Quit Going to Church [Paperback]

Bob Hostetler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 13, 2012

How did Christ imagine church and faith? Did he imagine the Sunday-Christian or the wholly immersed believer? In this book, Bob Hostetler tells readers to QUIT GOING TO CHURCH, and renew their walk of faith.

What drives people to enter the doors of churches every Sunday? It could be habit, living up to expectations, a sense of duty, or even guilt. People seem to be living ''churchanity'' rather than Christianity.

This thought provoking and ''pull-off-the-gloves'' book is based on the premise that much of how we think and act, a great percentage of what we do these days as church-going people, bears only a slight resemblance to the way of Jesus and ''the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints'' (Jude 1:3). With titles like ''Quit Going to Church'' and ''Quit Sharing Your Faith,'' each chapter issues an eyebrow-raising challenge, showing how many of us have misunderstood--even distorted--the Good News of Jesus and replaced Christianity with something else. As you read this book, be prepared to have your assumptions challenged and your life transformed by the renewing of your mind.`

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bob Hostetler is a writer, editor, pastor, and speaker from southwestern Ohio. His twenty-seven books, which include the award-winning ''Don't Check Your Brains at the Door'' (co-authored with Josh McDowell) and ''American Idols,'' have sold over 3 million copies. He has won two Gold Medallion Awards, three Ohio Associated Press awards, and an Amy Foundation Award. He is a co-founder of Cobblestone Community Church in Oxford, Ohio. He and his wife Robin have two grown children, Aubrey and Aaron.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Leafwood Publishers (March 13, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915547708
• ISBN-13: 978-0915547708
• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 5.5 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #934,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars an enjoyable read :) April 16, 2012

By rockstarwife628

Format:Paperback

- I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reviews in exchange for this review. -

With a title like "Quit Going to Church" I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book. I'm sure some of you are a little confused as to the point of the text as well - some may be afraid that this is some sort of revolutionary anti-church manifesto, but that really isn't the case. On page thirteen we are told that this book is about "identifying and correcting the ways we have forgotten - or departed from - the way of Jesus." So each of the chapters looks at a different thing we, as Christians, are usually made to feel are essentials or requirements to be "good Christians." The author shows how each issue tends to miss the point when it comes to the way Jesus actually did or taught them.

He asks us on pages 12-13:
"What if the form of Christianity commonly practiced by us and by most of the Christians around us bears little - if any - resemblance to the way of Jesus and the kingdom he came to usher in? What if we've missed the boat in the more important things, like how to talk to God and how to please him? What if we've truly misunderstood - even misrepresented - what it means to truly follow Jesus?"

I will admit that the book was a little more cliche than I was anticipating, but for the most part I do agree with his points, and I love anyone who references/quotes from authors like Brian McLaren (one of my personal favorite Christian authors), Shane Clairborne, and Rob Bell. The style of this book was pleasant, even if the author tends to be more traditional than I tend to be - for example, I'm not really "about" converting people, but I did appreciate how, on page 68, he emphasized genuine friendship and love for others, and not just faking it to get behind enemy lines, so to speak (my phrasing, not his).As well, even though I don't see the idea of spiritual gifts the same way he does, I did thoroughly love his comparison of the church to an orchestra on page 95 (that could have something to do with my being a major band geek throughout my school "career," lol). And I found page 148, where he was discussing the history of some of the things in Christianity - church bells, pews, pulpits, even the cross being used as a symbol - to be highly interesting and engaging.

Anyway, rather than list each of the chapters and giving an example of the main point of each, I would rather use the author's own words, from the final chapter of the book. I hope that's okay, since it is a longer selection than anything else I've ever quoted in a review before, but I feel it sums up the whole book much better than a mere list of chapter titles and points would do, and his words are far more eloquent than my own could be, thus hopefully touching or resonating with someone reading this review, moving them to give the book a look-see for themselves...

So, starting on page 215, and continuing through on page 216, I'd like to close with this prayer by the author. Keep in mind that each "I pray" refers to a different chapter:
"I pray you quit going to church...and start being the church.
I pray you will quit saying your prayers...and make it a habit instead to keep company with God.
I pray for you to quit reading the Bible, using it instead as a means of relating to him.
I pray you will quit sharing your faith...and share your life.
I pray for you to quit tithing and replace the 'ten percent way' of the law with the 'hundred percent way' of Jesus.
I pray that you will quit volunteering...and start exercising your gifts with greater effectiveness and enjoyment in God's service.
I pray that you will quit being nice...and be real instead.
I pray for you to quit helping the poor...and unite with them instead.
I pray for you to quit fellowshipping and start partying.
I pray that you will give up all attempts to be good and instead focus on one thing - the better thing - of daily dwelling in Jesus' presence.
I pray that you will quit enjoying worship and inspiring yourself in worship...and instead focus your worship on making God happy.
And, finally, I pray that you will quit camping out in the center of God's will and instead be courageous and full of faith, boldly embracing uncertainty and trusting God for the results."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I laughed, I cried. It moved me, Bob. March 7, 2012

By Joe Bassett

Format:Paperback

I've always wanted to be able to quote Larry the Cucumber with sincerity and authenticity. Bob Hostetler has given me the chance with his newest book, Quit Going to Church. "I laughed. I cried. It moved me, Bob." If you don't get the joke, go watch Veggie Tales "Dave and the Giant Pickle". I'll wait to finish the review until you get back.

Back already? Good. I continue...

My experience is that relevant books don't share brand new, revolutionary ideas. Rather they resonate and affirm brand new, revolutionary ideas that have been percolating. The books that we enjoy the most crystalize and put into words nebulous thoughts that we've had before, but hadn't articulated. "Quit Going to Church" is just such a book.

The first chapter is also the title chapter, kind of like the title track on an album. As you consider the apparently contrarian title and read the first book it becomes apparent that Bob is setting the table for those of us that have been in church for a while. Bob doesn't seem to intend this book for those who are dissatisfied with church, but rather for those of us that have been operating on auto-pilot. While reading the first chapter I was reminded of a phrase that we're fond of around here, "Just because you're in a church building doesn't mean that you're part of the church that God is building."

It was in chapter two that I cried. No, really, I cried. The picture of prayer toward the end of this chapter is alone worth the price of the book, but please read the whole thing.

Chapter three? That's where I laughed. Trust me. Read it. If you follow Bob on twitter (which I strongly recommend), then you know that his books won't leaving you in want of laughs, chortles, snorts and guffaws.

And thus "Quit Going to Church" flows. One chapter after the next challenges many dear, and might I say "idolatrous", beliefs that we have held about Christianity for centuries but aren't found in Scripture. And Bob doesn't lack in Scriptural support in the points made. It's refreshing to see so many Biblical addresses in the footnotes. Some readers may be put off by the author's use of Hebrew, Greek and sources that may seem "pedantic." I offer the encouragement that Bob puts the cookies on the bottom shelf so that even I can reach them.

For those that have attended one of Worship Concepts Network's "AWEthentic Worship Experience" conferences you will recognize why "Quit Going to Church" resonates with me on so many levels. The chapter "Quit Sharing Your Faith" reveals how we often view "pre-saved" persons as commodities rather than as people. "Quit Volunteering" echoes our own "Differences between slaves and servants." Chapter ten is "Quit trying to Be Good"...wow, simply wow. And "Quit Enjoying Worship" is hereafter on the Worship Concepts Network required reading list.

Bob is well read and it is evident in this offering. Many of the themes in "Quit Going to Church will be familiar to well-read Christians. But Bob is successful at unpacking many of them in a new light. I confess that Bob quotes some sources, pastors and authors with whom I have serious theological differences. However, we can often learn the most from those with whom we disagree. To my regular blog readers who might be put off by certain "names" that are bandied about by evangelicals in unflattering terms, please receive their words as you would themselves as persons...in Christ's love. Just as not everything that we say is "good", not everything said by those with whom we disagree is "evil."

If there's is one place where "Quit Going to Church" doesn't resonate with me it's in, "Quit Living in the Center of God's Will." When addressing God's will for our lives and living "by faith" there is the risk of sharing stories of victory and saying, "Look, it worked there. So and so stepped out in faith, defying all reason and sanity, and God delivered the victory!" The final chapter here is more balanced than most in this regard, but it still draws on a story of victory. When I read such accounts and interpretations I want to ask, "What about those in Hebrews 11:35-40? What about the martyrs? What faith did they lack that they didn't get to see the promise fulfilled?"

Bob is clever and creative in his approach and the Bible story that he uses is unique. In order to avoid a "spoiler alert" I'll simply say that he continues a contrarian approach. However, the protagonist in the illustration maintained his faith and was victorious. Frankly, I want to hear from those that were "defeated", those that didn't see the promise fulfilled in their lifetime, and remained faithful.

OK, that's out of the way. Now go read Bob Hostetler's "Quit Going to Church." Each chapter concludes with a specific and practical prayer. Read each chapter prayerfully and to paraphrase Larry the Cucumber, "You'll laugh. You'll cry. Where you need to be firm, God will be your foundation. Where you need to be moved, God will draw your heart toward His."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read with great practical ideas for a more vibrant faith May 25, 2012

By Lindsay

Format:Paperback

I greatly enjoyed Bob Hostetler's book "Quit Going to Church." To me it was an easy, yet challenging, read, and Bob's style kept me wanting to turn the page. He found words for something that I've always believed - that church isn't about the buildings and the routines, but about who we are BECOMING and what we are DOING as the body of Christ.

I particularly enjoyed the chapter on prayer where Bob asks readers to consider prayer not as a duty or a discipline but as an opportunity to keep company with God. He says we should focus our efforts, enthusiasm, hopes and dreams on keeping company with God and reminds us that Jesus didn't "say prayers," he kept company with God. This struck a chord with me reminding me that my prayers should be opportunities to invite God into every arena of my life - not a compartmentalized action to check off of a to-do list.

Along these same lines, Bob shares a nice bit about Revelation 3:20 (the verse about Jesus standing at the door and knocking), and how perhaps this has been seen out of context. I really enjoyed his explanation of this and how it has just as much, if not more, to say to seasoned believers than it does to unbelievers. (The verse is not about opening the door once and for all, but opening the door to Christ every day in order to have fellowship with Him.)

I think my favorite chapter was the one entitled "Quit Volunteering." It certainly left me with something to think about, and I have already begun to apply the lessons to my own life. He describes how all too often we are willing to settle for busyness when it comes to volunteering, when we should settle for nothing less than beauty and blessedness. Ouch! Guilty as charged. His discussion of how we currently fill roles in the church and how we should be filling them was enlightening to me. We should be using the gift we have been given; not trying to do everything. Even the apostles rejected this model in the Book of Acts - so why we are we still going by it? I am now trying to become much more prayerful about discerning the volunteer opportunities that are right for me, rather than just saying "yes" to everything I'm asked to do. I now understand that this will bring about the greatest fruit for the Kingdom -not being spread so thin that I can't even focus on what it is I'm doing when I go to serve!

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in deepening their faith and in challenging some of the assumptions that we have in the church today that are more human-driven than Spirit-driven. I appreciate the fact that though this book has many excellent theological points, it is not written in an over-your-head type manner, but rather an easy-to-read, conversational style that holds the reader's attention. The personal stories are all very interesting and the biblical stories are presented in a fresh way which allows the reader to glean new lessons from some of the "old" stories.