Community: The Structure of
Belonging
By: Peter
Block
Modern society is characterized by isolation and a weakened social
fabric. The various sectors of our communities—businesses, schools,
social service organizations, churches, government—work in parallel, not
in concert. They exist in their own worlds as do so many individual
citizens, who long for connection but end up marginalized, their gifts
overlooked, their potential contributions lost. This disconnection and
detachment makes it hard if not impossible to envision a common future
and work towards it together.
We
know what healthy communities look like—there are many success stories
out there, and they've been described in detail. What Block provides in
this inspiring new book is an exploration of the exact way community can
emerge from fragmentation. How is community built? How does the
transformation occur? What fundamental shifts are involved? He explores
a way of thinking about our places that creates an opening for authentic
communities to exist and details what each of us can do to make that
happen.
"My intent" he writes, "is provide structural ways to create the
experience of belonging, not just in those places where people come to
just be together socially, but especially in places where we least
expect it. This includes those places where people come together to get
something done. These are our meetings, dialogues, conferences, planning
processes––all those occasions where we gather to reflect on and decide
the kind of future we want for ourselves."
Citizens have the power to change the community story and bring a new
context into being. Block shows us how we can overcome isolation and
anxiety and create communities alive with energy and possibility. This
book is written to support those who care for the well being of their
communities. It is for anyone who wants to be part of an organization,
neighborhood, city, or country that works for all, and who have the
faith and the energy to create such a place.
$17.00 plus shipping and handling.
Purchase This Book
|
