Looking for Lydia Encounters That Shape the Church

This book is what the world needs now, from a voice we need to hear. Sally Mann is the fourth of five generations living and ministering in one East End community, with a PhD and five lifetimes of stories. Her experiences will make you laugh, cry and, if you pay attention, help you see how much-needed change can happen...Sally brilliantly connects Biblical characters with contemporary people and shows how these individuals have helped shape over 150 years of her family's ministry in one East London neighbourhood.' Ash BarkerExecutive Director Red Letter Christians UKSally and Dave love their community. They have a jealous passion to see it thrive. They have resilience which comes from long-term commitment; knowing their dreams of what God might do will take more than a few years of committed service, but decades, and perhaps generations, to achieve. They seek deep transformation in the places they serve - bringing structural changes like good education, just governance, and improving the health and well-being of all their neighbours. Alongside this they have built lively, inclusive, Christian congregations. We should listen to their story.Steve ChalkeFounder & Leader Oasis GlobalIn all the window dressing around how to fix the church or make it more connected to our massively disruptive times Looking for Lydia changes the conversation. It turns most of our pretensions on their head as it brings us back to the God who radically meets us in the other. The story in this book is grounded in the practiced life of a community of God's people. I can't recommend it more highly. It's the disruptive Spirit calling us to God's future. Alan J RoxburghJournal of Missional Practice & The Missional Network