One of the first books I published was a book called Finding Church.
Can I be honest? I wasn’t very fond of that book…
So I was thrilled to learn that Wayne Jacobsen, one of my favorite authors (you must read his book So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore) and podcasters (check out his podcast, “The God Journey“), was putting out a book by the very same title.
Finding Church, by Wayne Jacobsen
His book, due out in October, is also called Finding Church, but his book will be MUCH better than mine.
In fact, Wayne Jacobsen was kind enough to send me an advance copy of Finding Church, and let me tell you, it is as good as I expected.
The last line alone is worth the price of the book.
I’m not going to tell you what that last sentence of Finding Church is, but it has taken me more than 10 years to discover this truth (and I’m still learning it). Wayne’s writings and podcast we influential in helping me learn that truth.
One of the things I appreciate most about Finding Church is that Wayne writes in a gracious way what I have been trying to explain for years to various Christians who think I have abandoned God because I no longer “attend church.”
Some people seem to equate Christianity with attending “church.” They seem to believe if you are truly a Christian, or at least, if you are an obedient Christian, you will attend a “church” on Sunday morning. They seem to think that people like me, who no longer make “church” attendance as part of their weekly routine, have fallen away from God, abandoned the faith, or have given up on following Jesus.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, for people like me, no longer attending “church” has allowed me to follow Jesus in ways I had only dreamed of when I did attend “church” and experience the love of Jesus in ways I never thought possible.
For me, and millions more like me, the decision to no longer attend “church” was not the result of a failure to follow Jesus, but precisely because I was. It is my belief that Jesus led me away from attending “church” so that I could actually see the Church for the first time, and learn to be the Church in my neighborhood and community.
Obviously, these sorts of statements raise a lot of questions. Wayne’s book Finding Church is one of the best books I know of which answers some of these questions, and, more importantly, provides direction, encouragement, and guidance for those who think that Jesus may be inviting them to leave the four walls of institutional Christianity and follow Jesus into a deeper, more adventuresome, intimate, and real way of living.
In a gracious and loving style, Wayne Jacobsen provides encouragement, hope, and direction to all who have known that there must be something more to this thing we call Church, but have almost despaired of ever finding it.
Are you searching for Church?
If you have been looking for a new church, have been thinking of trying to start a new church, or have been have been wondering about how to be the church, make sure you read Finding Church first.
But be warned! This book doesn’t contain “the answer” you are looking for. There are no “how to” lists or “10 steps” to finding church. The book will, however, open your eyes to see that the Church has been sitting in front of you all along.
Finding Church is currently available for preorder from Amazon, or from Wayne’s own website, Lifestream.org. Go order a copy today!
is now in print!
[scg_html_fc] is nearing publication! Sometime soon I hope to reveal a book cover and provide a publication date.
In November, my book [scg_html_fc] will be published by Civitas Press. It contains the stories of 36 people and how they have followed Jesus in seeking to live and function within His church. The stories fall into three categories: Leaving Church, Switching Church, and Reforming Church.
In November, my book [scg_html_fc] will be published by Civitas Press. It contains the stories of 36 people and how they have followed Jesus in seeking to live and function within His church. The stories fall into three categories: Leaving Church, Switching Church, and Reforming Church.