Brave Church: Tackling Tough Topics Together

by Elizabeth Hagan

"I grew up in a church that never felt real. I became a pastor because I wanted to change that," Elizabeth Hagan writes in Brave Church. Our society needs brave churches where people can talk about the real struggles they are experiencing without fear of shame or judgment. They need their church to offer a safe space to talk openly about their daily challenges and to know that others will listen and respond with loving hearts and open minds.

Brave Church will help congregations talk about controversial topics with sensitivity to those who see the world differently from themselves. It will guide readers to think about how the church relates to infertility/miscarriage, mental health, domestic violence, racism, and sexuality. Throughout the 6-week study, readers will follow "brave space rules" so they can stay in hard conversations with one another. While it can be read alone, Brave Church is designed to be used as a 6-week resource for small groups.

Genres: Nonfiction

143 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[Rev. Deb]

The topics Rev. Hagan covers are hot-button issues in US society today: infertility/miscarriage, mental health, domestic violence, racism, and sexuality. Hagan gives "brave space rules" so that there can be true conversation and reflection among members of the congregation.

The book can be used in other congregational hot button issues as well, alongside books such as 'Caring Enough to Confront' by David Augsburger. As a pastor who has been part of a church closing, I think these "brave space rules" would have been immensely helpful in the painful conversation of "where should we go from here?"

May we each be brave enough to have these conversations!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a book we ALL need as believers. We need to have honest conversations about very difficult issues facing us in the culture and the church... and yet, we can't find ways to come together. It's more difficult in the past 5 years.

Elizabeth Hagan, having 15 years of pastoral experience, brings a huge help. Each chapter introduces a very HOT topic and then lays out ideas and ground rules for discussion as believers. This is tough stuff. And the Church should be able to step up to the tough stuff!

Utilize this book in your small groups and churches!

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brave Church reaches far beyond the pews of a church....this book should've been called Brave Talk, Brave People, Brave Country, or Brave World because anyone (church affiliated or not) can learn and take valuable lessons from this book. Hagan artfully tackles the toughest topics in society with grace and encourages us to open ourselves to the possibility of authentically sitting with one another in tough dialogue. Any person, group, church, synagogue, mosque, or social club can benefit from the words and examples outlined by Hagan. Highly encourage you to engage with this work.

[Kristen Tallau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly had never heard of Elizabeth Hagan before I purchased this book. But I'm all about churches talking about the 'tough topics,' because they just never do. Things like racism, sexuality, domestic violence...they're so prevalent in today's society, yet so absent from Sunday's sermon. Ms. Hagan explores each topic in her book with clarity, compassion, and loads of truth. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a biblical basis for today's discussions.

[Rosalind C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise, compassionate, and yes, brave, this book is an essential companion for churches that want to talk about things that matter but don’t know how. Practical suggestions and examples open up difficult subjects for prayer, community, and support. Just as a brave church should.

[Daniel Burch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. The author does a really great job making you feel comfortable about starting to talk about difficult topics. I say “starting to talk” purposefully in that this would be a great setup book for laying key, foundational elements of discussion. This is a great starter.

[Cara Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer for stepping into (what some deem as) hard topics together as a church.

[Tom Carrico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book for small group discussion or adult Sunday School.