Book Review

I have come across three books that have the potential to be life saving for our churches in this age of decline of most denominations in this country.

We sometimes lose sight of the fact that there ARE (including in the URC) churches which are holding their own or growing.

These three books may speak to us about why this is happening.

“The Wild Gospel” by Alison Morgan, (Published by Monarch.)

This is a fascinating, easy-to-read, journey through the Churches over the ages and cultures in which they are ministering. The idea is that the Church has a life-changing message of hope, of joy, of new life and of relationship with a loving God. Jesus brought this message to a religious society that had largely lost sight of its spiritual roots.

He came like a strike of lightning to penetrate the culture to which He came. And too often it is the culture that has penetrated the church.

“Growing the Church in the power of the Holy Spirit” by Brad Long, Paul Stokes (a URC minister), and Cindy Strickler, (published Zondervan)

Slightly American language, except for Paul’s bits, but don’t let that put you off.

It is good stuff and talks of churches that are committed to co-operating with the Holy Spirit in working to God’s plan. The book also guides into how to do it. The opposite, so often the case, is thinking up our own plans, programmes and survival techniques and then asking God to bless them. Jesus never did anything unless He saw the Father doing it.

“The Great Omission” by Dallas Willard (published by Monarch) The absence of the “C” in the title is intentional

This book has the sub title “Reclaiming Jesus’s essential teachings on discipleship” and suggests that unless churches take seriously Jesus’s command to “make disciples” they will get nowhere.

And that means churches starting with their own leaders and members. I have found this challenging me as a minister about my own discipleship. It may also speak to our own Elders and people.

Three potentially life-saving and church-saving books. I have copies I am willing to lend if anyone is prepared to promise to read and return reasonably quickly so that others can borrow. I lose so many books that way!

Christian bookshops will have them or order them for you. Alternatively try Amazon. One of our members recently got one for one penny + postage!