Table of Contents

Preface Introduction Chapter 1 (Re)reading a Redevelopment Context Chapter 2 Sharing Leadership Chapter 3 Conflict and Conversation Chapter 4 Shifting Power Chapter 5 Extending Welcome Chapter 6 Becoming Church Without Conclusion Appendix A Report on the Meet the Ministers Study Appendix B The Grant Yonkman Co-Pastor Ministry Model Appendix C Relational Covenant Appendix D Ministry Partnership Covenant Notes Bibliography

About the Author

Rev. Todd Grant Yonkman (D. Min) is Senior Co-Minister at the Beneficent Congregational Church in Providence, RI. He received his doctorate of Ministry from Andover Newton Theological School where he was honored as a member of the Jonathan Edwards Society. He's also written for the United Church News. He and his wife and Co-Minister, Nicole, live in Providence Rhode Island.

Reviews

In this powerful testimony, uncovering the long and complex history of a Rhode Island church held hostage by its past, Dr. Yonkman outlines the multifaceted approaches he, his co-pastor wife Nicole, and a willing congregation used to turn the church around. This inside story takes us into vulnerable places where we too emerge with an understanding of the postmodern plural model of ministry that has set Beneficent Church free. A must read for anyone engaged in the art of church reconstruction. -- Mary Louise Gifford, author of "The Turnaround Church; Inspiration and Tools for Life-Sustaining Change" Todd Yonkman weaves together the story of a church, the story of his faith journey, and the story of today's religious culture with both integrity and hope. He creates his own 'bricolage' that adds much-needed depth to the ongoing conversation of what it really takes to turn historic churches toward new visions. I recommend this book to all who believe that something new is indeed breaking forth in faith communities, through God's love and through our human yearning for community. -- Sarah B. Drummond, Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Andover Newton Theological School Todd Yonkman offers a useable practical theology that makes sense for the times in which we live...Whether a church is renewing or declining, revitalizing or stagnating, redeveloping or spinning in circles there are insights in this book that will surely bring reason for hope. -- Jeffrey D. Jones, Director of Ministry Studies, Associate Professor of Ministerial Leadership, Andover Newton Theological School