Tag: church

Book Review: Christianity for the Rest of Us

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date November 27, 2009

How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith

By Diana Butler Bass (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

Diana Butler Bass opens her book, Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith, by admitting that mainline (that is, liberal) Protestantism is in trouble, with declining attendance and a loss of significance.

This is not a hopeless situation, however, as there are signs of revitalization at some mainline churches with energized growth and renewed relevance, focusing on tradition (not traditionalism), practice (not purity), and wisdom (not certainty).

Looking at selected mainline congregations that exhibit this emergence, she shares ten signposts of renewal: hospitality, discernment, healing, contemplation, testimony, diversity, justice, worship, reflection, and beauty.

In doing so, these churches are on a path of transforming lives, transforming congregations, and transforming the world.

She does this with a compelling narrative of her pilgrimage to find the emerging mainline, connecting the church’s story with her own and sharing Mainline’s emergent journey with her own travels.

The conclusion is clear: Mainline churches need not continue their downward slide, they can experience rebirth. This book shows how it can happen and what it will look like.

[Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighb o rhood Church Is Transforming the Faith, by Diana Butler Bass. Published by HarperOne, 2007; ISBN: 978-0060859497; 336 pages.]

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Tags church, emergent church

Reviews of Books & Movies

Book Review: Under the Overpass

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 12, 2009

A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America

By Mike Yankoski (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

College student Mike Yankoski felt a promoting to truly understand what it was like to be homeless—by living among them.

After careful planning Mike, and friend Sam, embarked on a six-month, six-city odyssey that completely changed all their perceptions of what it is to be homeless.

Along the way, they made many new friends (mostly among the homeless), were helped by only a few non-homeless people, and were largely ignored and even vilified by the rest.

With rare exception, the organized church’s response was inadequate at best and adversarial at worst.

Most of us don’t have the option to live among the homeless for six months; plus we would likely lack the courage to do so even if we had the time.

This book may be the next best alternative to increasing our understanding of what it is to be homeless.

If you read it, you will be changed.

[Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America, by Mike Yankoski. Published by Multnomah Books, 2005; ISBN: 978-1590524022; 256 pages.]

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Tags church, faith, homeless

Reviews of Books & Movies

Book Review: Megashift

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date November 19, 2008

Megashift

By James Rutz (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

If you want to be challenged in your understanding of what it is to follow Jesus—in the way that he modeled and how the Bible teaches—then Megashift is the book for you; it is sure to exceed those expectations.

If, however, you desire an easy-to-read, feel-good book, wish to maintain your life’s status quo, and remain comfortable, then this book will cause you consternation and make you angry.

Starting with numerous documented miracles from around the world in the prior twenty or so years, Megashift gives ample evidence that a “megashift” in the church is occurring right now.

Unfortunately, most Christians in the United States and Western Europe are not only missing it, they are ill-prepared to accept it.

Divided into five copiously end-noted chapters (even the endnotes are worth reading), the book covers:

“The New Kingdom Explosion,”
“The New Engines of Change,”
“The New Saints,”
“The New Church,” and
“The New Meetings.”

However, that’s not all; there is an inspiring epilogue, three appendices, a resource list, and a“”What’s Next?” guide.

This is a must read for any serious follower of Jesus.

[Megashift, by James Rutz. Published by Empowerment Press, 2005; ISBN: 978-0966915822; 259 pages.]

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Tags church, miracle