Review: "Learning Change"

Learning Change:  Congregational Transformation Fueled by Personal Renewal by/compiled/edited by (it is not clear) Jim Herrington and Trisha Taylor is a manual based on the Ridder Church Renewal Program.  Since this program is being offered in the Reformed Church in America, where is serve, I was interested to learn more about it.  I quickly found out it is nothing I want to be involved with.

In the first chapter, we read that God has amazing dreams for us (18).  That God created because God is “love…on a mission” (21).  We need to be missional (whatever that means – everyone who says they are and I must be cannot tell me what this means!) (23). He then recommends heretic Steven Furtick and his writings (26).

In the second chapter, the reader is encouraged to based ministry on dreams (38).

And in chapter four, to imagine and reimagine our reality into being (50).

In chapter five, the reader is urged to be authentic (65).

And so on and so on.

Each chapter begins with psychological analysis, moves onto an anecdote, then a project or craft, and further reading is suggested.

I am reminded of one of the systematic theology professors in seminary who – for the final exam – had each student paint a macaroni necklace in such a way as to reflect their theology.

As you can tell – this type of book turns me off.  The church is not merely a business and should not merely be dealt with is psychological categories.

Rather than teams and dreams, should not the church be based on the rule of the elders and deacons – founded on Christ and the Scripture?

I cannot recommend this book, as it is not based on Scripture and what God teaches us about God and man and the Church.

#LearningChange

[This review appears on my blog and on Amazon.com.  I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.]