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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must Have for every Christian., Aug 10 2008
This book to me is one of the best I've ever read by far in terms of Christian trends and Christian living. I recommend this book to every Christian who is really seeking for fresh ways to live-out their faith. I know this book is more centered on the condition of the Church in America, but this book will also challenge Christians here in Canada to join the "Revolution." I belong now to a house church format and sometimes it is not easy to share these things to other Christians who are ingrained by 'institutionalized church' ideas. Being that said, I am also challenged to share my faith and bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to non-believers as well.
If someone who would stop and read this post that I did, please, don't mind the critics (especially in the US) and the harsh words they say against George Barna or other Revolutionaries. Rather, learn from the Book, provided that we learn first our fundamental and spiritual living in the Bible.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
What's Going on with George Barna?, Sep 19 2009
George Barna's "Revolution" is now almost 5 years old and in writing this review I realize that I am late to the party and further I realize that the discussion has progressed beyond this work in subsequent books published. Nevertheless, it remains an important and seminal work today both because of what it has to say and who is saying it.
George Barna is one of the most listened to voices in the organized and institutional church for the past 25 years. This is evidenced by the sale of his many books as well as the multitude of references to his books by other authors. He has been a featured speaker in many venues. His articles have appeared in almost every major contemporary journal and magazine. I know as a young pastor beginning in the late 1980's that it was almost impossible to have a meaningful discussion of the state of the church and the perceived needs and future of the local church without being aware of what George Barna had to say about the demographics and psychographics of North American society. Barna's research and insights combined with the Church Growth movement headed by C. Peter Wagner and John Wimber was foundational for churches and pastors of all bents and persuasions to practically prepare and respond to the emerging trends in society. Many churches used a lot of what Barna had to say to respond with marketing and programming within their local churches and even denominations to attempt to stay ahead of the curves that Barna was identifying as relevant. What is more, many of those efforts succeeded; at least by the measure of "butts in seats" and revenues to the church or organization that are typically cited and sought as practically necessary at an organizational level.
George Barna, however, equipped with the ability to observe and assess the changes that were taking place over time, ironically based in part on his input and counsel to churches, saw something that deeply disturbed him. These changes in numbers and revenues while encouraging to the immediate organizations experiencing them, were not in turn having much impact upon society. Measures of things like divorce and a biblical world view were statistically indistinguishable from society at large. Despite that fact that Barna had built a very successful business and presence upon the observations and counsel he had given and could continue to give without interruption, Barna did something that humanly makes little sense. Barna decided to ask the question of himself, if what he was doing was meaningful and right.
This lead him on a journey that cost him. His going to the New Testament to ask if the church structure and practice that his work was supporting was Biblical was counter-intuitive to many of his own best interests. Yet in doing so, he came to the conclusion that something was seriously, seriously wrong and what is more he could no longer directly contribute to the success of that system. He took his successful firm of over 100 employees and cut and restructured it to 8 employees and then began speaking out and writing about his observations.
Further, Barna became aware that far from being unique in his observations and concerns he was part of a large and growing group of people who felt the same way and were either leaving the institutional church or who had never been a part of it in the first place and were deliberate in their choice not to be, because they saw the institutional church in many regards, not as a neutral factor but one which would actually be negative to their spiritual walk and growth. Further, when Barna applied the measures he had to the typical institutional church in comparison to society it became apparent that these "revolutionaries" were walking in a manner that made a difference in their own lives as well as the lives of those with whom they came in contact.
Revolution, is Barna's statement. More than that, it is his declaration of separation from that which had previously defined him. Not only is he speaking of the revolution, he is declaring himself to be a revolutionary.
That said about the author, the book itself is remarkably brief and targeted. A natural criticism from this, especially from those threatened by and reacting to what Barna has to say is that it is "too" brief and not documented "enough." However, this book is not simply an academic or theological treatise. It is more of a heart cry and explanation as to why this change has taken place.
Themes presented within the book include an examination of revolution as historically observed, as well as the reaction to the establishment. A definition of success by what God expects as opposed to what is humanly or socially feasible lays a foundation for additional interactions with what Barna observes of how the local church is doing, what transitions are taking place and what is taking place outside the context of the local church. Building upon these themes Barna presents the alternatives to traditional institutional churches that are emerging from these trends. Implicit within these observation and then explicitly tied in is strong speculation as to what parallels most strongly with the message and style of ministry that Jesus exemplified. The book then moves quickly to conclude with what the revolution looks like today and gives a good prediction of how some will respond to this message, including those who used to sing Barna's praises so effusively but now see him as a traitor and heretic for abandoning the cause of their institution.
However, lest this approach be seen as all negative, Barna makes some strong statements as to how local church can see and respond to these factors and in doing so, Barna reveals that while his heart has been moved in such a way that he has ceased formal association, he has neither abandoned those fellow revolutionaries who still remain and work within and through the local church.
Coming late to this party as I mention, I have the benefit as well of being able to see some developments since that time. In particular, the criticisms wielded against Barna as to his qualifications to speak to these issues. Surprisingly, some of those very people who used to sing Barna's praises and invite him to speak and write to their accolades, with the change in opinion have now decided that Barna is "just a market researcher" and not qualified to address these "weighty issues" of ecclesiology and theology. This despite the fact that in addition to Barna's extensive training in this area he is also trained at Dallas Theological Seminary.
For those however who have concerns and want to see in plainer language the ecclesiology and theology upon which much of this movement is built. Barna has coupled with Frank Viola in a subsequent book Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices and then Viola goes on his own to write Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity. These stand in response to the charges that Barna is simply seeking to tear down and not build up. Those responding most vehemently appear to have confused the institutional church (little c) with the Church universal (big C) and to have presumed that God's plans and purposes can't be accomplished without their help or their model.
In conclusion, whether a reader agrees with all Barna has to say going into the book or coming out, Barna cannot be ignored. Those who listened so hard and so long to what he had to say to build the institution of the local church in the past, owe it to themselves to hear what he has to say now and why.
5 Stars. A must read!
Bart Breen
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5.0 out of 5 stars
awakened to the truth, Mar 5 2006
If you are a christian and you want to be relevant today you NEED to read this book. It is a wake up call to the church as we know it. I appreciate the authors humility and risk taking to put out this truth. I very highly encourage all to partake and if you are not changed and or challenged after reading this book I would be amazed. One of the best reads on the shelf.
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