25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Resource for Discussion, but Not the Latest and Greatest Hot Item, April 19, 2010
This review is from: Think Orange: Imagine the Impact When Church and Family Collide... (Hardcover)
Maybe I'm the odd one out: it looks like I'm the first to not give Joiner's book 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon reviews. Although written well enough to be easily accessible and readable, with many good insights and some inspiring stories, there are other books now available which have deeper theological and Biblical grounding for inviting a transformational understanding of children, youth and family ministry for the 21st century.
Joiner mostly uses a traditional, didactic, pedagogic model of youth ministry while citing some creative divergences from traditional archetypes. But, he seems to hesitate in fully partnering with families so that the church's FIRST call is the spiritual development of ADULTS, moms and dads, so that parents have the spiritual maturity, resources and life skills to be the primary faith mentors and companions for their children. For example, his section on "Elevating Community" (p185ff) is written in reference to other significant, committed, adults (beyond parents) that are "used to influence youth" within traditional age-segregated peer group programming in the church. This is a good thing, but Joiner does not take the next step, calling for a cultural-shift model of full, inclusive, intergenerational community, where the WHOLE FAMILY is uplifted, engaged holistically in the life of the church and equipped to be the faith mentors in the home. When Reggie Joiner does write about equipping parents it comes across primarily that the church is the educator for effective parenting versus enabling parents to effectively live in authentic discipleship and embracing children into their daily faithful lives of loving God and others in Christ's name.
As I see it, the full power of FAMILY ministry is when the whole church has ownership to include and embrace youth and children in the full life of the congregation; and parents fully engage their lives in living the Christ-life authentically with their children from day to day. In this sense, Reggie Joiner does not talk about an incarnational walk along side youth as Jesus Christ does with us. Adults are called to be the presence of Jesus alongside their children and the youth of the church: loving, honoring, respecting, and caring for them for Christ's sake and not just as a means to make sure they are influenced to have faith some day.
An incarnational ministry of adults with children is scriptural and powerful. How about even one reference of the church community being the body of Christ for children and families? Where is one reference of the concept or term "mentor"? Was that an intentional omission? How about referring to service as being faithful to the call of Jesus to love one another as I have loved you, and not referring to service as a something to use for the purpose of producing faith?
"Thinking Orange" is a book with creative phrases and gimmicky terms, but I think there is much depth and challenge left out for those who use it as their main reference book for transforming church ministry with children, youth and families.
If interested, check out books and cutting edge insights by Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean!
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm thinking Orange, July 9, 2009
This review is from: Think Orange: Imagine the Impact When Church and Family Collide... (Hardcover)
Think Orange: Imagine the Impact When Church and Family Collide...This read may not say it all, but it couldn't have left out much. For church leaders who want the details on a revolutionary idea that has proven itself over 10 years, here it is. I've searched for ways to energize families to raise spiritual champions since I read George Barna's great book on that subject 6 years ago. Mr. Joiner has set the table. No longer can we say, "Can that really be done?". The future of churches who partner with families to make a difference in our culture is extremely bright! (like a lamp stand).
Wayne King
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Slow and Steady, June 23, 2010
This review is from: Think Orange: Imagine the Impact When Church and Family Collide... (Hardcover)
I recently started reading the book "Think Orange" by Reggie Joiner. It talked about the power of combining church (yellow) and family (red) to produce a more powerful force (orange) than either could be alone. After a funny and offbeat introduction, Reggie begins his dicussions with some "Orange-ology". He explains that "The premise of this book is simple: As long as churches do only what they are doing, they will get only results they are presently getting." The same goes for the family. There are failures in both homes and churches -- churches are losing influence and families are disintegrating -- so what is the solution? Step up the force on both sides? Or how about combining forces for a whole new way of thinking? This is Thinking Orange. This is not another "family based ministry" approach. This is a way of thinking that could lead to radical and controversial changes. Many churches and families are already working on the same thing -- trying to raise good and Christ-centered kids. But, as Reggie explains "working on the same thing at the same time is not as effective as working on the same thing at the same time with the same strategy" (p26).
This book is so full of new things to think about and ponder, it's good if you take it slow and steady. Journal as you read -- because you'll want to incorporate the things Reggie is sharing. A great resource.
Thanks!
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