Invisible Divides: Class, culture and barriers to belonging in the Church

Natalie Williams and Paul Brown argue that Western churches are predominantly middle class because they struggle to connect with people from poverty in authentic Christianity. They explore the invisible divides that prevent churches from becoming inclusive and offer practical advice to make them more open and accessible to all.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2022
Publisher: SPCK Publishing

The Western church is predominantly middle class, which is a stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus. Natalie Williams and Paul Brown argue that those saved from working-class backgrounds often find themselves discipled into middle classism rather than authentic Christianity. They explore the invisible divides that prevent churches from becoming places of true inclusion and keep poor and working-class people on the edges of faith. Drawing on their own experiences and mixing theory with practical application, they offer surprising insights and helpful advice to change the way we see church life. Invisible Divides is an essential reading for anyone concerned with the class divide within the church, challenging us to look at the ways in which we inadvertently exclude, alienate, and offend people who are not like us. It equips us to start working towards making church a more open, inclusive space for everyone.

Jesus calls for us to follow him, no matter our background, and together, we can break down the invisible divides between us so that people from all walks of life can come to know Christ and find family in our churches. The Western church has a responsibility to reflect the diversity of the world around it and to reach out to those who are marginalized and excluded. By doing so, we can become more faithful to the teachings of Jesus and create a more just and compassionate society.

Weight: 174g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780281085200