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Simple, Generous, Open: Mission and Renewal in the Progressive Church
144 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2024
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December 29, 2025
1st reviewer. OK. The context of this book is the story behind the St. Clare's shop/church/ministry between the old and new Coventry cathedrals. So you've probably met Charlotte and wondered how something so progressive and informal found a place among the "giants" of Coventry. This is the story.
I can't help but compare it to Stephen Verney's "Fire in Coventry" which tells the story of the revival amidst the Cathedral community in the early 60s. "Simple, Generous, Open" might be considered a continuation of that work. The differences between the two works underscore the differences between the two communities. Charlotte Gale tells the story but assumes that the reader will intuitively understand the community's values. She doesn't try to "make a case" for St. Clare's. I think St. Clare's ministry is important and uncommon and much more could be said about why communities like this are needed and a missing part of the body of Christ.
"Fire in Coventry" challenged the reader to confirm or deny the truths revealed to the Cathedral community. When you finish reading, there's a sense of "The Spirit at work there is a part of me, too!" I was hoping that "Simple, Generous, Open" would also reconnect me with the Spirit that inspired such an undertaking. It's just not that kind of book. It's going to accept you the way you are and leave it up to you to decide what you want to do with this story. There's no blueprint to follow; no advice.
Recommended, but not as much as I'd recommend visiting St. Clare's itself.
I can't help but compare it to Stephen Verney's "Fire in Coventry" which tells the story of the revival amidst the Cathedral community in the early 60s. "Simple, Generous, Open" might be considered a continuation of that work. The differences between the two works underscore the differences between the two communities. Charlotte Gale tells the story but assumes that the reader will intuitively understand the community's values. She doesn't try to "make a case" for St. Clare's. I think St. Clare's ministry is important and uncommon and much more could be said about why communities like this are needed and a missing part of the body of Christ.
"Fire in Coventry" challenged the reader to confirm or deny the truths revealed to the Cathedral community. When you finish reading, there's a sense of "The Spirit at work there is a part of me, too!" I was hoping that "Simple, Generous, Open" would also reconnect me with the Spirit that inspired such an undertaking. It's just not that kind of book. It's going to accept you the way you are and leave it up to you to decide what you want to do with this story. There's no blueprint to follow; no advice.
Recommended, but not as much as I'd recommend visiting St. Clare's itself.
Displaying 1 of 1 review