Staying at the Table Casts a Bold Vision for a More Faithful, United Church

Can We Still Imagine a Church That Truly Belongs to Everyone?

Tired of the division and hypocrisy in the church today? Staying at the Table: Being the Church We Say We Are, the powerful new book by Rev. Terri Hord Owens, leader of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), calls Christians to something deeper—a church rooted in love, unity, and prophetic imagination.

In an era of deepening polarization and public mistrust of religious institutions, Staying at the Table presents a timely and inspiring call to reclaim the radical, inclusive love of Christ. With wisdom shaped by eight years of leading as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and her past experience in both the corporate and academic worlds, Hord Owens offers a compelling roadmap for churches seeking relevance, renewal, and reconciliation.

“How do we have difficult conversations? How do we imagine a better way forward together?” Hord Owens asks. “It begins with a church grounded in deep spiritual practice, biblical engagement, and God’s boundless love.”

Drawing on her background leading diverse teams in corporate America, mentoring students at the University of Chicago Divinity School, and serving as a national faith leader, Hord Owens calls readers to confront injustice, embrace diversity, and build communities that welcome all to the table.

Hord Owens has served as the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since 2017. Prior to her call to ministry, she spent over 20 years in corporate data management and served for 15 years as Dean of Students at the University of Chicago Divinity School. She is a nationally recognized preacher, speaker, and advocate for inclusive, multicultural ministry, and a leading voice on theology, reconciliation, and mentoring the next generation of faith leaders.

Staying at the Table is for every pastor, lay leader, and seeker who longs for a church that embodies—not just talks about—the teachings of Jesus. It challenges Christians to move beyond tired platitudes toward an energized faith that transforms both people and communities.

Staying at the Table is published by Chalice Press, the leading progressive Christian publisher of books that challenge and inspire communities of faith and the denominational publishing house of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).