No Congregation Is an Island

Filled with instructive examples and research-based tips, it is a timely reminder that churches are stronger together than they are alone. Buy copies for all your clergy friends and engage with them in a study of this helpful book.--Scott Thumma, Hartford International University Dr. McCLure Haraway has taken some of the key concepts of social network studies and applied them fruitfully to help ministry leaders and congregations foster their relational connections. No Congregation is an Island would be valuable for anyone seeking to understand and develop congregational relationships in a way that will extend and enhance their ministry. This book is both highly accessible to the practitioner and provides a rich theoretical commentary and set of references for those who want to understand the underlying mechanism of why social networks function as they do.--Dr. Mark Chapman, professor of research methods, Tyndale University Sociologist Jennifer McClure argues congregations need each other. Using survey data and interviews from congregations in Central Alabama, McClure recounts ways that congregations interact and the consequences of their interactions. Stories from congregations are shared in a conversational style with an emphasis on practical application.--Kevin D. Dougherty Dr. McClure knows faith is about relationships. Connections between leaders from a variety of religious expressions provide support, most importantly, emotional support. Based on excellent research, Dr. McClure has produced a profoundly practical text. Read it.Connect. You won't be alone.--Rev. Tim Shapiro, President, Center for Congregations