Crossing Thresholds
A Practical Theology of Liminality
by Timothy L. Carson, Rosy Fairhurst, Nigel Rooms and Lisa Withrow
An inter-disciplinary study of the phenomenon of liminality and its relevance to theology, worship and mission.
We live in an age of enormous and rapid change, but how do people, organisations, even whole cultures and societies change? And where is God in such transformations? For more than a hundred years, anthropology has taught us that entering a chaotic, awesome and fraught ‘threshold’ – or liminal space – is fundamental to our renewal as human beings. Yet none of us goes willingly into such places. We need to be ‘held’ in liminal movement so that it is safe enough to change. Crossing Thresholds is the first inter-disciplinary theological treatment of the universal phenomenon of liminality. Developing practical wisdom from foundations in the work of Victor Turner, Donald Winnicott and Bruce Reed, the authors explore the place of liminality in the worship, mission and hermeneutics of the Church and reflect on its usefulness to a wide range of Christian practice. For all those who strive to think theologically about the great transitions of life, this comprehensive work offers unique insight into what it is to safely cross the threshold of chaos and embrace the future with courage.
Timothy Carson is Senior Minister at the Broadway Christian Church in Columbia, Missouri, and holds the Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Education degrees. He is the author of several works that explore the intersection between Christian faith and culture such as ‘Your Calling as a Christian’, ‘The Square Root of God: Mathematical Metaphors’ and ‘Spiritual Tangents and Six Doors to the Seventh Dimension’. Rev Canon Dr. Nigel Rooms is Director of Ministry and Mission, Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham. Associate Priest, Bestwood Park with Rise Park Churches. Nigel has been a priest for over twenty years and a mission partner in Tanzania where he published educational materials for Anglican Church of Tanzania in Kiswahili. Nigel is a member of the International Association of Missions Studies and the British and Irish Association for Practical Theology. Lisa Withrow is the Dewire Professor of Christian Leadership at the Methodist theological School in Ohio, and has published work on Church Leadership, pastoral care and women’s studies. Rev Rosemary Fairhurst is Church and Theological Consultant to the Bromley-by-Bow Church and Centre, Director Sophia Hubs (a network of incubators for startups with faith communities) and was formerly Organisational Analyst at The Grubb Institute. She is Priest at St Martin’s-in-the-Fields, London and Director of Mission and Ministry, Ripon College, Cuddesdon.
- By (author) Timothy L. Carson
- By (author) Rosy Fairhurst
- By (author) Nigel Rooms
- By (author) Lisa R. Withrow
"Drawing on connections with diverse disciplines and thinkers, the co-authors helpfully explore the dynamics of liminal space and movement. With practical insight and curiosity they share their wisdom for churches and those who lead. Holding a pluralistic vision about the significance of liminality, readers are invited into an ever-expanding sense of a God at work in the world." Joretta L. Marshall, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care and Counseling at Brite Divinity School "In Crossing Thresholds, the authors weave together a colorful tapestry of liminality's varied histories, theories, and practical applications to spiritual life and leadership, inspiring new imaginings for the church and beyond. Anyone yearning for frameworks that deepen and challenge what it means to engage faithfully the 'betwixt and between' will discover in this book a provocative, praxis-oriented companion."Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Director, Office of Professional Formation Term Assistant Professor of Leadership and Formation, Iliff School of Theology"A marvelously collaborative volume exploring liminality as lens and then lever for renewed action with contributions to practical theology, theopoetics, pastoral-congregational life and personal transformation in today's fragmented and fragmenting institutional ecology(ies). A rigorous interdisciplinary perspective invites the finding and building of liminal frameworks, dancing and swaying toward theological engagement for ecclesia-gatherings-on the move, or willing to risk innovation in leadership, liturgy, and mission. A compelling work of practical theology modeling its method in a spiral-esque form as well as disciplinary scholarship." Lisa M Hess, Professor of Practical Theology and Contextual Ministries at United Theological Seminary, Ohio
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