Pew & Pavement: Stories from an Urban Church - Paperback

by David A. Shirey (Author)

Are you longing to be reminded of the deep down goodness of life and humanity's better angels? Do you need an antidote to the toxicity of the daily news cycle? Would stories of a real life congregation with salt-of-the-earth Christians loving God and neighbor - all their neighbors - be a refreshing counter to caustic Christianity, a soothing balm?

Here's some good news. If you are someone jilted or jaded by Christianity at its worst, veteran pastor David Shirey has written a book that may restore your faith in what church at its best can be. If you are a churchgoer or minister blessed by being part of a life-giving congregation, this book will stir precious memories while evoking gratitude, laughter, and likely a few tears.

Lovingly curated from his time as a wet behind the ears pastor of an urban church on the south side of St. Louis, Compton Heights Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Pew & Pavement tells the story of a remarkable congregation's century-plus ministry from their sanctuary's pews to the pavement of the hurly-burly, bawdy, boisterous city. In these pages, readers will meet a cast of characters who have in common an uncommon tenderness and tenacity, including:

• Ella on bended knee with her toenail clippers
• Cliff the barber with his toolbox and Bible, praying on the roof at the base of the steeple
• Carol orchestrating the mother of all Vacation Bible Schools
• Millie and her unbounded generosity to neighbors in need
• And many more

David Shirey's stories will warm your heart and fill you with hope because in and through them you will rediscover (or discover for the first time) the Story of a good and gracious God who is at work in this world through good people to bring forth the good, right, and true. Enjoy!