Does this ancient faith still carry the power to change people's lives?

The average age of churchgoers in Britain is now 47. Almost every denomination is experiencing steady decline. How sure can we be that we are still offering something people want to hear? Alison Morgan identifies four clear reasons to be confident: 1. The gospel still speaks to confused teens and weary sceptics. By embracing doubts and welcoming questions it remains open to us to present something which answers people's real needs. 2. The word of truth and the Spirit of power still exercise authority and compel attention. Alison's own experience of ministry in the UK and abroad provides illustrations. 3. Spiritual gifts, given not to excite individuals but in order to renew the church for its core task of mission, are powerfully present and widely recognised and practised. 4. In a time of rapid cultural change, new expressions of church are constantly emerging: this is necessary to guard against vital spirituality sliding into drab religion.

The Revd Dr Alison Morgan has written a number of books, including The Wild Gospel and an internationally recognised work on the poet Dante. She works for ReSource, an Anglican agency for the encouragement and renewal of the church for mission, as a thinker and writer. Alison also edits and directs the Rooted in Jesus discipleship programme now widely used in Africa. She is a member of the Archbishops' College of Evangelists.

__Contents__  
About the Author 9  
Acknowledgments 10  
Foreword 11  
Introduction 13  
__Part I: A Confident Gospel 19__  
1\. Understanding the issues 20  
2\. Two world views 42  
3\. A gilded cage 58  
4\. The search for more 78  
5\. Telling a different story 100  
6\. The response of the Church 121  
7\. Thinking a new world 140  
__Part II: The Tools of Our Trade 157__  
8\. The Word of God 158  
9\. Entering into conversation 186  
10\. The Spirit of God 214  
11\. The Word on the wind – confidence in creation 239  
__Part III: Doing Things Differently 257__  
12\. Living beautiful lives 258  
13\. Reimagining church 276  
Appendix: Further resources 306  
Notes 313  
Bibliography 357  
Index 365

"The Word on the Wind" by Alison Morgan explores the relevance of the Gospel today. It addresses church decline, spiritual gifts, and new church expressions for modern audiences.

\["For church leaders and believers seeking renewed faith", "Addresses declining church engagement and relevance", "You will discover powerful reasons to share the Gospel"\]

The Word on the Wind inspires confidence in the Gospel's relevance today.

Alison Morgan

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Praise

Dedication

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Introduction

Part I: A Confident Gospel

1. Understanding the issues

2. Two world views

3. A gilded cage

4. The search for more

5. Telling a different story

6. The response of the Church

7. Thinking a new world

Part II: The Tools of Our Trade

8. The Word of God

9. Entering into conversation

10. The Spirit of God

11. The Word on the wind – confidence in creation

Part III: Doing Things Differently

12. Living beautiful lives

13. Reimagining church

Appendix: Further resources

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Morgan, Alison

\["Worried about the future of the Church?","This book encourages you to see the hope for what's to come","You'll re-discover the lasting power of the Gospel"\]

The Good Book Stall

As the sub-title states, this book deals head on with one of the most challenging issues facing the church: our lack of confidence in the gospel. Few dare to suggest this problem even exists, for to do so draws attention to the responsibility we have as Christians to live gospel-inspired and driven lives. The reality is that in many churches the faith of long established churchgoers has grown tired and weary and it is this lack of life and vitality that is fostering declining attendance figures. Alison sets out to breathe new life into our faith and she does it with a remarkable energy that infected this reader with renewed hope for our church.  
The Word on the Wind is divided into three sections through which Alison moves from analysis of where we are, through a presentation of some key ‘tools of our trade’ to an imaginative and encouraging portrayal of what the church could look like if infused with gospel confidence once more. Alison draws extensively on her linguistic expertise and her experience of the church in Africa and this gives her writing added depth and force.  
I found one chapter – the Word of God – particularly enabling for in it Alison clearly and simply explains the four key biblical understandings of the term ‘word’ and goes on to explore the importance of these different understandings if we are to have a fully rounded understanding of how God might work through the Word. Crucially, God’s word is alive and concerns deeds and actions, not simply statements and beliefs. If we are to live God’s word we must be open to what it might do to us.  
Alison Morgan’s writing is highly engaging and she draws on a breathtaking range of sources that meant that I was continuously dipping into the notes at the back of the book for more detail. (Copious notes, websites , bibliography etc! – Editor) Occasionally this breadth of research lets Alison down but that should not detract from what is an outstanding and inspiring exploration of the living Word of God.

Word on the Wind

Renewing Confidence in the Gospel

The Word on the Wind

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The Word on the Wind

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