As the Church seeks to understand its life and mission in an increasingly secular context, the worldwide experiences of small Christian communities offer significant insights into the Church of the future. This book presents the findings of a theological consultation held at the University of Notre Dame in 1996 among 45 theologians, pastoral leaders, and lay members of small communities from five continents.

What emerges here is a careful, candid, and positive view of how small communities can enrich the life of the Church by drawing together people of diverse cultures and economic situations for spiritual renewal based on a sense of mission to the poor and the excluded. The theology and lived experience presented here offer profound insights into finding and living the reality of Christ in the contemporary world.

This book demonstrates how and why the formation and fervor of small Christian communities may well be the leaven for the Church of the future.

Robert S. Pelton, C.S.C., is on the faculty of Theology at the University of Notre Dame and concurrent professor in the Kellogg Institute for International Studies and the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at Notre Dame. He was Coordinator of the International Consultation on Small Christian Communities on which this book is based.