Gardens in the Desert

by Michael Adam Beck, Michael Adam Beck

A Vision for how we become God's church now for God's intended future.Picture a forest full of strong, old-growth trees with bright new saplings dotting the gaps between. This is one vision for the church we are becoming. A church ecosystem where established churches nurture new congregations, even congregations that look quite different. Ken Carter writes of this rich ecosystem with Michael Adam Beck, showing how the Methodist Church can be old and new, traditional, and unconventional. More importantly, they demonstrate why this mixed ecology is necessary and biblical.The book is practical and immediately useful. The chapters are short and pithy. The authors use frameworks, diagrams, metaphors, and lists throughout the book. This material provides the reader with 'handles' to grab onto so that they can digest the ideas and see how they work.Readers will begin to see their challenges in a new light. They’ll learn to shift their thinking away from disillusionment (the desert), toward innovation and hope (the gardens). Pastors and others will be equipped to do the work required to become adaptive leaders and to lead the UMC into a new life.

Genres: Leadership, Christianity, Church

168 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Frederick Bartelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good book overall.
I think the authors spend a bit too much time diagnosing the ‘problems’ that hinder churches.

Additionally, I think they commit too often the sin of antisemitism (unintentionally) by comparing ‘the Jews’ of John and opponents of Jesus to problems which Jesus wins over in order to make Jesus look good and fit their model of ministry.
They don’t need to do this as Jesus’ ministry on its own displays the model they are promoting

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this one for school—Dr. Beck is my professor this term. He has such radical & reviving things to say about the reality of the church and its mission in the modern world! I can’t wait to keep learning from him and learning more about the fresh expressions movement. (Note: it did feel a bit redundant in the last few chapters)