God—become pilgrims who journey together toward transformation. This is no lock-step, one-size-fits all journey, and while most congregations are politically engaged, this is not a one-party state but one where everyone is centered in Jesus.

Rather than a quick-fix church growth manual, this book is instead an exploration of new and vibrant ways of being church in the 21st century. Butler Bass is not only a good observer and storyteller, she is also a believer in this new way of being church, a way that transforms adherents, congregations, and creation. Such is the “Christianity for the rest of us.”

Rev. Dr. Robert D. Cornwall
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Lompoc, California