From Grace Cathedral:

Recorded Live:

Sunday, March 4, 2007, 9:30 am PST

G U E S T :

• Diana Butler Bass,
  author, Christianity for the Rest of Us

Moderated by : The Very Rev. Alan Jones,
Dean of Grace Cathedral

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About the Program:

For decades the accepted wisdom has been that America's mainline Protestant churches have been in decline, eclipsed by evangelical mega-churches. Church and religion expert Diana Butler Bass wondered if this was true. Christianity for the Rest of Us is the result of her extensive, three-year study of centrist and progressive churches across the country. Her surprising findings reveal just the opposite -- that many of the churches are flourishing, and they are doing so without resorting to mimicking the mega-church, evangelical style.

Butler Bass describes this phenomenon and offers a how-to approach for Protestants eager to remain faithful to their tradition while becoming a vital spiritual community. As she delved into the rich spiritual life of various Episcopal, United Methodist, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, and Lutheran churches, certain consistent practices -- such as hospitality, contemplation, diversity, justice, discernment, and worship -- emerged as core expressions of congregations seeking to rediscover authentic Christian faith and witness today.