The Celtic Way of Evangelism
How Christianity Can Reach the West ... Again
by George Hunter

Celtic Christianity: the form of Christian faith that flourished among the people of Ireland during the Middle Ages has gained a great deal of attention lately. George G. Hunter III points out that, while the attention paid to the Celtic Christians is well deserved, much of it fails to recognize the true genius of this ancient form of Christianity. What many contemporary Christians do not realize is that Celtic Christianity was one of the most successfully evangelistic branches of the church in history. The Celtic church converted Ireland from paganism to Christianity in a remarkably short period, and then proceeded to send missionaries throughout Europe. North America is today in the same situation as the environment in which the early Celtic preachers found their mission fields: unfamiliar with the Christian message, yet spiritually seeking, and open to a vibrant new faith. If we are to spread the gospel in this culture of secular seekers, we would do well to learn from the Celts. Their ability to work with the beliefs of those they evangelized, to adapt worship and church life to the indigenous patterns they encountered, remains unparalleled in Christian history. If we are to
succeed in reaching the West . .. again, then we must begin by learning from these powerful witnesses to the saving love of Jesus Christ.

Celtic Christian Communities
Celtic Christian Communities: Live the Tradition
Ian Bradley
Publisher: Northstone Publishing
ISBN: 1896836437 Edition: Paperback; 2001-03-01
Summary:
Bradley strips away romanticized notions of Celtic spirituality and
offers a carefully researched vision of the historic faith and its
contemporary possibilities. Each of the six chapters follows the same
format: the first half exploring a particular theme (monasticism,
blessing and curing, penance and pastoral care, worship, the
communion of saints, and pilgrimage) as it was expressed in Celtic
Christianity in its golden age from the 6th to 10th centuries. The
second half discusses the relevance of this theme today and suggests
how it might be applied in practical terms to contemporary Christian
life. Ultimately Bradley proposes building "colonies of
heaven"--communities of prayer, artistic and creative activity,
hospitality, and team ministry.

Celtic Daily Prayer
Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings From the Northumbria Community
Northumbria Community
Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco
ISBN: 0060013249 Edition: Hardcover; 2002-03-01
Summary:
More than a prayer book, Celtic Daily Prayer is a gift from the
Northumbria Community of northeastern England. This devout religious
community, with members scattered around the world, is joined
together by the teachings of traditional Celtic Christianity dating
back to the sixth century. In assembling this collection of prayers,
they offer Christians ancient Celtic devotional writing as well as
contemporary sources of wisdom, such as Anne Morrow Lindbergh, T.S.
Eliot, and even Peter Yarrow from Peter, Paul, and Mary. The focal
point for this prayer book is the daily office, although the book
also includes additional meditations and daily readings. It offers
two complete years of reading, so it should last a while (the
publisher also promises follow-up books). Although many of these
prayers come from the ancient monastic tradition, they easily speak
to Christians contending with everyday things like jobs, childcare,
dinners, and house cleaning. In his introduction Richard J. Foster
(Celebration of Discipline) claims that this prayer book is most
often found "in kitchens with bread baking and tea brewing or in
living rooms crammed full of that cozy lived-in feel." --Gail Hudson