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by Bill Hybels, Mark Mittelberg
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Zondervan (1996-05-02)
ISBN: 0310210089
EAN: 9780310210085
UPC: 025986210083
Dewy Decimal #: 269
Paperback: 224 pages
SKU: 092208057
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: ...no markings or highlighting...some minor moisture damage
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
This proven action plan will show you how to impact the spiritual lives of friends, family members, co-workers, and others.
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Customer Reviews
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A Fun Read, and Helpful!
Rating  (5)
Date: 2008-11-26
Bill Hybels is a great communicator, and his way of presenting information is refreshing. We are using this book with a small Home Fellowship group, and the discussions are lively. The real life examples are very real and never seem contrived. Enjoy this book and you will be sharing your faith more readily.
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Beware
Rating  (2)
Date: 2008-08-27
0 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
This series begins with an outright attack on traditional evanglism, even biblically-modeled evangelism. There is no doubt that relationships are also key to ministering, as modeled by Christ ministering to the woman at the well. However, this series seems to want to erase all the good that came from great evangelists of past times, including Billy Graham perhaps. This series is more of the "seeker-friendly" movement that is leading many to shallow religion. Beware.
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two thumbs up...
Rating  (3)
Date: 2008-07-21
1 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
... for J.F. Foster's review, not this book!
Thankfully, I snagged a copy at a thrift store for less than a dollar. I skimmed through and promptly threw it away. There's nothing groundbreaking or revolutionary in this book - live what you believe. People smell a hypocrite a mile away!
I agree 100% with Foster's review, though I couldn't conceive of giving the book four stars simply because there are much better resources available.
My top resource for practical guidance on sharing the gospel is The Way of the Master with Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. Nothing watered down here - very direct application of the Gospel in the manner of Jesus Christ and His apostles.
My second recommended resource is Share Jesus Without Fear. Very practical and many more examples than Hybels' book. The author comes across a bit too cocky at times (in his "soul-winning" ability) but, overall, the book is good and offers many great ideas.
"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:36-40
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Great read
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-03-31
Hybles down to earth plain talk and "relateable life stories" hit at the heart of Biblical evangelism. I read Just Walk Across the Room... (without question the most balanced and motivating book on evangelism I have ever read!)... Becoming a Contagious Christian should have been read first but both books are foundational instructional guidance to the freshly 'born again' as well as the "veteran" who needs a shot of encouragement. I'll be using this material in our church for a long time to come! Pastor Larry Kuhl
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Becomming a Courageous Christian
Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-03-18
Good information for Christian's wishing to make a difference. I would also recommend the video and workbook for small group studies.
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by Gregg Easterbrook
Product Group: Book
Publisher: William Morrow (1998-10-07)
ISBN: 0688160654
EAN: 9780688160654
Dewy Decimal #: 220.6
Hardcover: 320 pages
Release Date: 1998-09-23
SKU: 071708028
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: ...No noticeable Underlining or Highlighting...minor wear on cover 333
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
"Fascinating, elegant . . . [Easterbrook] invests the timeless question of life's meaning with distinctly contemporary pertinence."--George Will, NewsweekYes, says Gregg Easterbrook in this provocative and probing new book. In the tradition of Jack Miles's God A Biography and the work of Karen Armstrong, Beside Still Waters ponders the question "Is there anything left to believe in?" Gregg Easterbrook persuasively argues that rationality and outright doubt are inevitable and indeed vital elements of spiritual faith. Other new and important ideas about spiritual thought include the challenging observation that the Bible never actually proclaims God omnipotent -- a concept, Easterbrook suggests, that arose through the sociology and politics of religion, nor Scripture. Bucking the current trend to undermine the Bible's historical value, he affirms that it is neither simple myth nor mere literature, but rather it records many genuine events that can be seen to chart a spiritual journey not only of man but also of God. A thought-provoking book for anyone who believes that true faith can and should accommodate sincere doubt, Beside Still Waters addresses some of the central spiritual issues of a profoundly skeptical age.
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Amazon.com Review
Gregg Easterbrook says the ideal readers of Beside Still Waters: Searching for Meaning in an Age of Doubt are "those who seek the spiritual center--whose hearts are open to higher purpose but whose heads are aware of the many valid objections." To these readers, Easterbrook offers the gift of his contemplative, witty, well-informed essays on questions such as "whether the wars and repressions staged in the name of religion invalidate the ideals that arise from faith; whether our increasing knowledge of history demonstrates spiritual thought to have begun in mythology or superstition; [and] whether faith is on balance an advantageous force for society." Easterbrook is a reporter, not a religion expert, but he's managed to float an extraordinary amount of erudition on his fluid journalistic style. Because his learning is passionate rather than professional, he's able to explore his questions with openness and zeal. Beside Still Waters concludes with a startlingly scriptural refutation of God's omnipotence and a strong, smart argument that monotheism is inherently opposed to rigid denominationalism. Yet with equal strength and good sense, he defends the value of denominations. Maybe you're a good Christian, or a good Jew, or a good atheist. The balanced, vigorous, loving thoughts contained in Beside Still Waters can help you become something better than all of those, and necessary for being any of them--a good person. --Michael Joseph Gross
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Customer Reviews
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Disappointing
Rating (2)
Date: 2003-08-11
14 out of 22 customers found this reveiw helpful
Having become aware of Gregg Easterbrook through his writing on, of all places, espn.com, I looked forward to reading this book for two reasons. First and foremost, it seemed perfectly suited to me, based on the editorial review comment, "those who seek the spiritual center--whose hearts are open to higher purpose but whose heads are aware of the many valid objections." Perfect. Second, I have found Easterbrook to be a good read in forums as diverse as the aforementioned espn.com and in the National Review, for which he is a senior editor.
However I was very disappointed in this book. I had hoped to learn about a way to "bootstrap" faith in this overtly secular world. What I found was a series of old arguments, mostly based on the argument from design. The argument from design, if you are not familiar with it, proposes that God must exist since we are so incredibly well-suited to our environment. This ignores the obvious issue that we evolved in our environment, so clearly are well-suited to it. We evolved to fit the environment; the environment was not created to suit us.
So I got little out of this volume. I'll continue to read Easterbrook on espn.com, but I'll skip his spiritual musings in the future.
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Provocative and intriguing
Rating (4)
Date: 2001-11-19
17 out of 17 customers found this reveiw helpful
Written in a conversational, "non-preachy" style, this book explores the question of what it means to have faith (or to look for a reason to believe) in the modern world. The author limits himself to the Judeo-Christian tradition, exploring obstacles to belief that may arise from the more problematic parts of the Bible -- particularly God's wrathful "smiting" of his enemies (and even, sometimes, his friends). The heart of the book is an extended discussion of the possibility of an evolving God who is neither all-knowing nor all-powerful. Much of this material parallels Jack Miles's GOD: A BIOGRAPHY (written, apparently, at around the same time), though Easterbook's treatment is more concise and focused, and covers the New Testament along with the Old. The development of God from vengeful warrior-king to peaceful redeemer is certainly a story of great interest, although one could (perhaps more plausibly) see it as a record of the moral improvement of human beings whose writings reflect God in their own image. (Edith Hamilton's excellent SPOKESMEN FOR GOD, out of print but worth finding, presents the issue from this perspective.) Easterbrook's thesis is provocative, and he states it in a clear, readable style, with wit and subtlety. A worthwhile book that leaves you feeling that you've just had an extended philosophical conversation with an intelligent and sympathetic friend.
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From Raging Storm to Pacific Stillness
Rating (5)
Date: 2000-05-22
5 out of 8 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book is a spiritual journey. It begins with some of the many valid reasons for questioning Faith, including the history of thoughts and concepts, the current state of scientific knowledge about how the Universe was created. It continues on into what the Bible says and what it does NOT say about some important Faith concepts which we generally assume are supported in the Bible because they are repeated so often today, but were actually created by people for the convenience and sanctioning of church and state leaders politics and power. It continues on to show how God evolved in relating to humans from the Genesis through the early and middle Old Testament where God was very jealous of other gods, greatly interested in religious rituals, and regularly used miracles to accomplish God's work, much of which was savage in killing of thousands of people, including even appearing in and leading battles for the Nation of Israel. (This is NOT a pretty story, but it is the HIStory of the same God we worship and adore today for unbounded love for each of us.) In the late Old Testament, culminating in the New Testament, God, and Jesus, as God's voice on Earth, evolved to using only healing miracles and messages of God's love and Need for love from all people.
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Not entirely persuasive, but....
Rating (5)
Date: 2000-02-10
A somewhat selective reading of the Bible that perhaps doesn't properly explain the import of some of the passages cited, this book is nevertheless fascinating and well written. Most important for me as a reader was Easterbrook's enthusiasm for his subject and his intelligent and moving description of what is so compelling about Jesus. So, although I can't agree that it makes sense to say that "God is slooowww ...." I read the book in only a few nights, learnt a lot and came away with plenty of questions about a lot of received wisdom. For all of which I am thankful...
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Nothing new, but very refreshing
Rating (5)
Date: 1999-10-15
12 out of 12 customers found this reveiw helpful
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who like myself has always had an urge to believe that there was a God and that life is not as meaningless as many modern scientists seem to think it is but are unable to believe in the God presented in most conservative and even mainline protestant churches. Although the author doesn't elude to it in the title, this book is definitely written from a very Christian(liberal Christian) perspective, which is what I was looking for. Especially of interest to me was Easterbrooks proposed explanations for some of the appauling events in the Old Testament that had always been a stumbling block to my belief in Christianity. Also facinating was the possibilities he raised regarding the omnipotence of God. Of course there is probably nothing in this book that could not be found in other volumes by other authors but I quite liked the way that Gregg Easterbrook put it all together and made it very accesible. Although I don't quite agree with all of the authors propositions I would definitely recommend this book highly.
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by John Eldredge, Stasi Eldredge
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (2005-04-07)
ISBN: 0785264698
EAN: 9780785264699
Dewy Decimal #: 248.843
Hardcover: 224 pages
SKU: 112608002
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: ...no markings or highlighting...minor wear on dustjacket
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Every little girl has dreams of being swept up into a great adventure, of being the beautiful princess. Sadly, when women grow up, they are often swept up into a life filled merely with duty and demands. Many Christian women are tired, struggling under the weight of the pressure to be a "good servant," a nurturing caregiver, or a capable home manager. What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating is doing for women. Setting their hearts free. This groundbreaking book shows readers the glorious design of women before the fall, describes how the feminine heart can be restored, and casts a vision for the power, freedom, and beauty of a woman released to be all she was meant to be. By revealing the core desires every woman shares-to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a grand adventure, and to unveil beauty-John and Stasi Eldredge invite women to recover their feminine hearts, created in the image of an intimate and passionate God. Further, they encourage men to discover the secret of a woman's soul and to delight in the beauty and strength women were created to offer.
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Customer Reviews
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Loved it
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-12-29
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
I had heard about this book for awhile but never seemed to get around to reading it. I finally read it and I loved it. I actually found the content hard to read sometimes, because it was true and it made me really look and think about some things. This book touched me profoundly and I would highly recommend it.
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Don't Bother
Rating  (1)
Date: 2008-12-27
0 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
I won't take up much space because so many before me have thouroughly covered about every point, however a group of 3 of my friends and myself decided to read this book and do the study guide, not one of us could finish it - I almost feel bad donating it.
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Awesome book
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-12-22
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
I had read this book twice already and given it to a woman I knew to read. I believe she really needed to know she was very special as a woman to God. I purchased it again to read again, maybe to keep for myself and maybe if I find another woman who will need it, maybe I'll give it to her. I know I'm very special as a woman to my God. I love this book!!!
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CAPTIVATING
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-12-22
WOW-what a great book--it's just what this exhausted woman needed to help lift her spirits from a Biblical perspective. Thanks for the great service! James 1:17
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More than a book, it helps with my quiet time
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-12-09
1 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
every girl, woman and teenager will relate to this book. You uncover so much of yourself and your potential, while discovering your purpose in life, as a female.
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by Lee Strobel (Contributor: Jane Vogel)
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Zondervan/Youth Specialties (2002-04-01)
ISBN: 031024188X
EAN: 9780310241881
UPC: 025986241889
Dewy Decimal #: 239
Paperback: 112 pages
SKU: 092208028
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: ...no markings or highlighting...light shelf wear on cover
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
A student edition of Lee Strobel’s prize-winning The Case for Faith, created by the same writers, Strobel and Jane Vogel, who produced the popular The Case for Christ--Student Edition.
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Customer Reviews
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Not appropriate for critical thinkers
Rating (1)
Date: 2008-03-10
2 out of 6 customers found this reveiw helpful
I picked up this book as it was recommended to me by a discussion partner. She gave it high marks and I was looking forward to seeing what it said. Unfortunately, I learned by the beginning of Chapter 2 that Mr. Strobel is not, in fact, a scholar worthy of the name. Rather he makes claims for which he can provide no valid citation, and in what can only be described as great arrogance, cites himself in other situations.
If Mr. Strobel wishes this book to be considered an objective, scholarly investigation than I will hold him to such standards. He fails. Miserably.
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Clear and informative
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-02-12
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book is very informative for people who are searching for the truth. It is clear and to-the-point. A quick read.
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Master of Strawmen
Rating (1)
Date: 2008-01-01
3 out of 6 customers found this reveiw helpful
The premise of the book "The Case for Faith" seems to be an exploration of Biblical Christianity through its better-known proponents by a curious and impartial skeptic. Of course, that is not the case and it is only a dishonest marketing ploy to call it a journalistic investigation and a laughable ruse to say it is the toughest objections. There is an intentional and cleverly fashioned flow in the book through a sequence of interviews by a (supposedly skeptical) journalist in a deliberate progression. These interviews are used to persuade under the illusion of investigation as the author posed questions in a manner that could be dismantled by a clever apologist. Any of Strobel's questions of the apologists' theories are short and feeble they are strawmen. If you are a believer and want to feel more reassured, then you might find it here provided you don't apply critical thought. Also, if you are a believer - ask yourself if you want to support an author and marketing staff that distorts truth for gain. If you are not a believer, you would have to lack the ability to realize fallacious arguments and strawmen to be persuaded.
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Great book
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-12-29
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book was instrumental in my wife's coming to know Jesus. It is the manual for dealing with tough questions and Strobel's style is very easy to read.
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GREAT for in the Car
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-05-06
1 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
This is an excellent book and owning it on CD means I can listen to it while I'm running around in the car. There is so much information in this book that I find I need the repetition to absorb it. I don't mind listening to it several times. It's also an easy way to share it with family and friends.
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by William A Herr
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Thomas More Publishing (1993-12-01)
ISBN: 0883472392
EAN: 9780883472392
Dewy Decimal #: 282
Paperback: 288 pages
SKU: 052508073
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: ...No noticeable Underlining or Highlighting...
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by C. Peter Wagner
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Regal Books (1999-04)
ISBN: 0830719156
EAN: 9780830719150
Dewy Decimal #: 280
Hardcover: 276 pages
SKU: 093008006
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: ...no markings or highlighting...shelf wear on dustjacket
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Customer Reviews
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Amway Apostles
Rating (3)
Date: 2005-02-07
10 out of 12 customers found this reveiw helpful
Because this book is essentially an apologetic for self-styled mega-church leaders it is worth reading. It assumes a "reformation" posture: declare that the church is in unprecedented crisis, decide that the solution is to return to the "New Testament model", and then presume to describe what this model is.
After reading this book I learned how similar the first century church was to our 21st century MLM corporations. It really is uncanny. In light of this discovery, perhaps pastors should study real business gurus such as Peter F. Drucker or Geoffrey A. Moore.
The sum of "Churchquake" can be found towards the end of the last chapter on raising money. After demonstating that larger donors should get preferencial attention from the pastor, Peter Wagner asks aloud; how does the pastor know the income level of the church members? The answer is simple. "A good pastor knows his sheep!" (pg.261) Apparently Wagners' research of church history uncovered the fact that early church elders recieved printouts every Monday listing the top donors in order to reward them with a week at a luxury resort on the Mediterrenean.
This is the heart of these new "Apostles". No longer are they spiritual leaders with a mission to feed the sheep---they have become organizational leaders with a machine that fleeces sheep. (John 21;15-16). The crucial question is...do they realize it?
MC
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Last Gasp Chance For Unsuccessful Movement?
Rating (1)
Date: 2003-10-31
8 out of 22 customers found this reveiw helpful
Many Church Growthers are honest and admitting that CG has not been growing the church -- e.g. see George Barna in "Boiling Point" or William Chadwick's excellent book "Stealing Sheep."So, leader Wagner and others are doing something they admit the church catholic has never attempted -- fill the office of apostle. Do the exegesis of their proof -- Eph. 4! It will not allow their heretical translation. This is desparation in motion! To pride themselves on moving away from theology to practice and say that they are still holding to Reformation theology. From justification to sanctification; from cross to crown! This is dangerous and faulty theology at its worst! This is an exhibition of 2 Tim. 4 coming true in spades in our time -- "for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." No sheep who follows the voice of the Good Shepherd will recognize his leading voice in this.
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Insightful analysis of post-denominational Christianity
Rating (4)
Date: 2003-10-18
7 out of 11 customers found this reveiw helpful
There is a churchquake shaking up the church as we know it- the New Apostolic Reformation. C. Peter Wagner turns his prophetic analysis on this move of God that is changing the very face of Christianity. Wagner begins with an insightful analysis of the decline of denominationalism. It is devastating. Denominations look to contextual factors for their decline, sociological factors that the church cannot control; whereas Wagner attributes their decline to seven institutional factors well within their control to deal with. Thus, rather than playing victim to the world around it, the church needs to look within itself for the cause of its decline in both numbers and influence.Wagner believes that we live in a day that calls for new wineskins, that God is doing a new work, using new forms, to promulgate the gospel in the world today. Unlike the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, the new Apostolic Reformation is not so much a reformation of faith, but of practice. Thus Wagner states that the current reformation is not so much against corruption and apostasy as it is against irrelevance. For those who may get hung up on Wagner's use of the word- Apostolic, a more palatable term for evangelicals to use to describe this move of God is post-denominational Christianity. Of course using the term- Apostolic, is a cause of concern among many evangelicals and Wagner goes to great length to define his terms. Wagner sees three nuances that apply to the New Apostolic Reformation. 1. New Testament Christianity. Wagner notes that the reformers of the 16th century used the term apostolic to affirm their doctrine of sola scriptura. Wagner believes that the new apostolic churches reflect more closely the New Testament style in terms of ministry than traditional churches. 2. Priority Outreach to Pre-Christian Populations. Wagner notes that the root for the word apostle means- the sent ones. Thus, apostolic churches focus on reaching non-Christian populations and are driven to make them disciples of Christ. 3. The third and most controversial characteristic of the New Apostolic Reformation is the recognition of the gift and office of apostle in the church today. Wagner defines the spiritual gift of an apostle as follows: The gift of apostle is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to assume and exercise general leadership over a number of churches with extraordinary authority in spiritual matters that is spontaneously recognized and appreciated by these churches. Wagner sees the failure of denominations to recognize the gifts of apostles and prophets, while at the same time, recognizing the gifts of pastor, teacher and evangelist having more to do with entrenched ecclesiastical traditions than biblical exegesis. Whether you are intrigued by the new Apostolic Reformation or see it as a cause of concern, you ought to read this book. Wagner presents in in-depth, sound biblical argument for his thesis, while at the same time recognizing the weaknesses and faults of the New Apostolic Movement.
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The Church as an Autocracy or dispenser of Christian Love?
Rating (1)
Date: 2003-04-05
14 out of 16 customers found this reveiw helpful
In summarising chapter one it is clear that Wagner requires the reader to accept a number of his assertions as givens without critical analysis. If the underlying premise is not accepted then the reader will have difficulty accepting the rest of the book. However there are significant points he raises which allow the reader to ask some difficult and painful questions of the church in the 21sr century.
In chapter 2 he spends some time explaining how he came to the use of the term as opposed to 60 possible names and essentially pads his book out a bit with some of the rejected definitions. Three important nuances of the term apostolic" are discussed. These include the reformation use of the term to affirm the doctrine of sola scriptura, early Pentecostal use to define the restoration of apostolic faith after 18 centuries of apostasy. The second nuance relates to the evangelical priority of these congregations. The third relates to the gift and office of apostle. The use of the word "nuance" is interesting in that its definition is that of association only. It is not a strong term but subtle. One needs to ask if Wagner is drawing a long bow here to further develop his argument that the new apostolic churches are based on the doctrine of sola scriptura, restoration of apostolic faith and the office of apostle?
In chapter 3 Wagner presents factual information which is interesting and informative with the expectation that the reader will accept what he is saying as a fait accomplit. There is another view and very rarely does he allude to this such as Tony Campolo's view that denominationalism has a future.
In chapter 4 he aims to have the reader accept the idea that the pastor is like a managing director or CEO with spiritual authority delegated by the Holy Spirit to the extent that Wagner's own pastor has sole discretion for the expenditure of 65% of the church budget of $5 million
Read together chapter five and six suggest to me that New Apostolic Churches have the potential to become as corrupt as the Roman Catholic Church prior to the Reformation. Rather than one pope the NAC philosophy suggests having lots of "apostles" leading networks with decision making centralised with the individual apostle.
In chapter seven Dr Wagner assumes that liturgical worship is inferior to spontaneous worship.
In chapter 8 Wagner expounds his theory that outreach in NAC networks is focussed on four central tasks - expanding the local church, planting new churches, mercy ministries and cross cultural mission. Whilst Wagner makes some good points in chapter 8 he unfortunately is somewhat lacking in taking cultural, political and social factors into account when supporting his argument
Wagner for a Church historian makes an astounding claim that `apostolic theology of lay ministry' is a fairly recent discovery of the last 25-30 years in chapter 9.He then goes on to develop this argument using sub headings such as "Every Church Member a Minister", `Reconsidering Clergy versus Laity' and "the Pastor as Coach."
Chapter Ten - Money? NO PROBLEMS
This of all chapters in the book probably utilises scripture the most. This may be because ultimately he can find no sociological references to support the views presented in this chapter which is what he has generally done for the first nine chapters of the book. Unfortunately his use of scripture is selective and biased and one does not have to be a theological student to see that he has clearly forgotten Jesus' references to giving being something done in secret between the giver and God.
Unfortunately he presents the use of money and the way it is given in New Apostolic Churches in a way that would make most Australian Christians uncomfortable and suspicious of the motives of pastoral oversight of the offering and knowledge of how much people are giving and who is giving what. Not content to present this scenario he then goes on to suggest that it is legitimate for the big givers to get rewarded in ways that those who do not give as much may not be rewarded! He even cites a church that has a week in a resort for those who give over one million dollars.
This chapter if read alone convinces me that what Wagner is presenting as an apologist for the NAC network is nothing more than an autocratic bureaucracy, which redefines the relationships of Christians in the church and uses slick marketing and commercial business principles to govern the church and presents what are blatantly unbiblical methods for raising money. One might be forgiven for wondering if Wagner's ego has overtaken his commitment to serve the church with the story on page 241 about the honorariums he was given by two churches where he spoke for a weekend. If he was to measure his worth in dollar terms then he should have openly indicated what he expected as payment at the first church rather than using the discrepancy in the amount proffered by both churches to build his case.
SUMMARY
Wagner identifies himself in the book as having been a member of the Congregational church for most of his life. It is not clear what theological emphasis this denomination had on his life, however it appears that he has experienced a late life crisis (conversion) where he has been either renewed or born again. If the NAC network is responsible for this new found fervour then it is not surprising that he has written a book that lacks credibility and is highly critical of "traditional" churches. I can identify with this following my own conversion from Catholicism. Following my conversion I was highly critical of the Catholic Church and could easily have written a book such as Wagner has written pointing out all the faults of the Catholic Church.
His description of the New Apostolic Church Network is blinkered and uncritical whilst his view of traditional churches is fairly scathing, not recognising the positive things achieved by the church in the last 2000 years.
He continually uses the Southern Baptists as exceptions to most arguments where he states that the church is in decline. Given that this denomination is the exception to his rule it is worth asking what is it that makes them different. I would suggest that the answer is self evident as everything he argues for on behalf of the NAC network can be cited as true of Southern Baptists:
Baptists are still young as a denomination compared with more traditional churches;
They are driven by vision and values - ie the Great Commission;
The pastor leads the church (at least in USA) where when a new pastor is inducted the whole leadership resigns and allows the pastor a free hand to establish the church under his leadership;
Contemporary worship is not a monopoly of the NACs.;
Southern Baptists would probably have the largest number of missionaries of any denomination in the world;
Outreach is still a priority and SBCs are large churches.
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Where's the Bible in this book?
Rating (1)
Date: 2000-09-15
16 out of 21 customers found this reveiw helpful
I was extremely disappointed in Wagner's latest book about new and exciting ways that God is moving in today's world. The theological holes in Wagner's beliefs become much more glaring in his presentation of present-day Apostleship. He has great and exciting stories, but he becomes less and less connected to the Word. I would take extreme precaution in applying his principles because they seem to be founded more upon a mysticism and less on Biblical example. Just be careful.
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by C. H. Spurgeon
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Baker Book House (1981)
ISBN: 0801081947
EAN: 9780801081941
Paperback: 200 pages
SKU: 083108034
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: ...no markings or highlighting...crease in cover
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Product Description
Two Lectures, addressed to the students of The Pastors' College, Metropolitan Tabernacle, together with a catalogue of Bible commentaries and expositions
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by Gilbert Bilezikian
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Zondervan (1997-08-23)
ISBN: 0310217415
EAN: 9780310217411
UPC: 025986217419
Dewy Decimal #: 262.7
Paperback: 208 pages
SKU: 081208025
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comments: ...No noticeable Underlining or Highlighting...excellent condition
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Product Description
"Community 101" is a carefully reasoned and passionately argued plea for the church to fulfill its essential nature and calling.
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Customer Reviews
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disagreed
Rating (2)
Date: 2006-08-05
2 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
The book is well written if one agrees with his line of reasoning. Unfortunately, his insisting on the word "head" (as in husband being head of the marriage) as having no connotations of authority is simply wrong as far as my understanding of greek can tell.
Also, his description of the trinity, in which no one member submits to the other (he consistantly uses the word "subordination", a tactic of feminist writers but not typically evangelical writers) strikes me as being very unorthodox. There are some scriptures he did not deal with that he would have to in order to convince a wider, Biblically literate audience of his trinitarian views.
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Completely Radical
Rating (5)
Date: 2005-08-03
Before I read this book, I was beginning to process the idea of community and the radical implications it has for the church and this book succintly puts it together.
Radical is kind of a funny 80's word, but I think it most accurately describes what the author is proposing God wants for His people. it has nothing to do with gender, everything to do with giftedness and can be uncomfortable when faced with some feedback on yourself. How amazingly different from the world which clamours to one up each other, and hold power over others. how much Jesus and Paul turned the worlds thinking on its head. how much like God to do so!
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Very Well Done!!!
Rating (5)
Date: 2005-06-02
I enjoy this book from first page to last. Author is sharing his insightful analysis on the community: to seek the authentic meaning of "community" to this generation when importance of community is vanishing!!! Highly recommended!!! I think it is a 'must-read' for all!
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Best book written on church community
Rating (5)
Date: 2003-06-13
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book was written in 1997 and would still have to be the best book written on church community. A Biblically functioning community is not stagnant, boring, restrictive or judgemental. Read this book and catch a glimpse of community life that no sane person would ever want to live without. In fact dont just read it - be challenged to not only transform your own way of 'doing' church but transforming the lives of others with the richness found in developing a Biblically functioning community. You will not be disappointed.
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Life Changing book; a must read
Rating (5)
Date: 2002-03-07
Dr. B writes with power and deep insights about the church, leadership, gender relationships and our responsibility as Christians to each other and the kingdom's work. Reading this book with honesty and openness permits the reader to be challenged and changed in their life and worldview. It is a must read for those serious about their call to Christian service.
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by Jane E. Vennard, Stephen D. Bryant
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Upper Room Books (2007-02)
ISBN: 0835899063
EAN: 9780835899062
Dewy Decimal #: 248.32
Paperback: 128 pages
SKU: 111408022
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comments: ...no markings or highlighting...light shelf wear on cover
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by Joseph L. Umidi
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional (2000-03-14)
ISBN: 0825439027
EAN: 9780825439025
Dewy Decimal #: 254
Paperback: 160 pages
SKU: 083008021
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: .....moderate cover wear.. ...some notations in pencil
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
A guide to both sides of the candidate process. Valuable appendices help with selection of the search committee and offer self-evaluations for congregations and candidates.
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