Customer Reviews

An Army of Ordinary People: Stories of Real-Life Men and Women Simply Being the Church

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Go.

Be.

Christ's.

Church.

Those four words sum up Felicity Dale's An Army Of Ordinary People: Stories Of Real-Life Men And Women Simply Being The Church (Tyndale/Barna, 2010). Dale and her husband have been involved in the simple church/house church movement for many years, planting organic faith gatherings in neighborhoods and workplaces in the U.S. and U.K., then coaching people hungry to be the church without the institutional constrictions of "legacy churches", as Dale calls institutional, building-and-denominational congregations.

There have been a number of books in recent years dedicated to this move of the Spirit building including George Barna's Revolution and Neil Cole's Organic Church. But where those titles have focused on offering a Biblical, practical apologetic for this movement, Dale's book invites us into the living rooms and kitchen tables of ordinary people who live into their calling as ministers of the gospel. This 279-page book has 21 short chapters filled with stories about what being the church, 2 or 3 or many more gathered, can look like. Each chapter concludes with Dale's practical coaching about how to simply be the church.

I was involved in a house church for a couple of years, and it was both life-changing (some of the most powerful, prophetic prayer times in which I've ever participated) and difficult (there were as many as 8 kids under the age of 10 in the house and we never did solve the "What to do with the kids?" question adequately). Dale's book describes, but doesn't discuss, the sometimes brief life-cycle of these simple congregations. Some exist for a season, and then, as the Wind of the Spirit shifts direction, these gatherings dissipate, as ours did. Others go on for years, and, at least in some cases, eventually take on a more formal structure.

But Dale's main focus is on the kind of Spirit-led evangelism that comes from relationship-building. She writes:

"Church is not about buildings or meetings; it's not about church structure or charismatic leaders. Church is about relationships - first with Jesus and then with those in His body. Jesus needs to be our primary focus - pleasing Him must be our highest calling and communicating with Him the heartbeat of our existence. Above all else, if we are in love with Jesus, not only individually but corporately, then our expressions of church are likely to be healthy and vibrant."

Reading An Army Of Ordinary People will challenge you to rethink your assumptions about church. It's a reminder that the first-century church can happen in the twenty-first century - maybe in your own living room or in your favorite the coffee shop.

Note: A copy of this book was provided me by the publisher.

An Army of Ordinary People is an inspiring collection of stories of God moving throughout the United States and the rest of the world through regular people. People just like me and you. Felicity Dale writes in such a way that she makes it seem like it really is possible for anyone to share the gospel, lead a Bible study, start a church, and begin a movement of God in the people around them.

Each chapter uses a story to illustrate one of the principles of planting a "simple church" (otherwise referred to as house churches, organic churches, cell groups). The stories highlight churches that "ordinary" people start in nursing homes, prisons, businesses, schools, trailer parks, neighborhoods, coffee shops, and just about anywhere else you can think of. Each chapter concludes with a more in-depth look at the principle illustrated by the story ... covering topics such as training, location, sphere of influence, finances, kids, prayer, etc.

These simple churches start with the purpose of helping jaded Christians "heal" from their experiences with legacy churches (a more traditional model of church) OR to meet the needs of people who would not otherwise darken the doors of a church. The ultimate goal is to see people come to Christ and the church grow to the point where it reproduces and births new daughter churches. Eventually an entire network of churches will be established through the start of one "simple church." (This is a model that I can agree with wholeheartedly! Rapid multiplication!)

The book was certainly inspiring. The principles seem easy and very practical ... things that any Christ-follower could (or should!) do. I was challenged in my thinking ... to evaluate why I believe some of the things I do. Is it tradition or comfort or simply what works for me? This book also challenged me to look for ways to share the gospel in my everyday life with the people I already come in contact with and to be extremely intentional in every conversation.

I do have one caution though ... the definition of "church." It was not clear from the start what Dale defines as a "church." Sometimes it seemed that "church" could simply be a social gathering, which I would not see as biblical. I'm not sure whether we have a true theological disagreement or merely a misunderstanding regarding terminology.

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick, easy read for me, yet it still challenged me.

I received a FREE copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my fair and honest review of this book.

I've always been interested in the house church movement, and I finally got a chance to sit down and read a book about it. An Army of Ordinary People simply tells stories of different house churches and describes different struggles and victories faced by those who join, lead, or start them. The stories are all interesting and quite well told by the author. The only real qualm I had with the book was the super-loose definition of the word "church." Felicity Dale seems to define the word "church" by any group of two or more believers. The only problem with this is that she doesn't include anything about Bible study, prayer, communion, or accountability in her definition. If it's just two or more people together, in my opinion, it waters down what a church really is.

With the exception of my difference of opinion in how a church is defined I really did enjoy this book. The writing was extremely good, and Felicity did an excellent job of offering the common Christian a look into the basics of the house church movement.

I'm also supposed to let you know that I received a free reader's copy of this book from Tyndale House in exchange for reviewing the book. However, I wasn't required to give the book a positive review.

What is the "simply being the church" lifestyle really like? More specifically, what is missional "simply being the church" lifestyle really like? One way to look at this lifestyle would be to ask, if Jesus had come to the United States in the first decade of 21st Century, what would his disciples act like? Felicity Dale answers these questions by telling us stories; real stories about actual people who have encountered God in their daily life. It is at the same time real, normal 21st century American life; yet it has the feel of the book of Acts. When we read An Army of Ordinary People, we realize we truly are Jesus' disciples living in the first decade of the 21st Century. For those of us who have been living this life for some time now, these stories ring true. They ring true because we have stories of our own; stories of God's provision, stories of God's direction, stories of the Lord of the Harvest leading us into his harvest. If you want your life to begin to feel like the book of Acts, while still living exactly where you are, buy this book. Ask God to help you understand the lessons buried in these pages. Then ask the Lord to lead you into this life right where you live. Don't be surprised when Jesus answers those prayers.

As I read these simple stories as told by Dale, I often found my self thinking:

This is what personal evangelism looks like.

Ordinary people who share their life and faith in Christ with the people around them in natural ways.

In reading these stories, effective personal evangelism seems possible. I'm sure there were some colossal failures and lessons learned, but this collection of stories demonstrates some of the successes. These amazing stories demonstrate many of the basic principles of personal evangelism that I teach:

* Watching for the work of the Holy Spirit

* Offering to pray with people when its appropriate

* Vibrant personal faith that is relevant for today.

* Find the spiritually thirsty people.

Each story highlights ordinary people like you and me, and how they gathered a group of believers or even not-yet believers into small gatherings in houses, parks, coffee shops, etc. The stories of personal transformation was more encouraging to me, rather than the principles of the simple church.

Almost every chapter contains a story followed by an offset that lifts out the principle related to the house church, or simple church, or organic church. It's not a theological manual on the whys and hows, but rather simple story telling that demonstrates what a simple church might look like.

If you are familiar with other literature in the simple church movement, you'll be familiar with these. However, in Dale's book, you get access to the living rooms and kitchen tables of people who actually make a difference.

I enjoyed this book, even if I'm still not in full agreement with their definition of church. I'm familiar with the literature and always enjoy their stories. I am blessed by the stories of personal evangelism, cooperation with the Holy Spirit, and dramatic life changes.

Tyndale provided me with a copy of Felicity Dale's updated book An Army of Ordinary People, and given me liberty to review the book as I see fit.

The Bible is full of stories of ordinary people, people made in the image and likeness of God to do extraordinary things for Him and for others. This has never changed, ordinary people have been God's Kingdom expanders and multipliers all throughout history. Churches and cultures have changed however... now more prone to focus the stories on megachurch leaders and superstar evangelists. Whereas we don't discount their stories, very few people are telling the stories of "average joe disciple" and what they are doing for the sake of Jesus Christ -- Dr. Dale is one of those few.

God has not given up on ordinary people, and "an army of Ordinary People" is purposeful prose to prove it. If you're an ordinary believer (i.e., not a prosperous professional minister) and need a spiritual boost to do extraordinary things for God and for others, read the book and join His Army!

In her revised, updated book Felicity Dale writes about authentic people who are driven by the Spirit of God. They are not perfect, but simple, as little children coming to Jesus. These are everyday people who want to make a difference.

This is a book about "simple" or house churches, where laymen are getting away from the mega-church and meeting and praying together, believing that where two or three are gathered in Jesus name there is a trued worship experience.

Once again I am faced with the fact that I live a status-quo Christian life. Is God trying to tell me something? Is He trying to get my attention? It makes me wonder how many people would come if I opened my home as a simple church? Do I believe in house churches or must I follow the regime of a mega-church?

Throughout the book there are stories of how different people took the gospel to people. I was especially touched by the story of Josh, who at his funeral many several gang members came to Christ, because he lived out the Christian life daily. Josh was someone who cared about the gang members spiritual life, and made an impact in their lives.

This book is for the reader who wants to get away from the norm, is ready for a radical change, and may be frustrated or uninspired by status-quo Christianity.

**Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

What Felicity wants is a real movement of the kingdom of God, and she writes as if that could really happen. This book is principle based, but not in an abstract way. The people and stories are real, and they work. It makes readers think, and it makes them pray: "Thy kingdom come." I can see putting ARMY in the hands of anyone who loves Jesus, believes in His church, and wants to see a deep but simple move of God. I am so glad for this updated version, and will be recommending it to church planters. Thanks for writing this, Felicity!

An Army of Ordinary People: Stories of Real-Life Men and Women Simply Being the Church I honestly don't know how to review this book and I have struggle on how to rate this one. The book, An Army of Ordinary People, by Felicity Dale, simply tells stories of different house churches and describes different struggles and victories faced by those who join, lead, or start them. The main problem that I had with this book was that it seemed, and remember this is just my honest opinion, that the Church as you know it was not good enough. That in her opinion it was just when two or more in a group were gathered together. She never stated that there had to be prayer, communion, or Bible studies. However, her writing was good, the stories were moving and she did an excellent job of offering a look into the basics of the house church movement.

Finally, I must say that I don't know if I would recommend this book or not.

I received a FREE copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my fair and honest review of this book.

I agree with the author's definition/understanding of "church" based on the Bible. The Church is the Body of Christ, Christ's followers, not the buildings...not the denominations...not the programs. In this book, the author shares true stories of believers living out their faith and serving God where they are. They bloom where they're planted. It's so encouraging and exciting to read the accounts of ordinary people being used by our awesome God to do extraordinary things for His glory and for His kingdom. We, too, can do the same by sharing Christ's love and compassion and the Gospel with those around us in our families, neighborhoods, campuses, workplaces, communities, and nations. The book talks about "simple churches" (aka organic churches, house churches, or home churches). A simple church is a missional, relational, and reproducible church where Christ is the Head and Christ's followers take the Great Commission seriously. The concepts and practicality of simple churches totally make sense and adhere to Biblical principles. The last chapter includes recommended books, videos, websites, and blogs for those who would like to learn more about or get involved with simple churches. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to be in the Lord's army and makes an eternal impact in this world. Read this book, obey God's leading, and go make disciples!

~ I received this book free for review from Tyndale House Publishers.