Stanley Hauerwas, was declared by "Time Magazine" in 2001 to be 'America's best theologian'. This book explores his work on the Church as a community living holiness. It offers an accessible introduction to Hauerwas' understanding of the ethics, character, narrative, practices and politics of the Church in late modern societies. Hauerwas has lots of imaginative, challenging and creative things to say. This book seeks to make them more available to the wider Church and its clergy at ground level. Section I introduces Hauerwas' work on the Church. It critically explores the importance he places on the church, its story and its politics as witness to the reign of God in the world. Section II demonstrates how Hauerwas' thinking can illuminate congregational life, discipleship, Scripture, mission, theology and witness in fresh and encouraging ways.

Author Biography

John B Thomson is a Director of Ministry in the Diocese of Sheffield, an honorary canon of Sheffield Cathedral and is author of The Ecclesiology of Stanley Hauerwas: A Christian Theology of Liberation (Ashgate, 2003), and the compiler of DOXA: A Discipleship Course (DLT, 2007).