No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come-as-You-Are Culture in the Church (Paperback)

by John Burke (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This book challenges Christian leaders to engage in the messy art of creating the right culture to reach our postmodern, post-Christian society. Through real stories of God’s perfect work in the lives of imperfect people, you will experience the power of an authentic church community and learn how to deconstruct barriers and bring hope and healing to America’s most unchurched generation.

From the Back Cover
How do we live out the message of Jesus in today’s ever-changing culture?
The church is facing its greatest challenge—and its greatest opportunity—in our postmodern, post-Christian world. God is drawing thousands of spiritually curious “imperfect people” to become his church—but how are we doing at welcoming them?
No Perfect People Allowed shows you how to deconstruct the five main barriers standing between emerging generations and your church by creating the right culture. From inspiring stories of real people once far from God, to practical ideas that can be applied by any local church, this book offers a refreshing vision of the potential and power of the Body of Christ to transform lives today.
“We now are living in a post-Christian America—and that means we must be rethinking ministry through a missionary mindset. What makes this book both unique and extremely helpful is that it is filled with real-life stories of post-Christian people becoming followers of Jesus—not just statistics or data about them.”
Dan Kimball, Author, The Emerging Church
". . . John's 'get it' factor with people, lost or found, is something to behold! Reading this book filled me with optimism regarding the next generation of pastors and faith communities . . . "
Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church
No Perfect People Allowed is a timely and necessary word for church leaders in a post Christian culture. John Burke serves up quite a tasty meal full of the rich nutrients that will strengthen the Body of Christ.
Randy Frazee, Senior Pastor, Pantego Bible Church; Author, The Connecting Church and Making Room for Life

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310275016
• ISBN-13: 978-0310275015
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #254,111 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Discussion of Postmodern Ministry, March 18, 2006

By	Chad Davies "Downhill" (Barnesville, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: No Perfect People Allowed: Creating A Come As You Are Culture in the Church (Hardcover)

In No Perfect People Allowed, John Burke discusses the issues that confronted he and his staff in creating and growing the Gateway Community Church in Austin, TX. As an interested observer of the Emerging Church movement and the faculty advisor for one of my college's campus ministry I was interested in what Burke would have to say about ministering to the present generation.

After reading the book I was just amazed. First, I found the book's ideas about the struggles we all have with brokenness and aloneness deeply affecting and moving. As I read these chapters at 30,000 feet I was profoundly struck with mine and my generation's deepest needs from a faith and what it might mean to us. Second, I can't think of a single book that gets more "right" about what young people in our multi-cultural, hyper-tolerant society see and need in a Christian community. Week in and week out I see the situations and lessons played out in the campus ministry I actively advise and Burkes' perspectives and "talking points" have been tremedously helpful to me.

One thing that I found very refreshing about the book is that Burke doesn't (at least in my opinion) shy away from difficult topics or leave out important theological considerations. In fact, his discussion of the theology of the trinity is one of the best I've read for explaining (if such a term can be used for the mystery of the trinity) how God can be one God and three persons.

If you are interested in the intersection of "Church" and "Culture" and how some of the issues have been addresses and worked through I would recommend this book. If you are attempting to reach those who are identified as being part of the last two generations I would say that this book might be one of the most informative and helpful books you can read. Thanks to John Burke for sharing his experiences and acquired wisdom with those of us who are trying to reach the same people in search of an authentic community.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If only there were more churches like this one! , June 20, 2005

By	Casey W. (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Perfect People Allowed: Creating A Come As You Are Culture in the Church (Hardcover)

We've been living in a new city searching for a church where we could invite any of our friends, regardless of their background, life situation, and past church experience (or lack of), without fear of putting them in an uncomfortable situation. A much larger order to fill than we had expected, because, as it turns out, many people are NOT comfortable in church--period! This book explains how that has come to be and why churches are struggling, but, most importantly, it demonstrates exactly how churches and ALL Christians can (and should) reach out to and meet the needs of an ultra-diverse population with diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and situations. This is NOT "watered-down Christianity" or "moral relativism"--contrarily, it is biblical Christianity in its best, purest, most powerful and effective (and user-friendly) form. For ANYONE interested in effectively reaching the seemingly unreachable. The author is incredibly engaging and easy to read, but be warned that the substance might just change your perspective on church and religion!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Up-to-date info for the behind-the-times church, May 14, 2007

By	Caleb Spreiter (Claremore, Ok USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: No Perfect People Allowed with DVD: Creating a Come as You Are Culture in the Church (Hardcover)

This book is an absolute must for churches today! Anyone that is a minister, volunteer worker, or anyone that is Christian and is part of a church should read this book. As a music minister, this book really challenged me to stop hiding behind the walls of a church building and actually do what the Bible tells me to do, reach the unchurched. This book is about relating to the unchurched on their terms and not expecting them to act like Christians before they come to church. To paraphrase Paul, "I have become all things to all people so I can tell them about Christ." This is what the church should be doing today but they spend all their time having business meetings and fellowship meals. If you're looking to start reaching out to those that need the hope that you have within you, then I would pick up this book and read it then pass it on to as many people in your church as you can.