There is no question that bringing men and women to new birth in Christ is essential. But, argues Eugene Peterson, isn't it obvious that growth in Christ is equally essential?

Yet the American church does not treat Christian growth and character formation with equivalent urgency. We are generally uneasy with the quiet, obscure conditions in which growth takes place. Building maturity in Christ is too often relegated to footnote status in the text of our lives.

In Practice Resurrection Peterson brings the voice of Scripture, especially Paul's letter to the Ephesians, and the voice of the contemporary Christian congregation together in understanding what is involved in the practice of becoming mature -- growing up to the "stature of Christ."