The Church as Reconciling Presence

Arguing that the church has lost itself in the grip of an antagonistic culture, David Fitch takes a close look at what drives the vitriol and division in our congregations. He offers new patterns and practices that move the church beyond making enemies to being the presence of Christ in the world.

"This is a book for our time. The sad reality of our churches and our individual lives is that we have participated in, as well as perpetuated, what David Fitch calls the 'enemy-making machine.' With penetrating analysis of our compromised social condition, Fitch offers a way to move beyond the hostile culture of 'othering' that has damaged our witness to Christ. I couldn't put this book down, which means you would do well to pick it up!"
--Rich Villodas, lead pastor, New Life Fellowship, Queens, New York City

"David Fitch once again calls the church to a better way--that is, the ways that are reflective of the good news of the gospel. While the church continues to experience challenging times, it has been the practice of many to lean on enemy making, antagonisms, strife, and divisiveness. This is the book for such a time as this. As a 'prisoner of hope, ' I long for the church to lean into a better, more loving, and more gracious imagination for what it means to be the church on mission. This book is deeply pastoral, prophetic, and winsome."
--Tara Beth Leach, senior pastor of PazNaz; author of Emboldened

"We are undoubtedly living in precarious times--perhaps even deserving of being called The Uncivil Wars. It really is hard to find a time when we were so ideological, rancorous, and divided. Pre-World War II Europe comes to mind, and that did not end well. As Bonhoeffer discovered then, only a church that is willing to live radically aligned to Jesus will have anything to say to such a fractious world. This book does precisely that: it calls us to radical discipleship appropriate to the times. And I can't think of a better voice to address this scenario than David Fitch. Bravo, Dave!"
--Alan Hirsch, author of numerous award-winning books on leadership, movements, and spirituality; founder of 5Q Collective, 100 Movements, and Forge International (alanhirsch.org)