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    So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore: An Unexpected Journey
    So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore: An Unexpected Journey
    So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore: An Unexpected Journey
    Audiobook5 hours

    So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore: An Unexpected Journey

    Written by Jake Colsen

    Narrated by Wayne Jacobsen

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    What would you do if you met someone you thought just might be one of Jesus' original disciples still living in the 21st Century? That's Jake's dilemma as he meets a man who talks of Jesus as if he had known him, and whose way of living challenges everything Jake had previously known. 

    So You Don't Want to Go To Church Anymore is Jake's compelling journal that chronicles thirteen conversations with his newfound friend over a four-year period and how those exchanges turn Jake's world upside-down. With his help, Jake faces his darkest fears, struggles through brutal circumstances and comes out on the other side in the joy and freedom he always dreamed was possible.

    If you're tired of just going through the motions of Christianity and want to mine the depths of what it really means to live deeply in Christ, you'll find Jake's story will give you hope for your own.  This book probes the difficult questions and offers some far-reaching answers.  It just might turn your world upside-down as well!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOasis Audio
    Release dateNov 1, 2008
    ISBN9781608143917
    So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore: An Unexpected Journey

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    Reviews for So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore

    4/5

    94 ratings10 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Perfect read for anyone led to walk "outside the camp" that is the religious institution, or experiencing dissatisfaction in their relationship with God. You'll find rich spiritual insights that will draw you to seek Father for yourself, shared in a simple manner. If you're walking with God outside the religious system, you'll find welcome reminders of why you got on the journey, and hope for a richer life in Him and in the Church He is building. I was blessed by this book.
    • 5/5
      This is an incredibly powerful book - and is available free as an e-book as well as being buyable in printed form. It gently looks at why so many Christians are discouraged, or fed up with structured church life, but without in any way criticising the Church as such.

      Jake, the main character, relates a series of conversations with an unusual person called John who appears in his life now and again. As he comes to terms with what John is saying, he experiences many struggles in his life until he begins to find a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God.

      Not everybody will relate to Jake, and not everybody will reject all forms of structured church... but I still highly recommend this to anyone as probably the most thought-provoking short novel I have ever read.

      I enjoyed just as much on re-reading five years later, finding the theology (such as it is) even more helpful and encouraging. There isn't much of a story from the 'novel' point of view, but the life changes that happen - and which can happen to anyone, whether or not they have had enough of structured church - are incredible.

      Definitely recommended.
    • 1/5
      If I could, I would give it zero stars.
      Not only is it poorly written, it is full of purely emotional dialog, with the reader told to trust his heart. There is no scripture ( there is a few vague references to Titus and 2 Timothy which are quickly bypassed with more dialog) and lots of arguments out of absence.
      In short, the author's desire is to destroy the local church, and turn the body of Christ into a party.
      The author makes the accusation that all pastors and church leaders are only intent on a secure well paying job, and controlling the flock with guilt and shame. And claims all church members are addicted to the fully and shame.
    • 1/5
      It started out a good book, but it quickly became clear that the author lacks biblical discernment. The author recognizes legitimate problems in the church, but his answers are insufficient. Very little scripture is used. Much is taken out of the context from which it was written. The author would do well to study passages such as James 5:16, Luke 17:3, and Hebrews 10:25 to name a few.
    • 5/5
      Easy read, simple yet profound dialogues, entertaining yet inspiring all the more. You may or may not find your answers to your inner questions but you will find the fresh, liberating revelation of knowing that its OK to be where you're at, as long as you don't tarry too much and keep going on. Emmanuel El Shaddai
    • 1/5
      So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore is a thoroughly irritating book that I read at the request of a friend. The writing is terrible and the surface story is cringeful. There was some interesting content, much of which I agreed with (and some that I questioned), but I didn’t take notes; was absolutely not going to brave the book again to do so; and was not in a particularly receptive mood in the first place, so a lot of the argument was wasted on me. What I came away with in the long run was pretty much what I went in with.
    • 4/5
      This book was great! I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could! Even though it is a work of fiction, I was skeptical about reading it, thinking it would attempt to talk me out of going to church. Surprisingly, it brought up many valid points that some decisions based on the needs of the church as a building may interfere with the best interests of its members or God. It also made me think a lot about what we, as a society, teach our children.I took away so many amazing messages from this book & haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I read it about a month ago. See for yourself!
    • 4/5
      Challenges the common modern understanding of what is "church" effectively. Reading it will articulate certain frustration that you may have with church but are unable to put your finger on it. I can understand if many reading it will not like it but you must approach it with an open mind and a basic understaning of the Church as it is the body of Christ - not a building, program, or something to do on Sunday but people who share a common faith in the living God who lives in them. I highly recommend pastors and church leaders to read this in order to, if nothing else, at least bring back the focus for which the Church exists.I placed this book on the same shelf in my library with "The Shack" and "If God Were Real".
    • 2/5
      I have to say, there were some good points made in the book, but it came across to me as being anti-church as well. While our focus should be God, He also gives us the information on how a church should be run. To 'assemble' without the church isn't following God's plan. But like I said, there are some very good points that should make you think about why you are going to church.
    • 5/5
      This book is life changing. Get outside the box of organized religion and into living this life in the Father's family!