Don't Rock the Boat, Capsize It: Loving the Church Too Much to Leave It the Way It Is (Paperback)

by Rick Bundschuh (Author) "Chesterton. What a guy..." (more)
Key Phrases: worship gathering, kitchen gods, Mom Hyatt, Kauai Christian Fellowship, Winter Ball (more...)

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Product Description

<span style="font-size: 12px;font-weight: normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;font-variant:normal;letter-spacing: normal;text-transform: none;"><br>Rick Bundschuh gives us a clear reminder that we aren't here<br>to</span><br><span style="font-size: 12

From the Back Cover

<span style="font-size: 12px;font-weight: bold;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;font-variant:normal;letter-spacing: normal;text-transform: none;"><br>It's sink or swim time for the church.</span><br><span style="font-size: 12px;font-weight: normal;font-

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Product Details Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: NavPress (March 1, 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 1576836460 ISBN-13: 978-1576836460 Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,350,926 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Chesterton. What a guy. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
worship gathering, kitchen gods

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Mom Hyatt, Kauai Christian Fellowship, Winter Ball, Talk Dirty, Teaching Them, Scary Gary, Taco Bell, Third World, Toad Hall, Baby Dedication, Holy Spirit, John the Baptist

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 6 books:

• Dangerous Wonder (with Discussion Guide) by Michael Yaconelli in Back Matter
• The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis on page 115
• The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren on page 162
• Thomas the Tank Engine Anniversary Edition (The Railway Series) by Rev. W. Awdry on page 151
• Understanding Your Teenager by Wayne Rice in Front Matter

See all 6 books this book cites

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews 5 star:  (3) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.4 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Fun and imaginative, April 16, 2005 By  J. Miller (LA, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Bundschuh describes this as "a scrapbook of musings and mumblings" (p17-18). In fact, what it is is a VERY cute collection of column-like, diary-like, blog-like observations about life and the church. This is Bundschuh in his own voice, and it's an enjoyable read. The energy of the book is excited and experimental. It's a bit Mike-Yaconelli-esque as he refers to the wild things that congregations can do for God, with a touch of Tony Campolo as he encourages us to "cook sacred cows"(p30) and describes his congregation throwing a Winter Ball for special education high school students. Bundschuh sounds like he's having a lot of fun in ministry, and it makes you want to do it too. He describes how the pastoral staff skipped church one Sunday and left a note on the front door encouraging the congregation to make the best of it, then followed up the next week with a sermon on the importance of everyone taking part in church. Sometimes the church wandered into chaos as it rotated the preaching around to different members of the church and gave keys to every room in the church out to every family. But risk-taking is what his church does. The only weakness of the book (and it's a small one), is that Bundschuh is still coming of age in his word choice. And by that I mean, he refers to an idea from one of his congregation members as "very dumb" (p. 23) and calls some congregation members "nut cases" (p. 40). At his worst he admits "I'm a lousy counselor," and then goes on unnecessarily with this gem about long counseling appointments: "I figure that if you can't get it sorted out within the hour I'll give you a 39-cent bullet that can put you out of your misery" (p. 164). It's great that Bundschuh at several points has the humility to admit to what he doesn't do well, but humility is not a substitute for not saying stupid things like that. However, by and large he's cleaned up his act. Most of the book sounds warm and whimsical. To locate Bundschuh philosophically: this is the non-denominational church's longing for tradition. Bundschuh joins this lineage in reflections that urge the overthrow of boring conformism and yet stretch for opportunities to expose his congregation to the history of great thinkers and great faith. It's as if he wants to say, "I think Christianity used to be passionate, we just have no forefathers to ask." In this sense he joins Dan Kimball (whom he mentions), Brian McLaren, and Leonard Sweet in their search for profundity without tradition. It's hard to call the old times cool when we've spent so much time as youth pastors combating them. We can't cherish a tradition we don't have. So we pick bits and pieces of history that have no authority other than that they sound deep to us. That said, Bundschuh's book is a fun, witty read filled with creative and provocative examples of what a flexible church can do. I'd make the book a gift to congregation members. 5.0 out of 5 stars Great out of the box ideas, April 22, 2008 By  S. Thompson (Monroe, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Rick will make you think about how you do church in this book. A must read if you are re-evaluating your ministry or if you feel stuck in a rut. 5.0 out of 5 stars just what i needed!, July 1, 2005 By  kate (lewes, de) - See all my reviews this book came to me at the perfect time. i am a part of a church plant in a beach resort area and mike's experience and ideas were extremely helpful. the chapter on "herding cats" was helpful in reshaping my outlook on the average american christian today. i think mike achieved his goal in inspiring us to think outside the box and in getting our creative juices flowing. i recommend this book to anyone in ministry and anyone wishing to get a glimpse into the heart of ministers today who genuinely desire to bring the lost into fellowship with Jesus Chrsit and other believers. Maybe it will inspire some "bench-warmers" to get out of their seats and serve, as well!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Does the church as a whole just seem to be missing something, then read this book. I found this book so refreshing from so much of what is out there. It really gets you thinking outside of the man-made religious box. Read more Published on January 9, 2006 by James M. Mazzulla 5.0 out of 5 stars Astounding - Full of Life - Truly Refreshing Oh to have grown up in a church like Bundschuh pastors! This is a quick and easy read, and honestly was a page-turner for me. The chapters are short and to the point. Read more Published on September 15, 2005 by A. M. Brumme Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576836460
• ISBN-13: 978-1576836460
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,350,926 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun and imaginative, April 16, 2005

By	J. Miller (LA, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bundschuh describes this as "a scrapbook of musings and mumblings" (p17-18). In fact, what it is is a VERY cute collection of column-like, diary-like, blog-like observations about life and the church. This is Bundschuh in his own voice, and it's an enjoyable read.

The energy of the book is excited and experimental. It's a bit Mike-Yaconelli-esque as he refers to the wild things that congregations can do for God, with a touch of Tony Campolo as he encourages us to "cook sacred cows"(p30) and describes his congregation throwing a Winter Ball for special education high school students. Bundschuh sounds like he's having a lot of fun in ministry, and it makes you want to do it too. He describes how the pastoral staff skipped church one Sunday and left a note on the front door encouraging the congregation to make the best of it, then followed up the next week with a sermon on the importance of everyone taking part in church. Sometimes the church wandered into chaos as it rotated the preaching around to different members of the church and gave keys to every room in the church out to every family. But risk-taking is what his church does.

The only weakness of the book (and it's a small one), is that Bundschuh is still coming of age in his word choice. And by that I mean, he refers to an idea from one of his congregation members as "very dumb" (p. 23) and calls some congregation members "nut cases" (p. 40). At his worst he admits "I'm a lousy counselor," and then goes on unnecessarily with this gem about long counseling appointments: "I figure that if you can't get it sorted out within the hour I'll give you a 39-cent bullet that can put you out of your misery" (p. 164). It's great that Bundschuh at several points has the humility to admit to what he doesn't do well, but humility is not a substitute for not saying stupid things like that. However, by and large he's cleaned up his act. Most of the book sounds warm and whimsical.

To locate Bundschuh philosophically: this is the non-denominational church's longing for tradition. Bundschuh joins this lineage in reflections that urge the overthrow of boring conformism and yet stretch for opportunities to expose his congregation to the history of great thinkers and great faith. It's as if he wants to say, "I think Christianity used to be passionate, we just have no forefathers to ask." In this sense he joins Dan Kimball (whom he mentions), Brian McLaren, and Leonard Sweet in their search for profundity without tradition. It's hard to call the old times cool when we've spent so much time as youth pastors combating them. We can't cherish a tradition we don't have. So we pick bits and pieces of history that have no authority other than that they sound deep to us.

That said, Bundschuh's book is a fun, witty read filled with creative and provocative examples of what a flexible church can do. I'd make the book a gift to congregation members.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great out of the box ideas, April 22, 2008

By	S. Thompson (Monroe, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Rick will make you think about how you do church in this book. A must read if you are re-evaluating your ministry or if you feel stuck in a rut.

5.0 out of 5 stars just what i needed!, July 1, 2005

By	kate (lewes, de) - See all my reviews

this book came to me at the perfect time. i am a part of a church plant in a beach resort area and mike's experience and ideas were extremely helpful. the chapter on "herding cats" was helpful in reshaping my outlook on the average american christian today.
i think mike achieved his goal in inspiring us to think outside the box and in getting our creative juices flowing. i recommend this book to anyone in ministry and anyone wishing to get a glimpse into the heart of ministers today who genuinely desire to bring the lost into fellowship with Jesus Chrsit and other believers. Maybe it will inspire some "bench-warmers" to get out of their seats and serve, as well!