Letters to the Church

Years ago I sat in a coffee shop reading a book about the anointing of God and had to put it down because it was too close to the bone, too powerful, too real. It's rare I come across books like that, books that are dangerous to read. Francis Chan's book Letters to the Church is one such book, for me anyway.

It's basically a wake up call to the church as Chan presents his take on how today's church can become like the New Testament church again. There's nothing here that's subtle. This is bold, blunt, no holds barred, tells it like it is (or how Chan thinks it is). It is a call to prayer, to Christ and to make disciples. While it is generally American based it does, especially in the last chapters, cover overseas as well and the principles apply across the board.

Chan is clearly a man on the spiritual edge and most of the time this is inspiring. He comes across as sold out for Jesus and speaks almost like a prophet. As a result there are times when he perhaps goes too far and is too extreme but that is probably to be expected from someone so 'out there' for Christ and love for His Church. I believe there are times when a more subtle approach to ecclesiastical situations is required, not everything is black and white and while I'm sure Chan would acknowledge the need for sensitivity at times, some of the book reads as though a wrecking ball approach is needed with things that aren't as they should be in a church. For instance at one point Chan suggests that elders who don't pray for an hour a day should be replaced by those who do. I take the point but a more sensitive approach could turn a prayerless elder into a prayerful one.

One thing I was concerned about is that while the book certainly inspires and challenges it is also guilty, in my view, of emphasising the joyous zeal and transformational power of a Christ filled life, which is great in itself, but says little or nothing of the dangers of being carried along on an emotional high which leads to depression and questioning when the mood dips from that high. A don't think Chan intended to give that impression but it was a concern to me.

Despite my concerns this is still a book which has potential to be a game changer and I did have to put it down several times as it was hitting too close to the bone. But that's a good thing. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and David C Cook for an ebook copy for review purposes.

Is your church giving you everything you need to be a “good” Christian? This is the question that Francis Chan attempts to answer in his new book Letters to the Church. His answer may surprise you. He’s not telling you to keep moving until you find the church with the “best” programs for you and your family. Nor is he telling you to approach your leaders with your ideas on how they can improve the church. No, he’s trying to get us passionate about becoming the church that God wanted.

As we read the book of Acts - an account of the early church - we quickly notice that the dominance of the Holy Spirit. There were miracles and acts of wonder, but there was also a lot of persecution as well. The majority of our beloved New Testament was written in response to some criticism or trial. Yet the early Christians were not deterred. Why is that? It’s because they had an expectation of persecution and so they drew close to the Holy Spirit.

Today's Christian, on the other hand, seem to be of the impression that our faith in Jesus entitles us to a cushy life. Francis believes that the way we “do church” may the reason. Western Christians go to church. Francis encourages us to be the church.

Letters to the Church is written by a man passionate about the current condition of the church. It’s a wake-up call, a call to arms; a challenge for our congregations to shake off its lethargy because Jesus is coming soon.

Know God – The best way to be the church is to study the Bible daily. As we spend time in God’s word, we come in contact with the Power that is able to save and change us.
Know yourself – Letters to the Church encourages the reader to examine the reasons behind our church attendance. We are exhorted to use our gifts for the work of God. To use our gifts, we have to know what they are.

Run your race – Every person in the body of Christ has at least one gift. What’s yours? Find it and use it for the glory of God.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Chan's passion and candour. He has a disarming way of trying to make you think he isn't sure of what he thinks but then really laying on the certainty thick. It's a certainty that a good deal of what he writes here is useful and timely for the Church, although I did find the book slightly US-centric.

Letters to the Church is thought-provoking, especially since it addresses some of the issues I am currently having around church.

Chan draws examples from his personal experiences, both in the old megachurch and in the new house-church style, but qualifies them with the statement that what he has done and what he is doing isn't representational of what Church is meant to be worldwide. He seems to ask instead, who are you following? Jesus or the church leadership team? What does faith, love, and community look like in your context? How would Jesus work in your situation, in your community?

The one thing he does come strongly against is the consumer mindset that besets many a churchgoer, myself included. The emphasis here is not how the church can cater to you, but how you can serve your church in its goal to reach the surrounding community.

I guess it all centres around the question What IS church? Is church as we know it the way it's supposed to be? Or is it supposed to be something more? Chan draws stark differences between the Westernised church (Westernised, not Western, because there are many churches in the East which follow the Western ways) and the persecuted church.

And that's the answer I'm still trying to find.