Innovative & Thriving Congregations

Church Profiles
- Books
- Online Resources
​- Articles 

Books on Innovative Churches

Being the Church in a Multi-Ethnic Community: Why It Matters and How It Works
Gary L. McIntosh and Alan McMahan
Wesleyan Publishing House, 2012

​This book is a primer for pastors and congregation leaders who are wrestling with how to reach the ethnic groups next door and welcome them into the multi-ethnic body of Christ. The book offers a research-based overview of the issues, challenges, and essential principles for developing multi-ethnic churches in the United States. The book describes a variety of approaches for bringing multiple ethnicities together into a single congregation. ​
A Big Gospel in Small Places: Why Ministry in Forgotten Communities Matters
​Stephen Witmer
IVP Books, 2019

This book lays out an integrated theological vision for small-place ministry. Filled with helpful information about small places and with stories and practical advice from his own ministry, the book offers a compelling, comprehensive vision for small-place ministry today. 
The Church Has Left the Building - Faith, Parish, and Ministry in the Twenty-First Century
Edited by Michael Plekon, Maria Gwyn McDowell, and Elizabeth Schroeder
Cascade Books, 2016 

This book is a collection of first-hand reflections - stories - from a diverse group of Christians, lay as well as ordained, who have distinctive experiences of the church in our time and how churches are adapting to the many changes in our society.
Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church Is Transforming the Faith
Diana Butler Bass
HarperSanFrancisco, 2006
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​This book is the result of her extensive, three-year study of centrist and progressive churches across the country and how they are flourishing. As Butler Bass 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.
Divergent Church: The Bright Promise of Alternative Faith Communities
Tim Shapiro with Kara Faris
Abingdon Press, 2017

New faith communities are appearing across the U.S. The authors spent more than a year examining the life of a dozen alternative faith communities across the country: new monastic communities, food-oriented communities, affinity group communities, house churches, hybrid churches and others. The book reveals how innovative Christians are engaging in time-honored practices, creating new types of communities, which will shape the church to come. ​
From the Steeple to the Street - Innovating Mission and Ministry through Fresh Expressions of Church
Travis Collins
Seedbed, 2016

This book addresses the cultural realities behind the Fresh Expressions movement, as well as the movement’s theological underpinnings; and how local church leaders can apply these insights in their church.
Great Catholic Parishes: A Living Mosaic - How Four Essential Practices Make Them Thrive
William E. Simon, Jr.
Ave Maria Press, 2016
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This book presents stories of Catholic parishes that practice the four foundational practices that surfaced in their research: share leadership, foster spiritual maturity and plan for discipleship, excel on Sundays, and intentionally evangelize. The book includes ideas, strategic advice, and practical strategies. 
Intercultural Ministry: Hope for a Changing World
​Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Jann Aldredge-Clanton, editors
Judson Press, 2017

Why are most churches still segregated by race and culture? Is it possible to build intercultural ministries today? What are the challenges of creating and maintaining these ministries? How do intercultural churches give equal power and privilege to each culture? How do they avoid assimilating minority cultures into dominant cultures? This book explores these questions and more with chapters from pastors, theologians, and teachers on intercultural churches and ministry. 
Multi-Asian Church: A Future for Asian Americans in a Multiethnic World
DJ Chuang
Multiasianchurch.com, 2016

This book is a strategic guide for ministry by Asian Americans, for Asian Americans and non-Asians too, in a multiethnic world. This book is packed with the latest demographics, statistics, real-life examples, stories, and recommendations to quickly inject the reader with pertinent information for ministering among the fastest growing racial ethnic group in America.
Multicultural Ministry Handbook: Connecting Creatively to a Diverse World
David Anderson and Margarita Cabellon, editors
IVP Books, 2010

This book brings together an experienced team of practitioners to share best practices for multicultural ministry. First they lay out the biblical rationale for multicultural community as God's vision for his people. Then key leaders share personal journeys and practical ideas for multicultural leadership development, worship, children's ministry, outreach and much more.
Neighborhood Church: Transforming Your Congregation into a Powerhouse for Mission
Krin Van Tatenhove and Rob Mueller
Westminster/John Knox, 2019

This book acts as a resource to inspire churches to become a vibrant and engaging community partner with the families and neighborhoods living around them.  Drawing on their combined sixty years of parish experience, wisdom from Asset-Based Community Development, and compelling case stories, the authors give practical, essential tools that lead to communal conversion, develop the DNA of listening, spur fruitful partnerships, promote integrated space, and sustain long-term visions. 
The New Parish: How Neighborhood Churches Are Transforming Mission, Discipleship and Community
Paul Sparks, Tim Soerens, and Dwight Friesen 
IVP Books, 2014

"The gospel becomes so much more tangible and compelling when the local church is actually a part of the community, connected to the struggles of the people, and even the land itself." Paul Sparks, Tim Soerens and Dwight J. Friesen have seen―in cities, suburbs and small towns all over North America―how powerful the gospel can be when it takes root in the context of a place, at the intersection of geography, demography, economy and culture. 
re:MIX: Transitioning Your Church to Living Color
Mark DeYmaz and Bob Whitesel
Abingdon Press, 2016

This book is a practical guide for leaders who are seeking to transition their monoethnic congregations into healthy multiethnic churches of Christ-centered faith. The book is theologically sound, cross-culturally relevant, and based on field research. It provides transferrable lessons and practices that are applicable in a variety of local church and denominational contexts. The book includes stories from church leaders in a variety of denominations who have transitioned their congregations to living color.
This Is God’s Table: Finding Church Beyond the Walls
Anna Woofenden
Herald Press, 2020

This is the story of an audacious journey. It's the story of what happens when people garden, worship, and eat togetherand invite anyone and everyone to join them. The book describes the way that the wealthy and the poor, the aged and the young, the housed and unhoused become a community in this once-empty lot. Together they plant and sustain a thriving urban farm, worship God, and share a weekly meal. Together they craft a shared life and a place of authenticity where all are welcome.
Weird Church: Welcome to the Twenty-First Century
​Beth Ann Estock and Paul Nixon
Pilgrim Press, 2016

​This book offers an analysis of the meta shifts happening in the rising church, and then explores examples of the rising church: the neighborhood, simple cell, family chapel, the pilgrimage, mission base camp, the community center, the spiritual theme park, and more. 

Online Resources: Stories of Innovative, Thriving Congregations

Dinner Church
Faith and Leadership, Duke Divinity School
Faith & Leadership is the online magazine of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, which designs educational services, develops intellectual resources, and facilitates networks of institutions.
The Field Hospital - National Catholic Reporter
The Field Hospital is NCR's reporting on parish life in the United States. 
Fresh Expressions US - Church Stories
A Fresh Expression is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet part of any church. Fresh Expressions is an international movement of missionary disciples cultivating new kinds of church alongside existing congregations to more effectively engage our growing post-Christian society.
Leading Ideas from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Delivered every Wednesday, the free e-newsletter Leading Ideas offers articles by thoughtful, cutting-edge leaders on a variety of subjects - navigating change, reaching younger people, financing your ministry, communicating effectively, and more. Here are two categories of articles that present innovative, thriving congregations. Search the Topics for more examples. 

Articles: Overview of Church Innovations

"From Bike Shop to Drive thru Prayer, Churches Try Thinking Outside the Pew" - Kristen Holmes
"LA Church Cafes Provide a Fresh Blend of Jesus, Community, and Coffee​" - Joshua Lurie ​
"Pray and Wash: Finding Churches in Unexpected Places" - G. Jeffrey MacDonald

Articles: Stories of Innovative, Thriving Churches

A 21st Century Church - The Slate Project, Baltimore

"Art and Faith Converge at a Hybrid Church/Community Arts Center" - Alexandria VA

"Austin Church is a 'Voice of Grace' for a Rapidly Changing City" - Vox Veniae, Austin

"Death and Resurrection of an Urban Church" - Broadway United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

"Church Finds New Life, Focusing on 'Congregation' Outside its Walls" - Redeemer Lutheran, Minneapolis

Church-run Business Incubator Grows its Community's Own Solutions to Poverty - Church of the Messiah, Detroit

"Church without Walls Offers Unconditional Acceptance to People Who Are Homeless" - Church of the Common Ground, Atlanta

"City's PCUSA Churches Band Together in the Face of Ongoing Decline" - Urban Presbyterians Together, Rochester NY

"Come for the Food, Stay for the Community" - Zion Lutheran Church, Minneapolis 

"God's Work Unfolds at a Charleston Laundromat" - Charleston, SC

"Grand Rapids Church Chooses People over Historic Space" - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids

"Holy Name of Mary's 90 Ministries and Counting Embrace the Broken" - Holy Name of Mary Parish, San Dimas, CA

"How Serving its Community Transformed a Dwindling Church" - Trinity Presbyterian Church, Tacoma

"In Booming Austin, Texas, Churches Struggle to Keep Pace with the City's Growth" - Covenant Presbyterian Church, Austin

"Kuhnekt Initiative Builds Relationships among Church Members" - Grove Presbyterian Church, Charlotte 

"Ministry Accelerator Helps Organizations Grow" - Virginia Conference, United Methodist Church

"Minneapolis Congregation Finds New Life through the Ancient Practice of Keeping Sabbath" - Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis

"Multilingual Priest Connects her Congregation and its Community through Language and Listening" - Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, Greensboro, NC

"New Kind of Catholic Community is Revitalizing Flint Michigan" - Catholic Community of Flint

"Rebranded ELCA Church Is a Place of Welcome for Believers and Nonbelievers Alike" - Park Church Co-op, Brooklyn

St. Lydia's Dinner Church - Brooklyn  

"Simple Church Blends Dinner, Worship, and Enterprise to Create a New Model" - North Grafton United Methodist Church, MA

"School Brings Life to Empty Buildings" - St. James Episcopal School, Philadelphia

"Tiny Congregation with a Big Building Is Resurrected as a Center for Peace" - Oakland Peace Center, Oakland

​The C3 Project and the Thriving Congregations Project are services of Vibrant Faith funded through two grants from the Lilly Endowment Inc.

Vibrant Faith: https://vibrantfaith.org

For questions about the Vibrant Faith Projects website contact John Roberto at [email protected]. 
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