Trusting the Spirit : Renewal and Reform in American Religion

Can renewal and reform groups rekindle spiritual vitality and fervor in today's religious institutions? The call to revive one's faith fills more pages of the Christian and Jewish scriptures than any other theme. Today, reform and renewal organizations and movements play a key role in most denominations, whether conservative, moderate, or liberal. In this fascinating book, Richard Cimino provides you with an in-depth look at six vibrant reform and renewal movements that are revitalizing traditional faith communities from the inside out. Cimino walks you through how all the components of renewal and reform--the organization, the larger denomination, the congregation, and the individual members--interact at both local and national levels, and answers the question of how effective these organizations and movements are within their traditions. Filled with interviews and case studies, Trusting the Spiriy concludes by outlining strategies for renewal and reform that can be put into practice in a wide range of religious contexts. "Richard Cimino takes a close look at six vibrant reform and renewal movements that are revitalizing traditional faith communities from the inside out. He examines the central components of any renewal and reform process, shows how renewal and reform movements interact, describes their dynamics, and answers the question of how effective these organizations and movements are within their traditions."--BOOK JACKET. Provides a look at six reform and renewal movements that revitalize traditional faith communities from the inside out. It shows how the components of renewal and reform interact at local and national levels, and answers the question of how effective these organizations and movements are within their traditions, with interviews and case studies. It's difficult to remain a removed observer when it comes to the Roman Catholic charismatic movement.