Being Interrupted: Reimagining the Church's Mission from the Outside, In

Being Interrupted is a book that explores the divisions of race and class,gender inequalities,the marginalization of children,and catastrophic ecological breakdown in the Church of England. It offers a creative disruption of the status quo through transformative encounters with neighbors and strangers, offering new possibilities for repentance and resurrection.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 256 pages
\n Publication date: 30 November 2020
\n Publisher: SCM Press
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Being Interrupted is a powerful exploration of the Church of England's institutional anxiety within the broader contexts of racial and class divisions, ongoing gender inequalities, the marginalization of children, and catastrophic ecological breakdown. In the midst of this bleak picture, Al Barrett and Ruth Harley offer a creative disruption of the status quo, "from the outside, in: the in-breaking of the wild reality of the 'Kin-dom of God.' Through careful and unsettling readings of Mark's gospel, alongside stories from a multicultural outer estate in east Birmingham, they paint a vivid picture of an alternative economy for the Church's life and mission. This alternative economy begins with transformative encounters with neighbors and strangers at the edges of our churches, neighborhoods, and imaginations, offering new possibilities for repentance and resurrection.

The book begins with a street Nativity play that goes awry, highlighting the Church's institutional anxiety and its inability to navigate the complexities of contemporary society. This incident sets the stage for the rest of the book, which explores the various divisions and inequalities that exist within the Church and its wider societal context.

One of the key themes of Being Interrupted is the intersection of race and class. The authors argue that the Church has often been complicit in perpetuating these divisions, both within its own structures and in its interactions with the wider community. They highlight the ways in which systemic racism and economic inequality have impacted the lives of marginalized communities, and how the Church has failed to address these issues adequately.

Another theme of the book is the marginalization of children. The authors argue that children are often overlooked and undervalued within the Church, and that their voices and experiences are often ignored or marginalized. They highlight the ways in which children are disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and social exclusion, and how the Church has a responsibility to address these issues and provide support for children and their families.

The book also explores the catastrophic ecological breakdown that is occurring on a global scale. The authors argue that the Church has a responsibility to address the environmental crisis and to work towards creating a more sustainable and just society. They highlight the ways in which the Church's practices and beliefs have contributed to the destruction of the natural world, and how it can play a role in promoting ecological restoration and sustainability.

Throughout the book, the authors offer a vision of an alternative economy for the Church's life and mission. They argue that the Church should prioritize transformative encounters with neighbors and strangers at the edges of its communities, rather than focusing solely on its internal structures and practices. They suggest that the Church should engage in social justice and advocacy work, working to address the root environment and promote the well-being of all people.

The authors also offer a series of practical suggestions for how the Church can begin to implement these changes. They suggest that the Church should prioritize the inclusion of marginalized voices and experiences, and that it should work to create a more diverse and inclusive community. They also suggest that the Church should engage in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, working to build relationships with other religious communities and to promote understanding and cooperation.

Being Interrupted is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers a critical analysis of the Church of England's institutional anxiety and its relationship to broader social and environmental issues. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in exploring the role of the Church in addressing these complex challenges and in creating a more just and sustainable world.

\n Weight: 378g\n
Dimension: 157 x 233 x 24 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780334058625\n \n