Becoming a True Spiritual Community: A Profound Vision of What the Church Can Be (Paperback)

~ Dr. Larry Crabb (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In today's frenetic society, people rarely develop intimate friendships. Instead, they spend their lives essentially disconnected from others, rushing through life content with brief visits and casual conversations. But what if one were to develop a community, a spiritual community, of people who walked with and supported each other through life's journey? A community of real friends who listened to each other's personal tragedies without merely trying to fix the problems, who encouraged and nurtured each other's strengths, and who accepted people for who they really are, instead of the image they try to portray. In Becoming a True Spiritual Community (formerly titled The Safest Place on Earth), Larry Crabb explores such a place, where God can heal disconnected people and allow them to reconnect with each other and, ultimately, with Him.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849918847
• ISBN-13: 978-0849918841
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #206,072 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Red Flag--this is simply a retitling of "The Safest Place on Earth", July 4, 2007

By	B. Vannoy - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

According to an online source, "Becomming a True Spiritual Community" is simply the republishing of "The Safest Place on Earth" under a new title. I read TSPoE, liked it, and was recently pleasantly surprised to find that Larry apparently had a new book coming out (Becomming). I almost bought it. Fortunately, before placing my order, I checked another online source for reviews and saw that Becomming is the same book as TSPoE. If you haven't read either book, I do recommend reading one or the other.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very, very good (no formula), October 16, 2008

By	Charlie Dodrill (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great book on a subject that is dominated by disgruntled people with an axe to grind and a formula to follow. This is not that book. It is full of heart explanations and it is written with a humble spirit.

You won't walk away knowing how to have a spiritual community, but it will help you to know it when you see/feel it and possibly help you to try and be one who fosters such an organism.

I was blown away reading it. His vision of spirit/soul dynamics (what he refers to as the upper room and lower room) is so helpful and is so under-understoon or referenced in Christianity these days.

I give it two thumbs up, or however we rate things here. I immediately bought another copy to give away.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those who ask if there is more..., July 16, 2008

By	FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

There is a growing sense among many within the church that there must be more. Futurists including George Barna suggest that there is a significant number of believers choosing to go underground in their faith --- forming home groups in an effort to foster the kinds of relationships that can't naturally happen during a few hours on Sunday morning.

In BECOMING A TRUE SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY, Larry Crabb addresses the heart issues behind the changes taking place in the church. He points out that most people who choose to follow Jesus assume that they'll find a spiritual community of friends, a kind of family that will enjoy each other's company as they encourage one another to spiritual maturity. More often than not, though, they are sorely disappointed. Though Christians hunger for a community of deep rich relationships, both new and veteran believers often find themselves frustrated that these kinds of connections don't happen naturally.

The relationships among believers often can be compared to a series of rocking chairs on a front porch lined up side by side. Though every seat may be filled and cordial dialogue exchanged, the real hunger in people's hearts is to have the chairs placed in a circle facing each other. In the same way, we long for our souls to be turned toward each other.

Rather than offer four magical steps or three quick ways to community, Crabb takes readers on a journey to explore the nature of life with the Trinitarian revelation as a backdrop for the longings of a relationship. He invites readers to turn the focus inward and examine the weaknesses that short-circuit their own ability to enter real spiritual community.

Crabb explains some of our core struggles with intimate relationships in the context of the Lower Room and the Upper Room. The Lower Room is the place of our own flesh --- where our passions for self, control, defining our own lives and performance tear us away from each other and who God designed us to be. This stands in dark contrast to the Upper Room, where the passion to worship, trust, grow and obey reshape and renew who we are to look more like Jesus. When we as individuals abide in the Upper Room, we are better prepared to partake of the true spiritual community God intended.

Crabb is incredibly vulnerable and honest about his own shortcomings throughout the book. He isn't afraid to look at his own failures, sins and faults in an effort to uncover our own. The transparency is refreshing and moving. Beyond being a brilliant thinker, he is also a great writer. His descriptions dance, and his insights pack a punch.

BECOMING A TRUE SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY is like a balm for those in the church who keep thinking There must be more. Crabb assures us that there is more --- much more --- but it's going to have to take intentional decisions and movement by every individual to get there. The journey isn't easy, but it's well worth it.

--- Reviewed by Margaret Oines