Ramirez says that many churches spend so much energy on their own congregation they miss the larger picture. Churches are like isolated little flocks rather than part of a much larger flock, all moving together. He explores what keeps congregations apart, the importance of unity in God's plan, and then offers a strategy for moving toward working together.

Ramirez had seen a video of starlings as huge flocks move together. Called murmuration, seeing the birds flying together inspired him to develop this book.

I appreciate his looking at what keeps congregations apart, such as competition and cultural issues. He did not address the elephant in the room, doctrine, until much later in the book. When he finally does write about it, he defines unity. It is not when everyone agrees on everything but when the interconnectedness is realized and oneness is pursued for God's glory and expanding the kingdom. (Loc 2002/3320) I think doctrine is a big issue in preventing unity and was disappointed that Ramirez did not offer a good strategy to get beyond that issue.

Ramirez offers a strategy for a community wide movement near the end of the book. He suggests and looks for grassroots, local, organic initiatives. The unity, it would seem, is not something initiated by church leadership but is more the work of the individuals in the pews, working together with other Christians in community projects, etc. I found it interesting that what seems to keep churches apart is found at the leadership level but the work of unity is expected at the layperson level. I have been in a church where the laypeople were more than willing to initiate community action but the senior pastor was too insecure in his own ministry to give encouragement to possible lay ministry. If the problem is at the pastoral level, that is where the cure needs to begin.

I felt Ramirez's writing style is somewhat academic and is aimed more at leadership than the layperson, where he expects the work of unity to be initiated. He writes like he is developing a systems theory as he explores the aspects of unity and the dynamics involved. I think this book would be appreciated most by pastors and church leaders. They could use the information in this book to encourage the people in their congregations to engage in unity producing activities in the community.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.