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Uncommon Church: Community Transformation for the Common Good
How can the people of God develop churches in ways that help and don't hurt poor neighborhoods? In urban ministry, Christians too often treat the poor as goodwill projects instead of people. Because of this mindset, many remain unchurched. Healthy, local, urban churches are needed because they combine personal empowerment and community transformation. Every poor neighborhood needs uncommon churches that will seek the common good of their communities. Alvin Sanders engages hard truths about these neighborhoods and provides a model for how to do ministry in difficult conditions. The local, urban church is the key to community transformation, as it plays three crucial roles of empowering, partnering, and reaching. Pastors and church planters interested in Christian community development will find here practical insights into the power of the local church, which is often underrated. Churches can serve their communities and improve the quality of life of every facet of the neighborhood.
- GenresChristian Non Fiction
176 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 20, 2021
One of the problems that I’ve experienced within the local church is the lack of community. Or, even more specifically, the lack of the interior community of the church to engage with the exterior community of the neighborhood. That’s not true for all churches, I know, particularly churches from urban environments, but it is the case for many suburban churches, megachurches, and churches whose church demographics don’t align with the neighborhood’s demographics.
In particular, many churches treat “the poor” as a problem to be ignored or a project to be fixed. Uncommon Church steps into that space, encouraging churches to not just help the poor but be comprised of the poor. After all, Jesus didn’t commute to earth but incarnated himself in flesh. This point is made strongly in the very first chapter, which Sanders bluntly titles “Advocacy is Not Enough.”
The first part of Uncommon Church presents readers a better way of doing church. At one point, Sanders tells the poignant tale of Charles Sheldon’s In His Steps. It’s a book that has encouraged people for over a hundred years to ask What Would Jesus Do? Sanders points out that, while this can be helpful, we must also remember that we aren’t Jesus. Putting ourselves in his shoes can lead to a savior mentality that divides us, rather than unites us with the poor.
At the tail end of this section, Sanders moves from the theological and theoretical into the practical and personal, highlighting seven habits of a spiritually mature church. It’s a well-presented, solid structure that may change the way you decide to organize your own congregation.
The second part of Uncommon Church deals with what it means to work for the common good of the community. Sanders explores the tensions between evangelism and justice. He gives a sociology lesson on how the “hoods”—areas of poverty, both urban and suburban—are created and maintained through economic injustice. And then he provides clear and repeatable examples of good, uncommon church work in both his own church context and the Christian Community Development Association.
As a pastor, I’ve had a lot of ideas about how to engage the surrounding community, but going without knowing if a plan is workable isn’t wise. Sanders provides the plan, making Uncommon Church a book I’ll be returning to time and time again as I adapt his message and implementation to my context.
In particular, many churches treat “the poor” as a problem to be ignored or a project to be fixed. Uncommon Church steps into that space, encouraging churches to not just help the poor but be comprised of the poor. After all, Jesus didn’t commute to earth but incarnated himself in flesh. This point is made strongly in the very first chapter, which Sanders bluntly titles “Advocacy is Not Enough.”
The first part of Uncommon Church presents readers a better way of doing church. At one point, Sanders tells the poignant tale of Charles Sheldon’s In His Steps. It’s a book that has encouraged people for over a hundred years to ask What Would Jesus Do? Sanders points out that, while this can be helpful, we must also remember that we aren’t Jesus. Putting ourselves in his shoes can lead to a savior mentality that divides us, rather than unites us with the poor.
At the tail end of this section, Sanders moves from the theological and theoretical into the practical and personal, highlighting seven habits of a spiritually mature church. It’s a well-presented, solid structure that may change the way you decide to organize your own congregation.
The second part of Uncommon Church deals with what it means to work for the common good of the community. Sanders explores the tensions between evangelism and justice. He gives a sociology lesson on how the “hoods”—areas of poverty, both urban and suburban—are created and maintained through economic injustice. And then he provides clear and repeatable examples of good, uncommon church work in both his own church context and the Christian Community Development Association.
As a pastor, I’ve had a lot of ideas about how to engage the surrounding community, but going without knowing if a plan is workable isn’t wise. Sanders provides the plan, making Uncommon Church a book I’ll be returning to time and time again as I adapt his message and implementation to my context.
February 9, 2021
Alvin Sanders discusses urban ministry and the work of World Impact, a ministry he serves as president. He shows how true urban ministry must partner with community development. He shows how gentrification often hurts those who need low cost housing most. He shares insights from his own work in the "hood." Many years ago Alvin was a student at a Bible college and seminary where I worked as a librarian. His love for the Lord manifested itself in his attitude and his attention to his studies. I enjoyed seeing how God has used him to reach others over these years. He talks about the ups and downs in terms of his ministry, showing that urban ministry is not an easy calling. I was struck by a statement he made early in the book. To paraphrase it, he stated that many Christians become involved in a service project to the hood because it makes them feel good--not to show what God can do. I couldn't help but wonder how much more effective our efforts to reach the "hood" would be if Christians forgot themselves and focused on what God can do. Certainly some of the most effective work with the poor came from people such as Mother Teresa who embraced this principle. Christians interested in reaching the poor should read this thought-provoking book.
October 19, 2020
Loved this book because of the simplicity of the message and the practical points Dr. Sanders draws out for churches in the hood. As a church planter, this work is the best resource I’ve found to help navigate planting churches in neighborhoods that are socioeconomically depressed.
His emphasis on the church’s role in being holy was absolutely spot on. I’ve found that the church in general, has forgotten this core truth.
I highly encourage members and pastors who seek to pastor in the “hood” to check this book out!
His emphasis on the church’s role in being holy was absolutely spot on. I’ve found that the church in general, has forgotten this core truth.
I highly encourage members and pastors who seek to pastor in the “hood” to check this book out!
January 26, 2021
A helpful book on ministry in the hood from a true practitioner. Love the focus on discipleship and not separating evangelism from justice!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews