The Deepest Belonging: A Story about Discovering Where God Meets Us

by Kara K. Root

Where does God meet us in this life? Rooting Christian faith in joy, freedom, and trust that God interacts with us in this life, The Deepest A Story of Discovering Where God Meets Us invites readers to walk through surprising doorways--weakness, vulnerability, smallness, rest, and honesty--into a new perspective of the Christian life and the role of the pastor. Kara Root draws wisdom from three compelling stories, all about finding freedom on the other side of fear. In one thread, Marty, a member of the small congregation Root serves, learns that he is dying. In the second, Root finds that her once-invincible faith of assurance and answers collapses. These stories come together in a third, when the congregation does a unique and counterintuitive it commissions Marty to a "ministry of dying." By embracing instead of fleeing death, Marty, this community, and Root herself are infused with life through shared experiences of God. They learn to be vulnerable and brave. They discover--again and profoundly--an unguarded faith of wondering and watching for God's presence. This is a book for all pastors and church leaders, as well as for those disillusioned with Christianity and the church and longing for something more real and honest. It explores questions such How does God meet us? What is church for? What is a pastor? What does it mean to be truly human? The Deepest Belonging is a call not to resist but to embrace our vulnerability. As a move away from religion seeking security, protection, and influence, this story invites individuals and congregations to return bravely to the core of our our belonging to God and one another.

Genres: Theology

308 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a slow start, I got into this book! Our book club will be discussing it on Thursday evening (11/14/2024). There are so many ideas that I have tagged, we might talk about this book about where God meets us, longer than usual. It wasn't easy reading for me, but I'm glad to have read it. The author, a minister in a church in Minnesota, like so many of us, had doubts but goes on through seminary. There was a side story about a newly retired man who discovers that he won't be living out his dreams but has terminal cancer. The congregation decides to go through his life's ending with him. He leaves nothing hidden from his loving new family. This book is an incredible read. I hope, if you read it, you will find it incredible also.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent combination of pastoral life, memoir and reflection on what it means to be a pastor. The books strengths lie in the quality of the writing and the honesty of the telling of both the author's life and her dying parish member, Marty. The two stories are woven together with the story of her congregation.

What is a congregation? What is a pastor? And most of all, where does God meet us? These are the questions are the heart of this book.

I will say that there are a couple of disappointing editing errors in this edition of the book. I hope these errors are corrected and the book goes into more printings.

[Cara Devine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I highly recommend it. A story of self discovery that has universal implications for us all. Especially touching was the story of Marty, a member of the congregation who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and the way his church family and pastor rallied around him, and the way he shared that journey. Beautiful.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book during the two weeks preceding my vacation and then through half of the vacation. I needed a vacation so badly. I felt so tired, because of some family difficulties that were very emotionally exhausting. This book held me close and drew me into the beloved community. It was just what I needed and the author’s congregation is blessed to have her.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kara Root talks about how she does not work for the institutional church. Her thoughts about being a pastor is stunning. She weaves a story about a member of her church as he dies in such a beautiful way.

[Ryan Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of the best books I’ve read. Spoke to my soul in a way that few have - weaving together theology, stories, and personhood all into one (as, I believe, they should always be). Every pastor, believer, and counselor should read this.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, Kara Root weaves stories from parish ministry with deep red rooted theology. I would recommend this book to every seminarian sensing a call to parish ministry, and anyone else who wants to be reminded of the compelling possibilities of what it means to deeply belong to God.

[Danielle Shroyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book, faithful witness

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book on creating community in ministry. Beautifully written and theologically sound!