Contents
- Home
- News
- Question of the week
- Comment
- Letters
- Real Life
- Features
- Faith
- Humour and crossword
- Pastimes
- Books
- CT Bookshop
- Preferential option for the poor
- You can do theology on celluloid
- Story of a great soul reborn
- Help with the hymns
- Short notice
- A kindness, or the slippery slope?
- Death from the air
- Helping to make all things new
- Difference means added value
- Short notice
- Each to his own, when it comes to scripture
- To the letter
- Reading groups: Victorious but still uncomfortable
- Arts
- Media
- Gazette
 back to Books |
 previous story
|
next story 
|
Difference means added value
Alan Race commends books that focus on the positive potential of urban multiplicity
 |
| Building a Multi-ethnic Church Linbert Spencer
SPCK £10.99 (978-0-281-05905-8) reviewed with
Exploring the Faithful City: A year in the work of the faith leaders of Birmingham Jonathan Gurling, editor Brewin Books £7.95 (978-1-85858-420-1) IN THEIR different ways, these two books challenge the Churches over the growing impact and positive potential of multiplicity. The first book is focused on a diverse Church, and the second on a diverse city. The philosophy underlying both can be summed up in the sentence from Spencer: “Difference adds value.” But do we really believe it? Building a Multi-ethnic Church is a marvellous handbook for assisting churches to do what they say they should have done long ago. It is matter-of-fact in tone, sets out good practice, encourages positive change, and underlines the importance of leadership and strategic decision-making in the organising of Christian communities. All this is set within the context of increased diversity in society. So there is a thumbnail sketch of the history of migration to the UK; a breakdown of ethnic diversity according to regions; an overview of anti-discrimination legislation; and a checklist for marking a truly multi-ethnic Church. The emphasis is on accessibility, and on how to achieve multiplicity as a Christian value. Given that all have sinned, and fallen short of the need to plan strategically for inclusion, we must become more pro-active. The amazing thing is that the author (a member of the Salvation Army) remains as hopeful as he is. Exploring the Faithful City provides a snapshot of one city’s religious leadership grappling creatively and determinedly with the issues of interfaith relations in a post-9/11 world. It is also aware of the accusation that religion is often a hindrance, and scarcely ever the solution, to the problems engendered by ideological differences in a dense urban landscape. The book is full of inspiration and, again, of good practice. The heart of it is the reprinting of the weekly religious-commentary columns published in the newspaper of the city in question, from July 2006 to June 2007. Here we learn about the basics of various traditions, their ethical trajectories for shaping accepting relationships with others, and the imperative of working for the good of the city. Those who think that the religions can never get on with one another will be brought up short by the depth of commitment on every page of this lively account. Reading the two books together invites a comparison of sorts. Valuing diversity is never going to be easy, given the strong magnetic lure back into our singular identities. There is the theology to get right, the planning to put in place, and the commitment to be sustained. We should note the significance of the book titles — “Building” and “Exploring”. The latter explodes with the enthusiasm of discovering the new, but the former reflects the realities of the painstaking work needed for organisational strategy. “Exploring” creates excitement, and the feeling of being in the vanguard; “building” knows that aspiration is not enough. Perhaps there are lessons that Christian involvement in the interfaith endeavour can learn from the history of Christian involvement in the intra-ethnic imperative. One lesson is that neither can be left to enthusiasts alone. The Revd Alan Race is Dean of Postgraduate Studies at St Philip’s Centre, and Priest-in-Charge of St Philip’s, Leicester. To order<i>Building a Multi-Ethnic Church</i>, email the details to Church Times Bookshop (please mention "Church Times Bookshop Price") |
