a.k.a. Lost: Discovering Ways to Connect with the People Jesus Misses Most (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for
a.k.a. “Lost”

“Jim Henderson is a voice for normalized evangelism–heretofore an oxymoron. Henderson has given value back to each Christian’s ordinary attempts to simply shine the light of Christ in our everyday encounters, encouraging us to act in faithfulness and put the results in God’s hands.”
–Lynne Marian, executive editor of Outreach Magazine

“I can think of no other book that rings as true with what is really happening in the post-Christian generations. Jim Henderson writes from the vantage point of being among the very people most Christians have distanced themselves from and don’t understand. Get several copies of a.k.a. ‘Lost’ and share them with people in your church.”
–Dan Kimball, pastor, author of The Emerging Church and Emerging Worship

“If you have a heart for extending the kingdom of God, this book will both challenge and encourage you to make a difference on planet earth for eternity. And it will take your thinking and turn it on its ear.”
–Steve Sjogren, conference speaker, author of Conspiracy of Kindness

“Jim Henderson has said it well: Ordinary attempts are never ordinary when they are done in the name of Jesus Christ. This truly is a movement–a movement that will result in extraordinary results as God uses us in our everyday lives to bring home the people He misses most.”
–Dr. David Foster, senior pastor of Bellevue Community Church, Nashville, Tennessee, and author of Accept No Mediocre Life

“By reading a.k.a. ‘Lost,’ perhaps you’ll become the answer to somebody’s first fledgling prayers: ‘God, please help me find someone to talk to about my questions and doubts...’”
–Brian McLaren, pastor, author of A New Kind of Christian and The Church on the Other Side

“Jim Henderson hopes to help Christians become the kindest people on earth.
Those who read this delightful, honest, and funny book will be taking a good
first step. Those who take its wisdom to heart might just get there.”
–Christine Wicker, award-winning journalist, author of God Knows My Heart: Finding a Faith That Fits

“In his journey into real conversations with real people, Jim Henderson has come to some fascinating and useful conclusions. Check out a.k.a. ‘Lost’ to join the journey and get some great, down-to-earth, practical advice.”
–Todd Hunter, national director of Alpha-USA, former national director of Vineyard-USA

Product Description

What if “evangelism” meant just being yourself?

If the gospel really is good news, why do most Christians avoid evangelism? Why is “witnessing” often a negative experience, for both the sender and receiver? Wouldn’t it be great if you could communicate the good news without having to become a spiritual salesperson?

What if…
·you didn’t have to make a speech in order to “witness”?
·you could use everyday experiences to nudge others closer to Jesus?
·the things you’re already doing counted as evangelism?

Evangelism can be as normal as asking great questions and paying attention to the people Jesus misses most. It involves doing things you already do, but with a little more intentionality. Just by being yourself and becoming unusually interested in others, you can discover that people will ask you about Jesus.

This isn’t another program or pitch. It’s a handbook on how to make real connections with the people formerly known as lost.

Think of it as evangelism for the rest of us.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (June 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578569141
• ISBN-13: 978-1578569144
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #251,813 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A word from one of 'the missing', July 2, 2005

By	M. Plyler "Mary Mac" (Washington state) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read this book both as a librarian and as an individual, so my review has two components. First, the review a librarian would write for library book selection:

This slim volume is designed to help Christians reach out to
non-church goers in ways that are comfortable and genuine. Written by Jim
Henderson, the director of a unique Christian organization called Off the
Map, the book emphasizes the effectiveness of small acts of kindness and
reaching out through listening.  The text includes scriptural references and
also guides readers to other useful books.  All historical and supportive
materials are footnoted. Strongly recommended for church libraries, and
public libraries where the community includes a strong Christian component.

And my personal reaction to a.k.a. Lost:
This book may have been written to encourage Christian outreach, but everyone should read it.  Really--if we all model this behavior in our daily living, and listen to each other with true interest, offer each other small acts of kindness and provide community wherever possible as Jim Henderson advocates, we will improve our own lives and the lives we touch.  Our society has moved beyond the caring interest of the neighborhood or the village, and we are suffering for it. I recommend this book enthusiastically, and I believe I qualify as one of Henderson's 'missing."

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A challenging and encouraging view of evangelism, September 30, 2005

By	FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

Some types of evangelism techniques have gotten a bad rap because they use a blend of aggressiveness and fear tactics to try to convert someone to their own beliefs. As a result, some Christians are weary of evangelism all together. But Jim Henderson breathes life and hope into the idea of fulfilling the Great Commission for even the most timid believer in his new book, a.k.a. "LOST", which argues that evangelism can be as normal as asking questions, listening to people and being responsive to their needs.

Henderson's approach to evangelism is as simple as a-b-c and 1-2-3. He doesn't believe in looking at people who aren't Christians as "lost" but prefers the term "missing persons." This may seem like semantics, but it represents a larger paradigm shift in the way people are approached. No longer is it our duty to "save" people, but rather to recognize them as individuals God is passionately pursuing. This helps erase any sense of superiority and invites Christians to partner with God to nudge others toward a real relationship with Jesus.

He writes, "When it comes to evangelism, we can be our ordinary selves, and it turns out to be good enough. It turns out that all Jesus needs are the five loaves and two fish of our lives --- something we already have. Rather than trying to escape the ordinary, we should exploit it and attempt something small for God, something ordinary."

The style of evangelism that Henderson encourages is refreshingly simple and literally anyone can do it. He encourages readers to develop "the art of noticing" by simply reflecting on the people in their lives and celebrating moments with them. He suggests asking questions about faith and spirituality and listening to people's answers --- without trying to share your own beliefs right off the bat. He encourages small talk, avoiding Christian clichés and saying "Wow" when you don't know what else to say. For some, that may seem like common sense 101, but Henderson is somehow able to communicate these basic truths with a contagious sense of compassion and love.

The book itself is dotted with stories of everyday people who are impacting their world one conversation and one day at a time. Most of these stories don't end with the dramatic convert falling on their knees and becoming a Christian. Rather they demonstrate people coming one click closer to a relationship with their redeemer. For those weary of traditional evangelism approaches, the message is both freeing and compelling.

With chapters including "Boldness Is Overrated," "Do What's Doable" and "Out of Religion and Into Reality," readers get the sense that even the biggest scaredy cat can be brave when it comes to sharing their faith. Each chapter ends with a section on "Attempting the Ordinary," which provides very practical ideas on how to live out the message of the book.

Overall, a.k.a "LOST" is a refreshing read. The book moves forward at a comfortable, conversational pace. If the idea of evangelism leaves you shaking in your boots, you'll find yourself both encouraged and challenged by this book.

(...)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally... , July 19, 2005

By	Lynne G. Ellis (Redmond, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Way to go Jim Henderson for finally affirming that it all counts! Evangelism isn't the sealing the deal, its being part of the process God has an individual on. Thanks for challenging my thoughts and making me laugh with your stories. This is THE BOOK I'm encouraging leaders in ministry to read.