Speakeasy Review: Unchurching by Richard Jacobson
If like me, you are a bit burned out on all of the hoops and tail-chasing that seems to come with most church-going, if you think there has to be something else, this book will be a good one for you.
Richard Jacobson gives a compelling argument for retiring from brick and mortar supporting, program-based churching as we know it here in the States. He clearly lays out a Biblical foundation for what the early new covenant church looked like and how the church culture practiced today is based on Old Covenant law and practices. He successfully argues that these practices were never intended for the Christian community this side of the cross. Today there is supposed to be a 'priesthood of all believers' rather than one priest that everyone gathers around for instruction. We're intended to teach and serve one another. Jesus says we are to call no one teacher since there is only one teacher - his Holy Spirit. One potent question explored in the book is the modern corporate church. did Jesus do all that work on the cross so that his church could become tax-sheltered business corporations? An excellent question to chew on for sure. Jacobson also does an absolutely wonderful job of tearing down the theology of mandatory tithing which made me quite happy as that's one of my churchy-church pet peeves.
I enjoyed reading this straightforward treatment on the subject. I'm not quite as 'against' church buildings and programs as the author seems to be - I am thankful for the foundation in Christ that my church upbringing provided. Yet, I admit that most of what was of value to me in my faith foundations have been those things that are easily found in the 'new covenant' small, informal family community model found in the New Testament: worship, prayer, spending time with close friends over good food and serving others. In fact, I wrote an entire post about Refuge Coffee Bar upon its closing lamenting the fact that I had found true ecclesia there. That little coffee house was the closest thing to what I believe was intended for Christian community that I had ever experienced. It was not a formal place with programming and preaching series. It was a small community of fellows where everyone was welcome and cared for.
I hope that churches will study this book and find within its pages a way to pare down the excess, do away with those practices Christ set us free from and become communities of love and faith, fueled by open hearts filled with Jesus, not guilt, law, and obligation.
Image Credit: booksaint.blogspot.com
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.
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