John Wijngaards’s book, Christ’s Idea of Authority in the Church, is a guidebook intended for group discussions with a “synodal approach” in mind, i.e. not to be a debate on issues but rather a sharing of ideas with deep listening to one another. Broken down into twenty-eight topics, chapters range in various aspects of effective use of power and authority. It is well designed to enhance reflections on topics that can ultimately lead pastor and people to reform within their church community. For a discussion leader, this book is all that you will need to gather a group together, provide each with a copy of the book, and engage participants in fruitful conversation.
The book is still available from the publisher, www.wipfandstock.com, at a 45% discount when you put code CHRISTSIDEA45 into the discount slot.
Rene Reid, director
Catholic Church Reform Int’l