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The book review discusses "God's Church for God's world: reports, addresses and calls from the Lambeth Conference 2022," edited by Stephen Spencer. The conference, delayed by Covid, was marked by controversy and concerns about attendance and participation. The book is divided into three parts: "Listening Together," "Walking Together," and "Witnessing Together." The review criticizes the book for lacking substance and failing to convey the depth of the conference's debates and participants' reactions. It also highlights issues of organizational and cultural insensitivity. The review concludes by questioning the future of the Anglican Communion and expressing a desire for a more revealing book. [Extracted from the article]

"The Precarious Church: redeeming the Body of Christ" by Martyn Percy is a book that examines the present situation within the Church of England and its leadership's policies over the past 30 years. Percy argues that the church has become "precarious," with characteristics of both an association and an organization. He critiques top-down programs and mission action plans that do not reflect local situations or parish needs. Percy suggests ways forward and emphasizes the importance of hope and listening to God in order for faith to emerge in new forms. [Extracted from the article]

"Relational Christianity: a remarkable vision of God" by Wesley M. Pinkham and Jeremiah Gruenberg is a book that addresses the concept of relational Church, particularly in the UK. The authors argue that an imbalance in theological formation has led to a malfunctioning and dysfunctional Church in the West and the USA. They advocate for a rebalancing of trinitarian theology to underpin a cultural shift and emphasize the need for a balanced understanding of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The book explores the Prodigal Son story as a basis for understanding the relational nature of God and calls for a renewed church made up of more relational communities. [Extracted from the article]

This book review discusses "Political formation: being formed by the spirit in Church and world" by Jenny Leith. Leith, a former political journalist and social policy researcher, explores the disconnect between the expressed faith of Christians in politics and their actual practices. The book focuses on the Church of England and proposes a spirit-renewed process of formation for individuals and Christians outside their local communities. Leith discusses the need for the Church to engage with emerging cultural values and emphasizes the importance of integrating insights from everyday life with the life of the Church. The review highlights the book's exploration of moral and ethical formation and raises questions about the changing sources of moral and spiritual formation. [Extracted from the article]

"Present in every place? The Church of England's new churches, and the future of the parish" by Will Foulger is a well-researched book that examines the tensions between supporters of the parish ministry and those who have developed new patterns of congregation-building. Foulger, who is the Director of Mission and Evangelism at Cranmer Hall Theological College in Durham, offers an objective analysis of the current literature and presents his own research findings. The book explores the concepts of place and space, the history and defense of the parish system, and the emergence of new congregations through the Mission Shaped Church movement. Foulger emphasizes the need for emerging solutions in a changing social and economic landscape and advocates for collegiality and collaboration in the Church. Overall, the book provides valuable insights into the ongoing debate surrounding the future of the Church of England. [Extracted from the article]

"Theological authority in the Church: reconsidering traditionalism and hierarchy" by Steven Nemes is a book that explores the nature of authority in religious denominations. Nemes argues against the hierarchical structure and pronouncements of the Roman Catholic Church, focusing on the sayings of Jesus against the Pharisees in Matthew's Gospel. However, the book has been criticized for its narrow focus and limited range of sources. Despite its limitations, the book raises important questions about the credibility and relevance of past generations' answers and calls for a courageous and evidence-based debate on theological authority in the modern world. [Extracted from the article]

The book "How to remake the world neighbourhood by neighbourhood" by Mack McCarter with Tim Muldoon explores the question of why well-resourced communities fail to grow and flourish over time. McCarter argues that even large urban societies are made up of local communities, and by establishing houses dedicated to renewal in each "village," transformation can occur. The book delves into the analysis of societies and the importance of positive relationships within communities. It highlights the achievements of McCarter's work in Shreveport, Louisiana, and the replication of his model across the USA and internationally. The book offers a vision of how transformative movements can be achieved through small, informed beginnings and healthy relationships. [Extracted from the article]