This book was really refreshing. I don’t recommend it for people just looking for the latest church fad, but only for people are really tired of “church as usual”, perhaps are feeling a little weary, and are perhaps wondering why they are not experiencing God’s reality in their religious life.

The thing I liked about it was it didn’t slam the church “institutions”, yet points us back to the core of the Christian walk which is letting the love of Christ work in us to love God and to love our fellow man. All else should flow out of that, and anything that is superfluous to that, well, maybe we should take a hard look at those things are determine if they are really necessary.

Thanks “Jake Colsen” for sharing your journey.

What an amazing book this is!

It’s the fictional account of an assistant pastor called Jake who is feeling increasingly disturbed by aspects of church life, despite an apparently growing and thriving congregation. He meets somone called John who speaks with amazing gentleness and wisdom, and encourages Jake to explore his preconceived ideas about the Christian life, and church in general.

There’s no criticism of the Church as such, no ‘shoulds’ and ‘oughts’, but almost every page contains thought-provoking insights. Not necessarily anything new, but put together in such a helpful way that this a powerful antidote to many of today’s Christian ‘how-to’ books. Many who read it will empathise fully with Jake, and others won’t. But I think it would challenge everyone to re-think their priorities, and consider what place their local church is filling in their lives.

Highly recommended to anyone, whether Christians or not, particularly for those disillusioned by the church in any way.