|
Stop Dating the Church!: Fall in Love with the Family of God (Lifechange Books) | 
 enlarge | Author: Joshua Harris
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Category: Book
List Price: $12.99
Buy New: $10.39
You Save: $2.60 (20%)
New (45) Used (25) from $4.50
Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 79295
Media: Hardcover
Edition: Corr. 2nd Print
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 144
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.9 x 5.1 x 0.6
ISBN: 1590523652
Dewey Decimal Number: 250
EAN: 9781590523650
ASIN: 1590523652
Publication Date: September 23, 2004
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Putting in their hour or two on the weekend, many Christians take the rest of the week off, neglecting the church and her needs. It’s not a serious relationship. Some shop around, looking for a church that suits their lifestyle. It’s dating, with no assurances, no obligations. Bestselling author Joshua Harris calls Christians to stop playing the field and commit, just as Christ is committed to us, His bride. In his new book, Harris explores the ramifications of Ephesians 5:25–32, which proclaims the intensity and the breadth of Jesus Christ’s love for His church. God has designed us to build our lives around a local church; we cannot be indifferent or uninvolved. Rather, we must be in love with and committed to God’s plan and purpose through the church. Are you dating the church, or are you committed?
Are You Dating the Church?
We are a generation of consumers, independent and critical. We attend church, but we don't want to settle down and truly invest ourselves. We're not into commitment ? we only want to date the church.
Is this what God wants for us?
Stop Dating the Church reminds us that faith was never meant to be a solo pursuit. The church is the place God grows us, encourages us, and uses us best. Loving Jesus Christ involves a passionate commitment to His church ? around the world and down the street.
We can't be apathetic. It's time to fall in love with the family of God.
Story Behind the Book
Like all my books, this one is very closely tied to my own journey. I’ve been a church-dater. And I’ve learned just how good it is to get serious about the church. I want to see my generation get a hold of God’s purpose and plan for the local church, too. The same month this book is released I’ll become the senior pastor of my church. This awesome responsibility is being passed on to me by my mentor, C. J. Mahaney, a pastor who has faithfully served for over 26 years. So this book is marking a very important transition in my life. The church isn’t some other generation’s responsibility?it isn’t somebody else’s business. I have to take responsibility. I have to be passionate and committed to it. Through the pages of this book, I’m calling my generation to do the same.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
 insightful November 23, 2008
The book was suggested to me by a friend and I found it to be very thoughtful and inspiring. It is a quick read, but loaded with a challenge to devote ourselves to the body (the church) that we hope devotes themselves to us. I'd strongly suggest picking up a copy.
Worth the time and money April 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Church both little c and big C has been downplayed by the current generation. They have so bought into the radical individualism of America that they feel that they are a church or congregation unto themselves. This book reminds of the Bride of Christ and how we are not to date Her but to marry Her. Well written and easily understood.
Skeptic no longer June 8, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
When I first saw this book I was skeptical about what it might say about the church. Wow was I wrong. Harris does a great job of making the doctrine of the church very practical and easy to understand, and there is something here to challenge and convict people at all different levels of commitment. I now use the book for several classes that I teach at the church and highly recommend it for all students and adults. And the book does not just apply to one denomination or one style of church--it is applicable across the board. Even if you don't agree with everything Harris says (as I didn't) you will still be challenge and convicted about how you view the church.
 More opinions from josh. May 20, 2007
11 out of 31 found this review helpful
This book is about as ridiculous as all of his others. Apparently harris believes that the Church is the non profit organization on the corner that meets in the nice stained glass artifice twice on sunday and every wednesday. You know, the one that has a pastor whose salary is paid by the giving of the congregation. I believe it could be that. Or it could be the group of friends who meet at someones house, or the students that meet at the local coffee shop or pub. In the promotional material, we are admonished for having a consumer approach to church, asking not what we can give, but what we can get from a particular church. While this is true to an extent, it is also a convenient cop out for churches that have become so commercialized and seeker friendly that they no longer offer any thing of substance for those of us who seek more spiritual meat. Which is exactly why people have stopped going to the stained glass artifice on the corner, and started going to the church that meets in homes and coffee shops. It sticks to the archaic belief that to be a christian you MUST go to church, which implies that all those who go to church are christians. Of course neither are true, but the danger of that mindset is real. Read the book, form your own opinion, but dont take harris' opinion as biblical truth. Know the difference. For a better read, check out someone like donald miller.
In reference to some of the comments, I am actually NOT an emergent church guy. There are some of points that i might agree with, but i also dont like the trendy vibe that i get from the whole deal either. i have never really been one for labels, and i dont intend to start picking them up now. As far as starbucks, i wouldnt know. I refuse to spend 5 dollars on a fru fru cup of coffee, when the real kind can be had for 89 cents at the gas station. Im not a miller clone, as i can tell from his writing that we would no doubt be on opposing sides of a political argument. I recommended Miller because his honesty is refreshing. He has no problem admitting when his honest feelings dont nessecarily line up with what religion says they should. To say that he didnt really have a relationship is a little shortsighted. I think they book shows he has a genuine relationship, flaws and all. That is, i feel the difference between the two. Miller shows a more genuine every day faith, complete with struggles and doubts, while Harris props his book up on tired rhetoric, all the while seemingly oblivious to the problems the church of today has gotten itself into. In doing so, he fails to address the problem that made many christians stop attending in the first place. Its as if he would say, "This is the church weve got, and like it or not, you have to support it to be obedient to God". I find that a little suspect coming from someone whose salary depends on having a church full of people to give in the offering. My point is that where two or three are gathered in his name, god is there also. Church can be had with a few like minded friends in someones living room. And ive had more in depth theological discussions over a plate of nachos than ive ever had in sunday school.
People seem to forget that once before the "church" got so far away from what it was supposed to be that it wasnt even recognizeable....and Martin Luther went and nailed the reasons why to the front door.
Excellent Book! Highly Recommend! February 6, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a classic by Joshua Harris. If you are familiar with his books then you will appreciate what he has to say about the church. Many struggle today with the purpose of the church because there are so many false teachers who are only after your money. It's no wonder that many have nothing to do with the church. In Stop Dating the Church, Joshua Harris challenges you to change your thinking about the church and see its importance. Because this book has presented such a challenge to our leadership, we use it for prospective new members. A must read for current members or prospective and by those who have flat given up on the local church!
|
|
|
|
Powered by CBN AssociateStore
| |
