Book Review: Reappearing Church by Mark Sayers

Many see the church on the decline because of the Post-Christian society we live in. Some Christians have lost hope while others believe this is a good thing. While it can be discouraging to see the church in a decline, we should not lose hope. We can possibly see a spiritual awakening in our day.

In Reappearing Church, Mark Sayers while a declining Christianity might seems as bad news, it could be the beginning of something good. Yes, our ultimate is in Jesus, but the hope we want to see in our day is renewal. Sayers is not speaking of renewal in the secular mindset which seems to be new thinking in old concepts. A spiritual renewal is where people return to God, embrace His sovereignty, and live according to His Word.

Before renewal happens, there has to be a crisis which is what we are seeing our day and time. This crisis is not happening just in society but also in the church. Sayers stresses that the church needs renewal. Why does the church need renewal? The church needs to return to biblical principles and not adopting worldly ones. Think about it. We see the church become one with the world in some cases. Yes, there have been churches that have rejected worldliness, but they could be disobedient in other areas as well.

The rest of book deals with the patterns of renewal, how it happens, and what happens when it is spread like wildfire. If you are concerned by the decline of Christianity, this book will help you see that there may be renewal on the way.

Thanks Moody Publishers for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Strange Days by Mark Sayers

If you have watched the news, read the newspaper, and look on social media, you will soon realize that our world is out of control. Terrorist attacks, unacceptable election results, people walking out of graduation ceremonies because they don't agree with the speakers views, and the list goes on and on. What are Christians suppose to do these days? How are they suppose to live? Do we run and hide?

Mark Sayers addresses how Christians are suppose to live in these days, in his latest book, Strange Days. The subtitle of the book is most appropriate, "Life in the Spirit in a Time of Upheaval." Sayers starts off with how did the world get so chaotic. When did it start> Some people might be pointing the finger, but the truth is the world has always been a chaotic place ever since the Fall. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, this world became corrupted by sin. We see that pattern continue throughout the pages of the Bible and throughout history.

Next, Sayers looks at where chaos continues. He says that every culture tries to put some sort of religious structure in society. We also see how individualism has crept into society to make it all about me. Terrorism has played a part in the chaos of our world. Now these days, you cannot simply go to concert without wondering if something is going to blow up.

Finally, Sayers looks at how the church should respond. The church should not hide their heads in the sand. We should be living life in the Spirit. The church should move forward despite the threats against it whether from the culture or a group planning to kill them. The church should continue to live in community and fighting against the flesh. The church should be always standing for the truth no matter the cost.

Overall, this was an excellent book. Sayers is a good author with good insight. I recommend this book to all who are fearful for the days ahead.

Thanks Moody Publishers for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Disappearing Church by Mark Sayers

If you look at the 21st century church, one might get discouraged. Churches are shutting their doors while other keep growing only because they put on a show. We still have churches that preach the gospel faithfully while we have others that seek to be cool and relevant without promoting holiness.

We are seeing the effects of the post-Christian society infiltrating our churches. We are seeing a gospel of self where man in inherently good and churches preach that. Mark Sayers addresses these issues and more in his latest book, Disappearing Church.

Sayers addresses how the church came to the state of where it is today. How did this issue of relevance crept into the church and the plague of Gnosticism, which is the gospel of self. Sayers says the church has faced many challenges over the centuries and is still here. The gates of hell cannot prevail as Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18.

Sayers says believers in Jesus are not seekers, they are slaves. Yes, there are verses in the Bible to back it up. Romans tells us that no one seeks God and we are slaves to righteousness. 2 Corinthians says the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing. One thing Sayers mentions the church needs to do is stop catering to public opinion. Jesus said the world will hate you because it hated me. 1 John tells us don't be surprise if the world hates you.

Finally, Sayers says the church needs to get into the business of being the church. Why is the church here? The church is to make disciples and minister to the community. The church was never meant to be a place of entertainment. The church is meant to preach truth. We are not called to be culturally relevant. We are called proclaim the gospel.

This is a much needed book for our day and time. I hope everyone in the church takes time and read it. Don't bother with books that seek your church to become a night club. Those books are a waste of time and money.

Thanks Moody Publishers for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Facing Leviathan by Mark Sayers

Every generation of leaders face challenges that are unique to their day and time. What was a challenge to leaders 50 years ago maybe not the same as those who lead today. School teachers face the same thing. What was a challenge to teach kids 50 years ago is not the same as today. Don't get me wrong, some of those challenges are still around but they are not dominate as they were 50 years ago.

Mark Sayers has put together a book called, Facing Leviathan that addresses the challenges church leaders face in a challenging culture. Sayers is a leader at his church in Australia. He said there are two types of leadership in this world. The first is the mechanical leader who casts the vision and the organic leader who strives to bring forth creativity and relishes life in the margins of the culture.

What makes this leadership book so unique is that is examines Western History as well as Biblical History. It takes those two things and compares them to modern cultural trends. Sayers also looks at what may come in the days ahead that could be a challenge to those who lead the body of Christ.

Those in leadership will need to read this book and soak in what Sayers is writing. Pastors need to get together will all their leaders, sit down, and discuss what is written. Sayers writing is very though-provoking and indeed a welcome addition to books on leadership.

Thanks Moody Publishers for letting me review this book.