lneff514's review
5.0
I read this book for a seminary class. Such a rich resource for those who are emerging leaders in community work.
booknerd_therapist's review
5.0
This is one of the best books I have ever read. There is no fluff, no pomp, just two down-to-earth human beings writing about their experiences organizing for social justice in churches and communities.
Not only do they draw heavily on their own experience, but also on the Alinsky model, which is widely accepted (and used). They make tweaks here and there to create the faith-rooted model, which is adapted to be used in churches and other faith-based communities.
Everything about this book is useful and wonderful: The success stories, the organizational strategies, motivational strategies, leadership instruction, use of language, everything you could possibly think of to organize for social justice is in this book. If you are a Christian and want to help people who are disadvantaged, I highly recommend "Faith-Rooted Organizing."
Not only do they draw heavily on their own experience, but also on the Alinsky model, which is widely accepted (and used). They make tweaks here and there to create the faith-rooted model, which is adapted to be used in churches and other faith-based communities.
Everything about this book is useful and wonderful: The success stories, the organizational strategies, motivational strategies, leadership instruction, use of language, everything you could possibly think of to organize for social justice is in this book. If you are a Christian and want to help people who are disadvantaged, I highly recommend "Faith-Rooted Organizing."
lukenotjohn's review
3.5
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this and would gladly recommend it to any Christian inspired by their faith to pursue justice in more sustainable, ongoing, formal, and organized ways (which is ideally lots and lots of Christians!). It is packed with really helpful, clever, and insightful frameworks for thinking about a holistic approach to organizing and the many elements involved in doing that work. The authors do a good job of rooting their own ideas to theological and biblical principles in a way that feels innovative and authentic, and I think that's a significant accomplishment as there was so much room for that to be really cheesy or oversimplified. There are also tons (seriously so many) of interesting, moving anecdotes from the authors own firsthand experiences of this concept brought to life that do a great job of fleshing out the theoretical content they're sharing.
I was actually able to attend a workshop that Alexia led in Philadelphia earlier this year. That in and of itself was an incredible and powerful experience, but the trade-off was that it did make reading the book feel somewhat redundant at times having already heard many of the stories and concepts. Without that, this book may have been a four-star read, but regardless it was enjoyable, helpful, and informative!
I was actually able to attend a workshop that Alexia led in Philadelphia earlier this year. That in and of itself was an incredible and powerful experience, but the trade-off was that it did make reading the book feel somewhat redundant at times having already heard many of the stories and concepts. Without that, this book may have been a four-star read, but regardless it was enjoyable, helpful, and informative!
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