"Bielo's depiction of 'emerging' evangelicals shows what can be achieved through the best kind of ethnography. This is a deeply engaging and revealing portrait of Christians whose lives and religious convictions are shown to be complex and subtle, even as they are often pitched against conservative forms of the faith." Simon Coleman, Chancellor Jackman Chaired Professor, University of Toronto"This is an engrossing and powerfully observed ethnography with much richness of detail. Bielo is not blind to the racial and sexual contradictions that this largely white, middle-class movement negotiates; a 'planting' pastor wonders if his pick-up truck is too 'redneck' for the unsuspecting black congregation he wishes to attract; the anxious wife of another pastor who 'do[es]n't want [his] kids living in a perfect suburban shell . want [s] them to be realistic about the brokenness in the world' (p. 171) agonises for the safety of her children after their decision to church plant in a dangerous neighbourhood. An unintentionally hilarious vignette describes the hyper-masculinity pervading a seminar where muscular enthusiasts 'bump fists together; execute an intensely firm handshake concluded with a decisive pump of the wrist; a quick hug punctuated by loud, thudding open-handed pats on the back. Deep voices made frequent use of "dude" and "man"' (p.

158). In this ethnography Bielo has caught the essence of an intriguing and important variant of postmodern Christianity as it emerges."-- Social Anthropology/Anthropologie Sociale 21.3 August 2013.