Birth of a Global Community

Appreciative Inquiry in Action

Authors:  Charles Gibbs & Sally Mahé

Rating:

A wonderful informative account of the fruition of one mans’ dream of an inner faith community evident of deepened relationships rather than sole tolerance.  Though the scope of Bishop Swing’s dream is as enormous as the United Nations, he and the AI team provide groundwork, guidance and support for the reality of the ‘grassroots’ creation of URI, United Religions Initiative. 

Existing communities of inner faith could use the principles of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) to evaluate and fortify itself or radically change itself from a community of mere tolerance and superficial relationships into one of deepened care, compassion and grace that emulates a community of action rather than reaction. 

Those lacking any type of ecumenical collaboration can use the “Appreciative Inquiry In Action” as the basic framework for forming a community of inner faith.  In doing so, you will find yourself as part of the birthing of a sound inner faith community. 

Throughout the book, the reader is forced to leave the confines of their traditional houses of worship and become part of the internationalism of faith.  No matter our faith, we see the ‘catholic’ or ‘universal’ church of The Apostle’s Creed made evident as we read through the formation of the United Religious Initiative. 

The appendices of this book are a great resource of planning action, not only in faith community building but also in the everyday task of planning results in the many facets of life.  Gibbs and Mahé, though historians by the very nature of this book, are also planters of vision for those who read this text. 

Birth is the most beautiful culmination of God’s creative nature, whether the birth of a child or the birth of a convergence of many to rally around one cause.  That beautiful zenith is what Birth of a Global Community is all about.

Submitted by Captain Roland Cox, Th.M.  Captain Cox serves as Pastor and Corps Officer of The Salvation Army in Morehead City, NC.  He also serves on the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Committee for Rotary International District 7730 and is a guest keynote speaker, lecturer, teacher and preacher for The Salvation Army and Rotary International.

Read other Christian Book Reviews  >>