I know I’m late to the party, but thanks for the link. Deep Church was a critical read for me, in that it helped me better articulate my understandings of what the “emerging church” might be, as well as provide some of the tools needed to critique some of the theological strains present in that conversation/movement/community.

Blessings to you and yours.

Thanks for your comments. I think your observations are pretty accurate. The thing I like about Belcher’s book is that he seems to understand this process and is trying to get the greatest benefit from it that he can without “taking sides” and contributing to the animosity generated by the conflict. His is a sensitive, thoughtful and potentially healing approach, I think.

By the way, the term “deep church” is borrowed from C. S. Lewis. It was another term he used for what he called “mere Christianity.”

I think the title, “sacred companions” is a general term that covers bother “spiritual friendship” and the spiritual direction relationship. They’re different but they both involve an intentional accompaniment of one person with the other in the pursuit of fellowship with and service to God. The book covers both types of relationship. It’s interesting that Benner met with some skepticism in suggesting that this type of relationship can exist between a husband and wife. There are obvious pit-falls there because the two are so close to one another in many other ways, but I think he gives some very good principles for making it work.

By the way, you and Marilyn are among those I thought of in writing that last sentence of my review. You both have been a tremendous blessing to me and my family.

[Edit:] I was a little slow to grasp your point about my typo in writing this. Fear not, you finally made it plain to me, and I have corrected it.