Intimacy & Mission: Intentional Community As Crucible for Radical Discipleship

by Luther E. Smith Jr.

Book by Smith, Luther E., Jr.

Paperback

First published June 1, 1994

Reviews

[Logan Streondj · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty dull and abstract, there were hardly any narrative non fiction stories of primary interaction, it was all secondary abstraction.

Like it said new members could cause problems if there were few qualification requirements, but it didn't describe even a single instance of such a problem.

It did occasionally illustrate some specific things a handful of times, like a white couple that left because they weren't accepted in the black community. Though that was one of the few memorable ones. Another was that a Lady left cause the community forced her into such poverty that she had to borrow money to even afford a birthday card for her father.


In terms of takeaways there weren't many , mostly that Christian communities are obsessed with being poor, membership requirements are prudent and that managing relationships are the biggest part of community.

[John Bober · Rating 5 out of 5]

1994 book exploring intentional Christian community using the results of a 1983 survey of 68 communities, interviews with members of these communities and an in depth examination of 5 of them (Koinonia Partners, Church of the Messiah, Sojourners, Voice of Calvary and Patchwork Central). The author calls for radical discipleship even starting at a modest level.

[Ryan Motter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like a Doctoral Dissertation that’s been translated into a church resource. Smith has a deeply rooted spiritual approach to Church Membership through Covenant and radical discipleship. Would like to have seen more congregational application examples.

[Paul Yanchek · Rating 4 out of 5]

An academic analysis of five intentional covenant faith communities with practical insights for traditional churches in local settings