Book Reviews

Blog Tour This Week!

Thanks to Andrew Rogers at Zondervan Publishing and author W.P. Campbell for providing a copy of Turning Controversy into Church Ministry. Receive 40% off this resource by entering the code 980761.

What places this book in a good light for me is how Campbell doesn’t water down Scripture to condone inappropriate sexual behavior, but he addresses a need to reach those caught in its tight grip. The Church should be poised to heal, not reject those in sexual brokeness. As we stand on higher ground, equipped by the power of the gospel to change lives, we should seek to help those looking for grace and guidance to find their way upwards.

Campbell has been pastoring for over twenty years. As a result, his writing isn’t from the pen of a recent convert. Campbell has the wisdom of experience in ministering to these needs and having a  faithful track record in Christ. He’s earned the credibility to share insight and for readers to listen with the ears of their heart.

Those from any type of lifestyle that is missing intimacy with Christ look at godly men and women with hope that they possess insight that will equip them to overcome their struggles. When those who claim to have the power of God display something quite contrary, I can’t imagine the dissappointment. Campbell argues that at times Saints do this to homosexuals. We either condemn the practice and walk away or we condone the practice and walk away from Scripture. Both roads are paths of least resistance.

Campbell uses the illustration of the woman caught in adultery (Joh 8:5-11). She is brought before Christ for her to be judged. Christ doesn’t condemn her, but calls her to leave her life of sin due to this grace demonstrated. Campbell discusses how few Saints embrace both truth and grace in this manner. We can be light, insight, and wisdom without withdrawing a helping hand. Christ has the “wit and the wisdom” to handle this issue if we are willing to follow him (13).

I’ve observed what Campbell explains. Without love, we alienate people. Without truth, we are unable to confront sin. “Neither can function properly without the other,” shares Campbell. I’ve seen many who thumb their noses as sexual sins later go to the liquor cabinet and party down all night. If neither drunkard or fornicator will enter heaven (1Cor 6:9-10), what is the difference in the end? Mat Schaffner does a fine job covering Campbell’s church response categories over at Searching for Meaning and Purpose. 

Campbell sees that a majority in the Church have failed by promoting gay rights and creating a polarized view of the issue. They’ve brought the matter to the forefront of the Church’s agenda. However, I also believe that the opposite has greatly contributed to the height this issue has risen. At least partly to blame are those who picket and petition the issue right into the spotlight of Church and media.

Among these currents that can overwhelm us lies the opportunity for ministry. Cambell quotes Bonhoeffer, ”We must not grudge the time and work it takes” to know what the Scriptures say about issues we face in order that we may stand with “certainty and confidence in our personal and church activity” (18). We cannot be afraid of the work involved in a deep and committed Christianity.

Cambell includes many helpful background studies. He demonstrates the dangers of being lukewarm in our faith by comparing Laodicea’s hot and cold springs. The springs were outside the city and by the time they traveled through the aqueducts to the inner city, the cold spring was warm and the hot spring was cool. Both springs were lukewarm waters that did nothing for Laodicea’s residents. They detested them.

The Scriptures communicate that homosexual behavior stems from a rejection of God’s created order (Rom 1:18-32). This natural order is also supported by Christ (Mar 10:6-9). In so choosing it, God then gives a person over to a deppreciated mind (Rom 1:28). It is through the renewal of our thinking that our behaviors are changed (Rom 12:2). As our thoughts are, that’s who we become (Pro 23:7). I say this to point to the battleground of the mind. This is where our enemy attacks us. That is why we must take every thought captive (2Cor 10:5).

Campbell addresses this issue well with psychological statistics; among many others. Though homosexuality was removed from the list of disorders by the APA, psychiatrists who have treated the condition have seen high success rates. These are patients who request treatment and desire to change their behavior. From 1930 to 1968, success rates of more than 50% had been experienced, according to Campbell (115). Researchers Masters and Johnson “found an unusually high success rate of 71.6%.” It is alarming that in light of these statistics, the APA remains committed to encourage mental health providers to “avoid telling clients that they can alter their sexual orientation.” They recommend leading patients to religions and lifestyles that accept their orientation. The research shows this response to be political.

With the same fervency, Campbell recommends believers to avoid extreme positions, remain committed to a Christ-like ministry, and pursue opportunities to share life intimately with those who need and seek godly help. A good shepherd goes after his sheep when they are lost (Eze 34:16). My pastor as a young believer always made significant effort to find out where I was in my walk. He pursued me. He invested the time to know me and to guide me even though I wasn’t always seeking him. Campbell shows to be of this type of good shepherd.

There are some points of divergence with Campbell’s position. One I will share is that I do believe homosexuality to derive from demonic activity, but then so do all illnesses. They did not exist before the fall. I don’t think calling out demonic activity equates to an absence of grace when it comes to this (137). However, I don’t view these divergences to take the bulk of Campbells’ message away. These types of things seem to be more experiential differences.

Scripture matters much in Campbell’s worldview. Without it, “we have no basis for faith” (140). We must defend it and it must govern our steps. Just as it sheds light on unbiblical behavior, it also sheds light on the unification of love and truth in our lives and ministries. He also holds a high view of prayer. A successful leadership team will be devoted continually to prayer, states Campbell. I absolutley concur.

Campbell concludes his work with an action plan for ministry. This book is highly valuable to contemplate and to begin the discussion towards how to be Christ to all hurting people, regardless of their current walk of life. Paul said that some in the Corinthian church came from this type of lifestyle (1Cor 6:11). We know what the law said about this practice, but then it also said it against fornicators and adulterers. Like the instance of the woman caught in adultery, who can cast the first stone? In no place do I see Scripture instructing us to abandon the sexually broken.

I commend Campbell for his work and brevity in this volume. There is more to interact with than what I’ve been able to do here, which is the effect a good resource. Thus, I recommend it. I agree with Steven Ganz that “Campbell is a good guide that helps us with…heart scrutiny.” Thanks for reading. I hope you do take advantage of the offer and get this resouce.

I’d like to thank Zondervan once again for providing a copy of one of Chuck Swindoll’s new New Testament Insights series. This book is a commentary called Insights on John. As with all Swindoll’s writings, this book is well organized and includes dependable, practical biblical commentary.

The book begins with a helpful introduction to the world surrounding John’s gospel. Swindoll gives an outline of the contents of John’s message and how it differs from the other gospel writers. Throughout the commentary Swindoll places sections titled From My Journal that tell of his personal life experiences. At the end of each section, Swindoll reflects on practical application. Perhaps, the best way to review a commentary like this is to demonstrate its value with an example.

I recently finished research on the subject of worship and decided to look up how Swindoll approached John 4:24. One of the components I discovered through my research is that the place in which worship of God is engaged is treated as a sanctuary in Hebrew. A place becomes a sanctuary by the act of true worship; not worship in the manner of our choosing, but pure and intimate worship. Of particular interest to the topic here is Genesis 12:6-7 when Abram worshiped the Lord after he appeared to him and promised the land he was in to Abram’s offspring. After this incident it is referred to as the place at Shechem. 

Abram’s grandson, Jacob, camped just before the city of Shechem, he bought the land his tent was pitched on, and erected an altar to the Lord (Gen 33:18-20). Jacob gave this inheritance to his son Joseph (Gen 48:21-22). There is more detail to follow in regards to this location, but this will suffice for our subject. John tells us that Jesus was near this very field at Jacob’s well during this scene with the Samaritan woman.

The Samaritan woman argues in John 4:20 that her people have always worshiped on the mountain while the Jews say the temple in Jerusalem is the proper place to worship. The tension here is between the historical record I just mentioned and the later building of the temple. Jesus responds to the Samaritan woman by telling her that worship is not dependant on location, but is done in Spirit and in truth. As if this didn’t say enough, Jesus point blank told the woman she did not know what she was worshiping. Wherever God’s name is remembered is the right place to worship (Exo 20:24). She didn’t truly know God. How could she worship him? Yet, the Lord also has chosen a place to put his name for offerings and sacrifices: the temple (Deu 12:5-6). Both are proper places to worship.

It wasn’t about location for Abram or Jacob, to which she tried to lay claim. It was about knowing the Lord intimately – to top it off he was standing right before her! Swindoll contributes some amazing elements to the discussion. Swindoll said that Jesus treated the woman with a dignitiy Samaritans were not used to receiving from Jews. I agree with Swindoll as he continues, “I wish I cold think on my feet as quickly as Jesus.” Amen! Jesus brought the conversation around to the real issue. Swindoll pointed to three main challenges Jesus made: the earthly location of worship is of secondary concern, the object of worship is heavenly, and quality of worship is the true measure of devotion.

In the application section at the conclusion of this chapter in Swindoll’s commentary he lists three insightful foci. Like the woman, we are put off by prejudice and bigotry like that demonstrated by the disciples when they questioned why Jesus would be talking with her (Joh 4:27). Many of us have experienced this in some manner. Second, we are too consumed with mundane details. Jesus had shown his disciples what really fuels life: thirsting and hungering after righteousness. Finally, Swindoll points out that we are often lulled into inaction by the promise of tomorrow. The woman ran to tell the townspeople when she should have embraced Christ.

Faith is believing God for now. Believing God for some obscure time in the future isn’t faith at all. It leads to procrastination. If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart (Heb 3:5). Swindoll’s commentary takes a practical and ministerial approach to the gospel of John. His perspective is built upon solid scholarship and wisdom that comes through his years in minsitry. This commentary will serve you well with Swindoll’s simple presentation yet thorough understanding of the mission of Christ in our lives. I have been enriched and can recommend this quality resource.

• Check out the blog tour concerning Swindoll’s work throughout this week. Greg Wilson rightly says, “Swindoll is masterful at delivering his insights from Scripture to as many people as possible” over at For Those Who Thirst.
• Joshua Simpson expresses sentiments like my own when he says, “The name Charles Swindoll is synonymous with biblical scholarship…Swindoll’s Insights on John is easy to read and understand as a novice of the Scriptures, but it is as equally engaging and stimulating for the biblical scholar” over at In Defense of Orthodoxy.
• Andrea Schultz gives a thorough review and many rich examples at Ponderings by Andrea. She rightly concludes that “This book is terrific for the student of Scripture, as well as the new Christian who wants to learn about the ‘Love Gospel.’

The book is availble at Amazon at a good discount. Enjoy the series.

The authors and the very kind folks at Zondervan sent a copy of AND for me to take a peak at. I really enjoyed this book. The focus on missional church has been an eye-opening and status quo challenging subject throughout the passed several months.

Halter and Smay, pastors of Adulllam, introduce this subject by stressing the importance of the AND component in Church structure. There are benefits to both “tradition AND innovation.” We can have a vision for a megachurch AND still find and build personal community within it.

Many people consider marriage to be old and outdated. Some think of the church in this way too. I think the authors feel that the reason for this is because churches are not reaching out to the community or providing a communal platform. God calls us to become a community, Abram’s call given as an example, as well as to gather for worship. This doesn’t place church-goers into the driver’s seat. The concept actually is intended to avoid the consumerism of our faith. The authors mean that by organizing our church structres with models for both gathering and scattering believers into the mission fields is more of a fulfillment of our destinty than concentrating on one or the other. It may drive some away, but then that is inevitable. We are not called, as leaders, to make everyone comfortable. We are called to lead the church body into maturity in Christ.

At the church I’m attending in Plymouth, MN, we spend time building community through men and women groups. These are much like small groups except not co-ed. But in time we experience intimate progress toward growth as a community. The two groups actually interact freely by sharing experiences and learnings.

One area of need in the author’s presentation of the material is in what they mean by “incarnational” church. I am assuming this has to do with Church life lived out. Larry Baxter had this same question after his reading. Peter Enns uses an incarnational paradigm to his approach to the Old Testament that he defends as helpful when facing some of the challenges in Old Testament biblical studies. I wonder if the incarnational approach in the minds of Halter and Smay is a similar way of looking at the development and changes in Church structure that Enns has in mind when he speaks of the way God’s people understand themselves differently as the historical record develops.

I believe my favorite chapter was 3 (Consumerless Church), but I particularly enjoyed Chapter 2 as well. Building intimacy with people is much like context. The authors present a comparison showing our negative view of taking things out of context is like trying to bring people to Christ without knowing the context of their lives. It takes the work of investing time and care to learn about someone in order to gain the intimacy that provides insight into their lives and builds our credibility to be able to speak into their lives. Confidence in the messenger plays a large role in our ability to lead our churches.

The authors haven’t claimed to have the market cornered regarding church building and its structure. But they provide very great ideas in forming that structure that can be fitted to shape our churches. This is very much a book for leadership: new or seasoned. It challenges us to look at our churches in a different view and consider our roles in scattering the church just as importantly as the gathered/structure church service element. My pastor asked to meet together and talk about some of these concepts and how they may contribute to our own mission of uniting the nations unto Christ.

There’s a lot of great material in AND and I recommend a copy. It will provide on going reference. The authors even touch on the issue of providing children’s programs in a way that is integrated with the overall mission of the church. Some view they should be separate, but the authors challenge us to rethink if this is the best fit for our individual churches. They have experienced maturity and other community building, like taking turns babysitting while they meet, by keeping the kids around, for example.

I was blessed by the book. I hope I’ve whet your whistle enough as I believe you’d profit from it. There’s a good outline of some of the book’s concept at Triocentric, a video at Mark Howell Live, and some quotables at Live Intentionally. Like Exponential, this book meets you right where you are. You can start your ministry or grow your church upon receipt of the book. You can lead right where you are.

I find myself in agreement with Mark Howell who said, “When I finally got to it…I found myself captivated by a great story!” on his blog. That’s what happened to me going into the second part of the book. There is a well done outline of the book at Live Intentionally.

Part 2 of Exponential gets into the specifics of growing from small groups to multiplication. At first, I thought that some people may be built for isolation. I am reminded of introverts in the church who aren’t as well equipped for group projects and interactions as others are. But, ultimately, everyone needs some kind of community of support.

This book has actually changed my mind and my thinking. I’m grateful. I respect the monastics of the patristic period for their dedication and devotion. Some were fairly isolated. But I’m reminded that those monks who went on to do great things and influence the world, such as Saint Francis or Saint Anthony, were those who formed a community and passed on their wisdom to others. 

See Proverbs 18:1

Dan King summed it up great when he said, “This idea of a missional church is one that’s gaining momentum” on his blog BibleDude.net. I reviewed John Armstrong’s book, Your Church Is Too Small, a short while ago (here and here). Armstrong gives a strong conceptual foundation to this idea of missional church, and even how different denominations can join in the effort together. I have a good friend at Communitas who is a year into her missional church, which is doing great things in the community.

I did have a some reservations about the book and a request for possible future editions. The book deals heavily with increase. That can be a good thing and is certainly biblical. However, I don’t believe all Churches were meant to be mega churches. The great thing about church the Ferguson way is that the focus is on small groups. So that small church element is present among the mega church atmosphere.

I’m not convinced God intends everyone to grow church exponentially. I resonated with Mason who said just because something works doesn’t necessarily make it good. We must also pay attention to content. Lack of it can lead to ”movements which may draw the crowds but offer little depth” (see New Ways Forward). The words of Christ can divide. They bring a sharp sword as we’re confronted with truth that cuts to our core. I’m not saying this element isn’t present in the authors’ missional work, only that it wasn’t touched on in the book.

There are certainly critical aspects about leadership involved in growth as well. The authors possess leadership qualities and then they identified those qualities in others they apprenticed. To be certain, however, not everyone is a leader. Not everyone who wants to be a leader should be one. Once you lead, there  are souls placed in your care. If a person does not put themselves last, they can cause great hurt. Many leaders have led many sheep astray. So I would take some of this with extreme caution.

One other area I thought could be improved was sharing how they do small groups. This could clear up a lot of these other questions I have. What is the teaching material like? Where are some examples, if one would be interested in applying these techniques, to demonstrate how to assemble the teachings and the operations of a small group effectively? I think those details are important.

The way the authors understand how God worked in the Old Testament with organizing Tribes and then down to families is excellent and foundation to the book. Don’t let my critique detract from how excellent of a read this book is for anyone desiring to start working the mission fields. Pastor Martin, who resonates with the experience of the Fergusons, agreed by saying ”this book has much to offer to someone with a burden, a passion, and a drive to see God do great things in the lives of their neighbors, community, or even their county.”

An excellent, inspired, and encouraging read for beginning or expanding ministry.

Exponential: How You & Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement

The kind folks at Zondervan Publishing and the books authors have sent me a review copy of Exponential. Dave Ferguson and Jon Ferguson write on the subject of starting a missional church movement. The layout of the book is very nice, easy reading, and contains humorous quotes as the authors add their perspectives while the other tells his story. It is an enjoyable read.

The necessary thing they do at the very beginning is clarify that this is not multi-level-marketing church growth strategy. This is an account of the growth of Community Christian Church, what worked for the leadership, and the wisdom learned.

The first chapter leads with a testimony of how God moved with a group of college students who desired to work the fields of the kingdom and reach people with the hope and power of Christ. God took average people and produced above average results.

Dave and Jon share how they got started and the details behind the reproducing principles they experienced that lead to growth. I really enjoy the authors’ humility to keep God in the foreground and attribute their success by way of obedience to what they saw God doing within their group.

The authors give several examples of people who came to the ministry, submitted to leadership, and became leaders themselves. They describe a four-stage principle I wish more churches would utilize. One of the major keys of growth was their attentiveness to cultivate and grow leaders. The stages are apprentice selection, expectation, preparation, and graduation. The Fergusons saw exponential growth take place by investing in the production of leaders.

One of the reasons I enjoy the concept so much is that I’ve seen far too many churches fall short of their potential through lack of leadership cultivation and succession planning. At least the way the Fergusons do leadership they are effectively utilizing members in their church who become grounded in their faith.

This first part of the book also spends some time addressing one of the biggest factors to any one’s or any church’s ministry: being Spirit-led. They explain how being an effective leader and dreaming big will begin with you and me. Then, start reproducing mini-me’s. We grow in our experience, wisdom, and maturity in the Spirit, and then share our vision with others helping them to grow into what we’ve learned.

I don’t want to spoil the next chapter, but the authors offer a really witty way of describing leadership development. Beginning with us, we observe as an apprentice, we help out to gain experience, we start to take the reigns, we then do the work, and we begin the process with someone else as the watcher. Great chapter.

More to come on Part 2 of the book.