Comments on: The Forgotten Ways

By: James Choung

James Choung — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:22:58 +0000

Thanks for the blessing, Bill!

Matt and Matt — thanks for the insights. Why do you think it’s not replicable?

And Kent — thanks for the book recommendation. And yes, John Stott is the man. I had a chance to lead worship at a conference he was speaking at, but I was a bit too sheepish to say “hi.” But I hear he’s a really good guy — and really bright.

By: Kent

Kent — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:04:13 +0000

I am just discovering your site and I’m really enjoying it. Of your 50 latest book reviews, I think I’ve read (or planning on reading) 40! I haven’t read this book, but John Stott’s book The Living Church addresses many of the same issues. He writes with such warmth and practical insight. A true pastor.

By: Matt N.

Matt N. — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:35:46 +0000

I read it last year… Heard him give the talk on it at a pastor’s conference… I am convinced that Alan Hirsch is a great guy, but his overall approach is more sophistry than practical. Lots of great big ideas on paper that have worked once or twice, but are not the type of replicable ideas to be building growth models upon. One shining moment was where he explains that a majority of churches target a small section of the population that is on the fringe of Christianity (used to go, parents or grandparents went, have a Christian friend or two, etc), but few churches target the section of society that has no connection to Christianity. This is a great challenge to those who want to live and minister missionally… it forces us to ask, what are we doing to associate, befriend, and share the gospel with people that have absolutely no connection to historic Christianity.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:24:03 +0000

As a life long Christian, a kind of born and raised Christian, compared to the born-again Christan. I never experienced “the Road to Damascus Experience.” I have to realize that I have been born again and again and again, in slow and subtle ways. I was blessed to be born into a Christian family, and am inspired to be a blessing to my own family and those around me. The ripple in the pond of my nieghborhood, starts with me. James, I pray that you will continue to be a blessing to others, and that Jesus Christ will richly bless you and your family as you minister to our broken world. Shine on.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:47:26 +0000

Wasn’t a fan of the book, for the reason you said. Trying to fabricate an environment to spur on growth just doesn’t work.

Also was annoyed by how he wanted everything ‘organic’ of a sort, but was putting a structure around it.

And yeah, everyone’s a hater of the megachurch these days, and his view was just another reason why everyone should hate their local megachurch.