So Churched!
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I finally read this book. I skimmed it when it came out… kind of an appropriate nod to the author who happens to attend Cross Point. Heck, I even consider Matthew and his wife Jessica friends, but unfortunately I let the busyness of this fall keep me from making reading this book a priority. (Sorry Matthew!)
I missed out!
Once I picked it up and committed to it, I couldn’t put it down. I found glimpses of myself in Matthew’s stories of growing up in a Fundamental Baptist Church. I identified too well with the stories and characters. I chucked at the fact that had we grown up in that church together, Matthew and I would have been arch rivals in Sword Drills and I would have condemned him for sleeping in church while I took good notes of the sermon.
If you haven’t already, you really need to go check this book out. If you grew up in a conservative, traditional church environment, you’ll revisit some old memories with fresh eyes and if you didn’t grow up in that environment… well, you’ll just have a good laugh at those of us who did!
If you’ve read it, tell us what you thought!
By the way, what’s on your reading list for 2009?
I’m with you, Jenni! I’ve been meaning to read the book but seem to keep putting it off. You’ve inspired me. I’m gonna start reading ASAP.
I laughed myself silly and read it in about 5 hours. As you say, I couldn’t put it down. So then I went to to a class in Mobile with my friend Sheila, who actually did grow up in an Independant Baptist Church, and gave it to her to read. While I worked each evening after class, she sat and laughed out loud and then read almost the entire book back to me!!! Since then it’s been passed around to about 5 other women at church. I don’t even know who has it now. People read it, love it and give it to a friend.
On my reading list for 2009:
1) Crazy Love
2) Orthodoxy
3) Finish “The Dangerous Act of Worship”
4) Worship Matters
5) Community 101
And a million others…..
Since your done can I borrow it? I”m not used to buying too many things…
Too much to read and I am going to love every moment of it.
1. Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
2. John Calvin: A Heart For Devotion Doctrine & Doxology
3. Spurgeon’ s Sermon (5 Volumes)
4. Choosing To Cheat by Andy Stanley
5. Theology for Today by Towns
6. Introduction to Evangelism by Reid
7. Sermons by Jonathan Edwards
8. Freedom From Your Past by Jimmy Evans
9. Vintage Church by Driscoll
10. When I Don’t Desire God by Piper
11. Desiring God by Piper
12. Weight Of Glory by C.S. Lewis
13. What Paul Really Said by N.T. Wright
14. The Future of Justification by Piper
15. Grace Awakening by Swindoll
16. Shepherding A Child’s Heart by Tripp
… and that is just on my night stand 🙂
I have been looking at what I am going to read in 2009.
I want to read the following: (short of my goal of 14, any suggestions?)
1. Axiom
2. Irresistible Evangelism
3. Surprising Insights from the Unchurched
4. Tribes
5. The Power of Your Words – Robert Morris
6. Honor’s Reward
7. Undercover
@Joseph – you are as bad as I am about having an endless list of books to read!
@Aaron – sure I’ll let you borrow it… I’m just honored you actually commented on my blog! 🙂
@Kevin – You’ve got some great ones on your list. One of the best books I read this year was “Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership” by Ruth Haley Barton. (Jan Owen who commented above gifted this book to me and it was fabulous!)
Currently reading Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) – so that will be the first book I finish in the new year.
I don’t have it planned out, but some books on my bookshelf I need to get to are:
They Like Jesus But Not The Church by Dan Kimball
The Doctrines of Graceby James Montgomery Boice and Philip Ryken
Like Joseph I’ve got Systematic Theologyby Wayne Grudem and I do plan to finish reading it.
Total Truth by Nancy Pearcy
The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind by Mark Noll
Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Midair by Greg Koukl and Francis Beckwith
Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll
To name a few, then whatever I’m reading for sermon preperation which includes right now a couple of commentaries on James since I’m preaching through James in January and February.
Jenni, I will definitely get this book. I grew up in an Assemblies of God church and sometimes think back to the 4 week revivals and never ending alter calls and playing silly games with the titles of hymns out of boredom and wonder if other kids had experiences like me.
Currently I’m reading ‘Strengthing the Soul of Your Leadership’ by Ruth Haley Barton. It’s shaking my branches!