This fascinating book builds on the original Living Cells, which was described by The Tablet as 'one of the best introductions to small Christian communities' and by the National Catholic Reporter as 'clear about the elements of a viable ecclesial community for the 21st century'. The work is offered to the reader not as a blue-print, but as a pastoral companion – diversity and flexibility are affirmed in its pages.
As the previous work did, this one also deals with both the theory and practice of small Christian communities. It has been radically revised and enriched by:
• a reordering and enhancement of the material to make the book even more user-friendly
• a fuller and more effective use of the word of God
• a complete historical profile of small Christian communities
• a sensitivity to ecumenical and feminist dimensions
• input of a psychological and sociological nature (leadership skills, conflict resolution, etc)
• a doubling of examples which offer possibilities for meetings
• a methodology for pastoral planning honed by further experience
• a chapter on the burning issues that arise in groups
• a chapter on contemplation in small communities
• a chapter on their spirituality, drawn from the faith experience of existing groups
• an augmented list of passages for Bible sharing, arranged under relevant headings
• an updated and definitive annotated bibliography
• an index
• frequent stories and illustrations taken from the lives of real groups, which make this book an absorbing read.