Conversion of the Church by Samuel M. Shoemaker - Fourth Edition

Conversion of the Church by Samuel M. Shoemaker. The copyright page indicates that this book was published in 1932. The dust jacket identifies the book as a Fourth Edition.

Sam Shoemaker a pioneer in both the Oxford group movement and AA, presents in his book "The Conversion Of The Church" how the Church needs to operate like a fellowship and that in reality the Fellowship is the Church. Sam mentions in his Forward that the original church was often called the fellowship. AA is often refered to as the Fellowship. Sam devotes an entire Chapter to the genius of fellowship. There he emphasizes the importance of fellowship in The Church. "When the Church is alive the desire for fellowship is alive. Sam gives his definition of real fellowship. "the core and genius of real fellowship as i see it, is the power to live and work with people upon the basis of absolute love and honesty"

Samuel Shoemaker was a prominent American Episcopal priest and a key figure in the Oxford Group movement, which later influenced the development of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other Twelve Step programs. Born on December 27, 1893, in Baltimore, Maryland, Shoemaker was raised in a family with a strong Christian background.

Shoemaker studied at Princeton University and later attended Virginia Theological Seminary, where he was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1917. He served in various parishes before becoming the rector of Calvary Church in New York City in 1925, where he remained for over twenty years.

In the early 1930s, Shoemaker became involved with the Oxford Group, an informal Christian fellowship founded by Frank Buchman. The Oxford Group emphasized spiritual principles such as honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love, and it sought to bring about personal transformation through spiritual practices such as self-examination, confession, and surrender to God's will.

Shoemaker's involvement with the Oxford Group profoundly influenced his ministry and preaching style. He became known for his dynamic sermons, which emphasized the need for individuals to experience a personal encounter with God and to live out their faith in practical ways.

One of Shoemaker's most significant contributions was his role in introducing the principles of the Oxford Group to Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Shoemaker and other members of the Oxford Group had a significant influence on the early development of AA, particularly in shaping its spiritual foundations and emphasis on personal transformation. Bill W. wrote: “Dr. Sam Shoemaker was one of A.A.’s indispensables. Had it not been for his ministry to us in our early time, our Fellowship would not be in existence today.”

Throughout his life, Shoemaker remained dedicated to ministry and spiritual renewal. He authored numerous books and articles on Christian spirituality, including "Realizing Religion." He also played a key role in the founding of the Spiritual Mobilization movement in the 1940s, which sought to promote spiritual values in American society.

Samuel Shoemaker passed away on October 31, 1963, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual insight and compassionate ministry. He is remembered as a pioneer in the field of Christian spirituality and as a guiding figure in the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous.

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This book is in very good condition. The cover looks great with minimal wear. There is a name handwritten on the first page. The original dust jacket has some edge wear and tears. The jacket has some repairs on the back side.

Please view all of the photos for the conditions.