Mark has written 5 books
Improvising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul
Plenty of books diagnose our post-Christian malaise. Here's a dynamic solution.
The Englewood Review of Books Best Theology Book of 2024
The post-Christian cultural turn is creating the conditions for a crisis of confidence in the church and in pastoral ministry. While such changes can be disruptive and disconcerting, our new cultural reality makes the present moment a uniquely exciting time to reimagine churches that bear witness to Christ. How do we move beyond cookie-cutter approaches (which may have worked in the past) to building the creative, compassionate, and incarnational churches we long for?
Improvising Church plays with a metaphor of improvisation to chart twelve themes as the key "notes" on which Christian communities play as they bear witness to God in the world today. Building on these two dynamic traditions—jazz music and Christian community—Improvising Church unfolds a biblical, practical, and inventive vision for churches seeking to receive and extend the healing of Christ.
“Improvising Church is stunning. [It] brought me to tears, and made my heart sing. It is a gift to anyone seeking to help God's people become who we're called to be in our post-Christian, Western world."
—Michael J. Rhodes, author of Just Discipleship: Biblical Justice in an Unjust World
"Imagine an interpreter of Scripture with trustworthy credentials. Now imagine a musician who enchants with creativity. Next imagine a pastor who can mobilize a community to bless a neighborhood. In Mark Glanville, all three of these are one person.”
—Jason Byassee, author of Surprised by Jesus Again: Reading the Bible in Communion with the Saints
"Improvising Church is a harmony of scriptural insight and pastoral wisdom, soulfully explored.”
—Drew G. I. Hart, author of Who Will Be a Witness? Igniting Activism for God's Justice, Love, and Deliverance