For the Parachurch: Know the Difference Between Families & Soccer Teams
Five years ago my family moved to Pennsylvania and began looking for a new church. At the first church we attended, a number of friendly people greeted our family after the service. But interestingly, the conversations kept going in the same direction as soon as they discovered who my employer was—Campus Crusade for Christ. Like clockwork, every single person asked me, “What do you think of the local church?”
Read more >
Book Review: The Gospel According to Starbucks
Reviewed by Byron Straughn
It seems like trash-talking the church has even become a popular new literary genre among Christian writers. In book after book we’re told that, ever since the Enlightenment, the church has been missing the boat. Instead, to find out where to turn, we need to come meet some cool guy at a coffee shop on Sunday. He’ll be "authentic."
Reviewed only
Read more >
Book Review: Natural Church Development
Reviewed by Byron Straughn
In its opening paragraph, Natural Church Development (NCD)distinguishes itself from common church growth approaches. “Critics of the church growth movement have often emphasized the need for quality congregations.” The author, Christian Schwarz “wholeheartedly agrees”, believing Christians should not “focus on numerical growth”, but “concentrate on qualitative growth”. Unfortunately, the thrust of the book is common. Let me explain.
OVERVIEW
Reviewed only
Read more >
Book Review: Questioning Evangelism & Corner Conversations
Reviewed by Byron Straughn
I know. We need another evangelism book like we need a hole in the head. I’m aware that there are numerous books on the topic of evangelism, some good and others disappointing, some geared toward instruction and others toward doctrinal fidelity.
Let me tell you why reading Randy Newman’s books on the topic would be time well spent.
QUESTIONING EVANGELISM
Reviewed only
Read more >
