Rumors of God (Book Review)

When 2 Aussie pastors from 2 completely different church contexts wrote a book together I was curious to see the outcome?

Darren Whitehead serves as teaching pastor at Willow Creek in Chicago, one of the largest churches in the country. Jon Tyson started Trinity Grace in NYC, with a parish and missional community approach - a fraction the size of Willow Creek.

The beauty of their partnership is showing that method, city, and approach are truly secondary to the essence of the gospel and one's experience of God.

The result is a good book - RUMORS OF GOD - that seems to do 2 things:

1. It helps Christ followers look past some of the traditional ways people view God and faith to authentic glimpses of a life with God leads toward - community, justice, generosity, etc.

2. It helps the seeker who is hesitant to look for Jesus in a church. Darren and Jon deconstruct the walls enough to help the seeker find Jesus while at the same time demonstrating the beauty of the local church when it functions as a healthy biblical community.

However, before you just give this book to a seeking friend, be aware that they still use language a little more familiar to a Christian. That being said, it's not a 'churchy' book and the majority of people will discover the book's genuine message.

I've heard Jon Tyson (in person) share his convictions on Christianity, culture, and the church. I'm grateful for people like him (and Darren) who are working hard at contextualizing the message of the gospel for our generation, partnering with God's mission in North America.

Enjoy the book. Pass it on to someone who has neglected the rumors of God for too long. Then move to engage the life of faith it calls us to experience.

*This book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson