Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope

Author: Brian D. McLaren
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2007

Before you read this book review, let me ask you something. Do you enjoy reading books that make you think; the ones that make you uncomfortable, and lead you to face difficult questions and answers? If not, this book is not for you, because it will definitely take you out of your comfort zone.

If, on the other hand, you are challenged by people who are bold enough to ask the tough questions, discuss the sometimes, uncomfortable answers, and who challenge you to rethink everything you believe, then, this book is for you. If you feel that way, I highly recommend Brian McLaren’s latest book, Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope.

More than ten years ago, McLaren identified two penetrating questions. He wanted to know, “What are the biggest problems in the world?” and “What does Jesus have to say about these problems?” McLaren saw these two questions as a huge challenge to the church, and sought to answer them. These two questions and their answers, became McLaren’s obsession for ten years, and were the impetus for writing the book. What you find in this work is, in a very real sense of the word, a personal quest for answers, a journey that took him literally, around the world.

His travels through Africa, Asia and Latin America brought him face to face with the manifestations of the broken, dysfunctional, and suicidal systems that have created these crises.

The author spends much of the first seven chapters identifying the "systems" that contribute to the global crises we face today: the prosperity crisis, the equity crisis, the security crisis, and the spirituality crisis.

Even though I did not always agree with his assumptions and conclusions, I could not avoid asking myself this question, "Does our interpretation of Jesus' message honestly address, and deal with the urgent issues mankind faces today?" More importantly, "Do we even understand the issues?"

Reading this book did one thing for me. It challenged me to be more cognizant of the "here and now"; to be more in the moment.

The bottom line of this book is the revolutionary hope found in the message of Christ. He insists, "Jesus offers a new way of life and it changes everything."

What Jesus offers is not just a new system of beliefs, nor is it just a promise of eternal life after death. The message of Jesus Christ impacts every area of human existence, and its significance should not be reduced. It is a “revolution of hope,” demanding radical commitment and response.

The best use of this book would be in a small group setting for pastors or leaders. It is not a book for everyone, and certainly is not for those who only want easy answers. Nothing about this book is easy. It will make you take a second look at how you see the role of Christians in the world today. It is a fresh, provocative approach to the message of Jesus Christ, and how the message addresses the economic, environmental, military, political and social dysfunction plaguing our world today. I learned a lot.

Reviewed by
Dr. Larry S. Doyle, Director of Missions
Greensboro, NC

Get A Life! It Is All About You

Author: Reggie McNeal

Publisher: B&H Publishing, June 2007

When I've felt like telling someone to, "Get a life!" I wasn't necessarily thinking about helping them discover purpose and meaning in their life. Reggie McNeal, on the other hand, is thinking just that! This book was written for those who are searching for a reason to live, for those who have felt like giving up on life, and for those who just feel in their gut there must be more to life than what they have experienced. To those of us who have struggled with issues like these, he says, "Get a Life!" McNeal invites his reader into an interactive dialogue centered on five penetrating questions:

• Why am I here?
• What is really important to me?
• What is my scorecard?
• What am I good at?
• What do I need to learn?

Going against a popular sound bite that continues to echo through many Christian circles today, McNeal insists, "It really is all about you." He invites you to take a look at you, to have an honest conversation with you, to take time for you, and to ultimately make sure you "get a life while you are hanging around on this planet."

You can read the book through as I did. You'll find a ton of great ideas that will inspire and motivate you to think about how you might get more out of life. However, I suggest you use the book as a workbook and journal. Throughout each chapter, the author pauses to allow you an opportunity to reflect on what you've read, to interact with the ideas he has presented, and then to record any actions you will take to put these ideas into practice. It becomes something of a personal journal of discovery. It would also be great to use with a small group, or as a couple.

My heart resonates with the information McNeal presents in chapter three, "What is my scorecard?" In many ways, the discussion on keeping score, is the heart of the book. Learning how to "keep score", means learning how to accept responsibility for whether or not we "get a life", and with what that life looks like. Like the old adage says, "If you have no target, you can't miss it."

The book would be a great conversation starter with un-churched people. It is written in a manner and a vocabulary that is understandable to people without a religious/church background. The last chapter invites the reader to address the question of his or her relationship with God. McNeal then ends with these words, "If you don't get a life, you don't become the you God had in mind when he created you." (p. 166).

Well-written and thought-provoking ... it is one you shouldn't miss.

Reviewed by
Dr. Larry S. Doyle, Director of Missions
Piedmont Baptist Association
North Carolina

Vital Friends: The People You Can’t Afford to Live Without

Author: Tom Rath
Publisher: Gallup Press, 2006

Friendship is the most fundamental of all human needs. Jesus said, “Greater love has not man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). The words, “friend” and “friendship,” have lost some of their meaning today, however. If you were to ask ten people to define “friend” or even “best friend,” you’d get ten different answers. Yet, everyone acknowledges the importance of friends.

But, do we know just how vital friends really are?

I was intrigued by the title of this book, “Vital Friends” because the word vital carries the idea of something this is essential, indispensable, or something you cannot live without. Based on decades of research, this author explores the basic characteristics of friendships that add value to relationships, and then organizes them into eight descriptive categories.

With the purchase of the book, you are given access to a web-based assessment tool that helps you identify the distinct roles that your friends play in your life on a daily basis. The measurement-based language helps you describe and build upon what is right in your interpersonal relationships. The assessment takes about five minutes per friend. When the assessment is completed, you are provided a report that lists the top three vital roles that each friend plays in your life. With this information, you will be able to focus attention on the roles these friends play, and identify the opportunities for true growth in your relationships.

A great book! This is an amazing assessment tool that can help us recognize the positive potential in our friendships!

Reviewed by:
Dr. Larry S. Doyle, Director of Missions
Piedmont Baptist Association
Greensboro, NC.