Belong: Retracing the Way of God's Embracing Love - Paperback

by Gustavo Crocker (Author), Jerry Kester (Author), Stephanie Lobdell (Author)

While conversion is always a personal experience, discipleship never is. The church that Jesus established is meant to embrace and welcome all who want to be followers of Christ. Belong invites readers to dialogue with three ministry practitioners who are calling the church to return to its true identity as the body of Christ and its vocation to model our life together after our crucified and risen Lord. This book is not a "surefire method" to enhance church growth or yet another failproof evangelism tool. Reorienting the mission of the church can be painful and uncomfortable, but its purpose is to form a radically welcoming body where, with Jesus as the head, lives are transformed and hearts are set on God. Join Crocker, Kester, and Lobdell in reviving an ancient vision for the people of God to cultivate a community where everyone can Belong.

Author Biography

Rev. Gustavo Crocker, PhD, is a missiologist who currently serves as a denominational leader. He has served in Eurasia, South America, and the United States leading church movements that integrate the proclamation and demonstration of the Gospel. For decades he has led and served in organizations that serve marginalized groups through the incarnational work of the church. REV. STEPHANIE DYRNESS LOBDELL, MDiv, is a pastor and writer. She served as co-lead pastor with her husband, Tommy, for ten years in the Church of the Nazarene and is now the campus pastor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio. Stephanie and Tommy have two children, Josephine and Jack. Rev. Jerry Kester, BA, is a denominational district leader in the Pacific Northwest. He has previously served as both a lead pastor and a youth pastor of curches in Idaho and Washington.