1992 Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Appendix

Bibliography

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BOOKS

The following books are helpful for understanding more fully the approach outlined in this book.

Bonnin, Eduardo, et al., The How and the Why (abridged), Ultreya, Phoenix, 1966. Available unabridged only in Spanish entitled El Como y el Porque, published by Euramerica S.A., Apartado 36.204, Madrid.

The How and the Why is an early (1955) statement of the history and theory behind the Cursillo movement. It shows an understanding of many of the points in this book and talks about a movement in the Church and how it can function in the life of the Church.

Bravo, Francisco, "Laymen... Is What It Takes!" America, April 8, 1967. A longer account of the San Miguelito project can be found in a book by the same author in Spanish, The Parish of San Miguelito in Panama, in the Sondeos series put out by CIDOC in Cuernavaca.

This ariticle is a good short account of the parish of San Miguelito. At the time of the article, San Miguelito was one of the most progressive experiments in the formation of a new approach to parish life - the formation of basic Christian communities. Although there are many such experiments throughout the Church (mainly in Latin countries), this is one of the few descriptions of one in English. It is a description of how many of the principles in this book were put into effect in one situation.
 

CELAM, The Church in the Present-Day Transformation of Latin America in the Light of the Council(The Medellin Documents), The Latin American Bureau, USCC, Washington, D.C., 1970.

The Medellin Documents are statements of the Second General Conference of Latin American Bishops. These statements recommended most of the principles enunciated in this book. In respect to pastoral thinking, the Latin American Church has been far in advance of the Church in the United States.
 

Clark, Stephen B., The Purpose of the Movement, The National Secretariat of the Cursillos in Christianity, Box 304, Reno, Nevada, 1969.

A short description of the Cursillo movement and its place in the Church. These articles describe some of the unique thrusts of the Cursillo movement and also illustrate its place as a movement in the broader Church.
 

Currier, Richard, Agony and Ecstasy in Building Christian Community, Liguorian Pamphlets, 1969.

A description of Father Currier's communion program in the Diocese of Lansing and the principles behind it. The pamphlet shows an awareness of many of the principles in this book, but does not talk about many others. He tries to solve the problem mainly through small groups in the neighborhood. The focus is not on the basic Christian community.
 

Delespesse, Max, The Church Community, Leaven and Life-Style, The Catholic Centre of St. Paul University, Ottawa, 1969.

A book by a Belgian priest who is one of the leaders of a movement for the renewal of community life. He describes how community life functions and the principles behind it as it is lived in a number of communities in Europe and Africa. The approach he recommends is remarkably similar to the one in this book and is another testimony to the familiarity of these ideas outside the United States.
 

Kenney, Carlton, The Church Which Is His Body, Rev. Carlton Kenney, P.O. Box 5036, Waco, Texas.

A pamphlet by a Protestant minister of an independent Church. It is a scriptural study of the life of a Christian community. It illustrates from the world of sectarian Protestantism the same principles.
 

Martin, Ralph, Unless the Lord Build the House... Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, 1971.

An essay on the need for spiritual renewal in the Church today. It develops the functional importance of religious renewal and how that can be achieved.
 

Nee, Watchman, The Normal Christian Church Life, International Students Press, Washington, D.C., 1962.

A book by a Chinese involved in missionary work before World War II. Like the Kenney pamphlet, it illustrates many of the principles in this book, but from the thought patterns of evangelical Protestantism and from a missionary situation.
 

Ranaghan, Kevin and Dorothy (eds.), As the Spirit Leads Us, Paulist Press, Paramus, N.J., 1971.

A collection of articles by participants in the charismatic renewal. These articles illustrate the attempts to integrate a new movement into the life of the Church. Those which are most relevant to the area discussed in his book are: "Charismatic Renewal in the Church," "Life in Community," "Three Charismatic Communities," "Charismatic Leadership", and "Charismatic Renewal and the Church of Tomorrow."

Building Christian Community  - Strategy for Renewing the Church by Stephen B. Clark. ©Stephen B. Clark 1996 All Rights reserved.