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Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale

by Ian Morgan Cron (Goodreads Author), Michael Card

3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 · rating details · 334 ratings · 77 reviews

Chase Falson has lost his faith so he crosses the Atlantic to visit his uncle, a Franciscan priest, where he encounters the teachings of Francis of Assisi and rediscovers his ancient faith. Follow Chase's spiritual journey in the footsteps of Francis, and then begin one of your own through the pilgrim's guide included in this book.

Paperback, 256 pages

Published June 22nd 2006 by NavPress

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Apr 30, 2008 Debbie Howell rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who want to tie missional church to its historical roots.

This is an introduction to the theology of Francis of Assisi in novelized form. It didn't quite win me over, but I have to give the author credit for trying something different. As a novel, it had some flaws--kind of hokey, "happy-friends" character interactions, not much dramatic tension, forced-sounding dialogue. To get factual information across, the author used the device of journal entries by the main character. My personal preference would be to get factual info straight-up, but some peopl...more

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May 13, 2013 Katherine Jones rated it 3 of 5 stars

One important things to know about Chasing Francis is that it is what Cron calls wisdom literature: “a delicate balance of fiction and nonfiction, pilgrimage and teaching.”

Chasing Francis is an appeal more to the mind and soul than to the heart. The story didn’t engage my emotions in a very satisfying way–which is why it was important to understand that what I was reading was not meant to (as opposed to true, straight fiction, which is meant to do just that). Knowing this helped to alleviate dis...more

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Feb 04, 2013 Gerard Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really did enjoy this book. More than anything, I respect Morgan Cron for his decision to bring Francis alive through a work of fiction rather than another biography or documentary. I think the trick works, and I probably wouldn't have bothered to read the alternative. There are two areas of weakness in the book. The first is that the writing is patchy in places. My sense is that the writer knew he was skating onto unfamiliar ice, and he takes a bit of a tumble every now and then. I could acce...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Glen Grunau rated it 3 of 5 stars

My wife Karen picked this book up at our local Salvation Army thrift shop and suggested that we read it together during our recent vacation. We did a lot of driving on this vacation and so we would often read it aloud in the car, with Karen doing most of the reading. The author writes as a fictitious lead pastor in a mainstream evangelical church in Connecticut. In the midst of a "successful" ministry in which he had founded a growing church, he began to experience a personal awakening that bega...more My wife Karen picked this book up at our local Salvation Army thrift shop and suggested that we read it together during our recent vacation. We did a lot of driving on this vacation and so we would often read it aloud in the car, with Karen doing most of the reading. The author writes as a fictitious lead pastor in a mainstream evangelical church in Connecticut. In the midst of a "successful" ministry in which he had founded a growing church, he began to experience a personal awakening that began to shatter many of the assumptions he had made about what it means to be a follower of Christ and to serve as a minister of the gospel in an evangelical church. Sharing some of these questions from the pulpit gets him into trouble with his congregation and he is forced to take a sabbatical leave from ministry. He chooses to meet up in Italy with his "uncle turned Catholic" in the town of Assisi where St. Francis lived out the Christian gospel in ancient times.

Although the book may not be the most well-written book on the life of St. Francis, the author deserves recognition for his creative attempt to situate Franciscan spirituality in the postmodern era in a fiction novel format. His hokey use of metaphor produced the occasional groan from Karen and I, admittedly along with some laughter. However, I did appreciate some of the parallels between the spiritual awakening of this pastor, with all of its many questions and struggles, with some of my own experience - which currently has led me to distance myself from my own evangelical church where I have attended and actively served for the past 20 years.

Karen and I enjoyed reading the book together. I'm not sure if or how some of the relevant themes in this book will work its way into my own struggles with church, but the pilgrimage encountered by this author was a worthy supplement to our own vacation pilgrimage which took us to parts of Canada we had never experienced before as we traveled the Maritime provinces together. (less)

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Apr 16, 2012 David A. rated it 4 of 5 stars

At the end of 2011 I was invited to write a brief review for a best-of list. The book was Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me, a memoir by Ian Morgan Cron about growing up in a car wash. Just kidding. The title was as accurate to the content as it was creatively uncreative, and the book was absorbing. I wrote an effusive review of the book and resolved that I would eventually, finally, read his first book, Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale.

Then I forgot about it for a while.

Then I had the chance...more At the end of 2011 I was invited to write a brief review for a best-of list. The book was Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me, a memoir by Ian Morgan Cron about growing up in a car wash. Just kidding. The title was as accurate to the content as it was creatively uncreative, and the book was absorbing. I wrote an effusive review of the book and resolved that I would eventually, finally, read his first book, Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale.

Then I forgot about it for a while.

Then I had the chance to meet Cron, where I told him face to face how much I enjoyed his memoir, and where he asked what I thought of his first book, and where I had to red-facedly admit I'd let it slip by. I was embarrassed for a number of reasons: Chasing Francis has been influential on a number of my friends as they think about living out their faith in the twenty-first century, and because I admire them, I really should have read what they admire by now. As an editor for a Christian publisher, I've solicited endorsements for several books from Cron in the few years since Chasing Francis was released, itself a tacit acknowledgment of his importance, but never bothered to read what this important writer had written. And perhaps most embarrassingly, I had advance notice that I might get to meet him, might get to talk about his writing with him, and I still let his book go unread. Lame lame lame all around. In any event, Cron was gracious and, in an act of Franciscan charity, gave me two copies of the book. This being my personal Year of Overdue Books, I chalked it up to providence and read Chasing Francis over the weekend--maybe a bit faster than I should have--and thoroughly enjoyed it.

My copies of the book bear the subtitle "A Novel," which is a change from the subtitle at first release: "A Pilgrim's Tale." That change is unfortunate, as calling it a novel sets up the wrong expectations of the book and would likely disappoint. This isn't a novel; it's "wisdom literature," a style that's been used to good effect in recent years by philosophers such as Peter Kreeft and Christian gadfly Brian McLaren, among many others. Cron's goal for the reader in this particular wisdom writing is not to enjoy a subversive work of literary fiction but to enter into a time of reflection by way of imagined scenario: an accomplished but increasingly frayed pastor of an evangelical church, who represents the angst felt by many such pastors and laypeople today (including myself, I freely admit), loses it in the pulpit one day and is forced into a leave of absence by his elder board (who represent the tyranny of sameness that actively, though unconsciously, suppresses the redemptive imagination in all kinds of settings, not just the church), and sets out on a pilgrimage to the world of St. Francis of Assisi, the medieval child of privilege whose epiphany on the road to war led him to arguably (and it's a strong argument) rescue Christianity from its own obsolescence.

That's a long sentence, but it gets the gist of the book across. The main character, pastor Chase Falson, reads a little thin and implausible at the beginning; so does his church, actually. Both sound more like an amalgamation of evangelicals from all over America, moreso than a congregation specifically set in New England; Chase's initial ignorance of St. Francis, his casualness in the face of a startlingly unsympathetic reaction to his breakdown, his utter innocence in the face of betrayal by the congregation that he planted and cultivated--this initial setup serves the story almost too well. I would have liked to see Chase's feet of clay a little more clearly in the beginning.

But to ask for that is to judge the book as a novel, which is not what it is. And you'll grow quickly to root for and identify with Chase as he flies to Italy and takes up with several Franciscan brothers and sisters, conveniently speakers of English and mostly American, and makes the compelling case that the church at the beginning of the third millennium CE looks a lot like the church at the beginning of the second millennium CE: unmitigated materialism, regular scandals of the predictable sort, and a growing irrelevancy to the daily lives of loosely committed adherents. Francis, who expressed his faith in such wild and crazy ways as kissing lepers, walking through a war zone unarmed to offer a blessing to a Muslim emir, and stripping naked in front of a crowd to divest himself of his family's wealth, was a shock to the church's system--just the shock, it turns out, that the church needed. A Christian counterculture spread across Europe in Francis's wake, taking vows of poverty and simplicity, blessing communities in real, tangible and agendaless ways, and just generally taking the words of Jesus really, really seriously while taking the serious challenges of life lightly and joyfully. No wonder Chase falls in love with Francis; no wonder he has his world rocked.

I was surprised and impressed at the end of the book by how Chase was able to offer a vision for the contemporary church that is informed by Francis but achievable by modern evangelicals. Cron identifies five themes that capture the heart of Francis's ministry and challenge the mores and protocols of today's churches: transcendence, community, beauty, dignity and meaning. That these sound a little "duh" to me is a tribute both to how effectively Cron portrayed the zeitgeist in this book (he's not the only person to have been thinking along these lines in the past decade) and how influential his book has been in the six years since its release. The most interesting books do exactly that: they make you think that you already accepted the premise by showing how self-evident the premise is, even while honestly representing how controversial the premise will be. That's what good wisdom literature does too, frankly: we get fooled by the parable into thinking that we're something we've never yet been, and then we start to live into that something in redemptive and joyful ways. Chasing Francis is fiction in service to the pursuit of truth.

A running tension throughout the book is the contrast between evangelicalism and Catholicism, and the mutual suspicion between the two traditions. I've personally been on both sides of this chasm, which may be why I got this book so much more quickly than I've gotten similar treatises by other writers. Brian McLaren and others have written compellingly about the latest emergence in the arc of Christianity's history, and I have a great deal of sympathy toward the insights from those writings. But this look backward, this story of a textbook evangelical learning from an unmitigated Catholic, is for me touched with a special grace. There's no going back, Chase seems to understand, as he resists moving permanently to Italy, converting to Catholicism and joining a traditional Franciscan order. But there is historical continuity to the work of God in the world through the church: when there's nothing new under the sun, then what Francis discovered in his day can be rediscovered and freshly applied in our day. We move forward into history best when we carry the best of our history with us. As one of the priests in Chase's adventure reminds him, and us, "the pilgrimage is never over." (less)

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Apr 01, 2011 Heavensent1 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale is a spiritually uplifting novel for anyone who has lost their faith and are in search of a renewal. The author, Ian Morgan Cron, has weaved a tale of fiction with non-fiction that is sure to enlighten all those who peruse its pages.

Chase Falcon is a pastor of a very successful ministry who begins to see flaws in his parishioners and the church he preaches from. While struggling internally with the materialistic trappings that have become a part of the religious...more

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Feb 20, 2011 Laverne Ombadykow rated it 3 of 5 stars

Although this book is a novel, I kept wondering how much is somewhat autobiographical because the author is(was) the pastor of a church in Connecticut. When I went on the church website it shows another person as being senior pastor and he is not listed among the staff. So, being curious, I googled him and found that he is a doctoral student, studying Thomas Merton.

Well, anyway, I do agree that we should be "the body" of Christ and therefore, be His hands and feet when it comes to helping the p...more

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Aug 02, 2010 Brenda Casto rated it 4 of 5 stars

The book Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron gives us a look at St. Francis of Assisi.
For 20 yrs Chase Falson thought he knew all the answers, but a senseless death shakes his faith.
When he has to bury 9 yr old Iris Harmon, a little girl whom he had baptized at three months old, he could no longer hold it together. Iris's death had been a senseless tragedy, she had fallen off her bike and bumped her head and never woke up. He is with Iris mom Maggie, when she decides to turn off life support.Wh...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Trinity Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

“Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron isn’t a light read. It is full of depth and will make you think like never before.
This book is written in the genre called wisdom literature, which is a very delicate balance of fiction and non-fiction, pilgrimage and teaching.
Chase Falson, megachurch pastor, lost his faith. When a young girl falls off her bike and never wakes up, Chase wonders about everything he has ever thought that was true before. His faith comes falling to the ground at the worst possib...more

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Nov 21, 2010 Teresa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned

Chase Falson, pastor of a successful New England evangelical church, is frustrated. After years of success in his ministry, he’s starting to think none of it has any meaning at all. When he breaks down and shares his true feelings with his congregation, the response is as bad as you might expect. Now in disgrace (and on an indefinite leave of absence), Chase calls us his uncle, a jolly Franciscan friar, who invites him to come to Italy on a sort of Franciscan pilgrimage.

Ian Morgan Cron uses Chas...more

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Nov 17, 2010 Pat Loughery rated it 4 of 5 stars

Is there a way to digest the pre-packaged, one-size-fits-all easy answers Churchianity that happens in so much of our culture? Is there a way past the Sunday show that allows us to wrestle with the deep complexities of Christian faith and allows space for questions and doubt? Is there a faith that focuses its resources outside the building and into the world at large

And is there a way to answer these questions in an engaging story form, rather than yet another “What’s wrong with the Church and w...more Is there a way to digest the pre-packaged, one-size-fits-all easy answers Churchianity that happens in so much of our culture? Is there a way past the Sunday show that allows us to wrestle with the deep complexities of Christian faith and allows space for questions and doubt? Is there a faith that focuses its resources outside the building and into the world at large

And is there a way to answer these questions in an engaging story form, rather than yet another “What’s wrong with the Church and what I propose to fix it?” textbook?

This is the goal of this book.

Ian Cron’s novel tells the story of a megachurch pastor who is struck with questions that he cannot answer simply, for the first time in his life and much to his consternation. He seeks advice from his uncle, a Franciscan friar, who invites him onto a pilgrimage following the story of Francis of Assisi as a way to discover a larger Christian heritage and a way to connect his questions and his soul to God.

Cron’s story is well written and engaging. I had a few laugh-out-loud moments reading witty dialogue, and I learned quite a bit about St. Francis and contemporary Franciscan spirituality along the way. The plot has a few heavy-handed moments along the way, but on the whole, the story is well worth your time, especially if you are curious about pre-Reformation spiritualities in today’s culture.

Make sure you check out the individual and group study guide at the back of the book, which would make it very useful for a small group. There’s an excellent biography as well.

I found the book to be very similar in form to Brian McLaren’s trilogy of “A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey, “The Story We Find Ourselves In, and “The Last Word and the Word after That: A Tale of Faith, Doubt, and a New Kind of Christianity, which were helpful to many of us in proposing an alternative way to view our Christian story.

I’m looking forward to reading more from Ian Cron.

As for my own personal impact, I found myself looking not just at Franciscan spirituality but more to the Celtic spirituality which informed Francis. Franciscan scholars say that Francis took his monastic training at the monastery in Bobbio, in northern Italy – Bobbio was founded by Celtic St. Columban. Certainly Francis’ themes of humility and simplicity, his emphasis on artistic creativity, his peer relationships with female leaders such as Claire, and his recognition of the God speaking from within nature are Celtic themes as well.

At the same time, there is a well-developed lay Franciscan framework which has done a wonderful job of engaging “everyday” Christians as third order members and expanding a spirituality which encompasses peacemaking and service of the poor.

Anyone interested in either Celtic or Franciscan spirituality would be well served to investigate both histories and learning from these close cousins.
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Jul 03, 2011 Neil Hanson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I’m not sure how I ended up downloading this book to my Kindle - I think it was a long-standing admiration I have for Francis of Assisi along with the description of the book. Whatever it was, I’m delighted it ended up on my Kindle, because I really enjoyed reading this story.

It’s fiction, written a bit like a long parable. It’s the story of a young evangelical preacher, and his crisis with faith.

Here’s the author’s (or publicist’s) description of the book:

Author, musician and speaker Ian Morgan...more I’m not sure how I ended up downloading this book to my Kindle - I think it was a long-standing admiration I have for Francis of Assisi along with the description of the book. Whatever it was, I’m delighted it ended up on my Kindle, because I really enjoyed reading this story.

It’s fiction, written a bit like a long parable. It’s the story of a young evangelical preacher, and his crisis with faith.

Here’s the author’s (or publicist’s) description of the book:

Author, musician and speaker Ian Morgan Cron sheds new light on the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi, “the Last Christian.” Cron masterfully weaves actual accounts from the life of Saint Francis’ into the fictional story of Chase Falson, a New England minister on a pilgrimage to regain his faith. It’s an amazing story with profound implications for the contemporary church. Read the story, and then learn even more about St. Francis’ radical activism and theology in the robust forty-page study guide.

While at times the story is predictable and over-simplified, I don’t really find this as a fault within the context of this book and this story, as I think it makes the story more accessible for a broader audience.

The story itself is a wonderful one, connecting the church of several hundred years ago with the church of today, helping the reader to see the “unity” or “catholic” of western Christianity. It’s so easy for Protestants today to see ourselves as quite separate from the Catholic Church, but this story does a really good job of illuminating the sameness of both the bright spots and the blemishes. I also very much enjoyed the fact that the author stayed away from doctrine, and talked about the real heart of the Faith, drawing a line from Jesus to Francis, then extending it forward and wondering where it can be connected today.

In all fairness, I have to say that I suspect the author’s view of Christianity is similar to my own. When this happens, it’s always easier to find the good in a book. Notwithstanding this caveat, I do think this is an excellent first book by a young author. I suspect that folks who are firmly entrenched in a right-wing sort of fundamentalist, with no desire to hear a different point of view, won’t like the book. I also suspect that folks who are firmly anti-Christian for whatever reason, with no desire to hear a different point of view, won’t like this book. However, for that vast center of western Christianity - folks with good and legitimate questions who find themselves on the edge of faith crisis from time to time - folks who wonder why the Christianity we practice today seems so distant from the life Jesus led - I think those folks will find this book educational, entertaining, and inspiring.

I highly recommend it! I'd like to give this 5 stars, but realize that some of that motivation is from the fact that I enjoyed the content and viewpoint of the author so much. 4.5 stars is right for the book, since I reserve the 5-star ratings for the ones that fit into "best I've ever read" - the stuff like Ken Follett. I'd be delighted if most folks liked my first book as much as I like this one!(less)

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May 09, 2011 Matt rated it 2 of 5 stars

The Pop-Christian book market is dominated by Evangelicals, so it was interesting to read a book by a mainline priest that follows the formula but contributes an entirely different slant. Instead of a book with an incidental plot that is really just a glorified evangelical street tract, this is a book with an interesting plot that descends into a glorified mainline social gospel essay (since there's no such thing as a tract in liberal circles...).

This is not a bad book. The central idea of a pas...more The Pop-Christian book market is dominated by Evangelicals, so it was interesting to read a book by a mainline priest that follows the formula but contributes an entirely different slant. Instead of a book with an incidental plot that is really just a glorified evangelical street tract, this is a book with an interesting plot that descends into a glorified mainline social gospel essay (since there's no such thing as a tract in liberal circles...).

This is not a bad book. The central idea of a pastor having a crisis of faith (and melting down in front of his mega-church congregation) makes for great tension at the start. There are places where Ian Cron's pastoral and theological insights are profound, and hint at what the book could have been. The ultimate disappointment is this: the book implies that it's going to teach evangelical Christians about missing components of their faith, re-learned from Francis of Assisi. The final "sermon" ends up being nothing more than a summary of the twentieth-century social gospel, shored up with bullet points from Francis' ministry philosophy. Jesus is also mentioned once or twice to further shore up Francis, the implication being that both of them would agree with the protagonist (and thus with Cron, since the protag is clearly his mouthpiece).

This conclusion is indicative of the year the book was written, when post-modern "future/primitive" Christianity was truly the flavor of the month, and held so much authority. This concept appeals to me too, but my problem is this: instead of name-dropping saints to back up a liberal 1900's social gospel as "true Christianity," why not go further back, all the way to the oldest Christian creeds, which clearly affirm belief in the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus? It would only be fair, since these are the very same creeds that St. Francis spoke.

Ian Cron has publicly declared that he doesn't believe in the resurrection. That's his business, and in liberal theological circles it isn't the least bit surprising. Yet it seems hypocritical for Cron to assert this, and then write a book that relies entirely on the authority and credibility of Francis, who claimed his ministry began with a visitation from the resurrected Jesus Christ. In the end, I just don't get it.
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Apr 16, 2013 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-fiction

First, don’t brush this book off with the assumption it’s just jumping on the bandwagon. I requested my review copy before the new Pope took his name. I won’t deny, however, that reading all the news articles on both the original and new Francis made me even more interested in the history Chasing Francis unfolds.

Chasing Francis is a rare book. Instead of being “historical fiction,” it is a fictional story about one man learning the history of St. Francis of Assisi. This means the book is rich wi...more First, don’t brush this book off with the assumption it’s just jumping on the bandwagon. I requested my review copy before the new Pope took his name. I won’t deny, however, that reading all the news articles on both the original and new Francis made me even more interested in the history Chasing Francis unfolds.

Chasing Francis is a rare book. Instead of being “historical fiction,” it is a fictional story about one man learning the history of St. Francis of Assisi. This means the book is rich with actual history. The different myths and writings about the church father were the focus of the book. Many times when I encounter historical figures in fiction, I find after some research that their stories were tweaked or limited for the sake of the story. In the case of Chasing Francis, this is really a history book cleverly disguised as a novel.

Secondly, it’s the story of an evangelical pastor swept along on a pilgrimage by exuberant Franciscan monks. Yet, it remains impartial. There are moments when you cringe at the portrait the author paints of the phenomenon of the mega church. There are moments when you cringe at the legalistic attitudes of the Catholics. With a very even hand, Mr. Cron paints a picture of two sides that error most when their focus falls away from God, but also two sides that have different approaches toward the same truth. I love how awkward Chase is interacting with the monks at the beginning. Scared of them trying to convert him, respectful of their beliefs, and intrigued by the ideas they are presenting him with. There’s a lot of talk these days about the church’s need to bridge the gap between different types of believers. There’s a few excellent lessons to be learned about that here, most of which involve a lot of grace on one side or the other.

As a rule I don’t really enjoy stories centered on a Christian losing or doubting faith and then reclaiming it in the end. Frequently, they are too trite and seem too focused on what life without God looks like. However, Chasing Francis came across as very genuine. It is the story of what happens when our faith is entirely based on reason and understanding and then are handed something the human mind is incapable of explaining or understanding. And it doesn’t just argue that believing with the heart instead of the head is the fix. It simply tells the story of life lived with a belief that fully transfuses every moment and breath, and allows it to speak for itself.

My thanks to Zondervan for providing me with a copy of Chasing Francis via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion of the book.(less)

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Mar 04, 2008 Matt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: theology

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 21, 2010 Alice rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: folks who are looking for a reality with God - not a Sunday morning experience

Recommended to Alice by: Michael Morrell - thru Facebook

Shelves: stuff-people-recommended

This was recommended to me on Facebook by an interview Mike Morrell did with Ian. I must admit it was not what I was thinking, but affected me in ways that might not be how the author intended. Presenting Francis as "the last Christian" I was hoping would relate to *all* who follow Jesus but the book seemed to suggest one could only meet him (as well as deep spirituality in general) through the edifices and traditions of the Catholic church.

I loved all the characters who were serving God by serv...more

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Jul 24, 2010 Jules rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Saint Francis of Assisi has always fascinated me as he was truly the first environmentalist and protector of animals. I wanted to learn more about this amazing man.

This book appealed to me as it is presented as a fictional novel about the search for the actual man by a fictional character. I liked learning about Saint Francis and his life in this manner as some of the historical and religious texts can be quite oppressive and dry--boring.

While the author is an actual priest, he's not a professi...more

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Nov 26, 2010 Dominique rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I first got this book I really wasn't sure what to think. It is a book of fiction but it deals with a very serious and real issue among those within the church. Many people have lost their original passion and purpose for why they believe in their faith.

Although, I am of the Catholic faith, I found this book very intriguing. Even more importantly, I found myself flying through this book. I read it is hours. Once you start, you just can't put it down.

The author chose to write the book in a w...more When I first got this book I really wasn't sure what to think. It is a book of fiction but it deals with a very serious and real issue among those within the church. Many people have lost their original passion and purpose for why they believe in their faith.

Although, I am of the Catholic faith, I found this book very intriguing. Even more importantly, I found myself flying through this book. I read it is hours. Once you start, you just can't put it down.

The author chose to write the book in a way in which the reader actually becomes part of the story and goes on this pilgrimage with the main character. I felt like I was in the story and part of the story.

In addition, all the characters in the story was very believable especially those in the church who took sides when the pastor (the main character) announces he is struggling with why he believes what he believes and what purpose does it all serve.

The story really looks at a lot of human issues within the faith structure and shows the reader that we are just that, human. Sometimes we need to step back and look at our faith and do a re-assessment if you will.

In the main character's case, he took a pilgrimage to Italy and followed in the footsteps of St. Assisi.

One of the things I loved about this pastor's pilgrimage is how he came to realize sometimes we become so serious and set in our beliefs that we just do things out of habit instead of out of the spirit or our of our relationship with God.

In addition, I loved how this pastor came to realize that God does truly work outside the box - our box - and sometimes we get so caught up in doing things how they have always been done or our way, that we lose sight of who is ultimately in control of our lives - God.

I gave this book a 4 out 5 and would recommend it. I was pleasantly surprised!

*I received this book free from Speak Easy as part of their Blogging 4 Books program. 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 (less)

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Apr 05, 2013 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I learned about this book, I knew I had to read it. The description pulled me in even before I opened the book. Knowing a bit about Francis of Assisi, it was interesting to me that the author desired to fictionalize his story.

From the start, I appreciated the plight of the main character. Sadly, his predicament is not so uncommon. To question. To wonder. To doubt. Seeking. Searching. For truth. For clarity. Purity and authenticity versus a watered down religious formula.

This book did a grea...more

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Mar 23, 2010 Caylene rated it 3 of 5 stars

I heard Ian Cron speak at a conference I went to this past October. He was an incredible speaker and an advocate for the contemplative practices of Christianity (i.e., meditation, fasting, silence and solitude). I'm really interested in strengthening those aspects of my faith so I really respected him as a pastor and speaker.
"Chasing Francis" is the fictional story of a pastor searching for more and looking to St. Francis of Assisi to guide him. Should be good...

Just finished this book and was...more

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May 04, 2009 Jessie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: advisory-books-08-09

The reason as to why I chose this book was because I thought it was going to be somewhat like a fiction story similar to something JRR Tolkien would write but I was wrong. In fact this story was about St. Francis of Assisi who is a saint that not only cared for people but cared deeply for animals, which is what i liked about him. The book was about his life and works. And while i was reading this book, I remembered some things that I learned about him when I used to attend sunday school. I recal...more

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Aug 10, 2012 Carl-Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Fictional story of a there-is-an-answer-in-the-Bible-for-everything mega church pastor who loses touch, if he ever had it to begin with, of the sweet mysteries of the Faith. Our protagonist discovers a surprising spiritual companion in St. Francis of Assisi on a meandering pilgrimage through Italy with his uncle, who is a Franciscan monk, and who acts as a spiritual father to the young man. At times simplistic, this nevertheless will do some good in helping Protestants get just a taste of an anc...more

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Jan 18, 2011 TheRealMelbelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is helpful in a story format in learning about the life of St. Francis of Assisi and in thinking about how the modern church and especially Evangelical Christians might reach back into history and apply values which are biblical and were seen in the light of Francis' life. It was a good review of Francis' life for me and echoes the frustration of many Evangelicals today who are wanting to be faithful to God and yet feel disconnected in their faith. I don't typically like study guides b...more

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May 15, 2013 Kelly Hovey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Chasing Francis was captivating a beautifully written. Chase's crisis with what he knows as the evangelical faith is common, and his encounters with St. Francis as well as the monks he is with offer a hopeful answer to the faith crisis faced by so many.
The book started well, hit a long series of stunning depictions of faith, and then ended with what felt like a thud. The end felt slightly forced in contrast to the body of the book.
Even though I was dissatisfied with the end, I still give this...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Mathew Allen rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Any Christian, and those searching

What a great book. I have not done a great deal of reading on St. Francis specifically. Only what I was exposed to in Church History and some of the accounts of the Saints, generally. This however is a story, a parable, of a minister of a large evangelical church. The minister runs into a crisis of faith. Not a crisis of his faith in God or his faith in Jesus Christ, but a crisis of how to server God consistent with the commands of Jesus Christ.

The story goes on to tell how this minister finds h...more

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May 14, 2013 Darian G. rated it 5 of 5 stars

What would occur if a respected, confident well known minister of a metro-mega church came to grips with the overwhelming truth of depression and uncertainty that torments so many of those he leads? Likewise, what would happen if he started to encounter his very own self-awareness, and began to verbalize it to his church and staff? Would he lead his flock through a season of experience and maturing through the process? Or, would they discard him and move on to someone whose teaching would ring w...more What would occur if a respected, confident well known minister of a metro-mega church came to grips with the overwhelming truth of depression and uncertainty that torments so many of those he leads? Likewise, what would happen if he started to encounter his very own self-awareness, and began to verbalize it to his church and staff? Would he lead his flock through a season of experience and maturing through the process? Or, would they discard him and move on to someone whose teaching would ring with surety and triumphalism, appeasing the shallow faith of our age with an assurance that everything is always fine in the holy of holies of their church?

Ian Morgan Cron is the profound writer who tackles the above topics with innocence, authority and courage all at the same time. In “Chasing Francis“, Cron tells his readers that the book is officially a story, it’s subject matter, events and personalities call attention to our very own life experiences, places of worship and ministries: broken, aching and divided.

The leading character of the tale, Chase Falson, is an amalgamation of the issues you and I face in the toughest moments od our lives, the honest conversation that must entered into if we are to survive nd learn through our “dark night of the soul”. Chase is riddled with insecurities in his private life, and they reach a zenith when a little girl in his church is tragically left in a state of constant life support. All that remains is for her single mother and their minister, Chase, to bear the burden of removing her from life support. There is no eternal mission, no reason for it, everything appears as if God has no answer for this pointless death and the brokenness of who remain.

The girl’s passing brings Chase to a point of honest questioning of his previously sturdy absolute theology. When his faith implodes on his public examination, he takes a sabbatical to Italy. Through the suggestion of an uncle, he aspires to to discover a deeper truth than cognitive understanding by taking a personal journey through the life of Francis of Assisi. Chase is changed step by step as he travels the way of Francis and begins to charge himself to the responsibility of God’s regeneration within his being.

The book faces head on the biggest ponderings of post modern society that is clashing with Christianity. It also does not submit into unending circular questions which are so popular with post moderns but only lead to more (and infinite) mysteries Instead, Cron’s readers are left with a belief that is fresher, more genuine, and more lasting when seen through the eyes of Francis.

Cron’s writing is extremely appealing. Beginning throughly in the world of Christian influence and church, it carries us from the common to the natural atmosphere of Francis. Cron’s capacity for writing is clever yet thoughtful, a classic convergence that does not dispense with faith, but also does not settle for common cliches.

If you desire to read a wise, challenging and pleasant book which will reveal to you something and involve you in an emotional tale, I greatly recommend that you to read “Chasing Francis”.

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Aug 20, 2012 Robbie rated it 2 of 5 stars

What did I think about this book? I guess my overall impression was that I read it about 8 years too late (I haven't looked to see when it was written so I'm don't know if I actually could have picked it up then) because I think the overall thrust of the book would have appealed to me much more back then.

The book chronicles Chase Falson's crisis of faith. He is the pastor of a rather large evangelical church in the Northeast when he begins to experience doubts about his beliefs due in large part...more What did I think about this book? I guess my overall impression was that I read it about 8 years too late (I haven't looked to see when it was written so I'm don't know if I actually could have picked it up then) because I think the overall thrust of the book would have appealed to me much more back then.

The book chronicles Chase Falson's crisis of faith. He is the pastor of a rather large evangelical church in the Northeast when he begins to experience doubts about his beliefs due in large part to a series of events. Due to his crisis he finds himself in Italy with his Uncle Kenny who introduces him to the life and person of St. Francis of Assisi (If you have read Brian McLaren's A New Kind of Christian then this story line and the overall message will strike you as similar. Although, I feel as though Ian Cron is a better story teller than Mr. Mclaren.). Throughout the book one gets a good sketch of who St. Francis was and what was attractive about him; however, this is not a historical account. There are other books that provide a better history of his life but this does give one a taste of what St. Francis was like. Probably the best part of the book for me was a back and forth dialogue about the attributes of Franciscanism. One of the characters states that Franciscanism is best describes as "the radically unprotected life..." I think that is a great way to describe the way of St. Francis.

As I said at the beginning, if I would have read this book several years ago I would have been much more enthusiastic about it because it sketchs the role of a pastor in our postmodern times (e.g. a strong focus on mystery, art, social justice, and othropraxy). But that message has been played out in countless books and blogs over the years. So overall I give it two stars because for me it was just okay. I do think Ian Cron is a good writer and I plan to pick some of his other writing in the future but I don't recommend this book to readers who have kept up with postmodern practices in the church.(less)

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Jul 30, 2011 Nanci de Suffren rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read this book a couple of years ago and had to share it and share it and share it. I think I've ended up buying at least 4 copies because everyone I shared it with wanted to keep it. The reluctant pilgrimage touched me and has touched everyone I've recommended this book to. I go back to it often because the gentle power of it centers me. There is no preaching in it. The story resonates in my heart and soul. I loved this book and have been very proud to share it. Everyone who has ever had a cr...more

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Nov 22, 2010 Graziano rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-library

St. Francis of Assisi has always fascinated lots of people, and many books have been written about his life. Chasing Francis is not another biography about Francis, but tells the story of Chase Falson, founding pastor of an evangelical church in New England, and his ‘meetings’ with Francis..
Aftter a terrible event, an ‘earthquake’ that hits the foundation of his beliefs, Chase decides to go on a pilgrimage in Italy. This pilgrimage is a journey following the spiritual path of Francis.
Two world...more
St. Francis of Assisi has always fascinated lots of people, and many books have been written about his life. Chasing Francis is not another biography about Francis, but tells the story of Chase Falson, founding pastor of an evangelical church in New England, and his ‘meetings’ with Francis..
Aftter a terrible event, an ‘earthquake’ that hits the foundation of his beliefs, Chase decides to go on a pilgrimage in Italy. This pilgrimage is a journey following the spiritual path of Francis.
Two worlds meet each other in Assisi: the first, Chase with his background (American way of life): churches managed like companies, consumerism, or paraphrasing Descartes (Cogito ergo sum): ‘I shop, therefore I am’ (p. 195) the second ‘... amidst the simple beauty of nature.’ (p. 83) as Chase quotes Anne Frank, a journey to the first days of Christianity, where simplicity is a buzzword.
The first feeling of Chase is skepticism: ‘I wonder what Francis would say if he were the main speaker at a church-growth conference.
Would anyone take him seriously?’ (p. 100)
But Chase with the help of his uncle, a Franciscan friar and other brothers, like some industrious brown ants, discovers a world with ‘new colors’ (p. 121), a new path to follow. Every day the friars have a surprise for Chase: they pick up small colored pieces of stone so to build a mosaic with the image of St. Francis, or out of metaphor they ‘restore’ Chase.

Time is running: Chase has to go back home: ‘Where would I go when my pilgrimage was over? Francis was teaching me … How would I apply all this new knowledge?’ (p. 139)

At the end ‘we again beheld the stars.’ (p. 208)

This book was written in a genre called wisdom literature, a balance of fiction and non-fiction: in my opinion it has been a good choice; resulting a readable book from different point of views: an historical book (St. Francis and his age); travels’ book , also suggesting the idea of journey as redemption.

I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. 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 Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Dec 09, 2012 Judith rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Judith by: Amy Keck

This is one book I read because an evangelical protestant friend asked me to and loaned me her copy. It really emphasized the gulf between protestantism and Catholicism. I think Cron achieved the opposite effect of what he intended. All I can say is. . . St. Francis was fully subordinate to the pope and to the magisterium of the Catholic church. This book makes him seem like a rogue. He was not. He followed God's will, suffered for his faith and never left the Catholic church.

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About Ian Morgan Cron

Ian Morgan Cron is an author, speaker, Episcopal priest, and retreat guide.

To introduce others to St. Francis of Assisi, he authored Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale. His literary debut received accolades from The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Brian McLaren, Fr Richard Rohr, Phyllis Tickle, Tony Campolo, Brennan Manning, and artist Makoto Fujimura.

Thomas Nelson released Ian's new book...more

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“First, if Francis were around today, he'd say our church community relies too much on words to tell others about our faith. For Francis, the gathered community was as potent a form of witness as words. He was convinced that how we live together is what attracts people to faith.” — 3 people liked it

“Beauty can break a heart and make it think about something more spiritual than the mindless routine we go through day after day to get by. Francis was a singer, a poet, an actor. He knew that the imagination was a stealth way into people's souls, a way to get all of us to think about God. For him, beauty was its own apologetic. That's why a church should care about the arts. They inspire all of us to think about the eternal.” — 3 people liked it

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