Deep Church by Jim Belcher
Well.
Everyone seems to love Belcher's clarity on the issue of emerging/Emergent/traditional churches. His endorsement list is rather unbelievable. Most that are in the know regarding emerging church issues, feel that Belcher has really pegged the history and the current situation. The question is does his third way, his "Deep Church," provide common ground?
Sheepishly, I don't feel like I can give a good answer.
As an audio book, I have mixed feelings. It was great in the parts where Belcher was recounting some of the backdrop for some of the current emerging church debates. It is not good (as an audio book) where you need to stop and chew on something. Many good things have been said about this book and I remember enjoying it, but I can't hardly tell you what some of the author's thoughts are on a way forward for a church. With the audio book, I had a bit of trouble getting a larger sense of where we were going.
Buy the book to really chew on Belcher's third way, unless you just want a good listen on the dynamics of emerging, Emergent, contemporary, or confessional churches and related debates.
Unless you are a better listener than me. If given truth serum, my wife might put a good 98% of the human population in that category. So there you are.
For some good reviews of the book, try here (positive) and here (negative)
4 comments:
I thought the book was great on its analysis, but found his "third way(s)" to be other than what I might do. I enjoyed Reformissionary's review, though didn't get as excited as he did. I thought the 9 Marks review was way off the mark.
Great summary Burly. I like both Reformissionary and 9 Marks and since they disagreed, I thought they'd cover the spectrum. My main thought was to get the book rather than the audio if you wanted to take much away from it.
"Get the book rather than the audio." True. I also have a copy of Francis Chan's "Crazy Love" since like you, I listened to the audio (well, I only listened to part of it). I'll give that one a second chance. Everyone is Crazy 'bout Chan, so I want to try to join the bandwaggon if I can.
When I see "free audio book," I can't help myself. The thought of (safely) driving AND 'reading' is so appealing that I seem unable to resist, even if it isn't working out that great. I should know better by now and/or have enough self-control to simply stop the audio and listen to something else. It taints my view of what are probably decent (or great) books.
Maybe that should be my New Year's resolution - have the will to stop an audio book that isn't working out.
BTW - The recent Brothers K on christianaudio.com is turning out to be a great audio book.
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