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The Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal

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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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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.

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.

While we hid inside our buildings and looked out our stained-glass windows, we watched as postmodernism swept over the nation and then, when we weren't looking, swept into the Church. A process of erosion began where the Church began to slip away and didn't even realize it. Our priorities changed, our methods conformed rather than transformed, and now we are left not quite in ruins, but not at the point we once was.

In The Church Awakening, esteemed pastor and author Charles Swindoll outlines a passionate and urgent call for renewal within the Church. Swindoll begins by pointing out these areas where renewal is necessary. One of the most poignant points he makes in the professionalization of ministry is killing the church. Pastors have become well-trained entertainers, rather than leaders that involve their flock in ministry. He also speaks of the lack of fundamental principles within the Church at large, and calls out the emergent church and the word of faith movements for not preaching a true Gospel.

Then, past this, Swindoll lays down a foundation for building a contagious church. He promotes discipleship as a new church model for growth. This has been a passion of mine for some time. As a coach in my day job, I have to involve myself in the lives of kids and help them learn by having them do things. I don't just sit them down and talk to them and then they can be perfect athletes. In the same way, spiritual maturity requires that there be mentorship, community, and a poured out sacrificial life--not a speaker and an audience for a few minutes a week.

I do disagree with Swindoll on one issue. He makes an offhand reference that the need for mentorship is why online theology classes cannot work. As someone who's less than a year from graduating with a religion degree from Liberty University Online, I will say that it can be possible for those who aren't motivated, but those who are (and you must be, for online classes) will find mentors regardless of the method of teaching.

Overall, Swindoll's call to renewal is magnificent. He interlaces his own eloquence and anecdotes with a treasury of timely and melodious quotes from great theologians such as E.M Bounds and A.W. Tozer. This is a book that should on every pastor's shelf, in every seminary's library, and taught during any class on church ministries. The Church is not a building. It is a people. And we must awaken.

Subtitled "An Urgent Call For Renewal," The Church Awakening is exactly that. Author Chuck Swindoll reminds the reader of the essentials of a church (based on Acts 2:42): teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. He goes on to point out how some of our churches have drifted from those essentials:

*by turning to marketing techniques and corporate organizational strategies, rather than seeking to become contagious ministries
*by following the ways of the world instead of the Word
*by focusing on the expression of worship (the outward forms) rather than the essence of worship (the inward, personal contemplation and adoration of God)
*by diluting the Word of God to be a politically correct, warm and fuzzy, feel-good message

This may be my favorite sentence in the book:

"When we sacrifice truth on the altar of relevance, our words are no longer relevant."

As the author explains, this erosion has happened so gradually that it may go unnoticed. He goes on to outline the changes that must occur, beginning with this:

"As Christians, we must demand a halt to superficial religion that substitutes for personal faithfulness. We should refuse to be entertained any longer. We must stop calling it "worship." It's time we openly state that we expect deep teaching from the Word of God from our pastor, not a twelve-minute sermonette. We must begin looking to our pastor to equip us to do the work of ministry and not expect him to do ministry for us."

While The Church Awakening is most instructive for church leaders, it was eye-opening for me, as well. I recommend it.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book, at no cost to me, for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions in this review are my own.

Swindoll uses God's intention for the church as a foundation to examine what went wrong with some of our churches in this volume which is chock-full of illustrations, stories, and anecdotes. Giving people a feel-good message instead of what Christians need to hear may increase the numbers, but where is the depth that needed to deal with sin in our current world?

The author gives his opinion about "worship wars" and entertaining sermons instead of expository preaching. Quoting Acts 2:42, four essentials for any church are listed on page 15: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

With October being Pastor Appreciation Month and Christmas coming, I think this is a terrific gift idea for any pastor.

Once again, a solid gold hit from Charles Swindoll. This man of God will not tell you what you want to hear; but he will lead you straight back to the Bible and its truths every time. Coming from a severely legalistic background, pastor Swindoll practically saved my live with his "Grace Awakening" book. Now, he calls us all -- churchgoers and pastors alike -- to not depart from our first love, but to serve Christ biblically and with passion. If you fear your church is eroding with time, read this book, and press a copy into the hands of your pastor. God bless you, Charles.

Swindoll's message carries the tone of an urgent call to the Western Church. I was consistently impressed with Swindoll's level of discernment regarding the state of churches in N. America. He demonstrates that he has his finger on the pulse of the body of Christ. I think the target for this book is Christians living in the West, primarily North America, and especially pastors and church leaders. As a pastor, I found Swindoll's message challenging, affirming, Scriptural and prophetic. I eagerly recommend this for Christians.

Swindoll adroitly challenges the church for regressing from Biblical, expository preaching to a softened, therapuetic message. He indicts the church for catering to the culture rather than following the commission of Jesus to make disciples. He characterizes western Christians as starving for the word of God. He highlights and pinpoints the spiritual warfare that Satan and his ilk are waging against the church and especially against faithful pastors and leaders. He urges readers to return to earnest prayer, vigorous Bible study and true worship. Church Awakening ultimately points to Jesus, the one who promises to build His church and overcome its enemies.

In this book, Swindoll demonstrates his scholarly background, his own pastor's heart, his experience and his faithful courage to speak the truth boldly. This is a book that I will be promoting to my flock and other pastors.

One of the most thought provoking books I've read in a long time. Chuck Swindoll "nails" the issues we are facing in our churches today. Some books you just can't put down, but in order to process the truths written, it has taken some time to read the book. A must read book for pastors and those in leadership positions. I've purchased the book for my son who is a pastor and my granddaughter who is involved with youth ministry.

This book speaks to the urgent need of the church in this post modern time. In a time when the focus of many christian churches have lost their way and purpose. This book is filled with great insight.I found every page and chapter filled with the truth of Gods word and insights that every church leadership team should read and apply.
I continue to see and hear of people struggling to hear and experience the teaching and worship of a God worthy of our devotion and commitment. Charles Swindoll exposes the issues and provides truth through scripture and issues an urgent call for renewal. This book is a must!!!