Toward a Hopeful Future: Why the Emergent Church Is Good News for Mainline Congregations

Snider and Bowen, co-pastors of Brentwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in Springfield, Missouri, a formerly graying congregation that is now flourishing thanks in part to the authors' successful progressive worship service-"The Awakening"-provide a much-needed emerging resource that will benefit both progressive mainliners who value inclusivity, diversity, and social justice, as well as emergents seeking a point of entry into progressive mainline traditions.

Toward a Hopeful Future offers connections among 1) prophetic biblical traditions; 2) progressive mainliners; 3) Emergents; and 4) postmodern theory, and gives progressive communities of faith worship reflections and resources that will help them connect with emerging generations.