Building Belonging

<p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Join the church movement reshaping our neighborhoods-embracing love and creating community to house our neighbors and recognize our shared humanity.</strong></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>In many neighborhoods soaring housing costs have created an alarming wave of instability leaving congregations situated at the heart of communities grappling with housing insecurity. Simultaneously societal divisions across ideologies racial lines class disparities and diverse perspectives have eroded the fabric of these communities leaving a void in shared connections. </span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Churches amid declining membership and dwindling engagement have an opportunity to provide a key role in these changing landscapes. In </span><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Building Belonging</em><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> John Cleghorn a pastor from Charlotte North Carolina-a city where prosperity and poverty uncomfortably coexist-shows how numerous congregations across the United States are leading the charge embracing innovative approaches to ministry that leverage their resources to become havens of both welcome and shelter.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>By examining the theological and sociological dimensions propelling congregations toward a radical transformation of their material and relational landscapes this book weaves together narratives insights and experiences from diverse congregations at the forefront of this movement. Readers will be inspired to look at the unfolding narrative of unaffordable housing in a new way and be inspired to shape their ministry to harness all available resources to foster access and justice by housing neighbors. Written from the heart of a pastor who is deeply engaged in a church's yearslong housing journey this book does not stop at simply showing these challenges. Cleghorn also provides a roadmap for communities to initiate transformative processes leveraging their unique abilities and resources to tackle significant local issues.</span></p><p><br></p><p><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Easter's Home at Caldwell Presbyterian Church.</em></p><p><br></p>