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Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess
He spent his childhood trapped within the confines of countless bizarre, strict rules. And lived to tell about it.
In this first-hand account, author Matthew Paul Turner shares amusing–sometimes cringe-worthy–and poignant stories about growing up in a fundamentalist household, where even well-intentioned contemporary Christian music was proclaimed to be “of the devil.”
Churched is a collection of stories that detail an American boy’s experiences growing up in a culture where men weren’t allowed let their hair grow to touch their ears (“an abomination!”), women wouldn’t have been caught dead in a pair of pants (unless swimming), and the pastor couldn’t preach a sermon without a healthy dose of hellfire and brimstone. Matthew grapples with the absurdity of a Sunday School Barbie burning, the passionate annual boxing match between the pastor and Satan, and the holiness of being baptized a fifth time–while growing into a young man who, amidst the chaotic mess of religion, falls in love with Jesus.
In this first-hand account, author Matthew Paul Turner shares amusing–sometimes cringe-worthy–and poignant stories about growing up in a fundamentalist household, where even well-intentioned contemporary Christian music was proclaimed to be “of the devil.”
Churched is a collection of stories that detail an American boy’s experiences growing up in a culture where men weren’t allowed let their hair grow to touch their ears (“an abomination!”), women wouldn’t have been caught dead in a pair of pants (unless swimming), and the pastor couldn’t preach a sermon without a healthy dose of hellfire and brimstone. Matthew grapples with the absurdity of a Sunday School Barbie burning, the passionate annual boxing match between the pastor and Satan, and the holiness of being baptized a fifth time–while growing into a young man who, amidst the chaotic mess of religion, falls in love with Jesus.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2008
14 people are currently reading
781 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Paul Turner
44 books297 followersMatthew Paul Turner has made his mark as a force in the Christian children's book publishing market. With his unmatched gift for rhyme blended with deliberate messages of hope and empowerment, Turner's books When God Made You and When God Made Light have become bedtime favorites for families across America. His latest anticipated release is When I Pray for You, which will debut in February 2019.
Turner's storied writing career started nearly 20 years ago, and he has published a book every year. Called “one of Christianity’s fresh voices” by Publisher’s Weekly, Turner's other notable works include Our Great Big American God, Churched, Coffeehouse Gospel and The Christian Culture Survival Guide.
When God Made You was an Evangelical Christian Publishing Association Bestseller, described as “‘Oh, the Places You'll Go' meets the Divine” by recording artist Amy Grant.
Additionally, Turner is an accomplished photographer and journalist. Turner traveled all over the world documenting National Geographic’s “The Story of God with Morgan Freeman”. For the past decade, he has also traveled extensively with World Vision to places such as Tacloban, Philippines; Entebbe, Uganda; Cochabamba, Bolivia; Gyumri, Armenia; and other locations documenting the vast effects of poverty and the humanitarian efforts of the non-profit. His writing has appeared in outlets that include the Washington Post, National Geographic, USA Today and Daily Beast.
Turner lives in Nashville, Tenn. with his wife Jessica and their three elementary-aged children. In his free time, he enjoys portrait photography, woodworking, and cooking for his family and friends. Connect with him at www.matthewpaulturner.com
Turner's storied writing career started nearly 20 years ago, and he has published a book every year. Called “one of Christianity’s fresh voices” by Publisher’s Weekly, Turner's other notable works include Our Great Big American God, Churched, Coffeehouse Gospel and The Christian Culture Survival Guide.
When God Made You was an Evangelical Christian Publishing Association Bestseller, described as “‘Oh, the Places You'll Go' meets the Divine” by recording artist Amy Grant.
Additionally, Turner is an accomplished photographer and journalist. Turner traveled all over the world documenting National Geographic’s “The Story of God with Morgan Freeman”. For the past decade, he has also traveled extensively with World Vision to places such as Tacloban, Philippines; Entebbe, Uganda; Cochabamba, Bolivia; Gyumri, Armenia; and other locations documenting the vast effects of poverty and the humanitarian efforts of the non-profit. His writing has appeared in outlets that include the Washington Post, National Geographic, USA Today and Daily Beast.
Turner lives in Nashville, Tenn. with his wife Jessica and their three elementary-aged children. In his free time, he enjoys portrait photography, woodworking, and cooking for his family and friends. Connect with him at www.matthewpaulturner.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
August 23, 2013
I just saw this book on SM booksale last week and I was enticed to buy and read this one because it describes a lot of things i have been confusing. The author put his view and experience in a hilarious yet poignant way. The author describes some eye-opening and thought provoking experiences that exposes many of the 'Toxic' religious teachings, confusion and manipulation emphasizing some sort of works based “salvation” instead of faith.
In the end I felt quite disappointed because the description of this book is a bit misleading. It says that the author, "amidst the chaotic mess of religion, falls in love with Jesus." Unfortunately, I really didn't see a love for Jesus anywhere in this book. I expected that this book would be a bit more serious, and not just a bunch of funny stories about growing up in a fundamentalist and conservative church. It doesn't seem like the author really had a breakthrough in his relationship with God - rather, he seems to have come to the conclusion that organized religion isn't really for him. Honestly, I wanted to know more about how his struggle to find God "amidst the chaotic mess" of his upbringing but he has been burned by the church, and while he still calls himself a Christian- I feel his pain and lack of trust have caused him to not look much deeper into what he believes, still basing his view of God on a shallow understanding based on what makes him comfortable. From his writing, I cannot detect any hint of theological study into who God is and what the purpose of church is. There is no clear conclusion in this book, just a man who is tormented by his legalistic upbringing. Instead of digging deep into his faith, he just hangs around the ground and not been much cultivated.
In the end I felt quite disappointed because the description of this book is a bit misleading. It says that the author, "amidst the chaotic mess of religion, falls in love with Jesus." Unfortunately, I really didn't see a love for Jesus anywhere in this book. I expected that this book would be a bit more serious, and not just a bunch of funny stories about growing up in a fundamentalist and conservative church. It doesn't seem like the author really had a breakthrough in his relationship with God - rather, he seems to have come to the conclusion that organized religion isn't really for him. Honestly, I wanted to know more about how his struggle to find God "amidst the chaotic mess" of his upbringing but he has been burned by the church, and while he still calls himself a Christian- I feel his pain and lack of trust have caused him to not look much deeper into what he believes, still basing his view of God on a shallow understanding based on what makes him comfortable. From his writing, I cannot detect any hint of theological study into who God is and what the purpose of church is. There is no clear conclusion in this book, just a man who is tormented by his legalistic upbringing. Instead of digging deep into his faith, he just hangs around the ground and not been much cultivated.
January 30, 2011
I chose the book Churched, by Matthew Paul Turner, because it describes me too. Having also gone to church my whole life and on top of that, Christian school, I wondered if I would be able to relate to "one kid's journey toward God despite a holy mess," (as the subtitle reads.)
Turner grew up in Fundamental Baptist culture in Maryland. This means, according to the book, that from the time he was young he was terrified of hell, having long hair, and sinners. I was expecting a pretty funny book, but I think that this book, as one reviewer says, "uses humor to keep people from crying."
Turner's misshapen view of God and the church can largely be accredited to his upbringing. On that note, I think this book offers us two important lessons.
The first has to do with parenting. It is important to understand that a parent needs to be careful about the theology they put in front of their children, as well as what is actually emphasized through actions. Turner describes being terrified at "asking Jesus to come into (his) heart." His parents and his church also emphasized perfection, in strange, unbiblical ways. At one point his father took him to a barber shop because "Jesus hated little boys with long hair." Through the whole book, we see the parents making their children follow rules with no explanation, in order for them to be "better little baptist boys and girls." We see Turner as a terrified and confused child, afraid of not meeting expectations and confused about Jesus. As parents, (not that I am one), but are we emphasizing following Christ and loving others out of his love for us? Or are we emphasizing some sort of works based "salvation."
The second lesson is applicable to how we handle our churches. He speaks of the church he grew up in: "Most people thought that Pastor Nolan was perfect..(as if) God had made him without flaws." And that confessing sin was unheard of. Turner says that at one point as a young adult living in a Christian community, "(he) was led to wonder if he was just living a Stepford-type reality." And that grace was simply a foot note in all of the sermons he had ever heard. As Christians living in community, it is easy to want to hide our sin and judge others for theirs. But one of the glorious things about God is that he has forgiven us, and that is we accept that Jesus took the punishment we are due, nothing will separate us from God. There is no condemnation for those that know Christ. And the Bible calls us to confess our sin to one another, as that is what the church is- a bunch sinners thankful to a mighty God- nothing more.
At the end of the book, I am sad for Turner. He has been burned by the church, and while he still calls himself a Christian- I feel his pain and lack of trust have caused him to not look much deeper into what he believes, still basing his view of God on a shallow understanding based on what makes him comfortable. From his writing, I cannot detect any hint of theological study into who God is and what the purpose of church is. There is no happy ending, just a man who is tormented by his legalistic upbringing. Instead of swinging to middle ground, has simply swung to the opposite bank.
I am also thankful that my "churched" upbringing was far from his. I was taught both the depravity of myself AND the richness of the gospel.
Do I recommend this book? Only if you desire a sad tale of Christianity poorly understood and lived out.
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.
http://www.alissamgraham.com/2011/01/...
Turner grew up in Fundamental Baptist culture in Maryland. This means, according to the book, that from the time he was young he was terrified of hell, having long hair, and sinners. I was expecting a pretty funny book, but I think that this book, as one reviewer says, "uses humor to keep people from crying."
Turner's misshapen view of God and the church can largely be accredited to his upbringing. On that note, I think this book offers us two important lessons.
The first has to do with parenting. It is important to understand that a parent needs to be careful about the theology they put in front of their children, as well as what is actually emphasized through actions. Turner describes being terrified at "asking Jesus to come into (his) heart." His parents and his church also emphasized perfection, in strange, unbiblical ways. At one point his father took him to a barber shop because "Jesus hated little boys with long hair." Through the whole book, we see the parents making their children follow rules with no explanation, in order for them to be "better little baptist boys and girls." We see Turner as a terrified and confused child, afraid of not meeting expectations and confused about Jesus. As parents, (not that I am one), but are we emphasizing following Christ and loving others out of his love for us? Or are we emphasizing some sort of works based "salvation."
The second lesson is applicable to how we handle our churches. He speaks of the church he grew up in: "Most people thought that Pastor Nolan was perfect..(as if) God had made him without flaws." And that confessing sin was unheard of. Turner says that at one point as a young adult living in a Christian community, "(he) was led to wonder if he was just living a Stepford-type reality." And that grace was simply a foot note in all of the sermons he had ever heard. As Christians living in community, it is easy to want to hide our sin and judge others for theirs. But one of the glorious things about God is that he has forgiven us, and that is we accept that Jesus took the punishment we are due, nothing will separate us from God. There is no condemnation for those that know Christ. And the Bible calls us to confess our sin to one another, as that is what the church is- a bunch sinners thankful to a mighty God- nothing more.
At the end of the book, I am sad for Turner. He has been burned by the church, and while he still calls himself a Christian- I feel his pain and lack of trust have caused him to not look much deeper into what he believes, still basing his view of God on a shallow understanding based on what makes him comfortable. From his writing, I cannot detect any hint of theological study into who God is and what the purpose of church is. There is no happy ending, just a man who is tormented by his legalistic upbringing. Instead of swinging to middle ground, has simply swung to the opposite bank.
I am also thankful that my "churched" upbringing was far from his. I was taught both the depravity of myself AND the richness of the gospel.
Do I recommend this book? Only if you desire a sad tale of Christianity poorly understood and lived out.
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.
http://www.alissamgraham.com/2011/01/...
April 14, 2010
Some of the book jacket blurbs compared Matthew Paul Turner to Anne Lamott. He has a similar voice and subject matter, sure, but they're not really in the same league. Still, this book made me laugh and cringe all at once.
The title is misleading, though. It's really stories from Turner's childhood in a fundamental Baptist church and not how he journeyed toward God in spite of it. The last chapter gives some insight into his feelings about church and God as an adult, but he really should have reserved this title for another book about what happened to him after he left home and had to figure out Christianity on his own terms.
The title is misleading, though. It's really stories from Turner's childhood in a fundamental Baptist church and not how he journeyed toward God in spite of it. The last chapter gives some insight into his feelings about church and God as an adult, but he really should have reserved this title for another book about what happened to him after he left home and had to figure out Christianity on his own terms.
December 3, 2024
I kind of want to give it 4.99 stars. My only critique is that I wish it had been a longer book. I would have really liked to hear more of Matthew’s journey after his childhood growing up in church. I think I needed to hear more of where he is now even though I really related to his childhood in a fundamentalists church. It was healing in a way to be reminded that I wasn’t alone on my weird, churchy upbringing.
Definitely going to look into his other book.
Definitely going to look into his other book.
March 8, 2018
I found this book pretty disappointing, and to be honest, if I'd realized at the start that it was from a Christian publisher I never would have bothered. That just...does not imply high quality. But it is also a sign that I am really not the audience for this. I'm not a Christian. I was raised in the sort of church environment that the author was, and am interested in reading about that, but I guess I wanted something more critical. The annecdotes were also not particularly amusing and the authorial voice annoyed me.
April 15, 2010
This book made me sad...even a little mad. Well, a lot mad. I am a former Fundamentalist Baptist - from age three through my early 20s I was fully ensconced in the fundamentalist "movement." And yet, I am a-ok. I still love Jesus, although I'm more familiar with His grace than His judgment as in the first 20ish years of my life. I grew up in a large F-B church located in the midwest. I attended the Christian school "attached" to the F-B church - 3 y.o. preschool through 12th grade. I followed that with an almost 2 year stint at a very large fundamental university located in the south. Hence, I am pretty familiar with fundamentalist doctrines/practices/etc. I was excited to read this book because I thought it was a humorous look at a child's take on fundamentalism. I was wrong. Oh, it was humorous for about the first chapter or so...and then it just got mean. Spiteful is probably a better word. Are fundamentalists legalistic? Absolutely. Rules are at the core. But to say that "fundamentalism has nothing to do with Jesus" is just wrong. In an effort to be "quippy" and funny the author comes across as sacrilegious. Do the fundamentalists talk a lot about hell and punishment and judgment? Oh, yes. I am still afraid 20 years later. But not once did I have a Sunday School teacher make us "pretend" to be in hell. I'm still not quite sure what exactly is wrong with having a birthday cake for Jesus on the day that is set aside to celebrate his birth. This is not a fundamentalist "thing." It's a follower of Jesus "thing." Does fundamentalism mess people up? Definitely - I've witnessed it firsthand. But, there are many more people who "come out" just fine, and this book really does nothing more than to give people ammunition to attack other evangelicals who are "lumped in" with fundamentalists. (An evangelical is NOT a fundamentalist.) I am embarrassed that I actually recommended this book to a few people before I read it all the way through (this was when I read what the jacket and the first chapter or two). If I had stopped reading about 3/4 of the way through (as I considered), I would have come away thinking that the author was driven to atheism by the "fundamentalist mafia" in charge of his church. The bottom line is that I think the author's experiences are just that - his experiences (exaggerated a bit maybe??) and definitely not "mainstream fundamentalism" if there is such a thing. I'm not saying that fundamentalism is good. I don't think it is. But, I found the book overwhelmingly harsh. I mentioned this book/author to my friend Rob, a former fundamentalist who is now a pastor in Georgia. He loves to read a wide variety of books, so I mentioned that I was going to read this one. His response was something to the effect of he usually avoids these types of books because they tend to "throw the baby out with the bathwater." Rob - you are absolutely right.
July 28, 2011
Do you want to know a secret?
I found a place where you can get some cool audio books for FREE (yes, they are legal!). The site is called ChristianAudio.com and it is a cool website that, while they normally sell their products, gives away a free audio book each month.
It is thru one of these promotions that I found Matthew Paul Turner’s book “Churched: One kids’s Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess.” (hmm..I should probably tell you that you can still download it for free).
Liking the price (who wouldn’t?!) and knowing that a good friend of mine really, really enjoyed MPT’s books (MPT = Matthew Paul Turner); I decide to give it a listen.
So I did…(as you have probably already guessed...)
Sadly enough, I did not understand or really enjoy the book… which is odd see how I just recommended that you to go download it…
Allow me to unpack this jumbled mess… MPT grew up in a Christian fundamentalist household in which the primary focus was on looking and acting good so that everyone thought you were a good ‘Christian.’ The church he grew up in focused on this so much they actually had all the males in the church get the same hair cut (short on the top, tapered on the sides – just like Jesus) and pastor was known to let loose with the hellfire and brimstone most weeks.
At one point in MPT’s early life, his Sunday school teacher burned a Barbie doll in front of the class to emphasis the need for them to repeat and be ‘saved’ (unfortunately the teacher forgot that burning things in a closed room had…umm…other repercussions).
To my relief, I did not grow up in such a church (Thank you dad and mom!!!) so I really can not relate to MPT's stories. To me 95% of his story is just plain nuts – I mean, who in their right mind burns a Barbie doll as an illustrated lesson or thinks that Jesus, a 1st century Jewish guy, went to a barber every week! Hello? Scissors were not even invented until 1760 AD!!!!
Sigh… :?
But, as a good friend’s book reviewed showed, there are a lot of people out there who grew up in a similar church as MPT – and it is to those people that I recommend reading “Churched” as I hope that it will help you laugh through that nutty fundamentalist background. (for all it oddness, it is a funny book – if not cringe-worthy).
Oh, and in case you are wondering, MPT is not picking on or lasing out at folks – his stories do have a point. A good point in fact. One about following Jesus instead of trying to create a nice little box were everything is black or while.
So yes, I am recommending because some of you may need to laugh your way to healing (hmm…is that a trademarked phrase?)
I found a place where you can get some cool audio books for FREE (yes, they are legal!). The site is called ChristianAudio.com and it is a cool website that, while they normally sell their products, gives away a free audio book each month.
It is thru one of these promotions that I found Matthew Paul Turner’s book “Churched: One kids’s Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess.” (hmm..I should probably tell you that you can still download it for free).
Liking the price (who wouldn’t?!) and knowing that a good friend of mine really, really enjoyed MPT’s books (MPT = Matthew Paul Turner); I decide to give it a listen.
So I did…(as you have probably already guessed...)
Sadly enough, I did not understand or really enjoy the book… which is odd see how I just recommended that you to go download it…
Allow me to unpack this jumbled mess… MPT grew up in a Christian fundamentalist household in which the primary focus was on looking and acting good so that everyone thought you were a good ‘Christian.’ The church he grew up in focused on this so much they actually had all the males in the church get the same hair cut (short on the top, tapered on the sides – just like Jesus) and pastor was known to let loose with the hellfire and brimstone most weeks.
At one point in MPT’s early life, his Sunday school teacher burned a Barbie doll in front of the class to emphasis the need for them to repeat and be ‘saved’ (unfortunately the teacher forgot that burning things in a closed room had…umm…other repercussions).
To my relief, I did not grow up in such a church (Thank you dad and mom!!!) so I really can not relate to MPT's stories. To me 95% of his story is just plain nuts – I mean, who in their right mind burns a Barbie doll as an illustrated lesson or thinks that Jesus, a 1st century Jewish guy, went to a barber every week! Hello? Scissors were not even invented until 1760 AD!!!!
Sigh… :?
But, as a good friend’s book reviewed showed, there are a lot of people out there who grew up in a similar church as MPT – and it is to those people that I recommend reading “Churched” as I hope that it will help you laugh through that nutty fundamentalist background. (for all it oddness, it is a funny book – if not cringe-worthy).
Oh, and in case you are wondering, MPT is not picking on or lasing out at folks – his stories do have a point. A good point in fact. One about following Jesus instead of trying to create a nice little box were everything is black or while.
So yes, I am recommending because some of you may need to laugh your way to healing (hmm…is that a trademarked phrase?)
August 10, 2022
Having grown up in the world he describes, I can vouch that this book is largely—though not entirely—accurate in its portrayal of a certain portion of Fundamentalism. Much of Fundamentalism isn't this bad. Some of it is much worse.
But the thing about this book is that it's not just a fascinating reminisce about "how crazy those fundies can be." It's got a point. And that's best captured in a quote from the final chapter:
Clearly the book hit a nerve with me. Because having grown up in that sort of Fundamentalism, I've put in the hard work to separate the nonsense from the Christian faith. It's fashionable to call this deconstruction now. I didn't know I was doing anything so fancy... I was just studying the Bible to find out what was true and what was man-made teaching.
I find it hard to guess what this author might be hoping to accomplish with this writing. Of course to merely tell the stories is to rebuke the absurdity of their having occurred. And still occurring all around the world in this portion of Fundamentalism. Of course such nonsense is worthy of ridicule. And perhaps some will see the ridiculousness of their own story in these stories. All of that is worthy so far. But to what are we guiding them? Something more reasonable? Well, if rejecting inerrancy and coming to what must be close to if not actually universalism is the destination, I'm not sure we're any better than where we started. Seriously. Scripture is inspired. But not infallible? So God spoke things which are untrue? This too is absurd and worthy of ridicule.
But the thing about this book is that it's not just a fascinating reminisce about "how crazy those fundies can be." It's got a point. And that's best captured in a quote from the final chapter:
I don't know what I believe about the Bible being infallible. I believe it's inspired. I believe it tells God's story. But infallible? I don't know.The author often resorts to this faux-humility. But the fact is, he does know. He knows very well. He just doesn't have the guts to argue it directly. It's easier to set up a straw man in extreme, Hyles-style Fundamentalism than argue thoughtfully against the mainstream Evangelical view both historically and in the present. So the book, and the sample chapter from Hear No Evil: Marching in the Lord's Army, Fleeing the Devil, and Finding a Righteous Groove, are an extended false dichotomy. You can be like one of those crazies. Or you can hang out with me where we don't really feel the need to affirm the fundamental doctrines of the faith. The new virtue is doubt. That sort of lazy nonsense.
Clearly the book hit a nerve with me. Because having grown up in that sort of Fundamentalism, I've put in the hard work to separate the nonsense from the Christian faith. It's fashionable to call this deconstruction now. I didn't know I was doing anything so fancy... I was just studying the Bible to find out what was true and what was man-made teaching.
I find it hard to guess what this author might be hoping to accomplish with this writing. Of course to merely tell the stories is to rebuke the absurdity of their having occurred. And still occurring all around the world in this portion of Fundamentalism. Of course such nonsense is worthy of ridicule. And perhaps some will see the ridiculousness of their own story in these stories. All of that is worthy so far. But to what are we guiding them? Something more reasonable? Well, if rejecting inerrancy and coming to what must be close to if not actually universalism is the destination, I'm not sure we're any better than where we started. Seriously. Scripture is inspired. But not infallible? So God spoke things which are untrue? This too is absurd and worthy of ridicule.
February 22, 2011
often humorous...but mostly sacrilegious. stories told through the eyes of a child growing up in an external, legalistic, off-base, extreme, fundamentalist church.
Not at all representative of all who are historic fundamentalists. Stories like these make me wish there was another word that would separate whatever this book describes...because I have never experienced most of what I looked in on in this book.
I really don't know what to do with what I read...If I take it as a memoir, I guess I can laugh and feel for the author and seek Jesus to keep my own ministry on center. But, with several abrupt and calculated endings to stories, I'm left feeling like I've witnessed an expose on 20/20.
The author is great at telling stories and painting pictures of the various characters he grew up around, but, seemed to take license with some of the caricatures he portrayed. A story about Ron Hamilton particularly disturbed me, as I know my friend Ron Hamilton would not say some of the things he is quoted as saying. I found myself thinking, it couldn't have been that bad, could it? But, perhaps, it could have been...at least if perception is reality to a small child watching and participating in it all.
I waited the entire book for what I read in the last chapter...the author's outside look on what he experienced and where it led him. (the finding God in the journey part), but, what I read left me empty. I guess I wanted the book to give more answers... But I don't think that's why the author wrote his book.
My personal takeaway was a cry for grace in how I lead my family and church. I need Jesus and a relationship with Him to drive my life. I need to remember how important it is to combat religion and externalism with the truth of Jesus and His gospel. He saves us from the life the author lived in. I need to remember how literally children listen and watch and learn...and I need to allow the radically changed life that Jesus is working in me,
This book will definitely divide...depending on the background and how much distance you can place between your own life and the author's.
I gave it 2 stars because the author's style kept my attention. Had he not kept dragging me on, I would have put this book down.
Not at all representative of all who are historic fundamentalists. Stories like these make me wish there was another word that would separate whatever this book describes...because I have never experienced most of what I looked in on in this book.
I really don't know what to do with what I read...If I take it as a memoir, I guess I can laugh and feel for the author and seek Jesus to keep my own ministry on center. But, with several abrupt and calculated endings to stories, I'm left feeling like I've witnessed an expose on 20/20.
The author is great at telling stories and painting pictures of the various characters he grew up around, but, seemed to take license with some of the caricatures he portrayed. A story about Ron Hamilton particularly disturbed me, as I know my friend Ron Hamilton would not say some of the things he is quoted as saying. I found myself thinking, it couldn't have been that bad, could it? But, perhaps, it could have been...at least if perception is reality to a small child watching and participating in it all.
I waited the entire book for what I read in the last chapter...the author's outside look on what he experienced and where it led him. (the finding God in the journey part), but, what I read left me empty. I guess I wanted the book to give more answers... But I don't think that's why the author wrote his book.
My personal takeaway was a cry for grace in how I lead my family and church. I need Jesus and a relationship with Him to drive my life. I need to remember how important it is to combat religion and externalism with the truth of Jesus and His gospel. He saves us from the life the author lived in. I need to remember how literally children listen and watch and learn...and I need to allow the radically changed life that Jesus is working in me,
This book will definitely divide...depending on the background and how much distance you can place between your own life and the author's.
I gave it 2 stars because the author's style kept my attention. Had he not kept dragging me on, I would have put this book down.
May 5, 2011
First and foremost, "Will this book get someone saved?" - my answer -- "Dude, I have no clue - I am not positive any book will 'get' someone saved. What it will do is spark questions, which I have seen move many to Christ."
If you decide to read this book and only take it at face value, you will easily have a cynical view of the church, but if you look slightly deeper you will see that the cynical ideal - is more of a spiritual protection to understanding TRUTH of what God, Christ, and being Christian is really about.
I grew up not really going to church much. We went ever so often and often only on the 'BIG' church days. So this book really let me have some much needed insight into the thoughts and feelings one might have dealt with growing up in church their entire lives, granted as a Baptist, but nonetheless growing up in church.
This was important to me, because my children are 'growing up in church' and I, with my wife, would like to make good choices for how they are raised in this way. Matthew seemed to have a hard time grasping some of what the truth that Christ has for us, because of the exact way he was brought up, as what he calls, 'a fundamentalist'. I can now see and imagine at least a TINY BIT of how one that grew up with this just may see the world.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in another outlook on the Christian perspective. It is told in a first-person perspective (of course with Matthew as the protagonist) and 'details' his 'churched' upbringing from childhood. It was a great book to listen to, reminiscent of 'Stuff Christians Like' by Jon Acuff, and many parts had me giggling aloud. If you are interested take a listen below, and do me a favor and download it. If your feeling generous drop a tip! (For Matthew... not me)
If you decide to read this book and only take it at face value, you will easily have a cynical view of the church, but if you look slightly deeper you will see that the cynical ideal - is more of a spiritual protection to understanding TRUTH of what God, Christ, and being Christian is really about.
I grew up not really going to church much. We went ever so often and often only on the 'BIG' church days. So this book really let me have some much needed insight into the thoughts and feelings one might have dealt with growing up in church their entire lives, granted as a Baptist, but nonetheless growing up in church.
This was important to me, because my children are 'growing up in church' and I, with my wife, would like to make good choices for how they are raised in this way. Matthew seemed to have a hard time grasping some of what the truth that Christ has for us, because of the exact way he was brought up, as what he calls, 'a fundamentalist'. I can now see and imagine at least a TINY BIT of how one that grew up with this just may see the world.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in another outlook on the Christian perspective. It is told in a first-person perspective (of course with Matthew as the protagonist) and 'details' his 'churched' upbringing from childhood. It was a great book to listen to, reminiscent of 'Stuff Christians Like' by Jon Acuff, and many parts had me giggling aloud. If you are interested take a listen below, and do me a favor and download it. If your feeling generous drop a tip! (For Matthew... not me)
November 6, 2010
First, let me just say that I’m not a person who normally reads memoirs. So I was a little hesitant when I was asked to read and review Matthew Paul Turner’s Churched. I agreed because I, too, grew up in a fundamentalist church, and no one comes away from that experience unchanged. It defines a person, for the good or bad. I was curious about what Turner had to say.
Turns out, his family joined a fundamentalist Baptist church when the author was five. They had no idea what they were getting into. What they did have was a genuine desire to serve God to the best of their ability.
Welcome to the world of hellfire and brimstone.
The author’s often humorous, sometimes touching accounts of various situations define that lifestyle to perfection. From his first “real” haircut to baptism to CD burnings…he portrays a life made of dos and don’ts, where religion threatened to trump salvation. But also a life where one inquisitive, hyperactive little boy learned to love Jesus.
An easy-to-read writing style, a warm wit, and obvious sincerity make Churched a great read. With my background, and given my continuing high regard for many fundamentalist Christians, I was concerned that the book would be offensive, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not. Turner handled the extremist beliefs with humor but also with respect.
An enjoyable look at a way of life that has to be lived to be believed.
Turns out, his family joined a fundamentalist Baptist church when the author was five. They had no idea what they were getting into. What they did have was a genuine desire to serve God to the best of their ability.
Welcome to the world of hellfire and brimstone.
The author’s often humorous, sometimes touching accounts of various situations define that lifestyle to perfection. From his first “real” haircut to baptism to CD burnings…he portrays a life made of dos and don’ts, where religion threatened to trump salvation. But also a life where one inquisitive, hyperactive little boy learned to love Jesus.
An easy-to-read writing style, a warm wit, and obvious sincerity make Churched a great read. With my background, and given my continuing high regard for many fundamentalist Christians, I was concerned that the book would be offensive, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not. Turner handled the extremist beliefs with humor but also with respect.
An enjoyable look at a way of life that has to be lived to be believed.
November 7, 2011
An eye-opening book, that exposes many of the 'Toxic' religious thoughts, teaching and manipulations that unfortunately do exist is Churches all over the world today. I don't believe that all "Baptist" or "Fundamental" Churches are like the one described in this book, and I also believe there are other denominations that are falling into the same trap.
This is exactly the result of trying to earn one's salvation through morality and self-effort, rather than by the grace of God. In relying on what other think of us as a measure of our being accepted by Christ. This book serves as a warning, and should cause alarms to go off in your head, should you hear these teaching being propagated.
All of that said, I found myself chuckling aloud so many times while listening to this book. It is a good read/listen for any Christian, or for any non-Christian to realize what true Christianity is not.
The Audio-Book is a FREE download from here:-
http://christianaudio.com/review/prod...
This is exactly the result of trying to earn one's salvation through morality and self-effort, rather than by the grace of God. In relying on what other think of us as a measure of our being accepted by Christ. This book serves as a warning, and should cause alarms to go off in your head, should you hear these teaching being propagated.
All of that said, I found myself chuckling aloud so many times while listening to this book. It is a good read/listen for any Christian, or for any non-Christian to realize what true Christianity is not.
The Audio-Book is a FREE download from here:-
http://christianaudio.com/review/prod...
June 15, 2016
mostly just depressing and judgemental-ifying -- I didn't finish it because I found it was making me dwell on bitterness. Funny in places, but mostly encourages you to laugh at people who are pretending to peace that they haven't really found... which, to me, is not really funny.
January 11, 2022
The title caught my attention. The description hooked me. It’s Matthew Paul Turner’s first-hand account of growing up in fundamentalist household. (I listened to this one. He narrates his own book, which is nice.)
▪️Matthew puts a humorous spin on some pretty weird stuff he experienced in church. The crazy thing is that some of his stories are extremely similar to what my husband experienced during his own childhood. I didn’t grow up in a fundamentalist kind of environment, but I have experienced some “yuck” in the church as an adult. Who hasn’t, right?
▪️While my faith has never been wrecked, it’s nice to know I’m not alone in some of the feelings I have regarding this whole topic.
▪️I felt sad and upset at times while listening to Matthew’s bizarre tales, but his humorous approach kept things more lighthearted, I guess. And even though the end of the book didn’t come all wrapped up in a neat little bow, it did end on a hopeful note.
▪️Praise God nothing can separate his children from his love, light, and truth! (Even strange church environments.)
▪️P. S. - I recently watched Jesus Camp, and it made me remember this book I listened to.
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▪️Matthew puts a humorous spin on some pretty weird stuff he experienced in church. The crazy thing is that some of his stories are extremely similar to what my husband experienced during his own childhood. I didn’t grow up in a fundamentalist kind of environment, but I have experienced some “yuck” in the church as an adult. Who hasn’t, right?
▪️While my faith has never been wrecked, it’s nice to know I’m not alone in some of the feelings I have regarding this whole topic.
▪️I felt sad and upset at times while listening to Matthew’s bizarre tales, but his humorous approach kept things more lighthearted, I guess. And even though the end of the book didn’t come all wrapped up in a neat little bow, it did end on a hopeful note.
▪️Praise God nothing can separate his children from his love, light, and truth! (Even strange church environments.)
▪️P. S. - I recently watched Jesus Camp, and it made me remember this book I listened to.
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November 3, 2020
The author's experiences of an upbringing in a fundamentalist environment are familiar. Although I was not raised in an admittedly fundamentalist home, I have gradually come to realize over the past twenty years that functionally, the Christian school I attended and the attitudes and expectations my parents adopted were heavily influenced by fundamentalism and all contributed to my intense struggle with trying to be worthy of God's love. It's a difficult thing and I'm trying to do all that I can to avoid raising my own children that way, although it's easy to feel like I'm just being permissive and failing them. The book doesn't really cover much of an actual journey - he just sort of updates where he was at at the time of writing right at the end of the book. I still found it interesting and could relate to a lot of his feelings and thoughts looking back.
June 6, 2022
An easy read and (for me as an ex-Independent Baptist) relatable, funny, nostalgic and a little triggering. I kinda felt like just when it was getting good, though, it ended. I would have enjoyed hearing more about his struggle against the teachings and worldview he was raised in and/or his breaking free of that movement. Turner also presents the Independent Fundamental Baptists as a quirky, strict-ish, but ultimately mostly harmless group of God-loving Christians. Perhaps it's just his humour masking some of the trauma or perhaps he was lucky to get a church that was less extreme. My own experience with the IFBs is they are a dangerous extremist fundamentalist cult with a high body count and a trail of destruction, abuse, and violence in their wake.
December 1, 2022
A very humorous and relatable look at growing up independent fundamental Baptist that I really had high hopes for, but in the end was disappointing.
I was hoping for to hear about his renewed walk with Christ, one that is full of hope and less focused on the do's and don't's of fundamentalism, but he seemingly floundered, never finding what he was looking for. He also questions the infallibility of the Bible and God himself, which I have a real problem with.
And after a quick qoogle search, it was a little bit of a letdown to read about the authors current situation.
But, I did get a few outright laughs, so I guess that's something.
I was hoping for to hear about his renewed walk with Christ, one that is full of hope and less focused on the do's and don't's of fundamentalism, but he seemingly floundered, never finding what he was looking for. He also questions the infallibility of the Bible and God himself, which I have a real problem with.
And after a quick qoogle search, it was a little bit of a letdown to read about the authors current situation.
But, I did get a few outright laughs, so I guess that's something.
June 6, 2023
This memoir follows Matthew Turner as a young kid and teenager and young adult through his family's activity in a local independent fundamental baptist church on the East coast. He mentions his church activity in Nashville, TN as a married man at the beginning and end of the book.
This memoir is fascinating because it's through the eyes of a neurodivergent individual. During his coming of age years, Matthew is undiagnosed ADHD and I found myself laughing out loud as I related so much to the ways my own mind coming of age in fundementalism struggled with many concepts we were and weren't being taught.
This memoir is fascinating because it's through the eyes of a neurodivergent individual. During his coming of age years, Matthew is undiagnosed ADHD and I found myself laughing out loud as I related so much to the ways my own mind coming of age in fundementalism struggled with many concepts we were and weren't being taught.
March 27, 2019
This should be required reading for all Baptists
Reading this made me feel like his story was my story. I could relate to so many things from his churched experience. I literally laughed out loud often. I teared up several times. I even cringed as I remembered some of the same experiences. I was thoroughly engrossed in this book. There is hope for Baptist children. I survived fundamentalism and am now a pastor of a small church plant in Maryland, on the other side of the Bay.
Reading this made me feel like his story was my story. I could relate to so many things from his churched experience. I literally laughed out loud often. I teared up several times. I even cringed as I remembered some of the same experiences. I was thoroughly engrossed in this book. There is hope for Baptist children. I survived fundamentalism and am now a pastor of a small church plant in Maryland, on the other side of the Bay.
October 31, 2023
I chose to read this because MPT’s children books are the best I’ve ever read and I adore them greatly. I resonate with a lot of his past church experiences but it seemed to be written from a very bitter and snarky tone, which doesn’t seem much better than the Christian’s he was putting down and trying to stay away from. Also, I listened on audible and the audiobook production is absolutely cringy and unbearable with the music chosen.
January 21, 2024
This was one of my book club choices this month. The person who chose the book assured us it was "laugh out loud" funny. While there were a few funny parts, it was more of a bashing of the fundamentalist Baptist church than anything else. I'm not a fundamentalist Baptist, yet I found it bordering on offensive.
September 24, 2017
A little dry in places but if you've lived through the IFB life, boy does it bring back memories...
March 5, 2020
His thoughtful and funny memoir of growing up in a fundamentalist church.
March 14, 2021
I grew-up around fundamentalist churches so I recognize the struggle to find God among man's rules. Turner shares a lot of humorous stories about growing up in church in a cute and relatable way.
January 25, 2024
Well written, funny and very Christian -ish haha
March 20, 2025
Story of being raised in an ultra conservative home and church. Some of these memories were painfully familiar. Despite the failings of men, Turner retains a hopeful view of the church in the end.
December 22, 2025
The story of a Christian who grew up fundamentalist baptist and it shaped and distorted his view of Christ but he still loves Jesus.
February 28, 2017
I completely understood the lingo, up to an A.C.E. school. As a kid, this writer asked a lot of questions & many went unanswered. Toward the end, the birthday party where they had cake, ice cream & watched Ben Hur was hysterical!! I laughed until I couldn't breathe.
December 28, 2014
As a Christian who has shlepped through my own holy mess, I was first intrigued by the title of this book. As a Christian who has found herself on the fridges of fundamentalism in the past, I was even more intrigued. And most of all, as a Christian who loves to laugh with (and sometimes at) other Christians and all the silliness we do "in the name of Jesus," I decided to read this book. Unfortunately, it didn't do much for me.
Have you ever sat with a group of people telling stories of shared experiences (i.e. siblings recalling childhood memories, classmates sharing stories of high school antics, etc.), and though it's fun to see them all cracking up about the stories and even though you are mildly entertained, you still know you are "outside" and aren't able to fully appreciate what is being shared? That's how this book reads to me. I have a strong feeling that if I were sitting with this author, I would have had a lot more appreciation for the stories shared than I did reading them.
Most of the time I felt that I was missing the point of the stories. The stories shared just seemed to kind of hang there. While I found the benediction to be the most interesting part of the book, it wasn't enough to wrestle a 3 star rating, but did keep it from being a 1 star rating.
In the end, I wanted to like this book. This isn't a "bad" book. It just seemed aimless, and I never seemed to get to the place the author wanted to take me. It felt lacking. The benediction made me appreciate the author and I will probably read something else he has written because of it. Even though I doubt we will agree on theological points, I think I will enjoy reading something else by him.
Have you ever sat with a group of people telling stories of shared experiences (i.e. siblings recalling childhood memories, classmates sharing stories of high school antics, etc.), and though it's fun to see them all cracking up about the stories and even though you are mildly entertained, you still know you are "outside" and aren't able to fully appreciate what is being shared? That's how this book reads to me. I have a strong feeling that if I were sitting with this author, I would have had a lot more appreciation for the stories shared than I did reading them.
Most of the time I felt that I was missing the point of the stories. The stories shared just seemed to kind of hang there. While I found the benediction to be the most interesting part of the book, it wasn't enough to wrestle a 3 star rating, but did keep it from being a 1 star rating.
In the end, I wanted to like this book. This isn't a "bad" book. It just seemed aimless, and I never seemed to get to the place the author wanted to take me. It felt lacking. The benediction made me appreciate the author and I will probably read something else he has written because of it. Even though I doubt we will agree on theological points, I think I will enjoy reading something else by him.
December 20, 2014
Matthew Paul Turner is known for his humorous takes on Christian culture, so before I tell you anything else about this book, keep that in mind. In Churched, Turner tells the story of his childhood in a fundamental Independent Baptist church, including stories of getting a "Baptist" haircut, door-to-door evangelism, and "the bad part" of the movie Ben-Hur. (Disclaimer: I recieved a free copy of the book from Waterbrook Multnomah through the Blogging For Books program in exchange for my review.)
I found the stories comical and wondered if they were a bit exaggerated through Turner's lens of humor. But knowing that his writing is based in humor, I didn't take everything at 100 percent face value. Nor do I think that's necessarily the point.
Turner's stories of fundamentalism through a child's eyes needs humor in the telling because some of his experiences are so ridiculous you can't help but laugh. Still, it's not all laughs. Turner wrestles with some serious themes like hell and death and salvation. Churched doesn't tell the entire story of Turner's spiritual life but chronicles his rocky relationship with church. I appreciated the concluding chapter that gives us an idea of what church is like for him now as an adult.
Churched is an interesting (and short) read. Fans of Turner's blog will enjoy his stories, as will anyone who grew up in a similar environment and has now left it. I don't know if it's a book I would recommend to everyone but it is a good illustration of how church can be hard, even for someone who was raised in it.
I found the stories comical and wondered if they were a bit exaggerated through Turner's lens of humor. But knowing that his writing is based in humor, I didn't take everything at 100 percent face value. Nor do I think that's necessarily the point.
Turner's stories of fundamentalism through a child's eyes needs humor in the telling because some of his experiences are so ridiculous you can't help but laugh. Still, it's not all laughs. Turner wrestles with some serious themes like hell and death and salvation. Churched doesn't tell the entire story of Turner's spiritual life but chronicles his rocky relationship with church. I appreciated the concluding chapter that gives us an idea of what church is like for him now as an adult.
Churched is an interesting (and short) read. Fans of Turner's blog will enjoy his stories, as will anyone who grew up in a similar environment and has now left it. I don't know if it's a book I would recommend to everyone but it is a good illustration of how church can be hard, even for someone who was raised in it.
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