You want to be an Insider?

I just finished a book called The Insider: Bringing the Kingdom of God into your Everyday World. Wow, kick butt. This is a must read for any follower/disciple of Christ who is frustrated with their walk with God, longing for something more, knowing that God created something more than just their regular treks to church and one who believes that God's love is really attractive to those not-yet-Christian friends of yours. This is even one of the best books for those Christians out there who are satisfied with church, are growing closer to Jesus and even believe they have an impacting ministry. I fall into both categories. I'm blown away by some of the paradigm shifts that Peterson and Shamy have helped me make. If you want to see God move around you, then you got to read this. A great review is found here at the Insider. I encourage you to buy it, read it and make some cool changes in your walk with God and ministry. Christine is reading it right now and constantly is saying, "Wow!"

Here are a few quotes from the book:

• "Our life can be so mundane, with such predictable daily routines--all of which roar along at frantic speed--that we find it hard to imagine anything of larger, eternal purpose actually going on." p. 14
• "A futile life is one lived on an agenda that has no connection with God's purposes." p. 19
• "Each on should remain in the situation in which he was in when God called him....God has something for you right where you are....The work environment is but one more arena in which God can be glorified." p. 61
• "Paul understood that if there was going to be an impact by the gospel in a place, it would have to be through the people of that place more than through the apostolic team." p. 71
• "..It isn't really faith until we get beyond what we can control." p. 131
• "Spiritual fruitfulness does not come out of our feeling strong and self-assured. Spiritual fruit can only come from the Holy Spirit." p. 136
• "He is gathering them from every corner of the every nation to share eternally in his kingdom as members of his household. He has called us to partner with him in this work and has already positioned us to do this. We are an insider to various relationships within which God intends that we glorify, or reveal, him." p. 143
• "If people are going to see the kingdom of God today, they will have to observe it in its citizens. It is revealed as Christ's rule in our heart is expressed in our actions." p. 146
• "We fulfill the law of love by serving the needs of the people wit whom we cross paths." p. 162
• "One of the far-reaching differences between our current ministry practices and a ministry that is committed to serving insiders is that of venue--the place where it all happens. We are accustomed to centering our activities in our church facilities; but insiders need to center their work on their own turf, where the relationships are. Instead of everything supporting the central facility, the facility assumes the supportive role to the ministry of its people" p. 231

That should wet your appetite. Like I said, "You want to be an insider?"

Now I'm off to read an great observation on the church and where it is going in The Next Christendom by Philip Jenkins. This has already been eye opening. It was recommended to me by a great friend, mentor and professor at CU, Phil Mitchell. Another book, In, But Not Of: A Guide To Christian Ambition by Hugh Hewitt, I cracked open last night was recommended by a fellow colleague, Eric Heistand. Good times ahead.

Categories: Books, God, Movements, Church, Missions, SimpleChurch