Praise for Slow Church

Now Featured at the Patheos Book Club
Slow Church
Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus
By C. Christopher Smith and John Pattison

What People Are Saying

"The internet providers have persuaded us that 'fast' is better —about everything. As a result, 'slow' is a deeply subversive, countercultural notion in a culture of 'fast.' This thoughtful, discerning book advocates 'slow' in faith and in life. This advocacy is a recognition that faith is a practice of relational fidelity that cannot be reduced to contractual or commodity transaction. The authors ponder and reflect on this summons with both pastoral sensitivity and missional passion. Readers eager for an evangelically paced life will pay close attention to this advocacy."
—Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary

"Chris and John have done a fantastic job of envisioning a wholesomely sustainable, spiritually alluring and thoroughly kingdom-centric church that is simply fulfilling its purpose of witnessing to Jesus in the rhythms of God's grace. I just have to join in! An inspiring read."
—Alan Hirsch, author, activist, dreamer, www.alanhirsch.org

"In this agitated and anxious world, our worth is determined by our productivity and our value is measured by how much we can devour. Without much thought, even our churches have become tangled up in our quick-consumption mentality. In the midst of the greedy mindlessness of ministry, C. Christopher Smith and John Pattison evoke a different vision —one of a careful community of deep relationships. As a pastor, I lingered over the words of Slow Church with delight as they inspired me and made me welcome what we might become."
—Carol Howard Merritt, pastor, author of Reframing Hope and Tribal Church

"In this timely book Smith and Pattison lead us into the habits and practices that are essential if churches are to savor, mobilize and celebrate the gifts of God's goodness all around. Read it with friends and then be prepared to discover the grit and the grace that make life together a foretaste of the kingdom of God. Slow Church is a beautifully conceived book that challenges us to live more deeply into community and in discipleship of Jesus Christ."
—Norman Wirzba, professor of theology and ecology, Duke Divinity School

"Recognizing the destructive consequences of church structures and individual lifestyles built around efficiency, control and hypermobility, Smith and Pattison challenge us to recover the social significance of God's slow and patient work in the world. This beautifully crafted book offers perceptive analyses, asks crucial questions and provides gracious wisdom for finding ways to live more fully attentive to God and to our particular time and place. Slow Church, like a well-prepared meal, provides nourishment and delight, and invites long and fruitful conversation."
—Christine D. Pohl, professor of Christian social ethics, Asbury Theological Seminary

"James Houston once wrote, 'the speed of godliness is slow.' In a culture that values speed and worships efficiency, Christopher Smith and John Pattison show us the graceful rhythms of fully embodied presence. Food, farming, faith and friendships cannot be rushed; neither can the church. Quality is more important than quantity. Slow Church reveals that there is a better, freer and more hope-filled way than frenetic ministry and exhausted lives. It sees slow not as lazy or bad but as rich and meaningful. This book challenges us to savor—not devour—the blessings of God in the midst of community. Ecclesiologically, patience truly is a virtue. Food tastes better when it marinates. Church is no different."
—J.R. Briggs, pastor/cultural cultivator, The Renew Community; founder, Kairos Partnerships; author, Fail: Finding Hope and Grace in the Midst of Ministry Failure

"Slow Church spurs imagination for God's patient, diligent working in the small everyday peculiarities of our lives together with him. It's a call to the simple goodness of life —made possible with God in community and neighborhood. Read it and be cured forever of programmed church."
—David Fitch, B. R. Lindner Professor of Evangelical Theology, Northern Seminary, and author of Prodigal Christianity

"All of our churches are shaped by our cultural environments, and Smith and Pattison note how forces such as fragmentation, impatience, commodification, branding, hypermobility, individualism and efficiency too often dominate our practices and priorities. So we strive for control in the midst of fears and self-protection. Slow Church provides theology and imagination that connect gospel embodiment with place and neighbors, calling us to slower lives around tables and conversations that nourish and interweave gratefulness, listening, work, hospitality, justice and the biblical trajectory toward the reconciliation of all things. Less of McDonalds; more of sabbath feasts."
—Mark Lau Branson, Homer L. Goddard Professor of the Ministry of the Laity, Fuller Seminary