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The Greatest Church in the World: A Lamp on a Hill
Pastor Kevin has failed at two churches and he is about to give up the ministry. He sets out to decide what is next and finds himself three hundred and forty-seven miles from home. He turns into a small town where he meets a pastor and a community that change his perspective on church success. There he learns the principles that can make any church The Greatest Church in the World.
127 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2018
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December 24, 2018
Surely no church can realistically hope to become the greatest church in the world. But just as Jesus often used hyperbole to make his point, so does Skip Carney. Like Jesus, he also couches his nonfictional message in a parable, which led me to shelve this book as both fiction and nonfiction. I could empathize with fictional Pastor Kevin in his discouragement and his gradual awakening to new possibilities during his nine days with Pastor Tom and members of the Lighthouse Church. I was gratified to recognize many of the ten precepts or “beacons” that guide the fictional Lighthouse Church as part of my own experience in a disciple-making congregation; but I also saw areas where I/we fall short.
This little book offers inspiration for any congregation laying plans for a new year of ministry and spiritual renewal. Some will find in it affirmation for what they are already doing; others may find it a game changer. But I daresay that no church can claim that all its members are committed to following the precepts in this book every day of the week. It is in this area that I found the book most convicting.
Carney’s thesis is that any congregation that embraces and truly practices the Lighthouse Beacons can become the “greatest” church in the world — with God’s help, which is addressed is the first beacon, “We will trust God.” Each beacon expresses something the church will do or something it is. Each is set forth and developed in a manual placed in the hands of every member of the Lighthouse Church. One beacon is read aloud at every church meeting. “The reason we are the church you see today,” says Pastor Tom, “is because these principles are known, understood and lived by every member of our congregation. It’s that simple.” A fairy tale? Maybe. Maybe not.
One thing I missed was a summary of the ten beacons at the end of the book. They are presented and developed one by one as the story progresses, but here they are in a nutshell:
1. We will trust God.
2. Today, our church is new.
3. Our church will be a beacon in our community.
4. We will reach the unreached.
5. We will keep it simple.
6. Our church is our people.
7. We will see our church with visitor’s eyes.
8. We will communicate better.
9. We will make disciples.
10. We will be a lamp on a hill.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This little book offers inspiration for any congregation laying plans for a new year of ministry and spiritual renewal. Some will find in it affirmation for what they are already doing; others may find it a game changer. But I daresay that no church can claim that all its members are committed to following the precepts in this book every day of the week. It is in this area that I found the book most convicting.
Carney’s thesis is that any congregation that embraces and truly practices the Lighthouse Beacons can become the “greatest” church in the world — with God’s help, which is addressed is the first beacon, “We will trust God.” Each beacon expresses something the church will do or something it is. Each is set forth and developed in a manual placed in the hands of every member of the Lighthouse Church. One beacon is read aloud at every church meeting. “The reason we are the church you see today,” says Pastor Tom, “is because these principles are known, understood and lived by every member of our congregation. It’s that simple.” A fairy tale? Maybe. Maybe not.
One thing I missed was a summary of the ten beacons at the end of the book. They are presented and developed one by one as the story progresses, but here they are in a nutshell:
1. We will trust God.
2. Today, our church is new.
3. Our church will be a beacon in our community.
4. We will reach the unreached.
5. We will keep it simple.
6. Our church is our people.
7. We will see our church with visitor’s eyes.
8. We will communicate better.
9. We will make disciples.
10. We will be a lamp on a hill.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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