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233rd out of 762 books
—
608 voters
No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come as You Are Culture in the Church
How do we live out the message of Jesus in today's ever-changing culture?The church is facing its greatest challenge---and its greatest opportunity---in our postmodern, post-Christian world. God is drawing thousands of spiritually curious 'imperfect people' to become his church---but how are we doing at welcoming them?No Perfect People Allowed shows you how to deconstruct...more
Paperback, 328 pages
Published
May 22nd 2007
by Zondervan Publishing Company
(first published 2005)
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No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come As You Are Culture in the Church (2007), John Burke
John Burke hits the nail on the head with his book about spiritual leadership. He provides a refreshing read for anyone frustrated with the hypocritical stereotype that plagues Christianity. Although the overabundance of word for word conservations makes the book unnecessarily lengthy, those conversations coupled with his observations and experiences outlined in this book bring authenticity to a vision...more
John Burke hits the nail on the head with his book about spiritual leadership. He provides a refreshing read for anyone frustrated with the hypocritical stereotype that plagues Christianity. Although the overabundance of word for word conservations makes the book unnecessarily lengthy, those conversations coupled with his observations and experiences outlined in this book bring authenticity to a vision...more
I absolutely LOVED this book. I read it at a time when I was really beginning to question my faith. I was not questioning it because of God himself, but because I saw the stale lifeless faith of most of the "Christians" around me. This book gave me a vision for what my faith and the Church should be about and gave me direction for my walk with God.
The author talks a lot about his experience starting Gateway church in Texas but it is mainly about the driving vision and character Burke believes is...more
The author talks a lot about his experience starting Gateway church in Texas but it is mainly about the driving vision and character Burke believes is...more
This is a leader oriented book, written by pastor John Burke, where he shares his experiences as a emergent church pastor, advisor and servant. It is interesting, that most of the cases stated in the book are actual and related with a post-modern society, as today's society. Nevertheless, this is not a theology book as it might sound or look like, but an almost biography regarding the observation of broken and battered people being restored, changing lives and testifying their experiences.
A long book filled with many personal stories of people being lead to Christ by a loving and accepting group of Christ-followers from a non-denominational church in Austin, TX. I enjoyed reading this book and hearing testimonies from others in their struggles and temptations of sin and how the love of Christ was shared with them through the actions of Christ-followers and not simply because someone tried to "convert" them to Jesus. For as Jesus stated in scripture, the greatest commandment is to...more
My pastor wrote this book, but I read it before I came to work at Gateway. This is the first book I've read that truly describes what ministry to the post-modern culture looks like when it comes from a church with this as it's DNA, not a church taking on an approach/strategy. INSPIRATIONAL!
Jesus came back for sinners willing to humble there self and accept his free gift eternal life. This book is abought Gods perfect work in imperfect people and how the church should accept everyone as Christ would!We are all sinners saved by grace and it is never our place to judge!
Not as well written as I might like but a great story of how a congregation can be accepting and loving to the point of drawing people in and loving them into change, not requiring them to change in order to feel comfortable.
One of the cornerstone books that helped shape our church plant. If I am asked by church planters what is the one book that I would recommend that they read prior to planting a church, I recommend this one.
My small group is currently reading this and we meet every week to discuss the chapter. It answers tough questions and really is a true example of how to accept and love others like Jesus loved.
Mar 25, 2009
Melvin
added it
I am to always be "ready to give an account for the hope that is in me" but many time that hope has been for perfect people. This is a great book to learn to connect with people.
Aug 09, 2011
Ryan Fisher
added it
This was a really in depth and comprehensive look at what a church for the emerging generations can and should be. Great book with lots of great stuff.
Jul 29, 2011
Jonathan P.
added it
This is simply a great book. A lot of stories, and there is this chapter that is worth the price of the whole book. Enough said, get this book
WHAT? I typed a review for this and it seems to have disappeared into the interweb. Well, I think the content is splendid and his ideas on a church that can survive/thrive in the 21st Century are brilliant but I didn't like the writing style; it felt contrived at times and the slang was like my mom trying to talk cool, which is never well-received. Example "Word on the street says..." or the general use of crack...I think my peers are more into meth and/or prescription drugs. It seems like the i...more
Bought the book after I heard John Burke speak. Great insight into how to talk with hurting people.
I haven't been this engaged in a Christian non-fiction book in a long time. Gateway church reaches out to Austin's quirky post-modern population in a way that speaks truth to the come-as-you-are culture. There are lots of personal stories and the principles could be adapted for other churches in other places.
Nov 11, 2010
Tim Martin
added it
I great book a good read...
Aug 02, 2011
Sam
added it
Hated it.
this book was incredible. i would love to move just to go to this church. i love the culture that this church- its leaders and congregation- has created. this is how i think its supposed to be. reading this book challenged me on my own stereotypes and prejudices (for "christians" and "non-christians". i highly recommend this book to everyone!
This is one of the best books I have read on what the church needs to be in order to relate and communicate to our existing postmodern culture. This is not just theory, but the working experience of a successful church. Great book! Highly recommended. It has changed a lot of thinking and approaches, and will continue to do so for a long time.
Jun 04, 2008
Jacob
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who want to be in a book club with Brian
Honestly, I did a "quick read" of this book. We were reading it for a book club of sorts so I had to power through it. It was pretty good, and the guy had some interesting stories, but I feel like the book could have been half the length and still communicated exactly what the author set out to say.
I rarely don't finish a book- but I didn't finish this one. The point was that it doesn't matter what we say-- if we don't show people the love of Christ, it won't matter. I'm not sure the book needed so many stories and chapters to get this point across.
This book greatly influenced the way I think about church. I don't endorse everything in this book, but it was certainly helpful in informing me, and raising hard questions to think through, in regards to the church.
Feb 26, 2008
Mike Jones
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone wanting to be missional
Recommended to Mike by:
Chris
If you want to live and do ministry missionally, this book will blow your mind! Burke helped open my eyes to the changing culture we live and gave definition to the people God has called me to be a part in reaching.
This book challenged me, convicted me and sometimes did not sit well with me but it definitely made me think about things in a different way. A great read for anyone who was raised in a legalistic background.
This is a great book for all Christ followers to read in learning how to make their faith more real and authentic for others to see what true Christianity is all about.
Great read for those in church leadership today. Have a bit of a biased opinion since I've been at Gateway Church since it's really early days.
If this is not the best book I've read, it's in the top three. EVERY church leader needs to read this book. I've read it twice.
this book has great stories about life changing relationships. it is a good look at how christianity should act.
One of my favorites! Such a great picture of what the church should look like.
Dec 18, 2007
Anne
is currently reading it
Just started this one. I basically like the title so far, but I'll let you know.
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Feb 11, 2013 06:55pm