Christians in the City of Montréal - (Christians in the City: Studies in Contemporary Global Christianity) by Glenn Smith (Hardcover)

About the Book

Explains the context of Christianity in Montreal as well as broader themes in urban religion, Christianity and secularism, and Christianity within the Francophone world.

Book Synopsis

The book documents the roots of Christianity in Montréal while focusing on the present experience of Christians across the Census Metropolitan Area of 4.3 million residents.

Written by a scholar who has lived in Montréal for over 40 years, this book takes an interdisciplinary approach including archival, historical, urban, ethnographic, cultural studies and community development methodologies, to illustrate the emergence and resilience of Christianity in Montréal into the present-day secular age.

Coverage includes:

- The indigenous roots of Montréal and what Christianity looks like the among the city's indigenous peoples
- "The Quiet Revolution" of intense socio-political and socio-cultural change in French Canada from 1960
- Immigration since the 1960s and the resulting ethnic diversity of Churches

The book includes interviews with leading figures from Montreal as well as lay people from various traditions. Short interludes between chapters bring to life key information about Montreal, including "Who are the Québécois", and the national sport or "religion" of Canada, hockey.

Review Quotes

"Monréal's relationship with Christianity remains an enigma. In this important monograph, Glenn Smith - whose practical theology has been for decades grounded in Montréal - gives a convincing account of the complexities of Christians presence in the economic capital of Québec. Drawing on Charles Taylor's philosophy, he demonstrates how Christians did not disappear from the urban stage, but instead innovate and transform to thrive in a secular city." --Frédéric Dejean, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

"Glenn Smith provides a profound and well-contextualised exploration of Christianity in Montréal, intricately weaving together historical perspectives, sociological insights, and personal experiences of faith. This book acts as a crucial resource for understanding how Christianity interacts with urban secularism, cultural diversity, and shifting social perceptions. It is a compelling read for academics, church leaders, and anyone interested in the future of faith within the urban landscape." --Rev. Dr. Guichun Jun, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, UK

"We, who live in Montréal, are all daily aware of its diversity. This new book gives us an interesting new angle on this: how this diversity has evolved over time. We gain fresh insight when we see the city in the diachronic dimension. I am glad to see an engagement with my reflections of the past years for my city. We urgently need to have this story told." --Charles Taylor, McGill University, Canada

"Montréal was long rooted in Christendom but now breathes a culture trending far from those roots. However, Smith's extensive knowledge of Catholics, Orthodox, mainline Protestants and evangelicals detects vibrant Christian minorities in the urban culture. A magisterial illustration of a constantly adapting Christian presence through history along with mission strategy. Montréal's mix of languages, cultures and church forms is unique but takeaways are many." --Richard Lougheed, École de Théologie Évangélique de Montréal, Canada

"This book displays mastery of the theoretical offerings of Charles Taylor and others, coupled with a relentless commitment to local particularities. The result is a vivid, kaleidoscopic, engaging and persuasive portrait of Monréal, where the challenges of Western civilization are vigorously embodied. Smith completes this portrait with theologically wise counsel for how Christians can adopt a Gospel posture toward the reality he lovingly describes." --Rev. Dr. Karen Petersen Finch, The Presbyterian College, Canada

"Glenn Smith was one of the first Christian leaders to welcome me to Monréal a decade ago, offering a wealth of information regarding the city and its churches. His research is robust, his faith is practiced in real life, and his passion for the work of God in the neighbourhoods of Monréal spurs me on. His insights will be invaluable to any church participating in God's mission here." --Rev. Patti Miller, Evangel Pentecostal Church, Canada

"I have appreciated Glenn Smith's insights for years, and he has been an important influence in my own understanding of urban mission. Christians in the City of Montréal masterfully summarizes years of acquired wisdom. Blending history, theology, and urban studies, this insightful work shows us how to see a city the way God sees it." --Bishop Thomas Dowd, Sault Sainte Marie, Canada

About the Author

Glenn Smith is Director of the Graduate Program in Practical Theology at Presbyterian College, McGill University, Canada, and at the Institut de Théologie pour la Francophone, Université Laval, Canada. He has published extensively in French and English on the Protestant Church in Canada.