Practical Interfaith: How to Find Our Common Humanity as We Celebrate Diversity

by Steven Greenebaum

Interfaith as a Faith―A Way to Move Past Preaching about Love and Compassion to Actually Practicing Them "A commitment to Interfaith is no small commitment. Nor is it an easy commitment. But I do believe it can be a rewarding and healing one. Interfaith widens our world. And, if we let it, Interfaith frees us from the imprisoning shackles of one of the most debilitating of all human emotions―fear of the 'other.'" ―from Chapter 6 The interfaith movement is taking root. More and more of us are exploring it. At the same time interfaith finds itself at a crossroads. Where do we go now? Rev. Steven Greenebaum not only suggests the faith of Interfaith as a positive way forward but also offers a practical, down-to-earth approach to a more spiritually fulfilling life. In this accessible how-to guide, Greenebaum




Along with offering resources such as Interfaith liturgy and guides to Interfaith church governance, he includes the voices of members of the Living Interfaith Church, the community he founded, to share their whys and hows of participating in an Interfaith church.

Genres: Religion, Spirituality

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

Reviews

[Diana-Michaela Shaffner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical Interfaith literally gives 'practical' ideas and steps on how one might approach building a spiritual community or new church. The author explains the concept of Interfaith as a faith in it's own right as opposed to just interfaith in which people from different faiths find a way to coexist. The beauty in the authors message is how full of hope it is that common ground can be found and taken to an entirely new level. If Interfaith as described in this book could become a large spiritual movement, world peace might just nudge that much closer to reality.

[Marianne Mullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book with the common theme of building Interfaith with the values of love, compassion, and community. By differentiating interfaith from Interfaith, the author guides the reader in understanding an Interfaith spiritual journey and how to even launch a church. Thorough and thought provoking, especially if you are interested in doing work as an Interfaith minister or belonging to a community of people with these shared goals.

[M Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

In interest of full disclosure, I have actually read this book before, in manuscript; the author is a dear friend and I am quoted in a promotional blurb on the inside back cover.

All that having been said, I am delighted to have this book in my library. Rev. Steven Greenebaum is a pioneer in the Interfaith movement, making the case that Interfaith can be a faith alongside the other spiritual paths that participate in interfaith dialogues. Steven renders the differences between Interfaith and interfaith far better than I, which is a good reason to buy and read his book.

This is actually his second book, following up on "The Interfaith Alternative." This new book summarizes and goes beyond the first, telling the story of how Rev. Greenebaum began to put his ideas into action with an Interfaith congregation, how they formed, their early journey together, and some of the lessons they've learned. If one becomes intrigued enough by the concept of Interfaith, this book is a wonderful blueprint of how to join the movement by creating a congregation (or "circle") of one's own.

I am blessed on a regular basis by Steven's clear-eyed optimism and spiritual hope. Those attributes shine through in this book, as well as the previous one. Whether the reader is a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Humanist, Agnostic, or Atheist, or follows any other spiritual path, there is much here to celebrate as Rev. Greenebaum looks at ideas of togetherness and then shows how those ideas can be lived out.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author gives practical advice to those wishing to initiate interfaith connections, and more especially those wishing to form an Interfaith community or church. Lots of nuts and bolts. Since I have no desire to join or form any kind of worship group, it didn't speak to me as much as his first book.

[Donna Olsen]

This is an excellent book explaining the concepts of a true interfaith dialogue experience and taking the steps necessary to bring about the safe space, the dignity and respect needed, to make this dialogue possible. I cried several times as I read it, as the author spoke about things I have been feeling for several years -- about the commonalities that the various religions, faiths, traditions and beliefs share. Too often, the only things people concentrate on are the differences, and if we could only see the many more commonalities that we share, we could really work together to make the world a place where everyone is valued for who they are.