A Messy Church: An Iowa Church’s Journey Through United Methodist Celebrations, Controversies | Lyle Muller | 222 pages | Paperback | $24.95
A MESSY CHURCH: An Iowa Church’s Journey Through United Methodist Celebrations, Controversies tells the history of one church —North Liberty First, A United Methodist Community of Faith—but any Methodist church in Iowa dating back to 1840 could tell similar tales. It connects major issues at the North Liberty church with social and cultural issues that have existed since before the first Methodists arrived in east central Iowa. But plenty to celebrate exists, too. This story is for anyone interested in Iowa history. It weaves local experiences with what pushed and pulled Methodists nationally and in Iowa, drawing in readers whose interest might not be in the church but cares about its place in a history that ranges from native dwellers milling corn to the white settlers continually expanding their influence.
Lyle Muller is a veteran Iowa journalist living in Tiffin, Iowa, whose columns and stories have appeared in several publications, including The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; The Des Moines Register; and Reveal. He is a longtime member of North Liberty First, A United Methodist Community of Faith.