Pilgrim Practices by Kristopher Norris
Summary: Exploring the book of James, budding theologian Kristopher Norris illuminates “Eight Pilgrim Practices” essential to the burgeoning missional church. Norris opens his book, Pilgrim Practices: Discipleship for a Missional Church, by reminding his reader of a time before, what he calls, the iChurch—a time when church was distinguished from society, when it was a community rooted in virtues that upheld the stories of its heritage. Finding James’ writing especially applicable to the current state of the church, Norris identifies believing, listening, welcoming, committing, speaking wisely, witnessing, caring, and praying as the eight pilgrim practices that James offers the modern day church.
The Toast: Although this book will not be the most theologically involved book you’ve ever read (it certainly lacks all the fancy ontological jargon, grand meta-ethical postures, and arcane Latin terms so often found in denser theological works), it does a good job of speaking an especially relevant message. When it is all to easy to check out and head for the nearest health-and-wealth-gospel-preaching mega-church, Norris finds a way to compassionately communicate the impotence of those institutions in the face of a church that demands more of its followers. In simple words (and a few hokey stories), Norris reminds us what real hospitality looks like, what real peacemaking looks like, and what real community looks like. Norris reminds us what is real about the church.
This book isn’t much on beautiful writing; neither is it the best looking book on my shelf. It doesn’t even have the intellectual rigor found in its bibliography. However, what Pilgrim Practices does have is simplicity--the simplicity to squarely say what is meaningful and not flinch. This is a book that belongs in the hands of every churchgoer who isn’t much on high-browed intellectualism, but is much on authenticity and character.
The Looks: 2.5/5
The Ideas: 4/5
The Words: 3/5
Overall: 9.5/15
Favorite Quote: “When we talk about dependence on God what we mean in part is the mutual love and support of the church family lifting up those in need. We come to the aid of those in financial struggles or in loving support of those suffering loss. Dependence is a discipline and practice that needs to be cultivated, both to free ourselves from the tyrannical illusion of independence and to open ourselves to the loving care of one another.”
--Toast master: Nathan Fox-Helser