Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Windblown Media (2008), Edition: First Edition, 192 pages
Description
What would you do if you met someone you thought just might be one of Jesus' original disciples still living in the 21st century? That's Jake's dilemma as he meets a man who talks of Jesus as if he had known him, and whose way of living challenges everything Jake had previously known. This book is Jake's journal, chronicling thirteen conversations with his newfound friend over a four-year period and how those exchanges turn Jake's world upside-down. With his help, Jake faces his darkest fears, struggles through brutal circumstances and comes out on the other side in the joy and freedom he always dreamed was possible.
User reviews
LibraryThing member danielaridley
I have to say, there were some good points made in the book, but it came across to me as being anti-church as well. While our focus should be God, He also gives us the information on how a church should be run. To 'assemble' without the church isn't following God's plan. But like I said, there are
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some very good points that should make you think about why you are going to church. Show Less
LibraryThing member SueinCyprus
This is an incredibly powerful book - and is available free as an e-book as well as being buyable in printed form. It gently looks at why so many Christians are discouraged, or fed up with structured church life, but without in any way criticising the Church as such.
Jake, the main character,
Not everybody will relate to Jake, and not everybody will reject all forms of structured church... but I still highly recommend this to anyone as probably the most thought-provoking short novel I have ever read.
I enjoyed just as much on re-reading five years later, finding the theology (such as it is) even more helpful and encouraging. There isn't much of a story from the 'novel' point of view, but the life changes that happen - and which can happen to anyone, whether or not they have had enough of structured church - are incredible.
Definitely recommended.
Jake, the main character,
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relates a series of conversations with an unusual person called John who appears in his life now and again. As he comes to terms with what John is saying, he experiences many struggles in his life until he begins to find a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God. Not everybody will relate to Jake, and not everybody will reject all forms of structured church... but I still highly recommend this to anyone as probably the most thought-provoking short novel I have ever read.
I enjoyed just as much on re-reading five years later, finding the theology (such as it is) even more helpful and encouraging. There isn't much of a story from the 'novel' point of view, but the life changes that happen - and which can happen to anyone, whether or not they have had enough of structured church - are incredible.
Definitely recommended.
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LibraryThing member hogan1040
This book is life changing. Get outside the box of organized religion and into living this life in the Father's family!
LibraryThing member atdCross
Challenges the common modern understanding of what is "church" effectively. Reading it will articulate certain frustration that you may have with church but are unable to put your finger on it. I can understand if many reading it will not like it but you must approach it with an open mind and a
I placed this book on the same shelf in my library with "The Shack" and "If God Were Real".
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basic understaning of the Church as it is the body of Christ - not a building, program, or something to do on Sunday but people who share a common faith in the living God who lives in them. I highly recommend pastors and church leaders to read this in order to, if nothing else, at least bring back the focus for which the Church exists.I placed this book on the same shelf in my library with "The Shack" and "If God Were Real".
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LibraryThing member TrishaGer
This book was great! I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could! Even though it is a work of fiction, I was skeptical about reading it, thinking it would attempt to talk me out of going to church. Surprisingly, it brought up many valid points that some decisions based on the needs of the church as a
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building may interfere with the best interests of its members or God. It also made me think a lot about what we, as a society, teach our children.I took away so many amazing messages from this book & haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I read it about a month ago. See for yourself! Show Less
LibraryThing member Sorrel
So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore is a thoroughly irritating book that I read at the request of a friend. The writing is terrible and the surface story is cringeful. There was some interesting content, much of which I agreed with (and some that I questioned), but I didn’t take notes;
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was absolutely not going to brave the book again to do so; and was not in a particularly receptive mood in the first place, so a lot of the argument was wasted on me. What I came away with in the long run was pretty much what I went in with. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
7.95 inches
ISBN
0964729229 / 9780964729223