Primary Purpose: Making it hard for people to go to hell from your city [Paperback]

Ted Haggard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 1996

Making it Hard for People to Go to Hell From Your City You Can Change Your City's Spiritual Climate It happened in Colorado Springs, and it can happen in your city too. Read what these people are saying about Ted Haggard's principles to change your city for the gospel: "Cover to cover, Ted Haggard's Primary Purpose contains more practical principles on how believers can impact their communities for Christ than any book I've read." Dick Eastman, Every Home for Christ "Despite my theological differences, I would offer this brother's engaging book not only as must reading to every evangelical leader, but perhaps even as regular reading." David Melvin, National Association of Evangelicals.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ted Haggard is the founder and pastor of the 4,800 member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His influence in the areas of church growth and evangelism have been noted in the New York Times, the Washington Post, on ABC News and on the British Broadcasting Corporation. A graduate of Oral Roberts University, he is currently serving on the board of the National Association of Evangelicals, Haggard and his wife, Gayle, have five children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Charisma House (July 12, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884193810
• ISBN-13: 978-0884193814
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,425,368 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book heads the church in the direction God is going!, October 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Primary Purpose: Making it hard for people to go to hell from your city (Paperback)

Ted Haggard has picked up on the direction God is taking his Church. After centuries of in-fighting and bickering, separation and denominations, God is putting His Church back together. Ted tells the story of Colorado Springs and something of the journey they have had in finding value in other Christians. They have discovered that God has bride, not a harem. It doesn't tell much of the mechanics of how it happened and how they sustain unity, nor of theology behind unity, but it certainly goes further than anything else I've ever read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still a great book for discipleship and loving others, October 7, 2007

By 

Russ Emrick (Monument, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Primary Purpose: Making it hard for people to go to hell from your city (Paperback)

This is an outstanding book on how to live a life that demonstrates the life of Jesus. It is much more than the history of New Life Church but rather a pattern adaptable for churches and people. Practicing forgiveness, living from the tree of life, choosing humility, showing respect and cultivating character are just some of the topics covered here. This book is about discipleship that results in fruitfulness.

This book is as relevant today as it was when it was written, despite recent events with its author. Ideas are pregnant with wisdom in this book, such as "Christians have built a cultural wall that non-Christians don't understand, so we need to overcome it as often as possible." The following is prophetic "We have a choice. We can learn to discipline our bodies and live a Spirit-filled life in the seclusion of prayer and fasting, or let the Lord teach us those lessons in public."

Pastor Ted's 5 principles are important if we want to be effective witnesses:

1. Focus on the absolutes of scripture

2. Promote the ministry of Christ and His Word above your won mission or method

3. Pray to raise the overall activity of the Holy Spirit in your city (not just in your life and church)

4. Appreciate one another's respected interpretations of scripture

5. Practice supportive speech and actions toward others

Read this book if you're interested in having less contention and arguing in your church and life. Read this book for the next level of discipleship and witnessing.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical spiritual insight., July 28, 2002

By 

A. Reum (Montana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Primary Purpose: Making it hard for people to go to hell from your city (Paperback)

This is a light read, and easy to understand. The book is set in three sections addressing different aspects of Haggard's plan to " Make it hard for people in your city to go to hell".

Section one is a brief, but interesting look at the work the author has done in Colorado Springs, Co. There is some detail as to the actual church planting up through the growth and health of the New Life church. Some specific and difficult spiritual confrontations are listed here and throughout the book.

Section two contains practical advice on how to implement biblical priciples into reaching the lost of your city and region. This section offers a practical guide to building a relationship with other christian leaders in your area.

The third section gets up close and personal. It was by far the best part of the book. It will cause you to consider your approach to reaching the lost and your personal walk with the Lord. This portion of the book was invasive and will give you opportunity to do some self evaluation. This teaching is important for all of us interested in approaching the Lord's work in the harvest.

We've seen some of these principles working in our town and believe they can work everywhere.