The Shape of the Church

""Ephrem Arcement--monk, priest and scholar--has had a remarkable ecumenical journey, and it has led to this exquisite book, a profoundly ecumenical and discerning vision of seven dimensions of the shape of the church. This is a view that is thorough and beautiful at the same time, a most welcome contribution to ecclesiology."" --Michael Plekon, professor emeritus of sociology, religion, and culture, Baruch College ""The followers of Jesus find themselves at a crossroads today. Ephrem Arcement, in sharing his own Christian journey, invites us to build on the work of Avery Dulles and Richard Foster to re-envision the shape of the church as we advance. This book provides a road map for the followers of Jesus to unite and be a leaven for the life of the world rather than a polarizing force that mirrors the chaos that God addressed at the beginning."" --James D. Hess, OCarm, Catholic chaplain, Bard College ""Brother Ephrem, through his own spiritual autobiography, inhabits a Christian life of ecclesial wholeness which he invites us all to explore. Upon finishing The Shape of the Church, I am now convinced that Brother Ephrem has given us a kind of improvisational ecumenism--a 'Yes, and . . .' approach to a truly Catholic Church for this age. As the Body of Christ, we need each other, and we need all the dimensions noted in this book to flourish. Brother Ephrem is to be applauded for this work."" --Brian Cole, bishop, Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee