Customer Reviews

The Externally Focused Church

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I can't say enough about this book. It radically changed my thinking of how to reach the world. Before this book, I saw 'Good Works' and 'Good News' as two opposing strategies divided by liberal and fundamental camps of the church. It was as if we came to a fork in the road in church history and one went down one path and one the other. In my pride, I felt that 'Good News' was the road less traveled because 'Good Works' was and didn't get to the root of the problem. After reading Swanson and Rusaw's book, I see that instead of two roads that they are one and that the avenue to the 'Good News' being heard among the nations is paved with 'Good Works'. 'Good Works' and 'Good News' are not two strategies that should divide the body but are to have a symbiotic relationship to transform the heart of man and a community. The authors point out that while'Good Works' can not change a man's heart they prepare him to hear the 'Good News'. 'Works' gives the 'News' credibility to be heard. Not only do the authors present a biblical basis for this theology, they present a myriad of practical examples of how to get your church involved. I highly recommend this book to anyone in the ministry who wants to see their church get out of the pew and help see their community transformed.

After I finished The Externally Focused Church, I fell to my knees and asked God to give me the grace to live up to the clear, compelling challenge the authors have so brilliantly presented. Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw have "dusted off" a vital, ancient truth that is indispensible to the health and relevance of the church in an age of political activism and partisan rancor. Through Biblical analysis, church history and numerous, very readable, modern examples, they show the transcedant power of "good works" as both the platform for and the ultimate apologetic of a vital church. So, rather than shout at the "darkness," as we are so prone to do, the authors have shown us just how powerful a church community can be when it shifts the focus from self-preservation to community involvement. I heartily recommend this book. It is on my all time best list! Geoff Gorsuch, Executive Director of Men's Ministry for the Navigators.

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested is getting a better understanding of our roles as Christians in the world. It is both practical and inspiring. Since the 19th century when reason and faith separated, Christians have separated over good works and good deeds and now Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson call us back to apply both faith and works together. They creatively share their own experiences in trusting God for the results in ways that much of the Christian world has long since forgotten. They challenge us to service, where good deeds and good works intersect, where mercy and justice meet.

God does have a role for cities in His economy. This book not only gives hope as we see some results unfold, but it gives practical ideas on how any individual may play a part.

I recommended the Externally Focused Church to anyone who is serious about impacting their community with the hope also of having God produce a movement of spiritual multiplication.

Swanson and Rusaw have produced a work of excellence in "The Externally Focused Church." Both authors brilliantly align their passion for outreach with practical tips and guidelines for building an externally focused church. In the words of Brennan Manning, "When being is divorced from doing, pious thoughts become a substitute for washing dirty feet." These authors go beyond the mere "pious thoughts" of an evangelistic ecclesiology through extensive recollections of their own involvement in building external churches. Touching on a now quietly burning fire, Swanson and Rusaw's work will only grow in significance as the externally focused movement is quickly taking on the great momentum of the church growth movement. "The Externally Focused Church" is a must read for any church seeking to impact its community.

I wanted to pass on my thanks for this great book, The Externally Focused Church. I read it from start to finish on New Year's Day 2005.
I have to admit that my interests (as a layman) have seldom gotten into the community, aside from the belief that the church is about the Great Commission and little else. Your book helped me get past some of my "blindness" about the need and purpose of the church reaching beyond itself in more than evangelistic ways; in fact, to reach into the community is to be evangelistic in the best form.
As you said (page 108), LifeBridge's goals (and others like them) is "to get people into the community, into the church, and into heaven"...thereby, "building the kingdom throughout the world."
I can say that your book is the best book I will have read in 2005 [and I have 364 days yet to go]. I plan to buy copies for my pastor, an associate pastor, and a ministry leader and urge them to read it and take it to heart.
Thanks for a very readable, thorough, challenging and sensible book, and the charge to every reader to look beyond ourselves. No better way than to start 2005 with the challenge you bring to us.

Rusaw and Swanson use this book to tell dozens or even hundreds of stories of churches around the country and world who are impacting their communities in awesome ways through serving and meeting needs. The shift in focus from how the church can take care of itself to how the church should bless the world is refreshing.

One of the things about this book that was most pleasing to me was the insistence that an emphasis on good works does not discount a church from sharing the good news. In fact, they make a paradigm-shaking claim that the church is not capable of sharing the good news without engaging in good works, a concept that they support well with Scripture. This idea should sound a wake-up call to thousands of churches across the United States who spend so much time shouting at the world and virtually no time loving the world.

I find it appealing when anyone makes a point that is meant to challenge individuals on both sides of any ideological (or, in this case, theological) spectrum. Rusaw and Swanson challenge the mainline denominationally-based churches that their focus on social justice is good but insufficient without an intentional and specific preaching of the Gospel. They challenge the evangelical churches that their focus on truth-telling is good but insufficient without a practical, service-minded approach to ministering to the needs of the community. All of us in the church need to hear that message continually communicated as we try to find the healthy balance for God-honoring, Spirit-led, Christ-following church life.

For any church leader sensing God's tug toward reaching your town or city, this is a great book of ideas and inspirational stories. Read it, and share it broadly with your congregation.

This book is a strategy for faith in action. Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw provide the formula for the rocket fuel to lift off. Packed with practical examples of how believers can take their faith out of the sanctuary onto the streets of their communities, this book promotes an inspirational paradigm shift. The authors provide the theology behind the call to action as disciples, as well as hands-on recommendations on what has worked elsewhere. The church in America is a slumbering giant, with remarkable capacity that is untapped. If even a third of our churches were truly externally focused, they would lead a revolution of transformation.

Barbara J. Elliott, author of "Street Saints: Renewing America's Cities," President of the Center for Renewal, Houston, TX.

As a person who trains churches to develop community ministries, I cannot say enough good things about this book! This is now the first book I give to pastors who feel the urgent call from God to motivate and mobilize their church members beyond the four walls and into the very heartbeat of the community. From the head (intellectually) to the heart (emotionally) to the hands (practically), this book has answers! With over 25 real life examples, it addresses a wide range of difficult issues actually faced by American churches as they attempt to love and bless their communities. Furthermore, its end of chapter format (something to think about, talk about and act upon) makes it the ideal introductory book for Sunday School classes or small groups who want to learn how to minister in their local communities as Jesus would.

First, I think it is sad that our current Christian is in need of a book like this. The obvious points of Christianity are somehow being missed by the masses and the demand for such a book has thus been created. I am reading this book for one of my classes at a Bible college and I have mixed feelings about it.

What I like:
-the church should be externally focused (duh?!)
-ministry is essential to spiritual growth
-some interesting stories

What I do not like:
-Too many stories
-Highly redundant with themes throughout chapter.
-There are way better books out there in regards to the subject of being externally focused.
-You gotta address the political situations of the people you are trying to reach at some point. It's useless to talk about helping poor people without asking why they are poor. This book basically states the "you gotta a teach a man to fish" which is justice. Well, as John Perkins states..."you also have to ask who owns the pond!"

Basically this book could of been a magazine article that appears in "Christianity Today" and it would have the same effect.

I recommend reading "when helping hurts" and "transforming power" over these books.

Save your money and spend it on something better.

If you're really interested in understanding what an externally focused church is read Jacques Ellul "the presence of the kingdom"

Actions speak louder than words, yet actions without planning only
result in efficiency, not effectiveness. Is your church "missing in
action" because you are not sure how to engage your community? Then,
take heart! Rusaw and Swanson not only lay a biblical foundation for
helping the needy in your community, but also provide fresh examples
from a diversity of Externally Focused Churches around the country.
Further, their book achieves the rare balance of theory and practice, as
they share models of service and "how-to's" that are easy to implement.
As someone who is passionate about churches becoming actively involved
by acting as the hands and feet of Christ in the community, I highly
recommend this work and have been sharing it with many of my colleagues.
-- Tyler M. Horner, Ph.D.