Book Review

The Blessed Church by Robert Morris

I had never heard of Robert Morris or Gateway Church prior to reading this book. While some of the “keys” that are shared are very simple and well known, how often is it that we neglect the things that we “know?”

Morris begins the story of Gateway with his call to ministry by God and the further call led to Gateway coming to open on Easter Sunday in 2000.

The first part of the book focuses on the beginnings of Gateway and then on the topic of church growth. Morris comments, “Any kingdom ruled by Jesus would be healthy. And healthy things grow.” Now just because Morris is the pastor of a “mega” church, don’t tune him out – his list is one that can be used by churches of any size.

While writing about the vision given by God, Morris also articulates how to share the vision and to write the vision down to make sharing and understanding easier.

Now parts of this book are able to be utilized by any church member, but the main focus of the book is on the pastor of the church – the vision, the shepherding, and the example.

Some of Morris’ keys are listed below:

Get God’s counsel

Don’t succumb to discouragement

It’s okay to want to grow

Growth without health is unsustainable

You can’t communicate vision unless you have received vision from the Lord

Righting a spiritual injustice is a key to your vision of ministry

If a vision doesn’t seem impossible to accomplish with your natural ability, it’s probably not from God

If you are called to Pastor, you are called to lead

This is an excellent book; I can say there is something in there for every pastor that wants to be the pastor the Lord intends.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing at no charge in return for an honest review.

Greater - Book Review

Greater – Steven Furtick

This has been a difficult book to read. Not having read his previous book, and not really knowing who Steven Furtick is (pastor of a church is all I initially knew) I decided to do some research into the author.

 As with many of this type of book, it starts off slow and picks up from there. There are many points that are made which are valid and helpful as there are some that I found falling flat.

I guess my biggest issue with the book is that I find it hard to reconcile with the authors pasturing style and actions.

I may have a shallow view on greater theological discussions, but Pastor Furtick’s disregard for the opinions of others, his disdain for those wishing to delve deeper into the Word, and how he treats others have left me uninterested in his views or opinions.

I am sure that there a readers who will take a delighted view in this book, but I can’t really recommend it .

This book was provided to me by Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing in return for an honest review.