We just began three weeks of vacation. That means three weeks away from the demands of ministry. Three Sunday’s without church. After 23 years as the ‘pastor’s wife’ I find the break welcome. And I know I’m not alone.
Have you ever had the experience of waking up on a Sunday morning and feeling like not only would you rather stay home from church but also that it would be more beneficial to your spiritual well being? If you have you will enjoy Larry Crabb’s latest book Real Church.
Crabb tackles a tough issue – why do so many of us feel like giving up on church? We know the church in North America is in transition and like many transitions it is a chaotic and creative time. New churches pop up all the time and new emphasis is given to different facets of Christian faith with regularity.
In the first section of the book, Crabb looks at the questions, “Why should I go to church?” He offers three answers to the question that are reasons why many people go to church. In section II, he discusses what would make him go to church. And in the third section of the book he delves deeper into the marks of a church he wants to be part of.
Usually I resist books that offer a critique of the church because they focus on the negative and what the church isn’t. In my city, we have churches for people who don’t like churches, churches without ‘walls’ and churches for people who don’t like contemporary music or do like contemporary music. The saints seem to know what they want and sadly it often has nothing to do with Crabb would consider the key marks of a real church. Too often what we want seems to be driven with being viewed as ‘cool’ by external marks (where we meet, how we dress, what type of music we have, etc.)
When I read Real Church I was happy to discover that Larry Crabb was trying to describe what type of church would resonate with him. He was trying to paint a picture for us of what church can be and how that would nourish us in the places we need to be nourished. I think most of us want the same thing as Larry Crabb.
There is a lot to think about here. I like how Crabb addresses the ‘missional’ movement and talks about what he likes about it and what concerns him. I’ve been going to church by choice for over 25 years. I’ve seen lots of trends come and go and like many I’m not eager to jump on another bandwagon. I like that Crabb presents a balanced view here.
If deep in your heart you really don’t want to give up on church read this book. It will give you a necessary vision of what you may have lost sight of but still believe is possible. That and three weeks away from church might just be enough!
