Liquid Church by Pete Ward

by Pete Ward

Church and Ministry

Genres: Christian, Theology, Church

Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Pete Ward (PhD, King's College, London) is a professorial fellow in ecclesiology and ethnography at St. John's College, Durham University, in Durham, England. He also teaches at MF The Norwegian School of Theology, Oslo. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of numerous books, including Perspectives on Ecclesiology and Ethnography, and has written in the areas of youth ministry, contemporary worship, theology and popular culture, and ecclesiology.

Reviews

[Brad Neuhauser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting thoughts about traditional ("solid") church and newer ("liquid") concepts, especially given it was written a couple decades ago. Regarding solid churches, the way he described many as operating as either a Heritage Site, Refuge, or Nostalgic Community really resonated. Liquid church in the sense of more relation-based and networked, less hierarchical, and less concerned about who's inside and outside again resonated with me. What pushed me a bit was his idea of positioning church in consumer culture, but he at least made a good case, based on "1) everyone has a spiritual desire, and 2) church should be designed around people's desire for God". Important to note, this is not a "how to" at all, but lays down some arguments in favor of changes with discussion that will likely spur additional ideas in the reader.

[Chris Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't agree with everything proposed, but that I could see the merits of the ideas shows clear communication. I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion, even if I would draw different conclusions.

[Andy Gore · Rating 2 out of 5]

If only his theological reflections were as thought provoking as his sociological!!

[Wesley Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book! Pete Ward gives a thoughtful and imaginative image of a flexible, missional, and relational identity for the church. Centralizing relationships, "fellowship," and encounter, Ward takes "congregation," church buildings, and worship services out of the center of church life and identity. Instead of identifying church with what happens in the four walls of the church building on Sunday morning, Ward identifies church with "informal relationships." As he writes in the introduction, "...the first move in imagining a liquid church is to take the informal fellowship, in which we experience Christ as we share with other Christians, and say this is church" (2). This seems to be the right move. Centralizing the person-to-person encounter over against the church program or worship service (and especially putting the latter in the service of the former instead of the other way around) is not only an appropriate contextual move, given the consumer culture of the US and the UK, but it is a throughly biblical and theological turn. Ward shows this by weaving together interpretive sociological examination of his context with normative theological claims. Ward attests to the missional shape of ecclesiology, orienting relationships towards participation in the mission of God.

This book, however, is not without its problems. It warrants all the appropriate cautions of missional theology and, most significantly, in its pragmatic applications, Liquid Church has perhaps too optimistic a view toward the culture at large, particularly consumer culture. Responding to the church's knee-jerk reaction against consumerism, I believe Ward is too quick to baptize consumerism and social media without giving significant attention to the pitfalls of these cultural phenomena. Although the pragmatic applications of Liquid Church raise questions, there is a critical apparatus built into Ward's normative move that allows us to accept the book's overall direction even with proper caution.

Again, this is a good book. Wonderfully practical and refreshingly theological.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book, looking sociologically and theologically at modern trends in church life. Proposes that church become more 'liquid' in terms of networking, and fluid structures rather than continuing the Mediaeval style 'solid church' that had a very different basis in society. I have one or two concerns about the author's conclusions, but on the whole found it a very thought-provoking and discerning book. A bit heavy-going in places, but well worth the effort. Four and a half stars, really.

[Mark Chaffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though over 10 years old, there is quite a bit of content still relevant today. Though I have seen progress in the traditional Solid Church to which Ward proposes as a more Liquid Church, there is still a ways to go. The author does a concise job of explaining why we should be headed in this direction.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful A book in the direction of organic church.