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Reviewed by: Sue Steiner

In this book, Ruth Nelson interviews her 90-year-old grandmother to find out how her rural Mennonite church and community formed her as a Christian.  Then, reflecting on her own story, she speaks of the shift amongst Mennonites from a village to a city mentality, and from a spirituality of dwelling to a spirituality of seeking.

In the last chapter, she focuses on themes and practices from her grandmother’s life important for Anabaptist spirituality today.  However, we can’t just absorb them from a close-knit community as her grandmother did.  So she offers suggestions for deliberate spiritual practices to help us grow in the image of Christ as persons and congregations.

There is much here for pastors, elders, spiritual directors, worship committees and Christian formation teams to think about. “Oh yes,” I can hear people saying, “what the author says here helps me understand what’s going on with us.”  I’d love to eavesdrop as leaders debate Ruth Nelson’s suggestions for fostering Sabbath time or inviting young adults to give a year of service or mentoring one-on-one spiritual friendships.

Members of Sunday school classes, small groups or spiritual friends would enjoy comparing their stories to that of the author and her grandmother.  Each person could choose one suggested practice for him/herself personally or for their family.

Sue Steiner

Meet the Reviewer:

Sue holds a certificate in Appreciative Coaching from the Clergy Leadership Institute. She is a member of Spiritual Directors International, a certified user of MBTI materials, and has served six diverse congregations as pastor or interim pastor. She is a member of Rockway Mennonite Church, Kitchener, ON.