A Journey Towards Christ-Centred Community An exploration surrounding the issues of being church in the twenty-first century and a journey toward a community that is inclusive, messy, honest, purposeful, generous, vulnerable, sustainable, and diverse Many people today believe that churches are simply out of touch with reality at best or judgmental and exclusive at worst. And yet the Jesus we serve is seen to be forgiving, wise, generous, and gracious. Why is there such a disconnect? Steve Chalke seeks to reclaim the true heartbeat of the church-the passion to save not itself, but the world. In a work that is rooted in deep theology while being highly practical, he outlines a church whose mission and outlook is fully rooted in its understanding of a loving, welcoming God. A church that is inclusive, welcoming all people. A church that is purposeful, marked by a mission to equip its members in their frontline work. A church that is generous, vulnerable, and sustainable. What we need today is an intelligent church-not cerebral or intellectual, but rather joined up and authentic-a church that makes sense of both the Bible and of life.
Author Biography
Steve Chalke, MBE, is the founder of the Oasis Trust, Oasis Media, and Oasis Community Learning, charitable operations that address a broad range of needs. He also founded Parentalk, an organisation dedicated to inspiring and equipping parents; and the Faithworks Movement, created to build the most effective social action network in the UK. Chalke is the senior minister of Christ Church & Upton, now known as Church.co.uk, Waterloo, London. A part of Oasis, the church aims to remain open around the clock as the physical hub for a steadily growing global virtual community. Chalke was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List 2004 for his services to social inclusion. He has presented his own television series for ITV and BBC as well as a regular show on Radio 4. He writes monthly columns for Prima Baby and Christianity magazine, and is the author of over thirty books. He and his wife, Cornelia, have four children. Anthony Watkis is a graduate of London School of Theology. He is a professional writer and works with Oasis UK.