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!
Just ordered. Thank you! Sounds like just what I’m looking for.
Glad to hear it. I hope you enjoy it.
Part of the issue with the institutional church is that it falls short on inspiring believers to desire to live in community and be truly accountable to one another. Such accountability requires sacrifice and, frankly, that it just too much for 99% of the people, of which I would include myself. So, at least on this side of eterniity, no one will ever find or experience the meaning of true “community.”
Maybe not “true” in the full sense of the word as God intended, but I am beginning to find “truer” community outside the institution than I ever found within. …And I am not sure that accountability is really part of it. In my experience, accountability leads to legalism.
Your book is still available on Amazon and is a good read in spots. Nevertheless, I will order Jacobsen’s book to see what he has to say, even though I’ve pretty much given up on finding answers to these sorts of things in books. The answers lie out there, among the people.
Yes, I didn’t intend to issue a blanket condemnation of my book. It has many good parts.
As for books having answers, I don’t look to books for answers, but as ways of having conversations with people who I may never be able to meet in person. I don’t see a book as a book, but as a conversation with other people in written form.
I have been following “The God Journey” for years. Wayne has an interesting perspective and I agree with the concerns of how we as Christians identify the function of our life based on a system of man, the institution. I too have come to a different understanding of community and the church. I’m not anti church, just not well pleased with a system. I will be ordering this book. By the way Jeremy, I follow along and comment on your blogs for the same reason as for Wayne’s. Keep it up, eyes on Christ.
Thank you for the encouragement, Kevin. When you get the book, let me know what you think!
Funny thought!
How can someone start a church?
I think that was what Jesus did!
Something to think about!
Right! This is what is somewhat ironic about the “church planting” movement.
ahh, but no Kindle – disappointing – *sigh 😉
There will be one…. I asked Wayne Jacobsen about this. It is just not ready yet, and so it does not appear on Amazon. Hopefully it will be available by release date.
Awesome – as I live in Malaysia, paperback are near impossible to get of this variety 😉
Thanks, Jeremy. Much appreciated.
My pleasure, Wayne. Thanks for writing it.
I enjoyed the original “Finding Church “, I’ll have to check out the new book
Thanks Ward. It had many good parts.. 😉
I read ‘So you don’t want to go to church anymore’ in a critical stage of my faith life and what a blessing it was. Thanks for the news about the new book.
Yes, I agree. That was a great book. It is on my Best Christian Books List.
From Wayne’s website, Lifestream.org, there is an ebook in the making and I believe releasing at the same time. I also heard on “The God Journey” podcast the other day that Wayne is beginning to record the book as an audio book. Anyone interests should contact him. All three would be great.