Evangelism in an Age of Despair - by Andrew Root (Paperback)

About the Book

With churches experiencing a decline in numbers and resources and the idea of evangelism contested, Andrew Root contextualizes evangelism in our late modern times and reimagines what the call to outreach means in today's world.

Book Synopsis

"Evangelism" is a contested, even conflicted word. But churches are declining in numbers and resources. What if we aren't thinking about evangelism in the right way, culturally or theologically? This book contextualizes evangelism in our late modern times and reimagines what the call to outreach means in today's world.

Our sad times are made sadder by the realization that our all-out pursuit of happiness has made us stressed, anxious, lonely, and depressed, says leading practical theologian Andrew Root. The French thinker Michel de Montaigne taught us to focus on making ourselves happy, but Blaise Pascal pointed out that we are creatures of soul as much as self--so happiness does not satisfy. Root offers a vision for how a theology of consolation can shape a hopeful approach to evangelism. We all need consolation, others to care for us in our sadness; if we can find such a minister and lean into our sorrow, we will find the presence of Jesus Christ.

Root uses a fictional church to show rather than tell us how consolation evangelism works. For support he looks to the ministries of Gregory of Nyssa and his sister Macrina, Jean Gerson, Johann von Staupitz, and Martin Luther, who all contend that consolation is central to our transformation into the life of God.

From the Back Cover

A Hopeful Approach to Evangelism

With churches experiencing decline in numbers and resources and the idea of evangelism contested, Andrew Root contextualizes evangelism in our late-modern times and reimagines what the call to outreach means in today's world.

"An invaluable study of the central place of consolation in the practice and theology of ministry and its power to fundamentally reshape our witness. Root bids us to embrace the one thing genuinely needful: the good word of the cross that claims and consoles us."
--Philip G. Ziegler, University of Aberdeen

"Returning the church to the consoling vision of the theology of the cross, this book leads readers through these 'sad times' to a life transformed by the crucified God, calling for a reimagined evangelism--one that consoles rather than counts souls."
--Ashley Cocksworth, University of Roehampton

"The depth of Root's conversation on the church's unique and invaluable calling to follow Jesus into sorrow stunned me. No contemporary voice of faith gives me more hope in Christ or sustenance for my ministry."
--Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey, co-pastor, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Appleton; author of Very Married: Field Notes on Love and Fidelity

"Root's reimagining of evangelism will bless and challenge those who long for a deeper, more wholistic understanding of how best to share our Christian faith with others."
--Ross Lockhart, Vancouver School of Theology

"Root piques my curiosity about the recovery of evangelism in our late-modern context. As always, Root's work is rich and generative, and I'm eager to ponder this more."
--Mihee Kim-Kort, Presbyterian minister; author of Outside the Lines: How Embracing Queerness Will Transform Your Faith

"An astounding contribution. I greatly needed this book (and the consolation to which it points). So too, I'd expect, does the world--to say nothing of the church. Highly, highly recommended."
--David Zahl, director, Mockingbird Ministries; author of Low Anthropology

About the Author

Andrew Root (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he teaches on theology of ministry, youth ministry, and culture. He is the author of the acclaimed six-book Ministry in a Secular Age series and one of the leading scholars on youth ministry and practical theology, with more than 20 books on the topics. Root actively speaks worldwide to church groups, university and college communities, youth workers, and other ministry professionals. He also hosts the popular When Church Stops Working podcast.