Customer Reviews

Permission Granted to Do Church Differently in the 21st Century

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I have been disturbed by the increasing trend in American churches to set up a "corporation" model with the pastor as CEO. It feels more and more that the church is a "for profit" corporation plugged into the wrong power source. With all the money pouring out of these "church corporations," you'd think we'd be having mass revival...In developing countries, this church model is unheard of - they simply cannot compete with such a financial machine - yet they see God heal the sick in ways we don't see in America. They are vibrant and full of joy in spite of their material lack. They are operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and seeing miracles that corporate America has never seen in their very regimented, controlled environments. I pray all Christians will read this book - most importantly that all church leaders will read this book -and that they will yearn for biblical strategies to further God's Kingdom - and will long for God to empower them, move them, fill them and anoint them.

Graham Cooke has done a great job of describing how we must do church in the 21st century... biblically! He shows us that "corporate CEO church" models are not what Christ has asked us to do, but instead that we must work to put Christ at the head and follow His lead. Well written and thought provoking.

Anyone who wants to understand the changing landscape of the church should read this book. Cooke and Goodell lay a strong foundation for transitioning back to 1st Century values. This book should be in the library of any one serious about Christ Centered living in true New Testament structure.

Graham Cooke's style of writing is very respectful to ministry leaders. He doesn't come at you with his ideas saying, "I'm right and everyone else is wrong." But he does open your mind to ask yourself why you may be doing church a certain way. He challenges you to put aside your linear thinking and find ways that your church can really accomplish the great commission for the current and coming generations. This book has the potential to spark some real forward action and creativity in the community of Christ. If you are a Christian leader or anyone interested in advancing the kingdom of God on earth, dig in!

Having read many G Cooke books, this is another that is refreshing. Although having been a christian for 30 years, I am increasingly astounded at what it takes to wake people up from the slumber of such basic concepts. Most christians have been so duped with corporate church concept, that they have to have a reputable like cooke to wake them up.