Peter Corney’s practical wisdom and penetrating insight into our contemporary Australian urban culture is clearly on display in his latest book, Developing Congregations into Caring Communities. In particular, his analysis of Generation X (those between 28-38 yrs) and what he calls their ‘contemporary hunger for community’ is very thought provoking.
Only seven chapters long, the book goes on to explore what Christian community is, how it is expressed and how we as individuals might be ‘better community members’. The last three chapters offer many practical tips on how to develop helpful structures, events and task groups for a healthy and vibrant Christian community that is both outward looking and caring of its members. Corney is not afraid to suggest new ideas: how many of our churches have a parish nurse? At the back of the book are several appendices, including a helpful questionnaire to assist churches analyse their local communities.
But what about sin? There is barely any mention of human sinfulness and how that affects church life and mission. Is it true that people have a deep longing for community with God, or have people rebelled and turned away from him to create community without him? Much more needs to be said about sin and how that affects both the church and the community we seek to reach with the gospel.
And why is the Lord’s Supper considered the central act of meeting? Hebrews 12 would suggest otherwise. In fact, for the New Testament writers we meet together to hear God speak to us in the Bible as it is read and taught. Corney does acknowledge this (p. 20) but it is not always evident in his understanding of church activities. I also strongly disagree with the notion that we come to church in order to offer worship to God, an idea foreign to the New Testament.
Finally, what exactly is our mission? The relationship between evangelism, community life and social action needs to be more carefully unpacked. I’m sure Corney would agree that nothing is more important than calling on men and women to repent and believe the gospel, underlined by the way we live and behave – but it would be helpful for him to state it unambiguously!
By all means read the book for its useful insights, but not so much for its theological clarity!
