Chasing Francis

Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron is a novel that has a message. But unlike most books that try to combine the two this one really works. The characters are portrayed as real people not cardboard caricatures who only appear to mouth the message! (I am currently reading a "Christian novel" that is worthy but very hard going!)
The plot concerns the pastor of a conservative church in the USA who finds he has lost his conservative certainties and needs to take time out to rediscover what the church should be about. He goes to Italy and follows the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi in the company of some convivial Franciscans.
The plot allows a discussion of the insights of St Francis and an analysis of how his followers have implemented these ideas over the centuries.
The hero's insight is that Francis identified five priorities that he used to reform the church of his time and suggests that these same priorities are applicable today. These five key factors are transcendence, community, beauty, dignity and meaning. Having spent all his life in a conservative protestant environment the hero finds it liberating to be able to include his other senses in his worship and not simply rely on cerebral arguments for faith. As I look back on my recent ministry these factors have all been important but I have rarely found them as clearly articulated previously.
I could say much more about this book but I won't because I believe that you should read it for yourself! It even has the following glowing endorsement from Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury on the front cover - "I've now read it twice and found it equally compelling both times. It is a remarkable book." What more could I say!