Description
Book SynopsisThe evangelical seeker churches in the US target seekers, people of any faith or denominational background who seek spiritual fulfillment. This book provides a sociological context for the rise of these churches by exploring their rituals, messages, strategies and denominational functions.
Trade ReviewIn the last two decades, thousands of churches across the U.S. have combined traditional evangelical theology with innovative marketing principles to respond to the contemporary cultural environment. . . . Sargeant provides a sociological mapping of the seeker church movement. He focuses on Willow Creek Community church (a widely recognized suburban Chicago congregation) and the over 5,000 churches that form the Willow Creek Association. SargeantÆs description and analysis give the reader a better understanding of both the American religious context that gave birth to the movement and the practices that make it distinct. . . . Fascinating. * Choice *
Just about everyone by now has heard of seeker churches, and many Americans have visited or joined them. Thousands of pastors across the country each year flock to seminars to learn more about these churchesÆ approach to ministry and to gain insight into why the movement is rapidly growing. Kimon Howland SargeantÆs sociological analysis of the movement is the first systematic attempt to try to make some sense of it historically and culturally. This nicely written and timely book addresses, in SargeantÆs words, the fundamental question, æWhat does it mean to be religious, especially to be an evangelical, at this moment in history?Æ. . . . Sargeant provides a good introduction to these churches and raises the critical sociological and theological issues. * Christian Century *
SargeantÆs book is a clearly written picture of the Seeker church phenomenon. It uses for its main data a survey of Seeker church pastors. . . . A fascinating portrayal of this æmarket niche.Æ It is a truly æpost-denominationalÆ movement that is thoroughly accommodated to a contract-oriented ethos with ænetworks benefitsÆ and bereft, at least for now, of æhierarchies of religious authority.Æ It is, in sum, a quintessential incarnation of American market religion. * Journal of Religion *
SargeantÆs thesis is that seeker churches will continue to grow and to conform to cultural trends. . . . A temperate and insightful account, highly readable, and adequately illustrated. It makes a timely contribution to the sociology of religion and of American culture. * Social Forces *
I found this a most insightful and helpful book for anyone who is interested in evangelical church growth. . . . Replete with well-chosen examples, extensive and thought-provoking discussion, Seeker Churches is well written and well edited, ensuring that it will be a useful resource for years to come. * Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith *
After suffering much armchair analysis, the Seeker Church movement has, at last, found a worthy scholar. Kimon Howland Sargeant has produced an excellent study, historically sound and sociologically dexterous. -- Randall Balmer * author of Blessed Assurance: A History of Evangelicalism in America *
After a quarter century we have a definitive study of the Seeker Church movement that tells us what these churches do and why they have become so attractive. -- Robert Wuthnow * Princeton University *
Table of ContentsA new reformation?
Traditional religion in a spiritual age
Ritual: modern liturgies for skeptical seekers
Message: believe and be fulfilled
Strategy: the shopping mall church
Organization: the postmodern denomination
Translation and tradition
