Trolls & Truth: 14 Realities about Today's Church that We Don't Want to See

by Jimmy Dorrell

Trolls & Truth is the story of a local church of homeless people, college students, middle-class Christians, some poor and some rich, black, white, and brown, drunks, materialists, mentally ill, and former inmates who meet beneath the noise of 18-wheelers and rushing traffic under an interstate bridge in Waco, Texas. As they live out biblical mandates across cultural barriers and institutional baggage, they remind us that the gospel cannot be shaped by socially accepted values and remain “good news.”

Genres: Religion, Faith, Nonfiction

215 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2006

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's what I said on my blog when I read this book:

I have been struggling with the notion of "church" lately and specifically my relationship with it. I won't go into that now, but I have been reading a book written by the pastor of The Church Under the Bridge in Waco, TX. In the book, the author brings to light the things I've been thinking about since I went to Iraq.

I read the following quote yesterday and I wanted to share it here. It goes along, I think, with what my small group discussed Wednesday night (and Thursday night, and what Rob said on Thursday and Carol today...)


Servanthood is basic to understanding Christianity. When we surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ, we choose to become a duolos (servant), willing to do His bidding. In fact, the biblical word for worship, means to "kiss the ring" of the king with unfettered allegiance to him. Rightly understood, obedience to God is worship

-Trolls & Truth: 14 Realities About Today's Church That We Don't Want to See


I have felt a certain emptiness from "church services" lately and I think it's based on the fact that on Sundays "service" is always passive, but I won't offer any analysis here. That's up to you.

[Gregory Key · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must confess I do not like the title of the book but the content cannot be denied. If your wanting to live out the gospel than this is a book you should read. Not just for content but content born out of encounters with real people, which is how every church should be.

[Steph Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Jimmy’s work with the homeless. I’ve watched as he has grown Mission Waco into a big life-giving organization. I drive to his church once a quarter to serve tacos to the homeless. My hope is to catch a little of his humility and the way he gives dignity to the homeless, mentally ill, and special needs individual.

His book is more of the same. It’s full of simple stories that call out wealthy churches and complacent Christians to stand up for the least of these. It’s full of stories of people who began changing from being loved and accepted. Knowing these stories changes you. The common thought is that these people just need to get a job. Some of them do. Many more are unemployable. Mental illness and illness of other kinds has left them without an ability to work. This is where Jimmy will tell you to love everyone and do your best to do the best thing for them. Great read.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

convicting!

[Allen Madding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorrell doesn't sugar coat this wakeup call to the modern day church to return to its calling to the least of these. Every church planter or leader should read this book prayerfully.

[Cath Sharp]

did not finish.

[Daniel Borcky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, self aware look at the capital 'C' Church.

[Erin Harwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dorrell is a pastor of Church Under The Bridge in Waco, Texas. He started the church as a place for the poor and homeless in the community - many who would likely not be welcomed in other more "respectable" churches - to meet and worship (literally, outdoors under an overpass). In this book he discusses the things he's learned from those he pastors, things the rest of the church needs to hear. A good read.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earthy stories about the Church under the Bridge and the people who gather there. The "truths" revealed in their stories offer a needed indictment on much of what today's church represents, especially to "the least of these, my brothers."

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring. A sincere Christian can hardly read this book and walk away disregarding its convicting and challenging content addressed to the church.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to attend this church.

[Candi]

Loved it!