Contents

Preface

Introduction: The Inspiration for This Book

Part One: Recognizing Community

1 Understanding Community

Part Two: Seven Principles for Belonging

The Seven Principles

2 The Boundary Principle

3 The Initiation Principle

4 The Rituals Principle

5 The Temple Principle

6 The Stories Principle

7 The Symbols Principle

8 The Inner Rings Principle

Part Three: Advanced Ideas

9 Distinguishing Religion and Avoiding Cult

10 Managing Community Face-to-Face and Online

Epilogue: Endings and Beginnings

Beginning with Acknowledgment

Last Thought

Resources

Appendix A: Leader Worksheets

Appendix B: Dinner Community Case Study

Notes

Acknowledgments

Index

About the Author