Invisible Divides: Class, culture and barriers to belonging in the Church

by Natalie Williams

We’re called to be like Jesus, not like each other – so why are most Western churches predominantly middle class? Could it be that we’re reaching out to people in poverty, but struggling to connect them into church life?

Natalie Williams and Paul Brown know all too well that those saved from working-class backgrounds often find themselves discipled effectively – but into middle classism rather than authentic Christianity. Drawing on their own experiences, and mixing theory with practical application, they explore the invisible divides that prevent churches from becoming places of true inclusion and keep poor and working-class people on the edges of faith.

Packed full of surprising insights and helpful advice, Invisible Divides will change the way you see church life. Essential reading for anyone concerned with the class divide within the church, it will challenge you to look at the ways in which we inadvertently exclude, alienate and offend people who aren’t like us, and equip you to start working towards making church a more open, inclusive space for everyone.

Jesus calls for us all to follow him, no matter our background; together, we can break down the invisible divides between us so that people from all walks of life can come to know Christ and find family in our churches.

Genres: Christian

192 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2022

Reviews

[Gareth Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book that has made me think the most this year. How does the church today, often middle class, incorporate those believers from other classes. Much to ponder.

[Simon Emmerich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Der Titel hört sich vielversprechend an, aber leider bleiben die Lösungsansätze etwas enttäuschend. Das Problem von ‚Middle-Class Churches‘ wird wenig strukturell oder theologisch durchdacht. Hab mir da echt ein bisschen mehr erhofft… 🦆

[Lydia Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and important analysis on UK Church culture and its relationship to social class. Some extremely pertinent and all-too familiar observations are made about the heavily middle-class nature of Church culture which is refreshing, but I didn’t feel some points were properly expanded including WHY some working class Christians feel themselves becoming progressively more middle-class after becoming followers of Jesus. I also felt the line between pointing out how the Gospel is classless, and attacking the middle-classes was sometimes blurred.

[Laura Goodesmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a personal stir up this book has been. Questioning how as a church, our culture can be the welcoming place we pray it to be and hope it is, verses the reality that predominant middle class Christianity culture can be its own barrier to those of other classes and backgrounds.

A worthy read, an honest sharing of experience, and provoking to those whom, like myself want to ensure actions and church culture are biblical, not just because it’s the “Christian norm” that keeps us set in our ways.

As someone who is very much in the throes of encouraging cross-class and culture gathering, and breaking down (some visible) barriers, I love the heart on display in this book showing we can all do better in meeting someone in their comfort zone, thinking outside of our box, and extending a better, more comfortable and intentional hand to anyone different to ourselves.

Thank you Natalie and Paul.

[Shane Goodyear · Rating 4 out of 5]

* This is a very good book about how the church is mainly middle class and can exclude unintentionally working class people
* Hence the title invisible divides
* It had chapters on communication, aspirations, hospitality and the call to discipleship. Also leadership and church structure
* Talks about how the working classes are missing from our churches
* Outreach programmes geared towards middle classes
* Church service geared towards middle classes and so is the church service
* Nothing really new really like they read what I said in my head
* Can relate to both Nat and Paul with their experiences
* However I felt, I do this that they made the working classes seem uneducated and how the middles classes ain’t had bad experiences in life. Even though this can be true I think it is less true now than it was 15 years ago due to cultural changes in the middle classes and working classes doing vocational courses at university
* All in all good book and would lend it to others

[John Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes explicit some things I've been able to work out and some things I've been less aware of. Very good to be made aware of what it feels like to be different to the majority and the possible anxiety caused. It needs a bit of determination or luck or the right person in the right place at the right time to rise above that. The onus is on us who are in the majority.
I liked repeated comments about neither culture being necessarily right or wrong, the repeated injunction to be aware and sensitive, to find out. It is written from the perspective of someone attending an evangelical church with many references to mature Christians leading and correcting others. This is not where I am though I have experience of it.
It was not written from anger, or to lecture us. It is not hectoring in tone. I was written as if to guide us gently and make us aware. A plea to welcome this axis of diversity and see us all beloved of God and to work together so that all may know they are loved. All Christians can learn from it.

[Sarah Varley · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘We cannot change what we cannot see’.
Natalie and Paul have written a much needed, helpful and provoking book that makes visible, divides and hurdles many of us would otherwise be unaware of.
The real challenge is to take this awareness and consider how these impact my attitude and behaviour and how we do church.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wake-up call to challenge norms in our church life that are actually divisive. Particularly pertinent to what we look for in our church leaders - those first disciples chosen by Jesus are a real challenge to our thinking. Thanks Paul and Natalie for putting the spotlight of biblical thinking on our preconceptions about people.

[Jess Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good things to reflect on here. Was hoping that rather than just pointing out the divides there may be more application in how to break them down and actively welcome working class into predominantly middle class church communities. That being said, highlighting them is as good a place to start as any.

[Robin Peake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant from the very talented Natalie Williams and her new co-author Paul Brown. For us doing church in a working class area, this was really helpful, and a really good wake-up call for all churches.

[Nick Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful insight into thinking across class divides and how this affects church life.

Challenging to consider how I react and change my actions to ensure that I am as inclusive as possible to all peoples.

[Alice Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disruptive, though provoking and really helpful!

[Amanda Wilkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Important topic. There are better books available. I’d recommend anything by Mez McConnell.

[Jenny Dawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is important, thought-provoking, clear, and helpful. Thoroughly recommend, especially to people involved in church leadership. It refreshes a vision of Jesus' kingdom and challenges me to my knees to humble myself, pray, seek God's guidance.