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Social Analysis for the 21st Century: How Faith Becomes Action
What student of ministry over the past three decades has not used “the little green book” by Joe Holland and Peter Henriot? Expanding and elaborating the classic, Social Linking Faith and Justice, Maria Cimperman addresses the ongoing need for the tools of social analysis in every area of Christian life and pastoral care. Cimperman revisits the famous “pastoral circle” approach of see/judge/act, but with updated language and areas of concern. Like its predecessor, this text is a must-have for seminaries, divinity schools, college classrooms, and immersion groups. Reproducible worksheets are included for collaborative work and discussion
- GenresReligion
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 24, 2024
The book opens with an optimistic argument for the possibility of creating change on the basis of the hope of the Gospel. Cimperman argues for a distinction between change and transformation. Transformation is a deeper level of change beyond mere cosmetic/aesthetic: it is internal as well as external. Transformation is rooted in hope rather than idealism/optimisim. Hope, distinguished from these two, is grounded in reality and acknowledges the difficulties facing attempts at transformation.
She lists 7 key components of transformative discipleship: 1) It is rooted in a call, 2) grounded in love, 3) lived out in community, 4) incarnated in loving service, 5) sustained by prayer, 6) risking all for love, and 7) Easter enfleshed in hope. She further gives several key steps for beginning to effect transformation: 1) choose a topic, 2) make use of narratives and data, 3) limit the topic, 4) give reasons for the choice, 5) name their experience, 6) consider who is still needed in the discussion. In choosing a topic, it is essential that people have personal interest in the issue in some way. Narratives help draw people in whereas data/statistics present the seriousness of an issue. Limiting the topic can be done by more deeply considering why the topic was chosen. Cimperman recommends use of the 5 “why’s” to further understand reason/emotion in choosing an issue (e.g., 1) Why does x make me feel this way ? 2-5) and why does the answer to the last question make me feel this way?)
Once a topic is chosen, Cimperman gives several areas to proper social analysis that includes the sociological, economic, political, cultural, environmental, and religious. In analyzing these different areas, one should also consider various layers, networks, and structural relationships linking actors, events, systems, policies, ideas, etc.
The sum of her system involves a four part cycle, which she terms the “pastoral spiral,” of experience>social analysis>faith reflection>action. Each step considers all of the areas listed above (e.g., economic, sociological, etc.). The action step involves a process of setting achievable short term goals, experimentation, assessment of progress, and revision of tactics.
Cimperman offers a number of helpful questions and points to consider when leading transformation. The book suffers from the same problems as most in this field, however, in that it attempts to describe an art and intuition that cannot be put clearly into words. At times this makes the advice vague and too broad to be helpful. Even so, the model presented is a good springboard for pastoral analysis in congregations.
She lists 7 key components of transformative discipleship: 1) It is rooted in a call, 2) grounded in love, 3) lived out in community, 4) incarnated in loving service, 5) sustained by prayer, 6) risking all for love, and 7) Easter enfleshed in hope. She further gives several key steps for beginning to effect transformation: 1) choose a topic, 2) make use of narratives and data, 3) limit the topic, 4) give reasons for the choice, 5) name their experience, 6) consider who is still needed in the discussion. In choosing a topic, it is essential that people have personal interest in the issue in some way. Narratives help draw people in whereas data/statistics present the seriousness of an issue. Limiting the topic can be done by more deeply considering why the topic was chosen. Cimperman recommends use of the 5 “why’s” to further understand reason/emotion in choosing an issue (e.g., 1) Why does x make me feel this way ? 2-5) and why does the answer to the last question make me feel this way?)
Once a topic is chosen, Cimperman gives several areas to proper social analysis that includes the sociological, economic, political, cultural, environmental, and religious. In analyzing these different areas, one should also consider various layers, networks, and structural relationships linking actors, events, systems, policies, ideas, etc.
The sum of her system involves a four part cycle, which she terms the “pastoral spiral,” of experience>social analysis>faith reflection>action. Each step considers all of the areas listed above (e.g., economic, sociological, etc.). The action step involves a process of setting achievable short term goals, experimentation, assessment of progress, and revision of tactics.
Cimperman offers a number of helpful questions and points to consider when leading transformation. The book suffers from the same problems as most in this field, however, in that it attempts to describe an art and intuition that cannot be put clearly into words. At times this makes the advice vague and too broad to be helpful. Even so, the model presented is a good springboard for pastoral analysis in congregations.
January 2, 2024
Dnf. Felt outdated less than a decade after it was published, and really provided nothing that others haven't done better. Maybe helpful for Christians who read no books about justice and changemaking?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews