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Customer Reviews for Thomas Nelson Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Thomas Nelson Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Feel like your church has been hijacked? You're not alone. Millions of seasoned churchgoers feel at odds with praise bands, PowerPoint presentations, and mall-like mega-sanctuaries---and many are dropping out. Through the power of story, MacDonald's fictional tale helps build intergenerational understanding by illustrating that change can advance God's kingdom. Includes discussion questions. 272 pages, softcover from Nelson.
Average Customer Rating:
(26 Reviews) 26
Rating Snapshot (26 reviews)
5 stars
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9 out of 1090%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Review 1 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Disappointment!
Date:May 1, 2012
Pat Ledbetter
Location:Kimberly, ID
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
3
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
I expected the book to help to adjust to changes taking place in the church; instead, the book encourages the reader to welcome and endorse all changes, even the name of the church, when the changes may not all be for the good of the congregation. Also, the character in the book who most needed help received none.
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Review 2 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
A great book
Date:March 29, 2012
Preachersmith1
Location:Tarboro, North Carolina
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This is a great book. Gordon makes this book super easy to read. This is a great book for a church board to read that it looking at changes in their church.
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Review 3 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
For anyone going through a worship style change
Date:October 15, 2011
Jim Jimerson
Location:Missouri
Age:55-65
Gender:male
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
My wife came across this book while on the internet. She read me the description of the book about a church that was going through a reinvention, revitalization, healthy church initiative, or whatever the term is the politically correct name for a change in style of worship. People were feeling that something was happening to their church, why was the choir being replaced with a praise band, the organ was being replaced with electronic music, people weren’t showing the respect for the sanctuary the way we were taught, everything seemed to be oriented toward attracting a more youthful congregation, etc. No one was listening or cared about the old “gray hairs” anymore as long as they continued to provide the necessary money to sustain the church.
Since the church of which I am a member has recently witnessed a similar movement of revitalization and emphasis on attracting more youth in church fellowship, I immediately ordered the book. My friends and I were not the only ones who felt like the description above. When I first examined this book, by initial response was “Oh, No – It’s FICTION!” But since I had purchased it, I felt that I might as well go ahead and read it. The story was just as described. The author developed the story around a group of senior fictional characters who were having trouble adjusting to a transition of worship style from which they had grown accustomed. The idea of replacing an organ with a band consisting of guitars, drums, and an electronic keyboard was almost to the point of being a sacrilege. MacDonald and his wife are the only real characters in the book, the other are fictional. To try to resolve the issue, the pastor (MacDonald) decides to have a “Discovery Group” which would meet weekly to address issues facing the church. During the course of the book, the “old” and the “new” finally learn to appreciate each other, and everyone lives happily ever after.
As I was reading the book, I found myself identifying feelings expressed by the different characters in the book as being the same as those expressed by many of my church friends and myself. As I progressed through the chapters, suddenly discussions between the characters started to make me think and realize why many things were happening. I suddenly started looking at this aberration that I perceived being forced upon me in a totally different light. I begin to see the bigger picture by examining the history of church worship. If things had never changed, we gentiles would never have been allowed to worship as we do today without conforming to Jewish traditions. We still would be using the Psalms as our hymns and drums, lyre, flutes, etc. would be our musical instruments. Change has happened throughout church history, why should we be any different. It helps open one’s eyes to see worship from the younger generation’s perception; but also, provides ideas how to compromise and work together to serve everyone with all worship tastes.
I strongly recommend Who Stole My Church? for anyone either young or old whose church is adapting to a newer style of worship. It neither will answer all your questions nor remove feelings of disappointment that results from being forced to change your style or other aspects of worship services that we have enjoyed for more years that any of us care to acknowledge. To hear Dr. MacDonald being interviewed in reference to this book, log onto: http://missionsfrontline.com/profiles/blogs/gordon-macdonald-who-stole-my
I strongly recommend Who Stole My Church? for anyone either young or old whose church is adapting to a newer style of worship. It neither will answer all your questions nor remove feelings of disappointment that results from being forced to change your style or other aspects of worship services that we have enjoyed for more years that any of us care to acknowledge. To hear Dr. MacDonald being interviewed in reference to this book, log onto: http://missionsfrontline.com/profiles/blogs/gordon-macdonald-who-stole-my
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+1point
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Review 4 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Help build the next generation/change happens
Date:August 18, 2011
Rose
Location:San Diego, CA
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I really appreciate this author and what he wrote. As a Christain, now 40 years, I want to leave a healthy church behind by helping this generation to come into their fullness in Christ with a mission to carry the gospel forward to their next generation. And for my generation that means change. Thank God someone was willing to make that change for my generation coming from the 70's..
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Review 5 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Who Stole My Church? by Gordan MacDonald
Date:June 27, 2011
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
I loved reading this book by Gordan MacDonald, it is written like a novel, which I think is a great way to deal with a very difficult issue of what’s happening in our churches today. There is a paradigm shift. Each generation thinks it is right and at times there is a battle going on in the church. Sadly this is NOT the church that Christ talked about in scripture.
MacDonald takes this approach, I believe, to help the reader see all the sides of the story and walk through an objective way of dealing with this problem. As a pastor walking into a traditional church he is confronted by many in the congregation on how to ‘run’ the church. He ends up putting a committee together to work through some very difficult situations. The group is a mix of ages, stages in life and perspectives. Throughout the book we get to find out each person’s personal thoughts and its very eye opening. No one is out to get each other; they just don’t understand each other’s perspective.
This book is a great read. From the young to the old, we all have our own views and ideas on how the church
should run. This book will help you give you a different perspective and open your eyes to the others around you. Will it change your life or church? I guess that’s up to you!
should run. This book will help you give you a different perspective and open your eyes to the others around you. Will it change your life or church? I guess that’s up to you!
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0points
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Review 6 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Who Stole My Church
Date:May 16, 2011
Melody Smith
Location:Kansasa
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This book was recommended to me for the purpose of an unhealthy church history, prior to my pastoring. It continues to be unhealthy, but eyes are opened by my recommending and giving this book to my elders board, after reading it myself. It is a must for congregations, especially those wrapped up in committee situations, in situations that are not healthy in understanding the need to look ahead in what we can do as a body of Christ, to help others reach the same potential, the same rhythem of change that we all need from time to time. Thank you.
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0points
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Review 7 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Better than I expected
Date:February 17, 2011
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
As a middle-age woman who is trying to adjust to "changes" in the church, I have found this book to be a gracious way to explain past church history changes, provide encouragement to those of us who have volunteered so faithfully in our present church and give a renewed vision for reaching out to our local community. This book has been better than I ever anticipated.
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0points
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Review 8 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Story Well Structured
Date:January 28, 2011
WMD1
Location:Gastonia, NC
Age:Over 65
Gender:male
Quality:
3
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
Reading of this book answers many questions about the changes taking place in the "modern" church and the overwhelming acceptance of Contemporary Music style.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Review 9 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Great book for small groups
Date:November 27, 2010
Coach
Location:Wellsboro, PA
Age:55-65
Gender:male
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
I have read the book "Who Stole My Church" and I am now using it for a small group study on Sunday evenings. It is one of three such groups sanctioned by our pastor and church board.
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0points
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Review 10 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
A must read especially for the older generation.
Date:November 16, 2010
Sara
Location:Mechanicsburg, PA
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I haven't read the book yet but my husband has. It has changed his heart and mind about church in areas that he used to complain about. All I can say is "WAY TO GO GOD".
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0points
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Review 11 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Date:September 15, 2010
Bob Strobel
I wa samazed at how clear it was that my own pastor wrote this book about my church! At least it seemed that way. The characters and situations were very identifiable to many folks I already know, including myself! Gordon McDonald did a great job showing us how to understand and appreciate our ever changing world.
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0points
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Review 12 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Date:August 13, 2010
Leroy Powell
Great insight into the needs of today's church to meet the challenges of the new generations, and their worship perspectives.
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0points
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Review 13 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Date:August 9, 2010
Robin Thompson
I bought 10 copies to pass on to the deacons of my church. Found out later my Pastor bought 5 copies to pass on to the trustees! Everyone who belongs to a chuch needs to read this book. If you want to be alive as a church ten years from now,and reach people for Christ, I suggest reading Who Stole My Church?.
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0points
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Review 14 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Date:July 31, 2010
John Griffin
Rather premature on my part to provide a rating. Still reading it. But that's the good news. I think it is well worth looking at from a pastoral care stand point and allowing pastors of traditional churches/congregations to identify issues relating to loss/grief associated with change. Puts me in the mindset of, WHO MOVED MY CHEESE? Even though the characters are fictitious, the story line is not. There is angst in many churches who are overwhelmed with multimedia ministries, praise teams, multi-ethnic issues, etc. The "pastor" helps to facilitate a healthy dialogue with a starter group of members to help them see things from a proper perspective -- helps them to discover where/how things got off track in the first place. Where they go from there is where I have not gotten to, but I think that so far this is a wonderful book. Very pleased with it. And if I have anything to add to it, believe me I will. Peace
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0points
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Review 15 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Date:July 28, 2010
Beatrice Rice
I have not finished the book yet, but I have completed enough to know it is one of the most helpful, beneficial books I have ever read. I have a much better understanding of the history of church music and the feelings of the youth of today on church music. If I didn't know better, I would think this was written about my church.
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Review 16 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Date:July 15, 2010
Ruth Knapp
What a book for our time! We all are fearful of change and this book helped me realize that. But it also helped me realize that the church I belong to is not mine, but God's church. He bought it with Christ's blood. What an awesome thought that He views me as precious enough to die for me.
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0points
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Review 17 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Date:July 2, 2010
Robin Thompson
This book is a must read for deacons, pastors, and trustees of any church going through the growing pains required to stay alive and reach people. I not only saw myself in some of the character's comments, but others in the church too. It really makes you think. A great book!
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Review 18 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Date:June 6, 2010
Dorothy Steinbeck
I just started reading this book and already it sounds like my church. I am excited to read what the author has ahead and his final suggestions.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Review 19 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Date:May 27, 2010
Joseph Corsbie
blasphemy !!! it justifies turning the church into a rock&roll club . some things should not change , the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST is not to be changed to entertain the ignorant .
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-5points
0of 5voted this as helpful.
Review 20 for Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Overall Rating:
Date:April 1, 2010
Salemumc
Very well written and accessible for lay and clergy alike. Clearly lays out issues from both historical and sociological perspectives in an engaging manner.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.