Why We Eat Our Own

by Michael Cheshire

All too often, Christians who are sinners themselves become judge, jury, and jailer over others. In his newest release, Why We Eat Our Own, author and pastor Michael Cheshire boldly explores some unsavory questions. Why does the world often do a better job of forgiving their fallen than the Church? When did the Church become cannibalistic? Is the decline in Christianity due to the world or have we just become horrible to each other and the world noted it?

Genres: Christian, Religion, Church, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 17, 2013

Reviews

[Ross Newman · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I agree with a lot of what he writes, I disagree with his main point; that a Christian leader who repents of any failures should be forgiven and returned to his position of leadership. Forgiven, yes, but not necessarily returned to leadership. If a pedophile asks for forgiveness, he should be forgiven, but should not be returned to leadership as a youth pastor. It doesn't mean that God is done working in and around him, but it does mean that he needs to look for a different ministry position.

All in all, many of the author's points about judgmental attitudes in the church and the lack of grace and forgiveness are valid and should be taken to heart by everyone in the church.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me to read and I am glad I did. I really like his perspective of the staff sticking together during tough times even moral and other kinds of failures. I do believe that the church must do a better job of showing grace.

[Robbin Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished Why We Eat Our Own last night. I laughed out loud and cried in the same chapter. Very insightful and thought provoking. Great read.

[Barnabas Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the only books I'v read recently that sets out to revolutionize something and actually succeeds at presenting a way to do it - in this case the church and how it relates to failing people. The concepts Cheshire puts forth are thought provoking and aggressive in, I think, a really good way. Any church leader would benefit from reading this book. The only reason it falls short of a 5 star rating is the poor editing/publication quality that was distracting at times. But that is a relatively minor complaint in what I feel is an important book.

[Warren Benton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Cheshire brings up some really great points about love and forgiveness. He places much emphasis on how often our legalistic views come out and we end up pushing away people that need grace and forgiveness.

[Kim Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

everything that has been in my heart and mind...really good book and encouragement to us all...

[Brandon Weldy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging, Thoughtful, Loving

I don’t remember when I purchased this book but I picked it up last week and blew through it! Michael really draws the readers in with his stories from his life and the gut check moments all throughout.

His messages of living out love and forgiveness are challenging because they push the boundaries of what is “normal” in your “typical” churches but I found it refreshing. As I continue ministry in whatever capacity i hope this book continues to shape my framework.

[Otis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really give this book 4.5 stars. I enjoyed the book very much. I believe it highlights some valid points of how we Jesus followers treat our fallen/wounded. The transparency of the author is insightful and encouraging. Great read. It’s a book that will make one ponder long and hard about forgiveness and restoration.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed about the first 70% of this book. It is humorous and fairly well-written, although it does have some editing errors. The author talks about Christians who quit going to church because they have been treated harshly by other Christians and because they don't see the church as being relevant to their lives. He says that most people who quit attending church for those reasons say they would go back if the church was active in community service, not pushy about attendance, and if the people would be nice.
At various parts in the book, the author rants about how church members mistreat the clergy and expect too much from them for too little and are too judgmental about their pastors' personal lives and that all the pressure leads pastors to quit. I see that as evidence that the clergy-laity system itself is built upon a flawed premise. To be fair, the author does say that all Christians should do the things that they expect their clergy to do, but he does not go so far as to advocate abandoning the clergy-laity system.
Mr. Cheshire (when I see his name I imagine him grinning like the cat in "Alice In Wonderland") also comes across as a bit arrogant as he tells how he has forgiven and befriended Ted Haggard and how he runs several businesses through his church so that he does not have to cater to rich church members who give big contributions, but rather can run his church however he pleases.
I found the book to be thought-provoking and entertaining and I do recommend it.

[Mike Gaines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael hit it out of the park with this one. Living this book as a leader in 'the church' gives me a unique perspective.

Coming from a very fundamental background failing as a church leader was not an option, neither was being human. Michael addresses the biblical concept of 'radical grace' that extends, not only to those outside of a relationship with Jesus but to us all.

Yes there are editing mistakes, which Mike addresses in the forward (read it too) No his information may not have 'scientific' support in teh way of footnotes and universally known researchers...but if you have ever worked with 'church people' attended a church for longer than 2 weeks, or left the church because you didn't fit or were too 'dirty' to be used by anyone, much less God...then you understand his facts, research and suppositions.

Way to go Mike...keep hitting us in the face with truth, justice and radical grace!

[Jason Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has the church become a place for us to deify our preferences and demonize those who don't hold to the same ideas and principles as we do. Does the outside world see the church as a hospital for those who are sick or a club for the morally elite who continually assert their righteousness over others. This book was a tremendous resource on learning balance between preference and conviction and philosophical versus doctrinal differences. Too many times in the ultra conservative circles their is a rash move toward separation over philosophical issues and not doctrinal issues. In an age when the church is struggling to have an impact the worst thing we can do is shoot our fellow soldiers in the back. This book will help with overall perspective as well as aid you in looking deeper into yourself and making sure that you are not playing the part of "eating our own"

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another entertaining book written by Pastor Michael, this time on the LACK of grace in the American Christian church. He provides some powerful and challenging insights delivered in a humorous fashion which I rather enjoyed. This book should appeal to a fairly diverse audience, including many who feel turned away or let down by traditional Christians. Pastors of churches may appreciate the chapters exposing the hardships of being a pastor as well as how the author's church finances its budget. If I lived in Colorado near his church, it'd be one that I would consider attending.

I struggled between giving this book 4 or 5 stars, but for the laughs and the agreement head-bobs he was able to elicit from me, I'll round up to 5 stars.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most important read from an extraordinarily gifted teacher and author. Our struggling world desperately needs leaders like Michael Cheshire -- in all fields, not just religion.

It was the title that caught my attention; otherwise I'd never have been drawn to this exceptional, impactful and inspiring book. Cheshire is highly gifted in his ability to offer criticism in a way that doesn't turn people away or offend, but pulls them in so that they are willing to listen with their hearts. It's his humor and charisma, yes, but it's more than that. There is some other quality that I have trouble naming. I am certain it is a Gift from God, and thank Goodness he has identified his strengths and is using them in so many ways to reach people.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a good job of bringing to light the problem of lack of forgiveness and restoration of fellow believers caught up in sin. We, as Christians, are to restore a fellow believer caught up in sin (Galatians 6:1) but too often we tend to display an unforgiving attitude over such people, opting instead to be judge, jury, and executioner while forgetting we are also dust. This book serves as a reminder for Christians to display grace and mercy to each other. I don't agree with Cheshire's notion of restoring someone to leadership to the same degree that he does but I agree that restoration needs to be done for those who are truly repentant of their sins and not kick them to the curb.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about how as Christians we hold other Christians to a higher accountability than ourselves, especially if they are in a position of leadership. They are human, just as we are. They make mistakes, just as we do. And yet, we are quicker to help and forgive those in the entertainment and sports arena than we are those within the same Christian community as we.

It's really sad that we are willing to help those who fall who are not within our community but are unwilling to help our own when they make the same mistakes.

A very thought provoking book.

[Teri Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not exactly beautiful prose or deep profundity, this book hits the nail on the head in terms of the way we treat each other. Here's hoping that we can take some of this advice and become more loving in action and in word.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, except for the call for believers to return to the church...I believe we do as God is leading us. He has a good grasp of grace. Found this at the beginning of my journey, if I rated it when I read it, my excitement for it would have been greater.

[Mitch Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastors and church leaders will chuckle at many of Chesire's observations. It is a worthy read for the man or woman in the pew to consider how we may be contributing the our Christian cannibalism. The church needs some healthy self examination from time to time, and this is a good start.

[Drew Coffman]

The sentence that pulled me in: “Why have I been taught so much about church discipline and correction and taught so little about grace, love, and restoration?”

This book is a sharp critique. Very sharp indeed. Highly recommended.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing style is casual, and there's a few "rough edges", but he nails on the head some significant topics in the church. Made me think quite a bit about how I respond to others.

[Caleb Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it very much! Interesting perspective.

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wake up Church!!!!!!


Spot on

Read this June 2014 and once again November 2015

[Justin Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2014...

[Alison]

kindle 192

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Michael Cheshire, for an honest book about radical faith, love and grace...sadly missing in too many churches and too many Christian hearts. This book inspires me to do better.