When observing the Christian landscape in America today it is easy to get disenfranchised. It is pretty obvious that the world as we know it is changing and that the church is trying to figure out how to faithfully present the gospel in this new world. And you might imagine, this is taking on different looks depending on where one is trying to minister. Thankfully we seem to be moving away from a cookie cutter ten step process in how to grow a mega church with the end result being more fannies in the seats to a holistic look at how we make actual disciples that will make a difference in the world. In "The Next Christians," Gabe Lyons is describing what this latter emphasis looks like. Instead of being bogged down by the intricacies of post modernity and how it may or may not affect our theology, Lyons is taking a look at how many present day Christians are living, moving and having their being in the world. He brings up how many of the outlooks of Christians today have changed from those of generations past, especially in how they choose to engage the world around them. They seek to be agents of restoration in the world who join God in the work that is already being done in and around them. I really enjoyed not only the content of what Lyons had to say, but also the stories of those who are actually living out being an agent of restoration. I felt this offered the most tangible form of hope because these shifts in lifestyle are not just good theories but realities for those who are seeking to follow God in this way. Their stories offer a way forward to those who would choose to follow God in the same manner. I would hope that as this book is read that it peaks our imagination to what our life with God could be like and where we can join in the work that God is already doing. I hope that my story can one day be found in the pages of "The Next Christians" and that as a minister I have been able to help others do the same.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
