Winter 2013 Reading List

Well, Ohio winter has definitely started. We have several inches of snow on the ground right now and snow every few days in the forecast, which is why it's a great time to talk about winter reading.  I've got five books sitting here waiting to be read and I am pretty excited about several of them.  I plan on reading them in the next few months and 'hopefully' reviewing them on this blog later.  With no further ado, here is my winter 2013 reading list:

Managing God's Money: A Biblical Guide

by Randy Alcorn

This has been sitting in my pile for a while.  My wife read it probably 8 months ago and said I should take a look at it for myself.  I realize that in most Christian circles Dave Ramsey is the man on finances and for good reason his plans are really pretty good, especially his aversion to debt.  The problem I have with Dave Ramsey is his lack of Biblical awareness and support throughout his money management books and programs.  That;s not to say his programs aren't Biblical, it's just I don;t see him using the Bible as a basis for all his thoughts on money, which has earned him greater appeal.  Hope to  read this Alcorn book and feel more solid in what the Bible actually says we should do with our money and plan our finances more accordingly.

Who Do You Think You Are?  Finding Your True Identity in Christ.

by Mark Driscoll

New book by an interesting author.  So honestly I love Mark Driscoll (in a platonic  he's a cool dude kind of way).  While I don't always agree with him and I believe he definitely has some tendencies toward being arrogant, I think he has a great way to engage this culture with questions (and answers) relevant to today.  I just hope his book contains some 'new' (there is nothing NEW under the sun) thoughts and ideas that can assist me and my ministry to define who we are in Christ to a post modern culture.

The Church on the Other Side: Doing Ministry in the Postmodern World

by Brian McLaren

This book was just recently given to me by a friend who was moving.  In general I have mixed feelings about Brian McLaren's books, I think that this one might be in the ones that I can get along with section... hopefully.  McLaren is a fairly polarizing individual within the evangelical sphere, which I think to some extent is overblown and yet intentional on his own part.  In general though I think he challenges me and those I lead to look at things differently than what we might have done on our own.

Jesus: A Theography

by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

I received this from BookSneeze to review back in October and honestly haven't able to pull myself through the first couple chapters.  But that ends this winter.  I will finish this book and post a review (but it may not be a positive one - we'll see).  Overall I think I've decided Leonard Sweet is not the easiest author for me to read, which is crazy because so many people like his stuff.  If you haven't noticed in the past it's difficult for me to pull myself through his books, and this one is the longest driest one I've tried to date.  However, it must  be finished!

Unleashed: Breaking Free from Normalcy

by Perry Noble

Probably the book I am most excited about on the list.  I have never read anything by Perry in the past, but I have listened to him preach several times through online sermons.  I like Perry Noble's style and hope it translates well into his books.  

Bonus Winter Book:

Red Letter: Living a Faith that Bleeds

by Tom Davis

Here's another book that's been sitting on my desk collecting dust.  I've heard great things about the book but haven't been able to find the time to read through it.  It looks like a great book and should be a good read.

Well there you have it my winter reading list.  Hope you like it:)

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Can You Live Greater?

A Review of:

Greater: Dream Bigger. Start Smaller. Ignite God's Vision for Your Life.

By Steven Furtick

Are you content with the way your life is today?  Is there something you feel like you're called to do, but haven't figured out what it is yet?  Do you feel like your occupation, family, or life is something less than extraordinary?  Then Steven Furtick's book, Greater was written for you.

Elijah and Elisha were amazing prophets.  From calling down fire from heaven, to parting the Jordan River, God did some amazing things using these guys.  Furtick weaves throughout the stories of Elijah and Elisha and demonstrates to the reader the path to greatness.  Greatness in your family, in your job, in your life and in your world.  God has called all of us to greatness and this book wants us to attain that greatness.

One of the best features of this book is that it calls us to be greater right where we are.  While some books guilt you into thinking that you have to go off to some foreign country and raise orphans to be great, Steven Furtick's book tells you to be greater right where you live.  Are you a teacher?  Then be greater right there in the school.  Are you a housewife?  Then be greater right there in the house.  Are you a janitor?  Then be greater.  Steven recognizes that God has called some to move to Africa/South America/Asia, but God has also called us to live right where He's placed us.  Not to mention (as the title portrays) we should start smaller and dream bigger.  What would it look like to live Greater right where you are?

Overall, I thought this book was great and is a great motivator and encourager for those who know their not quite living up to greatness.  I do worry though that some who maybe are content to stay how they are, and where they are will miss the message of the book.  While it does a great job of motivating the audience that knows there is a problem, it lacks in shedding light on the problem if we are oblivious to it.  Another thing I was thinking about were the practical steps after reading this book.  How do I become greater?  What steps are there to become greater?  Obviously some of these steps could be different for different people, but it's important to guide people on their path to greatness somehow and I think this book could have used some better direction for people to start.  On that note, maybe the place to start would be surrounding yourself with people who are already great or are striving to be greater?

Four out of five stars.  Great read!

Buy it here.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

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Sermon from Sunday September 2, 2012

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G.O.S.P.E.L.

Music plays until 16:14 and then I'm up.  As always feel free to leave a question or comment below, Thanks!

Surviving Life Episode 132

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Book Review:Tough Guys and Drama Queens

Tough Guys and Drama Queens: 
How Not to Get Blindsided by Your Child's Teen Years.

By Mark Gregston

Me being a youth pastor I have a number of parents coming to me with questions about both their own children and the peers that their child knows from school, neighborhood, etc.  The fact is for the most part this generation is much different that any in the past and adults simply aren't sure what to do.  The norms of high school in the past are now the norms in middle school and even elementary, and worse the trend continues to get younger.  Kids are becoming exposed to porn, drugs, sex, foul language, adult themes, stress at younger and younger ages, and nothing seems to be stopping it.  Not only is it not stopping, but parents are at a loss for how to deal with the issues and are seeking help, advice, encouragement and anything else with which they can equip themselves.  Welcome  to the world this book was written for.

Mark Gregston started a counseling center in Texas, and has been working with high school students for well over a decade.  In some ways he has heard, seen, and done it all when it comes to this generations students.  His desire is to share what he's learned through the counseling center with any and all parents that all willing to listen through his book Tough Guys and Drama Queens.  Through twenty short chapters Mr. Gregston exposes the lacking components to some parenting methods and gives credible, reliable ways to improve your parenting methods creating a complete fulfilling parenting relationship with your teenager.

The book is divided into three sections.  The first is a general overview of the culture in which our teenagers now find themselves (another good look at the current culture is Tim Elmore's Generation iY).  This is one of the best parts of the book and probably the part that I will continue to turn back to often through my own ministry.  Gregston seems to have a clear understanding of the culture at large and provides readers with a clear understanding of why this culture is so different and varied in comparison to past generations.  The second section looks at what parents are doing wrong.  Basically this section tells parents to lighten up or get more involved depending on where you are in the spectrum of parenting.  So often our parenting style is a reflection of how we were parented, and many times that is lacking, especially in light of the first section where we find out it's a different culture.  After explaining why our parenting might be leading to the very outbursts our students exhibit, Gregston explains in the third chapter how to adapt and change our parenting methods.  Which is of course the most controversial part of the book, any book that tries to influence parents in a certain direction as far as parenting is concerned usually end up making people upset (see Shepherding a Child's Heart).

There is some great things found in this book.  The first section alone should be read by all adults working with teenagers just so that they can get an overall picture of how this generation sees and interacts with the world around them.  There will however, be some that are concerned with the third section and how it gives a more 'grace' filled approach to parenting.  Where a book like Shepherding a Child's Heart might be criticized for being unbalanced toward discipline and authority, Mark Gregston book will undoubtedly by criticized for being overly grace driven.  I believe though that some parents need books that are unbalanced in certain directions.  For some parents that are overly disciplinary this book might do well to bring them to a more balanced approach, however it probably wouldn't help a parent that solely acts out of grace and now has a student that walks all over them.  Overall though, I would highly recommend this book to anyone that works with students in their teenage years.  Teachers, parents, bosses, counselors, and everyone else working with students should take the time to study and think about this book.

I would rate this book four out of five stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Here I am Send Me!

The rallying cry of the missions conference reverberates within the walls of the sanctuary, as a missionary from a foreign field asks the congregation who will go to the harvest and they respond, "Here I am Lord Send ME!"  This phrase is used within churches, videos, and conferences throughout the nation.  In our bibles we've named it 'Isaiah's commission', because it's when the prophet Isaiah is stepping forward to voluntarily go to the people and go out for God.  This passage, which is found in the book of Isaiah chapter six verse eight, has been used as a rallying cry for countless pastors, missionaries, church leaders, and everyone in between.  It's a good verse, almost William Wallace like in its' fervor and climax.  

We often think it's a rallying cry to an epic God adventure to take part in transforming the world.  We see our ministries changing the lives of thousands, healing the sick, raising people from the dead, and literally changing the course of humanity for the better.  But what if God hasn't called you to those sort of feats?  Will you continue with all fervor then?  What if no one listens?  What if your message only causes them to further distance themselves from God?

Turn to the passage in Isaiah, see what God called Isaiah to do.  (Isaiah 6 if you forgot).

God says that Isaiah's audience will

-Hear his words yet not understand them. (vs. 9)
-See but never perceive (vs.9)
-Their hearts will be calloused and the eyes dull and closed (vs.10)

Isaiah then wonders for how long he is going to have to preach this message, and God replies

-Until the cities are destroyed, houses empty, crops ruined, and the people have left (vs. 11)
-Until the Lord send the people away and the land is forsaken(vs. 12)
-Until a tenth is left in the land... the stump of what once was... (vs.13)

If God were in our services asking people to the mission field, he may have wanted to leave those verses out of His message.  God just asked Isaiah to go and preach to people who will never listen, never change, and who will be decimated along with their land, not a great ministry is it? 

And yet, Isaiah was faithful to his call.

Isaiah wasn't called to start a mega church.
Nor was he called to lead a great revival.
God didn't even give him hope of changing one person.

God asked him to faithfulness.

Faithfulness in the midst of chaos.
Faithfulness in the midst of strife.
Faithfulness in the midst of failure.
Faithfulness in the midst of famine.
Faithfulness in the midst of doubt.
Faithfulness in the midst of loneliness.

Is your God given mission not going as you had hoped?  Were you expecting greater returns on the path you thought God had brought you on?  Is the ministry you started shrinking instead of growing?

What if that was God's plan all along?

What if that's what God has called you to and faithfulness is the only thing you can offer?

Is that enough?

Surviving Life Episode 130

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Sermon: Your Future for Soup

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Sermon on Genesis 25:19-34 (Jacob and Esau)

The Wages of Sin

I've been thinking a great deal about sin recently.

Don't worry, it isn't about your sin, I've been thinking about my own.

I often feel disconnected from my sin.  'Sin' is a term that does two things in our culture, first it gives us a generic term so that we don't have to think about our actual issues yet simultaneously it allows me to judge others.  Think about it.  Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (NIV).  While this is one of those 'Romans Road' passages, it's easy to read over that and not think about our own issues that separate from God.  This verse might be more meaning in our culture like this:

For the wages of arrogance is death...
For the wages of adultery is death...
For the wages of drunkenness is death...
For the wages of little white lies is death...
For the wages of materialism is death...
For the wages of racism is death...
For the wages of conflict with your brother is death...
For the wages of apathy is death...
For the wages of (insert my sin here) is death...

I think I got the picture....

Why do I disconnect myself from sin?

Why is it so much easier to point at others sins?

"Love the sinner and hate the sin".

Let's be honest that often quoted phrase seems to give us liberty to judge others.

I love her but she's addicted to....
We're supposed to love everyone but they're...
He's a great guy but...

What's worse is that phrase is wrong.  While God does does tell us to love others and to hate sin, it's our sin we're supposed to hate.

Paul wrestles his sin in Romans 7:14-20

Jesus recommends pulling the plank out of our eyes before commenting on others sins. (Matt. 7:3-5)

Have wrestled with my sin?

Do I hate my sin?

Surviving Life 129

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Men's search for porn is really a search for God

Surfing For God:  Discovering The Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle

By Michael John Cusick

Surfing for God seeks to explain the desire men have for porn and help begin to replace that need with it's truest satisfaction.  Pornography is rampant throughout not only our society but also around the world.  Cusick's Internet search details demonstrate the consistent and powerful draw that pornography has over the human (male) mind.  This book opens with an idea that our searching, watching and self gratification is not about sexual desire but actually about our search for God (thus the title).  Everyone has a deep inner longing to communicate with God on an intimate, face-to-face level.  To KNOW God.  While we may not be able to see this need, or express it's there and we act upon it by entering into the world of Internet pornography.  Michael John Cusick has experienced this pull personally, as well as through his counseling sessions with other men.  Surfing for God hopes to enlighten the reader to their deeper inner longing and give them freedom in God rather than finding temporary happiness online.

In many ways I thought this book was great.  Cusick has the literary tone of a counselor, and his stories and real life experience really make the book an easy read.  I loved the first story in the book about the bird losing it's feathers, and will probably use it in the future.  The books main point that our search for pornography is really an expression for our search for God, is a very good point that other books seem to miss (Every Man's Battle).  I also really liked his path to soul care which seeks to replace pornography with our true desire (God) through a variety of steps.

The problem I see with this book is two fold.  First, it really focuses on the male addiction/ solution.  Now I understand Michael is a man and probably deals with men mostly in counseling sessions, but as a pastor myself I find more and more women are dealing with these issues.  As I look into other statistics on male/female pornography searches I see that women are the fastest growing group viewing porn.  While this book points men in the right direction, it leaves women out, much like other books on the topic (Every Man's Battle ended up writing another book Every Woman's Battle after realizing it's male centered-ness).  Secondly, this book and other's like it kind of leave the reader to fend for themselves.  While the author does specifically say you need to be telling those closest to you about your struggles, there isn't an outside source for support given.  I would love to have specific resources, and places to send men (and women) to find support through their struggles.  Overcoming this struggle is daunting when first starting out, and having more resources would be great, places like XXXchurch.com, national christian counseling services, etc.  This would have made the book five stars in my opinion.

four out of five stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

New Surviving Life Episode 128

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Testify Youth Choir Songs

The Testify Youth Choir was here this past Sunday at The Key to My Father's House Church.  I was thinking that maybe some people missed it, or maybe you were there and wanted to hear those songs later in the week.  I have tried to compile a list of the songs and links to Youtube of the songs.  Enjoy!

You Are Good - Israel Houghton

Funky Jesus Music - Toby Mac

My Generation - Starfield

Absolute - Thousand Foot Krutch

Stand in the Rain - Superchick

City on Our Knees - Toby Mac

Who I Am Hates Who I've Been - Reliant K

Rebirthing - Skillet

Strong Tower - Kutless

Diverse City - Toby Mac

Testify to Love - Avalon

Good Enough for?

Since Nobody's Perfect.... 
How Good is Good Enough?


By Andy Stanley


As a pastor, I talk to people.  Two questions seem to pop up in my discussions with them: 1. Don't all religions worship the same God?  2.  Don't good people go to heaven?  Andy Stanley sets out to answer the second question (and subtly answers the first) in this book Since Nobody's Perfect... How Good is Good Enough?


In this short book (90 pages) Andy Stanley tries to ask poignant questions about a common misconception.  If you look at most of the religions of the world you realize that there is a common thread holding them all together.  All religions seem to base their core beliefs on whether someone does the right things or not, all religions except one of course.  Doesn't matter if you look at Islam, Mormonism, Buddhism, or Hinduism their basic premise is focused on doing certain things or enough things to appease god(s).  So according to these leading religions if you're good enough you could make it to heaven, nirvana, the next level or where ever else is the ultimate goal.  Christianity is different.  It isn't necessarily about what you do, it's about your acceptance of what Christ did on the cross. According to Christianity good people and bad people will be in heaven, and good people and bad people will be in hell simply based on their decision about Christ, which the author suggests is really the fairest way of all.


Likes:  This book is super short, 90 pages, so that anyone could spend an hour and read the entire thing.  I also like that it not only answers the question of 'How good is good enough' but also focuses the reader on the gospel of Christ, making sure to present the gospel by the end of the book.  Lastly I liked how the question of goodness and fairness were handled, making sure to try and deconstruct those beliefs through logical dialogue.


Dislike:  Since it is short this book is overly simplistic.  Unfortunately I think people from the religions discussed (Mormonism, Islam, etc.) could be repulsed at the simplicity described of their beliefs, even if they were represented correctly.  Also because of its' simplicity, the gospel loses some of its' life changing attributes, and seems just like a prayer that is spoken rather than a life changing decision.


Overall though I think I would recommend this book, especially for churches that want to use it as a giveaway for visitors in the church, but with one stipulation:  Make sure this book leads to relational conversation rather than individual consumption.  What I mean is give it to someone to read and follow up with them on it.  The simplicity is perfect for people unfamiliar with the gospel, but make sure they don't have to sort through it on their own, walk through the gospel with people, isn't that what Jesus did?


4 out of 5 stars.


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

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"Fearless" Book reveiw

Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team Six Operator Adam Brown.


By: Eric Blehm


Ever since I saw the movie 'Navy Seals' with Charlie Sheen I have been curious about the Navy Seals and what they do.  Because they are created to be secretive in nature it's difficult to really get an idea of what these brave Americans do, we only have Hollywood to get any clue.  One of the secret units in the SEALs, one of their elite units is named SEAL Team Six, which has only recently been confirmed by our government because of the raid on Osama Bin Ladden.  Incredibly these soldiers continue to take on the most difficult job, without much recognition or reward for risking their lives.  Eric Blehm's book Fearless dives into the life of one such Navy SEAL who has given his life for our freedom.


Adam was something special from the moment he was born.  He had no quit in him, was fearless, and basically immune to pain.  Throughout his high school and college career he lived his life on the edge of crazy from jumping out of moving vehicles over bridges to standing between his friend and loaded a shot gun.  Adam demonstrated his character through adversity, going from warrior to joker in seconds, getting hurt on missions, losing his eye to training exercises and of course, his dark battle between college and the Navy with drugs.  Adam Brown was a warrior and ended up laying down his life trying to protect his friends. 


Overall this is a great story about courage, honor, and faith.  I highly recommend this book to anyone that serve or served in the military, anyone that is trying to climb out of the darkness of drugs, or anyone who likes a good story.  This book is a great reminder of those soldiers who willing give up their comfort, families and lives to protect our freedoms.  If you read it you will love it!


Five out of five stars.


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

Summer Reading List

The weather has been warm, my grill has been used, the garden has been planted, and tomorrow is June first, it must be summer!  What would summer be without a summer reading list?  Here's a look at what I'm reading this summer, check it out:

1.  Fearless: by Eric Blehm - True Story about the life of Adam Brown a Navy Seal on Seal Team Six who was KIA a couple years ago.Amazon Link

2.  Surfing for God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle by Michael John Cusick - If you're like 90% of men and 60% of the female population then you probably in some way struggle with online porn.  This book seeks to help you break out of that cycle and into freedom.Amazon Link

3.  Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw - Written a few years ago (never got around to reading it) deals with the political forces involved throughout the Old and New Testaments... it is an election year you know!  Amazon Link

4.  The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler and Jared Wilson - What is the Gospel?  Why do we make it something it isn't?  Amazon Link

5. Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus by Kyle Idleman - I read it when it came out, but this summer I'm leading a small group through it.  If you haven't read it yet, you must!  Amazon Link

What are you reading?

Love Does Review

Title: Love Does
Author: Bob Goff

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World sets out to list the adventures of Bob Goff (the author) who you may remember from several of Donald Miller's books.  Bob Goff is one of the founders for an organization called Restore International and this book is really a conglomeration of his stories in his life.  Using these stories though Bob Goff sets out to demonstrate that love isn't static, it isn't something to read about in a book, or think about while sitting in a chair.  Love is an action.  Love is an adventure.  Love compels us to move.  Love....Does.

As I picked up the book to review I noticed Donald Miller had written the forward and praised the book as well.  While I don't know Bob Goff at all, I know of Donald Miller.  The first time I picked up Blue Like Jazz I felt linked to Donald (as did many in my generation).  His story spoke to me and drew me in more so than anything else I had ever read.  So I hoped Bob Goff's book would do the same.

Honestly this book reminds me a lot of Blue Like Jazz (BLJ), which is good and bad.  It's good because of the high esteem I have for BLJ.  I liked that it felt as though I was in the room with Bob listening to his stories of adventure.  I liked that Love Does goes further than BLJ to explain the authors own spiritual interpretation of the story told (one of the detractors of BLJ was that it left too much for the reader to make from the story, this book is more clear).  However, since much of it reminded me of BLJ it also made me feel redundant, like it was a stories manufactured into the same mold as BLJ (which also happened to the rest of Donald Millers' books).

Love Does is a great book and I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it, but some will be disappointed with it's similarity to Blue Like Jazz.  Bob Goff is an interesting character that you can laugh with/at, cry with and feel connected to in just 200 short pages.

Read this book if you loved Blue Like Jazz.
Read this book if you hated Blue Like Jazz.
Read this book if you find yourself sitting more than doing.
Read this book if you're involved in Bible Studies and no Bible Doings.
And above all don't just read this book, do this book.  Get out of your chair and live the adventure, live your call, live out the Gospel.

Five out of five stars.

uDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”ides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review of Enemies of the Heart

Written by Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley is the founding pastor of North Point Ministries in Atlanta, GA.  I have been familiar with him for quite some time through his messages online, some of his other books, as well as the resources his church produces and release online for other churches to use.  While I think this whole 'fan of a pastor' culture is awkward, I would say I am a fan of him and his ministry.  So when I received this book, I knew it was going to be good, and Andy didn't disappoint.

Enemies of the Heart is written to shed light on the hidden (and not so hidden) debts that we carry within our hearts and helps to focus on how to remove these debts.  While the book is divided into three sections, there are really three main enemies of the heart that he deals with: guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy.  Stanley describes each in detail, as well as provide the reader with the antidote to these enemies.

As I stated earlier Andy looks at these enemies of the heart as debts within ourselves that we try to pay for, but many times just leave us bankrupt.  Guilt is seen as a debt from yourself to someone else, the 'I owe you'.  Anger is the opposite of guilt, it's the belief that 'You owe me'.  Greed is the thought that 'I owe me'.  Finally jealousy is the concern that 'God owes me'.  The problem when we live in these debt-filled relationship roles our heart responds to the world around in these ways.  As the author continues throughout the book, he demonstrates that you don't have to continue to live in these debt-filled roles but can be set free from the debt if you are willing.

Honestly there is very little negative I could say about this book.  Ever wonder why you reacted to that situation awkwardly?  Read this book!  Ever wonder why you avoid certain people, or they avoid you?  Read this book.  Are you tired of living your life as the victim, the pressure cooker waiting to explode, or the person stuck on things in the past?  Read this book.  Overall this is a great book and everyone should read it!

Five out of five stars.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

BOOK REVIEW: "I Am A Follower"

Review: "I Am a Follower: The Way, Truth, and Life of Following Jesus."

By: Leonard Sweet

Sweet's book attempts to turn the well established idea of leadership within the church on its head by looking at what the Bible has to say about leadership. Thousands of dollars, millions of books and many conferences focus on how to be leaders within our churches, communities and in our households, but is that what Jesus has called us to? Or is that simply 'extra' that we have added to the gospel over time? The book is divided among four separate sections, The Place, The Way, The Truth, and The Life which seek to both attack the position of leadership within the church as it is today as well as provide an argument for what it means to be a follower. It the book could be summarized in a tweet it would be: 'The world believes it needs better leaders but Jesus has called you to be His follower.'

I really wanted to like this book. I read lots of Christian living, church growth, leadership (whoops), and have many of Sweet's books as well. When I received this and got an idea what it was about I was excited to crack it open and begin reading. The organization of the book is great (much like his other books) and is logical in its flow. Leonard Sweet is a pretty easy read too and even has a good literary voice throughout. So while I was hoping for something really powerful, I kind of felt a little labored through reading it and it left me questioning the entire premise of the book.

As I said earlier the organization of the book was perfect, I really understood the four sections and believe that they were all important and explained his argument well. The problem is that each section was overly repetitive and by the end of each section I was really ready to move on to the next idea. Like many authors Sweet explains the idea in the beginning of the section then takes it apart and explains each piece to the reader on why it's important. I found myself reading the same thing several time throughout the section and simply losing interest toward the middle of the section.

While these seem to be little issues, the main critique I have of the book is it's benefit to the reader. After reading the book and thinking through the concept of follower verses leadership I felt like it was still missing something. While trying to explain that the role of leader in the Bible is minimized, Sweet correctly states that word 'leader' and 'pastor' are only found once each in the New Testament. This raises two issues, first being that there are several actions taken within the New Testament that would be leadership-like roles even if that isn't what their called in the Bible. Certainly the selection of elders and overseers Paul gave to Timothy demonstrates some decisions on leadership, as well as the various times in the The Book of Acts where men and women are given specific responsibilities (i.e. choosing of the seven in Acts 6). The second issue is a dangerous one, should we base a belief against leadership on the absence of specific words? Think for a moment what that would mean... trinity - not there. Personal Relationship with Jesus - not there. Abstaining from illegal drugs - not there. Simply because an issue isn't specifically mentioned doesn't give us the ability to say whether or not that thing is right or wrong, it takes an entire view of scripture to do that.

All of this to say though, Leonard Sweet has some really good insights when we focus too much on leadership rather than on being a follower, it would seem to me though that leadership might be an attribute of a follower in some cases. We are all called to be followers of Jesus, but Jesus has us all following in different ways and capacities according to our gifting and calling. The final chapter of Sweet's book emphasizes what a follower does, and how he should live his life, I felt at ease in this chapter. Being a follower is difficult, counter cultural, and liberating but at the end it's really about how we can be incarnational in living the Good News out int he world around us.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”