Book Review: The Road to Missional (Michael Frost)

The Road To Missional (Michael Frost) is one of the many books to come out recently to help Christ followers and Christian leaders alike better understand what it means to embrace a Missional mindset. This was a fun book to read, keeping you engaged and gripped by the topic.

Frost actually writes the book out of the frustration that many have abused the word, diluted it to mean something far less than it's meant to be, or possibly using it as an adjective - buzz word - for anything they'd like to make sound more important in church programming.

The shape and flow of the book moves from big picture to action.

Imago Dei is the starting point where the reader is reminded that God is on mission and his mission has a church. The church's role is alerting the world to "God's reign." Like a movie trailer, the church then demonstrates (though imperfectly) what God's reign looks like through ordinary people so the world can get a glimpse of it - both present and towards the New Creation.

From there Frost begins to redefine evangelism within the context of God's greater mission of restoring the world, not reducing it to merely sharing "4 spiritual laws."

He spends a whole chapter addressing one of the main obstacles to the missional church, that being the "market-shaped" church, primarily fueled by consumerism. As he explains, "we treat people like a market, seeing them as clientele, not image-bearers of the living God." He counter acts this unfortunate slant in the next chapter with a clear call to the humility found in the cross.

A refreshing aspect of Frost's ideas are that they are grounded in a robust view of both the gospel and the Kingdom. His chapter called Breathing Shalom is worth the book, especially if one has not read through some of NT Wright's books. In fact, Frost does a great service of summarizing some of Wright's heavier theological arguments as he scatters them through the book. Breathing Shalom summarizes Wright's writing on Peace, Justice, and Beauty found within Christ's Kingdom vision.

Though this book specifically meant to be a 'how to' approach, there's lots in it that is practical and relevant. One of the most refreshing ideas for any Christ follower or Church leader will be Frost's invitation to stop doing church seminars on how to do church in all our favorite styles, but rather, get us into the world where Jesus is already at work.

There's been so many new books recently published on the missional church it would be very hard to keep up (if you even feel you need to). However, if you're planning on reading at least one in this last batch of them to either help you discover the heart of what missional is or to keep you aligned and excited on the missional path, Frost's recent addition is worth it.

Direct, less then 200 pages, building his points without extending them into boredom, and warmly inviting us on the road to missional.

*Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group

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

Book Review: Christianity in Crisis

I had a hard time getting into this book just because of the sheer size. Reading at length is great, but I was hoping this book would have a reader’s digest version. This is probably personal, and not particularly about the book, but too many books today are larger then they need to be.

That being said, Hank Hanegraaff’s new Christianity In Crisis for the 21st Century is still a welcome addition to the discerning conversation that’s needed in the church today. Unfortunately so much of North American Christianity has been stamping Jesus onto one’s ideas and dreams. Whether it’s wealth, health, progress, or healing, Hanegraaff is trying to help people think biblically through what they hear or see.

He says this in the preface: Having lost the ability to think biblically, postmodern Christians are being transformed from cultural change agents and initiators into cultural conformists and imitators. Pop culture beckons, and postmodern Christians have taken the bait. As a result, the biblical model of faith has given way to an increasingly bizarre array of fads and formulas.

The book tries to hit many areas that Hanegraaff feels needs a discerning – even critical – look. Charismatics, healers, prosperity preachers, humanists, those that recreate atonement theories, and more all get hit in this exhaustive work. One caution is that Hanegraaff can throw out some of what God is doing because of his more traditional/reformed convictions.

If you call yourself a Christian and have been caught up with self-help books, methods to make you rich, or principles to keep you happy, then Hanegraaff might help balance you out – if for no other reason, so you don’t equate your theories with the gospel and find your self wanting what God really has in store for your life while chasing false promises.

Disclaimer: I was given this book from Booksneeze.com, a blogger community from Thomas Nelson Publishing. My review is strictly my opinion.

Book Review: Outlive Your Life

Outlive Your Life, Max Lucado

Max Lucado has a gift. His ability to get truth into beautiful phrases and illustrations disarms the impact of this book. An easy read for a not so easy challenge – one that
everyone in North American needs to hear.

The book walks slowly through themes relating to giving one’s life for a greater good, but not merely for goodness sake, rather, out of a response to the greatness of God’s grace and love.

Each chapter takes you a step closer to action and encourages a variety of needed feelings, thoughts, and decisions to become the kind of person whose life will outlive them.

If you’re comfortable with the way you’re spending your time and money then don’t read this book. If you’re open to your life making a difference in this world and the possibility of God using you in personal and communal ways, then take the challenge.

On top of all that, it’s a joy to read.

Disclaimer: I was given this book from Booksneeze.com, a blogger community from Thomas Nelson Publishing. My review is strictly my opinion.

Book Review: Find Your Strongest Life

Find Your Strongest Life, Marcus Buckingham

People everywhere are looking for happiness. It seems there's a way to find out how happy you are.

Although I like Buckingham and thought his management and strength themed books were helpful, I wonder if this merely is a next step (or book) in trying to help people figure out how unique they really are.

If you're a women and looking to discover your unique nature and haven't been able to find it in your interactions or awareness then this book might help. If you're pretty content with who you are and living out in ways that compliment you then it might not be an urgent read. However, as many have discovered, transitions in life usually bring up new questions about oneself. In that case, a little self reflection could be in order.

Buckingham has simple lay out: Understanding, Coaching, and Examples. It's an easy read. There's also a survey resource for personal application.

Disclaimer: I was given this book from Booksneeze.com, a blogger community from Thomas Nelson Publishing. My review is strictly my opinion.

Book Review: The Irresistible Church (Cordeiro)

The Irresistible Church is a book someone like Wayne Cordeiro had to write. If you’ve heard him speak you know he’s not just a church leader, but a heart felt Christ-follower.

Although he could easily tell you HOW they do church at New Hope in Honolulu, or WHAT mechanisms they have in place to disciple 1000’s of people in multiple venues that keep growing and multiplying, Cordeiro gets to the heart of what a beautiful God glorifying church can and should be like.

He outlines 12 traits that make the church shine. He’ll help you remember who the church is and Who she worships. He challenges you to take care of your heart first. Building on that, he outlines why growing disciples that feed themselves, love others, and take risks are part of what a healthy church looks like – and produces. In wisdom he also cautions the Christ follower or pastor to pursue ‘sustainable excellence’, or not to confuse programs with ministry.

Simple, to the point, and with genuine authenticity, The Irresistible Church will help you catch a vision of the church that is beyond numbers or size, and yet help you contribute to a healthy church that will likely reach more people.

(I received this book, for review purposes, by www.grafmartin.com; the opinions are strictly my own)