(Larger Image)
|
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
More Product Infomation
|
Customer Reviews
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
The Church as an Autocracy or dispenser of Christian Love?
Rating (1)
Date: 2003-04-05
13 out of 15 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
by John Frederick Woolverton
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Wayne State Univ Pr (1986-05)
ISBN: 0814317979
EAN: 9780814317976
Dewy Decimal #: 283.73
Paperback: 332 pages
SKU: 060408021
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: ...No noticeable Underlining or Highlighting...
More Product Infomation
|
Customer Reviews
|
A Forgotten History
Rating  (5)
Date: 2002-02-09
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book is the only book I know about a long forgotten part of both American and Church history.
The Anglican church played a significant role in the developement of this country. For too long Purtian New England with it's Pilgrims and dissenters has held sway over the religious history of the English colonies in North America.
Anglicans had a tremendous influence in the colonies where they were the established church.
Dr.Woolverton has done extensive research examining every aspect of the church's role both in the official and unofficial life of the colonies. It is a great shame this book has gone out of print. It is a must read for any student of the colonial period or anyone concerned with the history of the church in the 17th and 18th centuries.
|
|
|
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
More Product Infomation
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Product Description
Two Lectures, addressed to the students of The Pastors' College, Metropolitan Tabernacle, together with a catalogue of Bible commentaries and expositions
|
(Larger Image)
|
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
More Product Infomation
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Product Description
"Community 101" is a carefully reasoned and passionately argued plea for the church to fulfill its essential nature and calling.
|
Customer Reviews
|
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.
|
|
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!
|
|
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
(Larger Image)
|
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
More Product Infomation
|
(Larger Image)
|
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
More Product Infomation
|
Editorial Reviews
|
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.
|
(Larger Image)
|
by Erwin W. Lutzer
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Moody Publishers (2003-02-01)
ISBN: 0802411118
EAN: 9780802411112
Dewy Decimal #: 248
Paperback: 176 pages
SKU: 082308045
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comments: ...no markings or highlighting...light shelf wear on cover
More Product Infomation
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Product Description
Last words are always important...The cross is widely misunderstood in the present day; many in the world are deeply offended by its powerful truth. Erwin Lutzer, pastor of the Moody Church, gently leads readers on a journey into the heart of Christ to help them grasp what Christ Himself wants us to know. Jesus was not silent on the cross. Come turn your attention to His cries and be utterly changed.
|
Customer Reviews
|
Great devotional on the meaning of Jesus' death
Rating (4)
Date: 2006-04-17
Filled with readable theology and helpful illustrations and anecdotes Cries From the Cross is a great introduction to the doctrine of the atonement. In this book Dr. Lutzer breaks down Jesus' last seven "cries" into chapters that explain the reason Jesus had to die. It is a short book and very readable, but packed with a smorgasbord of food for thought. I found it a very helpful devotional guide on Good Friday as I thought about the price My Lord paid for my salvation.
|
|
Discover the utmost importance of those seven phrases uttered on the cross
Rating (4)
Date: 2005-08-29
3 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Another winner from Pastor Lutzer. This book is a mix of inspirational and theological styles. Lutzer attempts to dive into the vastness and profoundness of Jesus' mind, managing to teach us and awe us about the greatness of our Lord. I never imagined how extremely important are those 7 phrases uttered by Jesus while on the cross until now.
This book analyzes each of the 7 phrases Jesus spoke in his dying moments and I challenge you not to be deeply touched with their message and the deep meaning they carry. It will make you better comprehend what Jesus was enduring while on the cross and more importantly why he chose to endure it. Read this book if you want to be overwhelmed by how much God loves us: you will in turn return the favor!
Why not 5 stars? Because I wished it was a little bigger, it will hook you and keep you wanting for more. Full 4 stars.
|
|
A true blessing of a book.
Rating (5)
Date: 2003-06-15
13 out of 13 customers found this reveiw helpful
I picked up this book about a week ago. The past few weeks have been hard on me and in life in general. My relationship with God was, to say the least, unhinged. There was a lot of disapointment on my part, a lot of that produced because...to be honest...I was letting my will rule me instead of bowing to God's will. Yet this book helped me get past the depression on so many respects. It is not a book for deep theological study, but it is a comfortable reading that helped me out while studying all the sayings of Christ Jesus on the Cross... Those sayings are:
*"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" Luke 23:34
*"Today you will be with me in paradise" Luke 23:43
*"Dear woman, here is your son...here is your mother" John 19:26-27
*"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46
*"I am thirsty" John 19:28
*"It is finished" John 19:30
*"Father, into our hands I commit my spirit" Luke 23:46 How Lutzer explains and examines each of these sayings of our Savior and Lord upon the cross really helped me realize just how much God cares for me and just how much...even if I dont feel worth in this world...on the grand scheme of things...I have humbled worth because Jesus died and rose on the third day for my salvation...so that I may be with the Lord God. I suggest anyone and everyone to read this book. It will truly help you grow closer to our Lord.
|
|
Wise Words and Insightful Commentary
Rating (4)
Date: 2003-04-24
7 out of 7 customers found this reveiw helpful
I was intrigued by Dr.Lutzer's radio sermons as I scanned the dial while driving...so intrigued, I bought this book. Dr. Lutzer dissects each word of the seven utterances as Christ hung from the cross demonstrating that each one is pregnant with meaning and that these may have been the most important words from Christ in His time on earth. Added are many historical perpsectives and anectdotes that might make the message more palatable to skeptics; to believers it is a reaffirming read and a quick one, too. Highly recommeded.
|
(Larger Image)
|
by Erwin W. Lutzer
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Moody Publishers (2003-02-01)
ISBN: 0802411118
EAN: 9780802411112
Dewy Decimal #: 248
Paperback: 176 pages
SKU: 082308045
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comments: ...no markings or highlighting...light shelf wear on cover
More Product Infomation
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Product Description
Last words are always important...The cross is widely misunderstood in the present day; many in the world are deeply offended by its powerful truth. Erwin Lutzer, pastor of the Moody Church, gently leads readers on a journey into the heart of Christ to help them grasp what Christ Himself wants us to know. Jesus was not silent on the cross. Come turn your attention to His cries and be utterly changed.
|
Customer Reviews
|
Great devotional on the meaning of Jesus' death
Rating (4)
Date: 2006-04-17
Filled with readable theology and helpful illustrations and anecdotes Cries From the Cross is a great introduction to the doctrine of the atonement. In this book Dr. Lutzer breaks down Jesus' last seven "cries" into chapters that explain the reason Jesus had to die. It is a short book and very readable, but packed with a smorgasbord of food for thought. I found it a very helpful devotional guide on Good Friday as I thought about the price My Lord paid for my salvation.
|
|
Discover the utmost importance of those seven phrases uttered on the cross
Rating (4)
Date: 2005-08-29
3 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Another winner from Pastor Lutzer. This book is a mix of inspirational and theological styles. Lutzer attempts to dive into the vastness and profoundness of Jesus' mind, managing to teach us and awe us about the greatness of our Lord. I never imagined how extremely important are those 7 phrases uttered by Jesus while on the cross until now.
This book analyzes each of the 7 phrases Jesus spoke in his dying moments and I challenge you not to be deeply touched with their message and the deep meaning they carry. It will make you better comprehend what Jesus was enduring while on the cross and more importantly why he chose to endure it. Read this book if you want to be overwhelmed by how much God loves us: you will in turn return the favor!
Why not 5 stars? Because I wished it was a little bigger, it will hook you and keep you wanting for more. Full 4 stars.
|
|
A true blessing of a book.
Rating (5)
Date: 2003-06-15
13 out of 13 customers found this reveiw helpful
I picked up this book about a week ago. The past few weeks have been hard on me and in life in general. My relationship with God was, to say the least, unhinged. There was a lot of disapointment on my part, a lot of that produced because...to be honest...I was letting my will rule me instead of bowing to God's will. Yet this book helped me get past the depression on so many respects. It is not a book for deep theological study, but it is a comfortable reading that helped me out while studying all the sayings of Christ Jesus on the Cross... Those sayings are:
*"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" Luke 23:34
*"Today you will be with me in paradise" Luke 23:43
*"Dear woman, here is your son...here is your mother" John 19:26-27
*"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46
*"I am thirsty" John 19:28
*"It is finished" John 19:30
*"Father, into our hands I commit my spirit" Luke 23:46 How Lutzer explains and examines each of these sayings of our Savior and Lord upon the cross really helped me realize just how much God cares for me and just how much...even if I dont feel worth in this world...on the grand scheme of things...I have humbled worth because Jesus died and rose on the third day for my salvation...so that I may be with the Lord God. I suggest anyone and everyone to read this book. It will truly help you grow closer to our Lord.
|
|
Wise Words and Insightful Commentary
Rating (4)
Date: 2003-04-24
7 out of 7 customers found this reveiw helpful
I was intrigued by Dr.Lutzer's radio sermons as I scanned the dial while driving...so intrigued, I bought this book. Dr. Lutzer dissects each word of the seven utterances as Christ hung from the cross demonstrating that each one is pregnant with meaning and that these may have been the most important words from Christ in His time on earth. Added are many historical perpsectives and anectdotes that might make the message more palatable to skeptics; to believers it is a reaffirming read and a quick one, too. Highly recommeded.
|
(Larger Image)
|
by Kay Warren
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Zondervan (2007-12-01)
ISBN: 0310258901
EAN: 9780310258902
Dewy Decimal #: 248.4
Hardcover: 256 pages
SKU: 102608043
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comments: autographed copy...light shelf wear on dustjacket
More Product Infomation
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Product Description
A rare book by an uncommon woman, Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren, dares you to go deeper with God and his purposes on earth. Destined to be a classic, it will shake, challenge, and stretch you to become more than you’ve ever imagined. Your world is waiting.
|
Customer Reviews
|
Life Altering
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-09-23
This book is original and thought provoking especially coming from a women with a conservative and traditional Christian past. If more of us Christians could love as Christ loves without judgement or preachiness, it would revolutionize our Church and our ministries. It could, as Kay dreams of, Change The World.
|
|
Inspiring
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-09-02
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
Although Kay Warren is an Evangelical Christian and I am a Conservative Rabbi, I found her honest, personal portrait inspiring. Her tale reveals that by listening for and responding to the Divine call to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, she expanded her horizons, deepened as a person, and strengthened her relationship with God.
|
|
Brutally honest and outstanding book!
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-08-25
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
Kay Warren is an extraordinary woman and should be praised for writing this shocking and enlightening book. She reveals how she became "seriously disturbed" after reading a magazine article in 2002 focusing on the AIDS pandemic. She was stunned and distressed that the article stated there were 12 million AIDS orphans in Africa. The statistics were staggering and horrific! She couldn't understand how this could be happening without her knowledge. She wondered why people weren't doing more to stop this pandemic. After much research on HIV/AIDS, she realized she couldn't sit back and ignore these people.
It took courage and self-sacrifice for this pastor's wife to leave her warm, comfortable California home to journey into the midst of the AIDS pandemic in Africa in 2003, and later to other parts of the world plagued with the AIDS pandemic. Her journey took her to areas where young children and adults were dying each day from this insidious disease. In some way, she felt she had to do something to alleviate their suffering by sharing her love with them. She witnessed the social stigma, rejection, persecution, and shame these people faced daily. It would have been easy to simply forget that this tragedy was a reality. Yet, this special woman realized that she couldn't ignore the call from God to "act up" and reach out to those suffering from HIV/AIDS.
While away from home, she discovered that she had breast cancer. Shortly after this battle, she was diagnosed with another form of cancer. This wasn't enough to stop a woman on a mission. She knew her mission in life and had said, "Yes" to God.
This is a brutally honest account of her journey into HIV/AIDS activism. As an AIDS activist myself, I felt so much admiration for Kay Warren. Her activism struck a chord within me. I know how my elderly mother felt when she was battling HIV/AIDS due to a tainted blood transfusion while undergoing heart bypass surgery in 1983. She was one of the first victims of HIV. She kept her illness a secret because she feared rejection. Many of the people Ms. Warren met felt dirty and ashamed of their illness. I know my own mother did even though she was infected through a blood transfusion. It's difficult to imagine that the stigma still exists after 25 years of the AIDS pandemic. Kay Warren teaches us we should not sit idly by while these people suffer in silence. I totally agree with her. Hopefully, others will hear her message and join the fight.
Being the wife of Pastor Rick Warren, of the Saddleback Church in California, she believes that all churches must take an active role in educating people about HIV/AIDS. What a difference this would make.
In "Dangerous Surrender," Ms. Warren teaches us lessons about love, acceptance, courage, compassion and faith. It wasn't always an easy or pleasant experience, but the desire to do the will of God surpassed any hesitancy she might have experienced. I applaud Kay Warren for her generous gift of love and acceptance to those in need of compassion and understanding. This book taught me to say "Yes" to God and not question His ways.
"Dangerous Surrender" was one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. If more people were like Kay Warren this world would be a better place. We all have a choice in life. We can sit and simply watch the pain and evil in the world or we can make a decision to ease the suffering of those in need by surrendering to God's will as Kay Warren did. I highly recommend this outstanding book.
A Burden of Silence: My Mother's Battle with AIDS
|
|
Ready for a challenge?
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-05-23
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
I was skeptical about this book at first. I thought it would be more fluff than substance, but I was thankfully wrong all the way around. This book was both easy and very hard to read. Kay did a great job writing in style that is easily understood, however the words are hard to read in the way they convict you in so many ways.
If your walk with the Lord has grown stagnant or you don't see have passion or drive in your life I strongly recommend you read this book. I think this book is needed for all Americans, as we live out our comfortable safe lives relative to most everybody else in the world.
I promise if you give this book a chance you will not be disappointed and will certainly walk away with more than a few topics to think about.
|
|
Real Life
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-05-06
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This is a wonderful book yet also disturbing in a way. It had a big impact on me and challenged me to live with focus on helping those in need. If you have a home, food in the fridge, clothes in a closet like me then you have more than most people. I have to stop whining about my meager problems and consider how can I use what I have to help others. Kay is real about her flaws and struggles. She gives light to the problems of poverty, disease, bad leadership, spiritual emptiness and illiteracy that she personally witnessed around the world. She shares her desire to do good and the struggle it actually takes to leave an area of familiarity and safety to fight the wrongs and injustice so many experience around the world.
|
(Larger Image)
|
by Sarah Cunningham
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Zondervan (2006-08-01)
ISBN: 031026958X
EAN: 9780310269588
Dewy Decimal #: 262
Paperback: 224 pages
SKU: 081308034
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: ...No noticeable Underlining or Highlighting...light shelf wear on cover
More Product Infomation
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Product Description
Dear Church is a series of letters from a former emergent church staffer to the global church she's not always sure she wants to be a part of. On a personal level, Sarah's story awakens the sometimes M.I.A. voice of the twenty-somethings who are distancing themselves from conventional expressions of religion. But, thanks to discussion questions that can be used for personal or group reflection, this book is much more than just one person's story. On a global level, Dear Church invites every person to engage their own disappointments and share in Sarah's story—the story of journeying through disillusionment and back again.
|
Customer Reviews
|
Coming Full Circle
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-09-12
This book was an absolute page turner for me. I empathized with the author as a believer, yes, but definitely as a pastor's daughter who has seen the church from almost a 360 degree view. Dear Church sheds light on those issues that keep many looking from a distance, yet they remain reluctant to fully dive in. On the other hand, it calls believers to conviction with the simple reminder that "We are the church." And, the church is Christ's bride. Our commitment is (or should be) "for better or worse."
Every believer may benefit from adding this one to their library. However, it is surely a must for Christian leaders in the church or in the community, Worship Leaders, Pastors, Pastors' family, and anyone else who has gone beyond the realm of frustration. May you be blessed my this young woman's transparency!
|
|
Review of Book for Course on Young Adult Ministry
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-03-09
3 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Summary
With witty humor and in a cleverly constructed format, Sarah Cunningham writes a series of letters on her generation's disillusionment with the church. Telling things as they are, these letters are addressed simply as "Dear Church". Cunningham begins by recounting her own story of disillusionment with the church and then shares a list of characteristics she has found to be true about twentysomethings - who make up the so-called "disillusioned generation". Following, she explains our disillusionment and proposes a way for hope in the end.
One of Cunningham's particularly astute observations comes from her list of twentysomething characteristics. She points out that because of today's technology - which allows us to "get the dinner dishes done and still make it to the movie on time" - we live in a "both-and" culture that has pervaded not only our society, but also our politics and spirituality. As a result, we do not feel threatened by polar opposites but perhaps thrive off the differences. I appreciate Cunningham's mention of so many "groups" who are often excluded by the church because I believe that it is in the context of twentysomethings' "both-and" culture - as well as our resistance to identity labels - that the postmodern generation has come to value inclusiveness.
Review
Cunningham's fundamental question regards the identity of the church. What or who is the church? Her raw reflections realize that the church is human, that "thanks to the imperfect nature of its participants, every kind of local church we imagine or bring to expression is marked by human flaws, missed expectations, and disillusionment" (2006:108). This statement most plainly means that the church is the people themselves, not the building nor the institutional structure. The quote also brings to the table what Cunningham raises as a major reason for our disillusionment: unreasonable, unhealthy expectations up to which no human could possibly live! Implicitly tying this to the characteristic need among twentysomethings for authenticity, she writes that we must honestly admit the flaws that are present in the church. Finally, the quote leads to the book's conclusion that the church is not to be the hope of the world. Rather, Jesus is! We are merely flawed reflections of Jesus, trying to live by his example but failing miserably at it.
By her poignant understanding that the church is the people, Cunningham creatively places the responsibility for disillusionment not on a distant, faceless institutional church but on each individual comprising it, including - and perhaps even especially - on those who have been disillusioned. In her words: "We all do our part in contributing to the church's shared mistakes, but when it comes time to take the blame, we seem to lose our individuality. All of a sudden, the church is just one faceless, nameless, ownerless institution that can't own up to its failures" (140). Therefore, we must each collectively take responsibility for the mistakes of the church, owning up to the reality whether we are to blame or not. Indeed, I would agree that ownership of the church - or the lack thereof when it comes to our collective faults - is key toward developing serious credibility, not only with the church, but also - and I believe more importantly - with the world. Dedicating an entire chapter to the dangers of dwelling on our disillusionment and the need for forgiveness, she calls attention to the fact that any solution process will necessarily involve pain. However, that "suffering is actually linked to the production of hope" (135). We must understand this reality in order to keep moving forward and not run away when the difficult moments arrive.
In a sense, Cunningham's conclusion borders on the simplistic. While she introduces a solution - to live as Christ - I wish she would have analyzed it in the context of postmodernism, using her list of Generation X and Y characteristics. What is it about twentysomethings that might call for a slightly different solution? What are some practical steps we can take - specific to our generation - toward living like Jesus? Indeed, Cunningham does not directly address the postmodern issue other than to base the book on her extensive correspondence with a diversity of postmodern twentysomethings. At the same time, perhaps a simplistic solution is best, since that is what the reader may remember best in order to apply to complex contexts.
My final comment is this: What about those who are just plain disinterested in church?
|
|
A Must Read
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-03-09
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
Being over 20 something I had a hard time with the first few chapters, because I totally agreed with everything the author said. I don't think disillusionment with the church is something that is reserved only for the 20 something group. It runs the generational gammet. Chapter nine had me in tears and the rest of the book was pure perfection. A must read for everyone inside and outside of the church.
|
|
Important words, but...
Rating (3)
Date: 2007-02-22
5 out of 8 customers found this reveiw helpful
First, I was extremely excited when the names and places of my (and now Sarah's) hometown of Jackson, MI showed up. I have been away from home for four years now, pursuing my M.Div. degree while pastoring a small, rural church in Ohio and I miss home. The nature and substance of the letters struck a deep chord with things I have observed, experienced, and criticized from within the system to which she writes. However...
Part of my dilemma as Christian/pastor/worship leader/theologian/dad/etc. is the undertone of Sarah's book (which echoes the very words I have heard from many people in my own generation (X) and after) that take the form of complaint regarding "boring worship services." She makes valid points about the word "service" and the like that we associate with "going to church." But what I fear is the ignorance (and I mean this word in it's true sense: the act of ignoring) of the word "worship." The Sunday gathering is not, as the Boomers started and everyone after swallowed hook, line, and sinker, feeding time. It is not designed (nor has it ever been so until contemporary services came along) to give anyone an encounter with God, an emotional/spiritual high, or some divine insight. To be sure, any one or all of these MAY happen, but that is not the intention of the gathering. It is WORSHIP, it is an offering of ourselves TO God, an intentional giving of our attention to God, a recognition of the, for lack of a better word, hierarchy of the relationship. Worship is not an expectant waiting for God to come to me, it is me coming before God. It is not a time to receive, it is a time to give.
I can hear the heads shaking everywhere now, so please don't misunderstand. God does desire relationship with us. God does desire our relationship to each other. This is why love of God and love of neighbor are, in Jesus' teaching, the greatest and second greatest commandment (note that the greatest is our love TO God with all our heart, mind, soul, etc.). I am deeply excited that the dialogue of God's people is finally taking this relational turn. But I beg you to consider how you would feel about a relationship with another person who only came to you in order to GET from you.
Keep seeking, keep loving, be at peace and be blessed.
|
|
A Nineteensomething
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-02-19
3 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Dear twentysomethings, oldersomethings and younger. I read this book when I was eighteen years of age and cannot express to you how deeply moved I was. When beginning the book, the first thing I saw was someone just like me, getting everything off their chest about the Church today and was completely reading my mind.I must say, in the beginning it was very nice to let out even my own anger with the Church as I read through these pages, but as I read on, it became a tool for me. She began to uncover how these problems and issues we face with the Church today can be of great use and in turn be the exact opposite of what we thought. This is a book I thought was going to make me feel all good inside about not wanting to go to Church anymore and make me feel right about my rebellion and frustrations with the church. I came to find the exact opposite with her convincing people that maybe leaving the Church isn't the best thing and showing how to truly forgive. It's a beautiful book that you will relate to whether you are twentysomething or not. This book brought me great hope and insight. What a blessings I have received!
Shalom
|
|