“Perhaps you’ve met Barth the intimidating theologian, but have you met Barth the pastor to pastors? Root introduces today’s church to the Karl Barth it never knew, artfully putting this theologian in conversation with a church that is fearful about the future. If you are worried about the fate of your church (and who isn’t these days?), this is a book you must read.”
—Will Willimon, Duke Divinity School; United Methodist bishop, retired; author of Aging: Growing Old in Church

“A marvelous achievement. Root draws on the work of Karl Barth (the pastor), Charles Taylor, and Hartmut Rosa to identify the current captivity of the church to secular metrics. He proposes a way forward that waits on the hope that comes from outside of us and among us as one of us in Jesus Christ. This is a must-read!”
—Richard R. Topping, Vancouver School of Theology