How will we regather the church after pandemic?

The Covid-19 pandemic is an inflection point for the church everywhere-and certainly for the Episcopal Church. The sudden flowering of creativity, connection, and collaboration is an expression of the Holy Spirit's relentless presence within the church; yet ongoing distancing creates difficulties to be overcome on the other side of the present crisis.

How will we change habits of isolation and regather the church? How will we manage the impact on church finances? How is God calling us to embrace the energy and creativity of this moment-and the longing people have felt for a return to community? What challenges will we face regathering the people of God, particularly in already weakened communities?

We Shall Be Changed is a gathering of brief essays from thought leaders around the church on pressing topics that the church needs to be considering now-in preparation for the end of this pandemic. The book is designed to spur conversation within parishes, fellowship groups, and clergy gatherings about how to embrace the gifts this time has given while anticipating and addressing the very real challenges the church will confront in its wake.

Creatively reinvigorate church life after Covid-19

About the Author
MARK D. W. EDINGTON is the bishop of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe. He served as Epps Fellow and Chaplain to Harvard College, and Associate Minister and Director of Administration in The Memorial Church of Harvard University. He served as executive director of the Center for the Study of World Religions and as the inaugural executive director of the Harvard Decision Science Laboratory. He was also the founding director of the Amherst College Press. He lives in Paris, France. Paul-Gordon Chandler is rector of the Church of St. John the Baptist/Maadi, an international Englishspeaking Episcopal/Anglican church in southern Cairo, Egypt. Previously he served as the president/ CEO of Partners International, an international ecumenical Christian non-profit that helps indigenous Christian NGOs in over 70 countries in the Two-Thirds World. He has also served as CEO of the International Bible Society and as director of SPCK. For more details visit the author at www.paulgordonchandler.com LORENZO LEBRIJA founded TryTank, the experimental lab for church growth and innovation. He was the chief development officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, and served as pastor at St. John's in San Bernardino and priest associate at St. Athanasius in Los Angeles. He earned his Master of Divinity degree at the General Theological Seminary, as well as an MBA from Florida International University. He has been a frequent speaker on development, community involvement, the arts, business strategy, and marketing. Greg Garrett, PhD, has written more than twenty books of fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and translation, including My Church Is Not Dying: Episcopalians in the 21st Century. Professor of English at Baylor University and Theologian in Residence at the American Cathedral in Paris, he has appeared internationally on radio and television and regularly preaches, gives readings, and leads workshops and retreats." JAMES W. MURPHY, a Certified Fund Raising Executive, is the Managing Program Director at Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF). He works with congregations, dioceses, and other Episcopal organizations to grow their endowments and enhance and develop their planned giving programs and various philanthropic efforts and resources. He holds a Certificate in Fundraising, a Masters in Christian Spirituality from General Theological Seminary, and a Bachelors from NYU's Stern School of Business. Kelly Brown Douglas, is an Episcopal priest and graduate (Master of Divinity degree, doctoral degree) of Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where she is now inaugural Dean of Episcopal Divinity School at Union Seminary. JEFFREY LEE is Bishop of Chicago, known across the church as a charismatic preacher, liturgist, and spiritual leader. He wrote Opening the Prayer Book for the new Church's Teaching series (1999) and is a member of the faculty of CREDO Institute. C. Andrew Doyle, the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, summarizes his autobiography in six words: "Met Jesus on pilgrimage; still walking." He is author of Vocatio, Unabashedly Episcopalian, Orgullosamente Episcopal, A Generous Community,and The Jesus Heist. He and his wife JoAnne live in Houston with two daughters. Follow him on Twitter at @texasbishop. The Rt. Rev. Robert Wright is the Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta. He has also served as rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Atlanta and as a school chaplain and on the staff of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. He is the co-author with Donna Mote of "The Go Guide," a book of practical tips for following Jesus into the world.


Book Information
ISBN 9781640653726
Author Mark D. W. Edington
Format Paperback
Page Count 112
Imprint Church Publishing Inc
Publisher Church Publishing Inc