Thursday, February 3, 2011

"Mere Churchianity" by Michael Spencer

What I have to say...
     To most Christians, Michael Spencer’s Mere Churchianity may seem to be a scary book.  And it is if you focus less on a relationship with Jesus and more on churchianity, or a “church-dependent religion.” (186)  This book should come with a warning to not be quick to judge.  I fear that most would start reading and assume that Michael Spencer is against Christianity or even Christian communities in general.  This however is not the case.  I believe that he has a ministry that is reaching out to people that most Christians miss.  Those that are leaving the church, not because they don’t believe in God, but because they don’t believe in what “His followers” are doing.  And the reason why Christians miss this people group is because they are the ones pushing them away.  Spencer gives the reader the freedom to actually read your bible and grow in a relationship with God that is in no way dependent on other people.  He also highly encourages you to find a community.  Maybe it’s not the typical Christian community most call the church; it could be as simple as a community consisting of all the neighborhood moms.  So find a Jesus-shaped spirituality and read this book, maybe you’ll find your own journey.
*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*