Book Review: Ordinary by Tony Merida

God has used ordinary people to complete some extraordinary tasks. We have seen that with Moses, Joshua, David, and even the Apostle. In our day and time, we have a tendency to look at Christians who do great tasks for God as Super Christians such as Billy Graham, Greg Laurie, Charles Spurgeon, and Martin Luther. Truth is that God has no rock stars in the kingdom. He only has people who are fully committed to Him who have been redeemed by Jesus.

Tony Merida, in his book, Ordinary, wants to helps eliminate the idea that Super Christians are the only ones who can do ministry when it is the ordinary person. He wrote, "My prayer is that we would see a recovery of such movement, an 'ordinary movement,' that involved ordinary Christians, not just the 'super Christians,' who live on mission in the rhythms of everyday life. Ordinary Christians who proclaim an extraordinary message, and ordinary Christians who practice compelling acts of justice and mercy" (pg. xvii).

Merida calls the people in the church to be who they were created to be in Christ. The church is a little embassy for the kingdom as we live here on earth. We were never called to make ourselves a spectacle that makes people think we are awesome. Merida challenges us to go back to what the Bible says the people of God should be. We should be people who are hospitable, loving towards our neighbors, care for those who are hurting, passionate about justice, and humble in the sight of the Lord & men.

As we begin the new year, this book will serve as a challenge for everyone in the church. I must admit this book has challenged me in some ways. Many small groups will benefit from this book as they study it together.

Thanks Broadman & Holman for letting me review this book.