Celebrating Tim Shapiro's New Book: “The Formative Power of Your Congregation: Faith & Human Development”

We are thrilled to announce the release of a new book co-authored by Rev. Tim Shapiro, President of the Center for Congregations, and Dr. Christina J. Davis, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS). The book, titled The Formative Power of Your Congregation: Faith & Human Development, will be available in October 2024 and is already available for pre-order on platforms like Amazon and Rowman & Littlefield.

A Journey of Exploration and Insight

The journey to this impactful work began in 2017 through a series of workshops at the Center for Congregations., exploring the unique practices and expressions supporting human development across various congregations. Shapiro shares, “A person’s development is formed by many factors—family, neighborhood, school, work, and importantly, their congregation. We were intrigued by how congregational life shapes human growth, particularly through the lens of developmental psychology.”

Insights from these discussions laid the groundwork for a broader initiative, supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. of Indianapolis. This grant facilitated a series of workshops with 45 congregations across the state of Indiana, focusing on how understanding congregations can flourish —not just in numbers or physical space, but in nurturing , resilient, and thriving individuals. Shapiro says, “We walked alongside these congregations to identify the major influences in personal development and then, using these factors, invited them to develop congregational  experiences that foster human growth.

Unpacking the Impact of Congregational Life

The Formative Power of Your Congregation: Faith & Human Development delves into how congregations, whether consciously or not, serve as sites of human formation. Shapiro and Davis’s work highlights the importance of focusing on human development within congregations, shifting the narrative from decline in mainline churches to fostering individual and communal growth. Drawing from pastoral theology, attachment theory, systems theory, moral development, and cognitive development, the book presents a model that other congregations can use to undertake their own intentional projects aimed at developing their people. 

One of the core ideas of the book is that congregations seek outcomes that invite  people to have certain developmental skills. Shapiro explains, “Whether it’s fostering a non-anxious presence, promoting honest conversations on social justice, or engaging with environmental concerns, the book provides a framework for congregations to help their members develop the capacity to do so.”

Revitalizing Congregations Through Personal Growth

This project not only confirmed the vital role congregations play in individual development but also reinvigorated the passion of those involved. “The project confirms that regardless of what the social science data shows about the decline of congregations and religious participation in the United States, the life of congregations is more vital than ever,” Shapiro shares. The stories within the book represent changed lives and renewed commitment to the core values of faith communities.

In addition to his work on this book, Shapiro reflects on the joy of collaborating with Dr. Davis, “There’s always more learning that happens and even more fun when you work with a collaborator.” Their combined expertise and shared passion for congregational life have resulted in a book that is both practical and deeply insightful, rooted in their extensive experience and academic backgrounds.

A feature of the book is Dr Davis’ unique and informative view of pastoral theology. Starting with and expanding on Womanist Theology, Dr. Davis provides insights that are a considerable contribution to the field of practical theology and congregational practices. 

Pre-Order Your Copy Today

For those interested in pre-ordering The Formative Power of Your Congregation: Faith & Human Development, it is currently available on Amazon and Rowman & Littlefield. The Center for Congregations is proud to support this work and looks forward to seeing how it will equip congregations and their leaders to foster flourishing, resilient communities.

About the Authors:

Dr. Christina J. Davis’ research and teaching interests at CTS focus on spiritually integrated counseling, family therapy, and relational psychoanalytic theories for women of color. Her extensive experience in pastoral care and counseling, combined with her academic achievements, make her a distinguished faculty member at CTS. She holds a Th.D. in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the Emory University Candler School of Theology, where she was awarded the W.E.B. DuBois Noomo Award for Academic Excellence.

Dr. Davis is also an ordained minister in the Progressive National Baptist Church and a licensed marriage and family therapist in multiple states. Her dedication to both her professional and personal communities exemplify the values of CTS and inspires those around her. We eagerly anticipate the impact her book will have on congregations and the broader field of pastoral care.

Tim Shapiro is the Center for Congregations’ president. He began serving the Center in 2003 after 18 years in pastoral ministry. For 14 years, Tim served Westminster Presbyterian Church in Xenia, Ohio. Prior to his pastorate at Westminster, he was pastor of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Logansport, Indiana. He holds degrees from Purdue University and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Tim’s interest in how congregations learn to do new things is represented in his book How Your Congregation Learns. After his extensive work on the Center’s Sacred Space initiative, Tim co-authored the book Holy Places: Matching Sacred Space with Mission and Message. He has also authored several articles, including Applying Positive Deviance and The Congregation of Theological Coherence.