A Transforming Vision: Multiethnic fellowship in the college and in the Church
by Paul V. Sorrentino (2010)
A Transforming Vision demonstrates why Christian communities should be multiethnic and provides a practical vision of how that can take place. The contributing authors worked together in an intentional multiethnic fellowship at Amherst College, and each of them was transformed by that experience. Here they combine personal experience with biblical insight and research on multiracial churches to offer an indispensible guide to multiethnic ministry for church and campus leaders. The lessons they learned will be deeply relevant to leaders in a variety of church, parachurch and campus settings.
This transparent and inspiring account of racial reconciliation is accessible and practical for those aspiring to make real a multicultural vision in small groups and congregations. It is a valuable resource for groups responding to the dramatic increase in diversity during the 21st century.
Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Professor of Reconciliation Studies, Bethel University –
The Wormwood Archive by T.G. Brown
The Wormwood Archive records the temptation of an American church by a demon who has discovered the attraction of results based management, sophisticated marketing methods, and performance driven worship. From the perspective of a demon, this book offers a sharp and witty critique of contemporary church growth strategies and their impact on local churches. Neither Church leaders driven by zeal and ambition nor their wounded and anger blinded opponents can escape from Wormwood’s web of temptation or from Brown’s scrutiny. The Wormwood Archive offers readers an accounting of the high price paid by churches that sacrifice their spiritual heritage at the altar of growth and calls both church leaders and their critics to repent, to reconcile and together to treasure their common spiritual roots.
There are other direct critiques of the Saddleback and Willowcreek movement – so, this is not novel. What is attractive of this book is that it is (a) written from the inside of a church that was doing well prior to this shift, and yet wanted to change – documenting the pain that the Body goes through; and (b) the imaginative style of C.S. Lewis’ genre of writing. I read it one sitting and enjoyed it.
Since I know a little about this church, it was important for me to notice that this is not written in anger; secondly, the writer still worships there – which adds credibility to the criticism. I hope lay leaders and pastors would read it and even if it provokes you to take a second look at your own congregation – how change is brought about, what is the goal, the motive, the language and words used in our churches (ex. “mentoring” instead of “discipleship”, etc.), whether “disciples” are made intentionally, how much of the Word have people learnt, etc. … this book would have served its purpose.
Amazon Review