The local church in the United States is at a crossroads. Declining attendance, aging congregations, and costly buildings are compounded by deep divisions over issues like sexuality, gender, race, and immigration. Generational gaps have widened, and many congregations lack diversity, becoming politically homogenous and fragmented. Amid these tensions, the sense that something is profoundly wrong is palpable.
Mending the Fracturing Church offers a way forward, inviting churches to confront and navigate the issues that divide them. By addressing relational challenges such as biases, communication styles, and conflict dynamics, this book provides tools to understand and respond to the cultural and theological polarization affecting so many congregations. Each chapter combines theological reflection, insights from social and cognitive psychology, and stories from real congregations. Group exercises and step-by-step guides help leaders put these insights into practice, transforming theory into action.
With a focus on connection, trust, and belonging, this book provides the tools to help churches build stronger relationships, engage their communities more effectively, and embrace a renewed vision for thriving together.
By:
Andy Hale
Imprint: T&T Clark
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9798881806651
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 04 November 2025
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction Is the Church Irrevocably Fracturing? Chapter One Discovering Relationships Hidden Under Bylaws & Constitutions Chapter Two Into the Unknown Chapter Three Excavating the Minefield We Didn’t Know Was Chapter Four Ain’t No People Like Church People Chapter Five Research to Disprove Confirmation Bias Confirmed I Was Right All Along Chapter Six Change is Like Death, But It Doesn’t Have to Be Chapter Seven I’ll Commit to the Trust Fall Right After You Chapter Eight You're Gonna Need More than Water, Food & Shelter Chapter Nine Maybe the Greatest Thing to Fear is How We View Others Chapter Ten Why Are You The Way That You Are? Chapter Eleven The Greatest Single Cause of Atheism in the World Today is Political Idolatry Chapter Twelve Project Strength To Avoid Conflict—Peace Through Superior Firepower Chapter Thirteen Ground Control to Major Tom Chapter Fourteen How To Be Here, Here Chapter Fifteen Okay, Boomer! Chapter Sixteen Congregations That Play Together, Stay Together Conclusion The Thriving Church Bibliography About the Author
Rev. Dr. Andy Hale has served in congregational life for over 25 years, holding diverse roles as a denominational leader, consultant, church starter, pastor, and coach. He earned a Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspective with a focus on organizational psychology from George Fox University. Hale is the creator and host of the award- winning CBF Podcast Conversation, along with The Clergy Confessions Podcast. Hale serves as the associate executive coordinator of CBF North Carolina, one of the largest state-level entities within the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
