The real test for any Christian is living out our faith in truth and love in the world. Jesus’ life was a simple one, spending most of his time outside the religious institution with underprivileged people. Today it’s the opposite. Institutional church leaders spend most of their time inside the church. The danger is that church leaders can get stuck in their pedestal role, church members can get stuck in their pews and the under-privileged outside may continue to be overlooked.

Hard to be Holy is a confronting book that was first launched as part of a national leadership kit with The National Church Life Survey (NCLS) in 2000. Sadly, little has changed in twenty years. Consequently, this new and expanded edition includes findings from the Royal Commission and addresses issues both inside AND outside the church. Fact is, we have a mental and spiritual health crisis in the community that demands a more real and relevant outward-looking church.

The second half of the book explores opportunities that exist in the community. Soul Food Café is an organisation that was created to address systemic change for future generations of church leaders and congregations. It aims to reduce the pedestal effect by providing community-based skills training to move towards a transformational church

Libby Whetham

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