In The Church and the Crisis of Community Theresa Latini lays out both a theoretical groundwork and a practical guideline for successful small group ministry. Examining the latest sociological research and the real life practices of small groups in six congregations, she shows how well developed groups those with mission statements, leadership training, and solid organizational structure can be a truly effective tool in the church's work of transforming broken and shallow forms of community into life-giving, life sustaining relationships with God and others.