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A Life Better Than I Deserve
Oct. 5, 2009
Review: Real Church
Recently l received a book from Thomas Nelson through their Blogger Review Program: Real Church by Dr. Larry Crabb. Having been involved in church planting, I was compelled to read this book on this important topic. What makes people--sincere, true Christians--disillusioned about their churches? Why do Christians quit attending church? Why do so many of those who still attend dislike going? What, exactly, is wrong with our churches today? Do real churches exist and how can I find them?
In an early chapter, Dr. Crabb mentions his morning coffee shop addiction, mentioning that he wants to be drawn to church "as compellingly as the promise of an extra hot latte." Reading this book is like sitting down to a big latte in your favorite coffee shop with a really good friend and having a heart-to-heart completely honest, sometimes reflective, sometimes meditative, often provocative chat about your Christian walk and your own church. Some of Dr. Crabb's thoughts will likely resonate with you as they did with me; others not so much.
Although this book, like your friend, likely will have a few spiritual insights and truths to share with you and you will walk away comforted that you are not alone and perhaps encouraged in your own Christian walk, this book has neither researched the issues it purports to deal with in a scholarly, academic way nor presents much of an agenda for forging ahead to build--or find--a "real church."
Recommended with reservations. This book will not show you how to build a great church. Perhaps that is, after all, something only the Lord can do. This book might serve as a starting point for thinking and dialoguing through these issues confronting the church today. Dr. Crabb's Real Church is published by Thomas Nelson and is available in hardcover for $22.99.
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