The Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal [Hardcover]

Charles R. Swindoll (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2010

In THE CHURCH AWAKENING, Charles Swindoll discusses the challenges, struggles, and priorities of the church in the twenty-first century. He reveals the problems inherent in the entertainment-based postmodern church and shows how a return to biblical teaching will restore its strength and impact. Now being replaced by a feel-good message instead of what Christians need to know to stand strong in a world that's lost its way--Swindoll exposes the problems of--and solutions for--the postmodern evangelical church. Just as he opened readers' eyes with his bold statements in The Grace Awakening, now he offers a straightforward volume revealing how to reestablish a life-altering church with Christ as Lord and Master. Illuminating and empowering, THE CHURCH AWAKENING will ignite a revolution in the way Christians "do church" for years to come.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles Swindoll has devoted over four decades to two passions: an unwavering commitment to the practical communication and application of God's Word, and an untiring devotion to seeing lives transformed by God's grace. Chuck graduated magna cum laude from Dallas Theological Seminary and has since been honored with four doctorates. For his teaching on Insight for Living, he has received the Program of the Year award and the Hall of Fame award from the National Religious Broadcasters as well as multiple book awards. He and his wife of over half a century, Cynthia, live in Texas. You can find out more about Chuck at www.insight.org.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (September 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044655653X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446556538
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Charles R. Swindoll is senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church, chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary, and the Bible teacher on the internationally syndicated radio program Insight for Living. He has written more than thirty best-selling books, including STRENGTHENING YOUR GRIP, LAUGH AGAIN, THE GRACE AWAKENING, and the million-selling GREAT LIVES FROM GOD'S WORD series. Chuck and his wife, Cynthia, live in Frisco, Texas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Job of Calling for Church Renewal, September 16, 2010

By 

J. Camino - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal (Hardcover)

This book does a great job of challenging today's churches to renew their focus and ministries. I highly recommend it be read by Bible teachers, church leaders, and especially pastors who bear much of the responsibility for what is being preached. It should also be read by church elders called to keep their pastors and teachers accountable (at least if they are sincerely interested in having a spiritually healthy church that lines up with what God's Word says "The Church" should do). Anyone that is currently looking for a new church would do well to read the book too, as it could be used as a practical tool to provide guidance for what one should look for (and avoid) when seeking a new church home.

CHAPTER 1 has an abundance of quotes and discussion from the Book of Acts, which defines many attributes a church should have.

CHAPTER 2 explains some of the challenges, struggles, solutions, and priorities churches should have.

CHAPTER 3 explains how a church can be contagious when its pastor preaches the Word of God, its members encourage one another, and its teachers teach biblical truths. This chapter also discusses some things a church should not do (more about this favorite section of mine can be found below).

CHAPTER 4 examines how worship should be something we do, not fight about.

CHAPTER 5 explains that the church must realize it is not going to live harmoniously with this world given scripture is clear that it will not. Just as Jesus was rejected by the world, so shall Christians.

CHAPTER 6 explains how the church should act against the enemy (particularly the world and Satan), and it helps us recognize some of the warfare and tactics the enemy uses.

CHAPTER 7 points out how the church has drifted from solid biblical teaching.

CHAPTER 8 provides hope that churches can return to a hunger and thirst for the Word of God and righteousness, and provides some advise for doing so.

One of my favorite sections begins on page 88 and continues for several pages. In essence, Chuck mentions 2 Timothy 4:2 wherein it reads, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." Chuck makes the point that everything else falls short of preaching the Word of God in the pulpit. He goes on to explain, quite accurately, that way too many churches are failing their mission to teach from the Bible. Rather, they have resorted to marketing strategies and a harmful fixation on entertaining, being "politically correct", being "relevant", and being "in touch".

Having just authored a book which explains that in the end days there will be an "Increase of Apostasy in the Church", Chapter 3 of Chuck's book is especially intriguing since they match up so well. In essence, Pray That You May Escape, a book about end times Bible prophecy, devotes a major chapter to the second parts of the aforementioned verses in Chuck's book. That is, in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 we read, "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." The Bible forewarns us that preachers (and others), appealing to people's "itching ears", will turn away from sound biblical teaching and replace it with "feel good theology" (my words) that fails to address man's sinful nature.

Chuck makes another good point with the verses found in Matthew 28:19-20 where we read, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." He accurately points out that the command does not just say we evangelize and then the mission is over. Rather, we are to teach people to obey everything that God commanded. A disciple is not one that has a shallow understanding of God's Word and while everyone must start at the beginning, at some point SOLID spiritual food must be provided within the Church.

This book has many good points that should be read. It addresses the need for fellowship, worship, and prayer; but most of all, to me, it ministers to the point that we must preach and teach from GOD'S WORD above all else.

Finally, for anyone that is searching for a church home, I would like to end with these important words from Hebrews 10:25, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Jeffrey R. Camino, Author

Pray That You May Escape

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20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, biblical, and humorous-- Another great one from Chuck!, September 1, 2010

By 

Wayne Stiles - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal (Hardcover)

Chuck Swindoll's book, "The Church Awakening," contains all we've come to love and appreciate about Chuck's writing--humor, biblical accuracy, practical insights, grace, and balance.

The 21st-century Church's long drift away from biblical beliefs and essential truths has produced many local congregations and leadership devoted to entertaining the flock rather than to feeding them. By examining how God's Word defines the church's priorities, Chuck takes us beyond a mere analysis of today's church to the needed encouragement of how leaders and congregations can play a part in returning to God's design.

Full of great illustrations, stories, and practical Bible teaching, "The Church Awakening" is a must-read for pastors and church leaders--as well as any serious-thinking Christian. The chapter on worship alone is worth the price of the book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Check Your Foundation!, September 22, 2010

By 

James Steenland (Brownsville, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal (Hardcover)

A very timely message to every pastor, bible teacher, and church member.

What is the church really called to do?

What should the church really look like?

How should the church really act?

Dr. Swindoll brings us back to the fundamentals of what God's church is really about. It's not about branding, advertising, and hype but rather it's about living God's purposes.

I hope every pastor and church leader reads this book, and then re-evaluates what they are doing in light of the message and insights Dr. Swindoll shares.