The largest table effect: preaching to cultivate compassion, justice and inclusion in the urban church

This research explores how preachers can help listeners create a new productive reality, so that they are able to reflect upon it and act with compassion, justice, and inclusion. An urban congregation participated in a two-year study to change its understanding and experience of communion from being individual-centered to being community-centered. Results indicate that, over time, this effort may lead to a change in the congregational mythos and identity. The implications for this study are pertinent for all preachers, especially those who serve urban congregations.