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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 262.0017
EAN num: 9781576834077
ISBN number: 1576834077
Label: NavPress Publishing Group
Manufacturer: NavPress Publishing Group
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 144
Printing Date: 2004-03
Publishing house: NavPress Publishing Group
Sale Popularity Level: 604180
Studio: NavPress Publishing Group
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Out of the 350,000 some churches in North America, only about 3,500 are classified as mega-churches. In fact, the average church size falls between 110-135 members. So why are so many pastors and denominations fixated on church growth? Believe it or not, size isn't God¹s primary concern for His church. The early church shows us that character, servanthood, discipleship, and following the Holy Spirit are much more important than attendance numbers.
By getting back to these core values and away from energy-sapping obsessions, authors Wes Roberts and Glenn Marshall remind pastors and church leaders why they entered the ministry in the very first place.
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Rated by buyers 
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This book does a good job of showing the differences between 2 christian viewpoints on how to "do church". While they obviously favor one view over the other, the authors give a mostly accurate depiction of what really should take place in a christian community. For a short, easy read, I recommend this book.
I was happy to hear the true message of Jesus ring throughout the pages of this book. Self denial, sacrifice and suffering are three "s's" you don't hear very often in the typical church setting. Yet these authors have shed light onto the message of Christ and His intent for His people, living under His reign in His place.
The authors also did a good job of describing some admirable qualities of a true pastor. They fly in the face of the professional business CEO of a company model. Servanthood, committment to people and trust in the Lord despite circumstances are 3 in particular that were effectively drawn out.
Overall, this book inspired me to continually strive after the narrow path Jesus calls us on as disciples, as leaders and as dumb sheep that must follow the Shepherd. Though the book does not dive deeply into most of the issues, it is a good start to a recovery of what the Church should be.
Rated by buyers 
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Reading Reclaiming God's Original Intent for the Church reminds me of panning for gold in a river; there is allot of useless mud and dirt but every once in awhile you come across a tiny gold nugget. Overall I was incredibly disappointed with this book. I felt like I was simply reading another polemic against The Purpose Driven Church, or two men whine about what they dislike about the "modern" church, instead of really pinpointing what God's intent is.
Three things really aggravated me about this book. The very first was the tremendously poor church history that is implored. The authors contrast some magical perfect pre-Nicaea church that never existed, against this tremendously flawed corporate "Christendom" that was birthed by Constantine. Their claim, that if only we can shed modernity and get back to our early-church roots is a complete farce, because it fails to understand that the church throughout the ages, yes even the early-church, was made up of sinners.
Secondly, I was offended by the broad generalizations they made. As a former youth pastor I was insulted by their claim that many youth ministers leave there ministries because they are looking to climb that corporate ladder (118). I don't think the general statements that the authors make in this book are part of God's intent for the church.
Finally, the chapter entitled "It's About Listening-Not Just Preaching" was awful. The authors are correct to say in counseling and evangelism Christians spend way to much time talking instead of listening. However, they have gotten good counseling confused with good preaching. As a matter of fact I would argue that one of the reasons the church has become so irrelevant is that there are very few gifted preachers in this country. Romans 10:17 say "faith comes from hearing the message." I would contend that preaching is central when it comes to reclaiming God's original intent for the church.
I will say that I did appreciate their point: that the role of pastor is about a calling and not a career. I believe there is something to learn from the church of Antioch; that sent people of proven maturity and effectiveness to new areas. I would claim one of God's original intents for the Church is to send young pastors to our modern day Antioch parishes (large and stable churches). And dispatching our pastors of proven maturity and effectiveness to unchurched areas, instead of vice versa.
This book is a quick and easy read; however it does not come close to effectively reclaiming God's original intent for the church!
Rated by buyers 
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The need for publication of "Reclaiming God's Original Intent for the Church" seems to emphasise the penchant humans have for making things more complicated then they need be. Through this work, Roberts and Marshall have attempted to return the focus of Christian church leaders and pastors to the basics of the Gospel by stressing the importance of making disciples rather than striving for increased numbers or programs that build a false sense of sucess or security. Their intended audience is those church leaders who have been disenchanted with the promises of church growth formulas or new and better programs who need to hear this clarion call to once again return to the simple Gospel. They call leaders to put into practice the essentials of developing character, serving, listening, loving, creating community and following the leading of the Holy Spirit in their churches in order to grow into the unique community of faith that enfleshes and authenticates the Gospel.
I found this material refreshing in its simplicity and foundational in its importance. The authors have returned to biblical principles and encouraged readers concerning the necessity of applying such timeless wisdom in our postmodern culture. It's a book which inspires but also helps us take a look at some of the not so pleasing aspects of our churches today. It will engender enthusiasm and give positive direction to any who have committed themselves to Christian service and will lead to good fruit in the lives of those who accept its challenge to reclaim God's original intent.
Rated by buyers -
Roberts and Marshall have provided the post-modern church a fantastic conversation starter. The issues they bring to light are current and problematic for our congregations. Particularly helpful is the suggestion that we, as Christians in a society that does not value Christian values, refuse to measure sucess utilizing market place standards and instead develop Biblical standards, thus allowing small congregations to realize their potential for ministry. Unfortunately, conversation starter is all they have provided. We need to be very careful not to turn our conversations into two position issues. There are many proper ways of doing church, not simply two (p22), and perhaps the pieces from several puzzles indeed will work together. After all, they are not our pieces, their God's.
Rated by buyers 
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Beverly D. Berry
The Rev. Canon Dr. Jerry Smith
PT249fb-Field Base Seminar
27 January 2005
Book Review of Reclaiming God's Original Intent for the Church by Wes Roberts and Glenn Marshall, to be posted on Amazon.com
If you are a Christian pastor, lay leader, or "pew potato" who is tired of hearing that "bigger is better," this book is for you! In a straightforward and engaging style, the authors write about defining the "success" of Christian ministries not in secular terms, but instead measured against Biblical standards-what a novel idea! In order to reflect of the Biblical meaning of "success," we are challenged to examine the Bible carefully to see what the early (i.e. before it became institutionalized) Christian church looked like.
We find God's original intent for His church, the authors tell us, by going back to the "much older ways" of the apostolic period. In an environment which was hostile to Christianity, the early Christians were considered "weirdos"-but these weirdos were "authentically sold out to Jesus." In thirteen short chapters, Roberts and Marshall describe the early Christians who were focused on authenticity, calling, community, trusting God, and being a servant to God's people. The chief concern of the early church, the authors write, was being the people of God-far different from the norms in many Christian churches yesterday where sucess is measured by how many people attend services and how many dollars are in the annual budget.
Indeed, the authors make it clear that the true meaning of being successful is found in discerning the Lord's will both individually and corporately and then in being obedient to that will. The reader is also challenged by being told that the task God calls His church to is a spiritual battle. This book would make an excellent resource and guide for an adult Christian education class. As a seminarian seeking ordination, I will keep it on my bookshelf for much future use.
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