St Benedict in the City

Increasingly, Church buildings, often those in inner urban contexts, are being reordered to create within them community/meeting/activity space as well as worship space. These converted buildings are being used more and more for what could be called ‘Community Ministry,’ a reaching out to the local area, in Christ’s name, through the provision of various activities within the building itself. Such a development is hugely welcome, but it needs a theological under-girding to explain, inspire and grow it. This book offers such an under-girding, drawing on how a Church and its minister in Scotswood, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North-East England, used the Rule of St Benedict to guide and inspire their life and ministry. The book also shows how the Rule can be of use to clergy, by describing how the author found the Rule to inspire him in his ordained discipleship. It also includes a collection of articles and sermons that seek to inspire others to engage with the Rule and to live the whole-life discipleship that Benedict so clearly advocates. This book will thus be of use to clergy, to Christians, and to congregations in all contexts as they reflect on and seek inspiration for their lives.