Unbinding Your Church (Pastor's and Leaders' Guide to the Real Life Evangelism Series)
Enthusiastic Endorsements for the Real Life Evangelism Series..."...the `don't ask, don't tell' evangelism program will not reverse the trend. Humor, whimsy and joy in the faith will serve us better. Reese's book is written to provoke, to tease and to charm us back into telling our story."The Christian Century"...with clarity and sound theological grounding, we are invited into a grand adventure....could be a watershed book for mainline Protestantism."Alban Institute,Congregationsmagazine"The statistics Reese gives sober me, and they motivate me too. And her stories of vibrant congregations give me hope.....when you turn the last page, you can't just let this be another book you read. You need to let Reese's message affect you, and your faith community, and through you, other people."Brian McLaren, Author ofEverything Must Change"Martha Grace Reese gently but persistently lures the Mainline back to the ministry of evangelism that is the heart of the church. Based on careful research and extensive listening, theReal Life Evangelism Seriesavoids gimmicks and the trap of the latest church growth fad. They invite pastors and members instead to a relationship with Christ that overflows the banks of our often cautious and reserved congregations. These books can convert even the most `evangelism-cautious' Christians into eager disciples who love others enough to tell them why Jesus is the answer."John H. Thomas, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ"Martha Grace Reese loves the Church. Hope for the mainline church abounds in these pages. She carefully demythologizes evangelism and then reconstructs it through common sense practices."Jim Griffith, President, Griffith Coaching"Unbinding the Gospelteaches us how to relearn the practice of evangelism. It's published at a teachable moment. Don't just read this book--use it!"Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary, Reformed Church in America"Don't miss this one!"Evangelism Connections"TheReal Life Evangelism Seriesis a great resource for congregations. It is inspirational, motivational, and a great model and companion for congregations as they seek to be faithful stewards of the Gospel."Belva Brown Jordan, Philips Theological Seminary (formerly Harvard Divinity School)"TheReal Life Evangelism Seriesknocks one out of the park! Reese equips mainline church leaders with prayerful and practical tools needed to change the church through the power of Christ's redeeming love."Becky Garrison, Senior Contributing Editor,Wittenburg Door, Author ofRising from the AshesMartha Grace Reese gently but persistently lures the Mainline back to the ministry of evangelism that is the heart of the church....The Real Life Evangelism Seriescan convert even the most "evangelism-cautious" Christians into eager disciples who love others enough to tell them why Jesus is the Answer."John H. Thomas, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ"This book is a marvelous resource--I heartily recommend it!"Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly,Presbyterian Church U.S.A."Written with intelligence, heart and a sense of humor....this is real life evangelism for real life Christians."Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President, Christian Church (DOC)"Unbinding the Gospelis a must-read for those of us in the progressive mainstream church that are trying to reclaim the `e-word.'"David Schoen, Evangelism Minister and Team Leader, United Church of Christ"Look at Reese's sections on the congregational dynamics that impact the growth or stagnation of our churches. She has put together an approach to sharing the gospel that works in mainline churches."Bruce Humphrey, Senior Pastor, Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, San Diego, California"[Reese's] ideas are resonating with enthusiastic clergy & lay audiences all across the ...theological spectrum."Christian Feminism Today"There is a palpable sense of God's presence and availability in Martha Grace Reese's keen-eyed, level-headed, and big-hearted approach to evangelism. She poses the empowering possibilities of new life with style, verve, and an abounding sense of joy and trust in God. In a time when it is so easy to beat up on churches, she offers warm encouragement and wise guidance."Robert Lee Hill, Senior Pastor, Community Christian Church, Kansas City, Missouri"This book will be a great resource for small groups, churches, and pastors who are ready to be instruments of unleashing God's awesome Spirit in the world."Yolanda Villa, Executive Pastor of Congregational Care, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas"There is nothing quite like the solid research Martha Grace Reese gives us, along with clear, thoughtful analysis and concrete prescriptions for how we can move forward in faithful and effective evangelism. She manages to do all this in a book that is completely accessible to both clergy and lay people and fun to read! It is an amazing and timely accomplishment!"Richard L. Hamm, Executive Administrator, Christian Churches Together, former Disciples General Minister and President"Martha Grace Reese has done a great service to the church by creating the Mainline Evangelism Research Project and then reporting on it in such an engaging, faith-filled, readable way. This should be required reading in all mainline churches. Our continuing existence may depend upon it."Richard Peace, Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism and Spiritual Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary