This first volume in Judson Press s Living Church series addresses the topic of church growth and discipleship. For centuries, the Christian church has led the way in creating communities of people.
Pastor Lee Spitzer proposes that today s church can sustain that leadership role by developing a transformative paradigm for church growth not only in terms of the number of people who join but in regard to the maturity of disciples who participate in the life of the Body of Christ.
The key, Spitzer asserts, is learning to expand and enrich our circles of friendship in our home, our congregation, and our community. Includes chapter studies on friendship in the Bible and in the life of Jesus!
Editorial Reviews:
"Lee Spitzer has landed on the fundamental human relationship, a cultural universal—friendship. Best of all, he sees friendship as a necessary good in and of itself, a virtue and practice that constitutes humanness, validates personhood, and creates community...Establishing friendships within significant circles of love and becoming a friend of God are the first two steps in seeing our faith communities grow and thrive in authentic relationship and mission." —David W Augsburger, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
"In the high-tech world of the Internet and social networking, how should Christians think about friendship? In Making Friends, Making Disciples, Lee Spitzer not only shows how good friendships enrich our lives, but also how they bless the church by nurturing Christians for faithful discipleship and mission. In chapters that explore Jesus’ model of friendship, friendship as a spiritual journey, and the different kinds of friendship, Spitzer insightfully portrays why good friendships help make the church and our world a better place. Making Friends, Making Disciples reminds us that friendships are both a grace and a calling." —Paul J. Wadell, Professor of Religious Studies, St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin; author,Becoming Friends: Worship, Justice and the Practice of Christian Friendship
"Lee gets to the heart of the matter, asserting that the church is a Christ-centered community of friends that is committed to making more friends. His approach goes much deeper than 'friendship evangelism.' Lee explores 'how friendship informs the internal life (discipleship) and outreach ministry (evangelism in a holistic sense) of the church in the twenty-first century.' He argues powerfully that cultivating friendship with God and neighbor is a spiritual discipline, not having some ulterior motive, but because God has called us to make and be friends." —Rev. Dr. J. Dwight Stinnett, Living Church Series Editor, Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches, Great Rivers Region
