Unfinished: Filling the Hole in Our Gospel

by Richard Stearns

Believing Is Only the Beginning

Do you long for a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in your life? Do you believe all the right things, go to church, and faithfully read your Bible, still feeling that something is missing? You may be right.

Two thousand years ago Jesus gave an urgent assignment to his followers right before he left. At its essence it was not just an invitation to believe; it was a bold call to action. It was a challenge to go into the world to reclaim, reform, and restore it for Christ.

Simply stated, the message of this book is that God has invited you to join him in this world-changing mission. And if you are not personally participating in God’s great endeavor, you could be missing the very thing he created you to do.

Best-selling author Rich Stearns invites you not just to stand on the sidelines but to get into the game. That is when the adventure begins.

“Unfinished, just might challenge everything you thought you understood about your Christian faith. Unfinished is a call to finish the job Christ gave his church to do. If every Christian read this book and took it seriously, the world would never be the same again.”—Bill Hybels, senior pastor, Willow Creek Community Church; and chairman, Willow Creek Association

“Just when I’ve gotten comfortable with my faith, here comes Rich Stearns, reminding me what matters and who God loves and why. Just when my world is the way I want it, Rich reminds me the world is not the way God wants it. Hungry families. Malnourished kids. Just when I dare think my work is done, Rich reminds me that we are just getting started. First in The Hole in Our Gospel, now in Unfinished, Rich gives me a kind, gracious kick. Thanks, Rich. (I think.)”—Max Lucado, pastor and best-selling author

“Okay, admit sometimes you wonder . . . don’t you? Is this it? The life you’re living. Is there more? From his journey in corporate and nonprofit leadership—in very good causes—Rich Stearns concludes there is, indeed, more. More purpose. More meaning. More life. In Unfinished you will discover how your life can be about more.”—Elisa Morgan, author; speaker; publisher, FullFill; and president emerita, MOPS International

“Rich Stearns has done it again! In this winsome, engaging, and challenging book, he calls us back to some of the key issues of what it means to be followers of Christ in a world full of distractions and false gods. This is a book for everyone, about finding the place of our calling in God’s global mission. It is a book about fulfillment, adventure, and a lifetime of transformation. It made me hungry for more of the life God has in store for us.”—Dr. Stephen Hayner, president, Columbia Theological Seminary

“Your story can be a part of the Great Story. Rich Stearns knows the story and lives the story. Unfinished may call you to the greatest chapter of your life.”—John Ortberg, senior pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church; and author, Who Is This Man?

“The kingdom is both already and not yet, the work of Christ both finished and to be completed. Stearns reminds readers of every Christian’s responsibility to live on mission, in light of Jesus’ example and call. Richard shows us by his life, the ministry he leads, and the passion of this book that there is much to be done and we are to be a part of God’s grand plan.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Christianity, Church

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 3, 2013

About the author

Richard Stearns is the president of World Vision United States, an international Christian relief and development organization.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, as I have much respect for the work that World Vision does, and appreciated Stearns' first book. But I just was frustrated the entire way through, and honestly only finished it because I received it for free on the condition that I review it here.

I couldn't figure out if it was intended as an evangelistic book or a call to action for Christians, and since I assumed the latter, I was confused why he spent close to half of the book laying out the basic tenants of the Christian faith. When I got to page 79 and saw "If you are reading this book, it likely means that you consider yourself a "serious" Christian," I was even more confused why he had spent the previous 78 pages giving an overview of things that "serious" Christians should already know. Stearns gives high level overviews of the story of the Bible, of Jesus' mission, of the work of Holy Spirit, of the Great Commission, of how satan works, but each of these could (and should!) be a book in and of itself.

He invites the reader to enter into God's story and discover the part God has given him, (rightly) saying that the work of Jesus is unfinished and we are called as Christians to contribute. Yet he never actually discusses HOW to do that, apart from sweeping generalizations and broad overviews. If this book is truly "an invitation to discover the life that God created you to live," (p.xxii) then why doesn't he provide the reader with tools on how to do that? There are dozens of books on finding your purpose or mission in life, and I didn't particularly find that this added anything to the conversation or contributed anything unique.

Furthermore, his analogies are terrible, and I frequently found myself cringing at the implications of the parallels he was drawing. For instance, he told the story of a Cambodian girl who sold herself into sex slavery because her virginity was the most valuable possession her family had, and it was her way of sacrificing for her family to be able to have money and to provide money to help save her mother who was sick. Stearns was so moved by this woman's story and how she gave herself to save her mother and siblings, which is entirely fine. But then he equates that love and sacrifice with Christ's, which is terribly unhelpful. She wasn't laying down her life in service of Jesus, and Jesus does not call us to sell our bodies into slavery, nor is that "sacrifice" a helpful metaphor. On so many levels, no.

I could continue, but suffice it to say, I was sorely disappointed with this book and felt it was not clear what it wanted to be, tried to be too many things, and ended up being not much of anything.

[Elise van der Leer-Schaaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het boek richt zich op één specifieke uitspraak van Jezus: maak alle volkeren tot mijn leerlingen. Hierop bouwt de auteur voort door te zeggen dat ons leven nooit diepgaande vervulling zal krijgen zolang we niet aan het werk gaan met onze taak in deze opdracht.

Ik denk dat het zeker een interessant en belangrijk punt is dat we mensen om ons heen (of verder weg, als God je daarheen roept) over God moeten vertellen. Tegelijkertijd vind ik dat de auteur hier wel heel stellig in is. Is dit echt de enige opdracht die God ons heeft gegeven? Wat over de allereerste opdracht die God gaf, namelijk de tuin bewerken en bewaken?

Daarnaast geeft de auteur ook veel druk mee aan zijn lezers. Als je niet ontdekt wat God van je vraagt, als je nooit het evangelie (op welke manier) deelt met mensen, dan: "Je hebt nooit datgene gevonden waarvoor je bent geschapen. Je bent nooit die bijzondere persoon geworden zoals God je heeft bedoeld." (p. 256). Hoe bedoel je ideeën uit de prestatiemaatschappij? Is je leven dan echt mislukt? Heb je dan gefaald? Volgens mij is Jezus juist ook naar de aarde gekomen om ons te bevrijden van de druk om het allemaal maar zelf te doen...

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time since a book challenged and inspired me as much as "Unfinished." Rich Stearns has a straightforward way of looking of things that makes sense to me. I also like that he puts aside all the political junk that other Christian authors sometimes get into. I am often guilty of going on autopilot and living life for my own comfort, which is easy to do in middle-class America. Stearns reminds me that God doesn't want me to go to church on Sunday and spend the rest of the week complaining about my first-world problems. He wants us all to be filled with urgency to bring His Kingdom to earth, and he wants our hearts to break for the suffering in this world. I also tend to use my insecurity and anxiety issues as an excuse to sit back in my comfort zone. I tell myself that I'm not good enough to have a real impact on the world, but Stearns calls me on that too. "God doesn't make any losers. Jesus came to turn loser into winners. You are a child of the King, a unique one-of-a-kind miracle, and you were created to play a critical role in the big story of God. And God really intends to use you to change the world."

[Cory St. Esprit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost a continuation of Hole In Our Gospel - but without as many good stories. Tries to paint a picture of how our work as Christians is unfinished and our call to our mission field, but tends to repeat himself and refer back to HIOG quite frequently. Towards about 150 pages in I was struggling to finish. From the CEO of World Vision you would expect more stories but this bogged down in very baseline theology (which isn't bad in itself) but without the break up of monotony with stories, this book dragged on.

[James Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! I want the session and the staff of my church to read this book together. In fact, I want whoever is reading this review to read this book. While Stearn's first book dealt with resolving the hunger problem of the world, this book deals with the resolving the hunger problem of the soul. a fantastic read.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting this book to be similar to Stearns' earlier book, A Hole in Our Gospel, which spoke of the need to respond to the incredible suffering of the impoverished world wide.

It isn't. The scope of Unfinished is both broader and more personal. Here, Stearns calls Christians to examine their lives, to assess whether they are truly following Christ or merely claiming the benefits he offers.

Are we, he asks, true disciples, committed to expanding the kingdom of God? Are we meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the world? Are we taking Christ's message and love, in word and deed, to the farthest corners of the world? Are we even taking them to the corner where we live?

What would that even look like?

Or have we become mere consumers of Christianity? Looking for a way to fulfill ourselves, an insurance policy against damnation, something to make us feel better about our lives, and frustrated when it does not? Are we sitting in the pews, teaching our Sunday School classes, serving on committees, and still feeling like we're missing out on something?

If we are not taking part in the unfinished work of Christ, we are missing out. So how do we figure out our role in that work? How do we live lives of meaning and purpose, right where we are? Unfinished guides us through these questions, helping us to discover our own part in growing the kingdom of God.

I received a free copy of Unfinished to review.

[Dara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book that I think everyone should read. It really gets you thinking on what more you could be doing in life that benefits others.

[Tim Chavel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I heard my favorite coach, Mark Richt, of the University of Georgia, had read "The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? the Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World" and how it had changed his thinking about missions I decided I had to read it. So several months ago I read the book and wrote a review of it and posted it on goodreads, http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... and on my blog, http://timchavel.blogspot.com/search/....

A few months ago I received a letter from World Vision Project Manager, Blogger Outreach, Ashley Day. She asked if they sent me Richard Stearns new book, "Unfinished," would I read it and write a review. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. I so much enjoyed the book and it challenged me in my walk with my Savior. If you are a believer and want to be challenged I would encourage you to read this book. The book's thrust is how God wants to use us to build His kingdom. As you will read from the quotes below I trust you will be encouraged to buy this book!



Mother Teresa’s profound words are surely true of me and true of you: “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.” My prayer is that He will use you to write His next love letter. ~Richard Stearns

The meaning, purpose, and significance of our lives are found only by aligning our lives with God’s purposes, in lives committed to following Jesus Christ. ~Richard Stearns

God created you intentionally to play a very specific role in His unfolding story. ~Richard Stearns

If we are not personally engaged in God’s great mission in the world, then we have missed the very thing He created us to do. ~Richard Stearns

The Author created you to play a key role in His story. ~Richard Stearns

Well doesn’t it make sense that our story has an author too – One who created the world and the universe we were born into, One who cast the vision for the expansive plot and story narrative that has unfolded over eons of time, One who began the story and also will bring it to its conclusion? Doesn’t it also follow that this same Author/Creator gave life to each and every character in His story – to you and to me – and that He created each one of us with unique gifts, talents, and personalities; and that He placed us within His story in both space and time? ~Richard Stearns

What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. ~Romans 1:19-20

The big story of God came to a climax in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus. He is the truth; He is the story. “I am the way and the truth and the life,” Jesus said. “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

The tragedy of modern man is not that he knows less and less about the meaning of his own life but that it bothers him less and less? ~Vaclav Havel

In short, I had always believed that the world involved magic: now I thought that perhaps it involved a magician … I had always felt life first as a story and if there is a story there is a story-teller. ~G. K. Chesterton

The story of Scripture is the story of a Father’s love for His children. It is the story of a Father faithfully reaching out to the children who rejected Him. It is the story of a loving God who never gives up. ~Richard Stearns

The birth of Jesus is the sunrise in the Bible. ~Henry Van Dyke

A penny will hide the biggest star in the universe if you hold it close enough to your eye. ~Samuel Grafton

Frei Betto said, “The head thinks where the feet stand.” If you are North American or European, think of how different your worldview might be if you had been born and raised in Afghanistan, China, Gaza or the West Bank, Russia, North Korea, or Ethiopia. ~Richard Stearns

Worldview: the overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world. ~Richard Stearns

We see people and things not as they are, but as we are ~Anthony De Mello

Most Americans are still drawing some water from the Christian well. But a growing number are inventing their own versions of what Christianity means, abandoning the nuances of traditional theology in favor of religions that stroke their egos and indulge or even celebrate their worst impulses. ~Ross Douthat

Prosperity knits a man to the World. He feels that he is “finding his place in it,” while really it is finding its place in him. C.S. Lewis

Just as God created birds to fly and fish to swim, he created us to live as citizens in His emerging kingdom and to invite others to join us. ~Richard Stearns

Many of our churches are no longer the boot camps established to equip us for battle; they’re spiritual spas designed to enhance our well-being and give us a glow at the beginning of our week. We sing a few songs, shake a few hands, and listen to a pleasant homily. The call of Jesus to lay down our lives, take up our crosses, and share in His suffering seldom echoes from our pulpits. ~Richard Stearns

Christ did not call us to retreat from the world’s pain but to enter it. He called us to go. The twenty-first-century church has everything required to finish the job-the resources, the knowledge, and the mandate. But the great mission given to us by Christ lies unfinished. It is time to relaunch. ~Richard Stearns

God leaves us here because He has a mission for us to fulfill. We aren’t here by accident; neither are we here simply to enjoy the good things life has to offer. We are here because God put us here, and He has a sovereign purpose in keeping us here. It’s true for us as individuals, and it’s true for His body, the Church, in all of its fullness. As Jesus prayed just before His arrest and trial, “I am not praying that You take them out of the world … As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:15, 18). ~Billy Graham

Jesus’ call to repent was more than merely a call to feel remorse or regret for our sins; it was a call to change our minds, to exchange our agenda for His; it was a call to reorder our lives in the face of God’s dramatic news that His kingdom was now available to all. Eugene Peterson paraphrases Mark 1:15 this way: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Massage” (MSG). Jesus called us not just to believe but also to change our lives. ~Richard Stearns

Scot McKnight talks about the difference between a disciple and a decider: “Most of evangelism today focuses on getting someone to make a decision; the apostles, however, were obsessed with making disciples.” Jesus called us to be disciples and make disciples, not just be deciders.

Deciders just believe the right things; disciples seek to do the right things. Disciples are dedicated to learning their Master’s truths so they can imitate their Mater’s life. Disciples seek to embrace their Mater’s mission and serve their Master’s purposes. Disciples try to plan their entire lives around Jesus’ teaching and commands. Deciders have their own plans for their lives and invite Jesus to bless them. Jesus had some harsh things to say about deciders.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers! (Matt. 7:21-23)

Regarding entrance into the kingdom of God, Jesus’ death on the cross to atone for our sins made it possible for us to get our “certificate of citizenship” in His kingdom. But His expectation is that we will not only move in but also renounce our former citizenship; that we will become fully engaged citizens, enjoying our new rights and privileges, abiding by the laws of His kingdom, contributing to its growth and prosperity, and even becoming its ambassadors to those who live outside of God’s kingdom. Jesus wants us to enter into a new way of living in the here and now, empowered by the Holy Spirit, living under God’s rule and authority, forsaking the influence of other kingdoms, and taking up the full responsibilities of our citizenship. Tragically, many Christians make the decision, get their certificates, but never really move in to become full citizens of God’s kingdom. ~Richard Stearns

It is not enough for us to simply enlist [in God’s army]; we are called to join the battle. ~Richard Stearns

I want to share with you where my mind has come to rest as I approach the end of my pilgrimage on earth. It is this: God wants His people to become like Christ, for Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God. ~John Stott

These church communities, because they seek to live under God’s rule and according to God’s truth, should be shining examples of a radically different way for people to live. ~Richard Stearns

Our job is simply to populate the kingdom of heaven. ~Ted Engstrom

He chooses us for a mission, and He chooses a mission for us. ~Richard Stearns

We are saved by faith, and we are saved for works. And God Himself has prepared specific people for specific works. ~Richard Stearns

God’s expectations of us can be summed up simply – love God and love our fellow man. ~Richard Stearns

The teaching and example of Jesus and the bright thread of compassion for others that runs through all of Scripture underscores God’s desire that followers of Jesus will be recognized by their tangible expression of his love for all people. ~Richard Stearns

As John pointedly said, “Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6).

The truth is not that God is finding us a place for our gifts but that God has created us and our gifts for a place of His choosing – and we will only be ourselves when we are finally there. ~Os Guinness

Your life goal should be to follow Christ, live as Jesus lived, love as Jesus loves, proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God as we are sent into the world as His ambassadors. But being an engineer, accountant, or teacher might just be a very good means to that end. Everything we have and everything we are can be used in service to the Lord and to further His kingdom goals. ~Richard Stearns

There is no difference for the follower of Christ between the sacred and the secular. All work is sacred if it does not violate God’s laws and if it is offered in the service of building His kingdom. ~Richard Stearns

So what is the practical benefit of all the theology of the Holy Spirit? It is nothing less than the single enabling power that now makes it possible for ordinary human beings to be transformed and live differently than was ever before possible. Jesus’ call to repent and change our lives, to replace our agendas with his agenda, to literally become a new creation, is only made possible when the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts with power. It is only possible when God dwells in us. When that happens, we have access to abilities and insights previously unavailable. Again, it would take an entire book to unpack this idea fully, but let me list just a few of the gifts made available to us by the Spirit:
• Wisdom: the ability to perceive things from God’s perspective
• Comfort: the ability to have confidence in God and put our minds and hearts at ease
• Discernment: the ability to discriminate between truth and falsehood, right and wrong
• Intercession: the ability to access to the Spirit praying with us and through us before God
• Direction: the ability to sense what God wants us to do and where God wants us to go
• Power: the ability to do things we could not do before, speak things we could not speak before
• Boldness: the ability to have the courage to take a stand and to face trails
• Endurance: the ability to continue under stress, in suffering, with patience
• Conviction: a keen sense of conscience about our sins and our behavior
• Strength: the ability to overcome our weaknesses
• Protection: the ability to remain safe from evil, from the principalities and powers in this world
• Unity: the ability to bind together with other followers of Jesus within the church
• Fruit: the ability to demonstrate in our lives the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control ~Richard Stearns

First, as we learned earlier, we have to set the right destination, the one that involves replacing our agendas with God’s agenda – serving Him and building His kingdom. Second, just as my own GPS sometimes requires, we need to allow time to acquire the satellite; we need to invest the time to connect to God through His Spirit by spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, practicing spiritual disciplines, worshipping, and spending time with other believers. The stronger our satellite connection, the stronger the signal. Third, we need to listen and pay attention to the driving directions that are given. The thing about a GPS is that you can choose to ignore it, or you can just turn it off. We can choose to ignore the Holy Spirit in our lives as well. We can become so enamored with the sights along life’s roadways that we turn off the Spirit, turn off the road, and wander away from God’s plan for our lives. The Holy Spirit doesn’t coerce us. We need the Holy Spirit only if we want to obey God’s will and follow God’s path. If we want to follow our own way, we might as well turn it off. We aren’t forced to listen or obey just as we aren’t forced to heed a GPS. The choice is still ours. ~Richard Stearns

I am only one, but I am one,
I cannot do everything,
But I can do something.
What I can do I ought to do,
And what I ought to do
By GFleeod’s grace I will do. ~Edward Everett Hale

Prayer is as much about listening to God as it is about talking to Him.

There is an African proverb I love that goes like this: “If you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run together.” Good advice for all of us on the journey. ~Richard Stearns

We are to live with this question on our lips at all times: “how can I serve the Lord today, here in this place?” ~Richard Stearns

The key to discovering your specific calling in the end is patience and faithfulness. Make yourself available, serve where you stand, be faithful with what’s in front of you, and trust God for the outcome. ~Richard Stearns

There are no ordinary people. ~C.S. Lewis

Drudgery is the touchstone of character. The great hindrance in spiritual life is that we will look for big things to do. “Jesus took a towel … and began to wash the disciples’ feet” ~Oswald Chambers

God had chosen a different way (then the way men would have chosen), a new way, to change the world. He had chosen the weak over the powerful, the humble over the noble, the poor over the rich, the servant over the master, he had chosen a baby in a manger over a king in a place (1 Cor. 1:25-29). ~Richard Stearns

Whoever you are and wherever you are placed, know that you were placed there by the King to accomplish His good purpose! ~Richard Stearns

You are a child of the King, a unique one-of-a-kind miracle, and you were created to play a critical role in the big story of God. ~Richard Stearns

God does not call the equipped, but rather He equips those whom He calls. ~Anonymous

It should be of great comfort that God’s plan does not rely on our greatness but rather on His. ~Richard Stearns

No Goliath we face is mightier than the God we serve. ~Richard Stearns

We have brought into a church-growth consumer mentality that compels us to make our churches as appealing as possible to “consumers.” ~Richard Stearns

Better the church should shrink than risk losing its God-given purpose and identity. A community of true disciples, authentically living out the teachings of Scripture, is far more attractive than a latte bar or a Vegas-style musical performance. Jesus called the church to be salt and light in our world – salt to literally prevent decay (as in rotting meat) and light to counter the darkness of our culture. ~Richard Stearns

Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God. ~Bob Pierce

We have gone from being fishers of men to becoming keepers of the aquarium. ~Paul Harvey

The evil one wants nothing more than for the church to lose sight of its critical mission to assault the very gates of hell and bring the good news of the kingdom to all of God’s children. Insulated social clubs with fabulous facilities and Broadway-caliber Sunday worship services bring delight to the devil – “no harm, no foul!” The church that causes the demons to shudder is the church hell-bent on finishing the job that Christ commanded the church to do. ~Richard Stearns

Jesus did not call us to build an institution; He called us to lead a revolution. ~Richard Stearns

We live in the not yet, but God sees the already. We see today and yesterday but not tomorrow. God sees all three at once. In Him, those crushed in Haiti are alive already. In Him, those orphaned in Haiti are reunited with family already. In Him, those broken in Haiti are healed already. In Him, those grieving in Haiti rejoice already. ~Richard Stearns

How then should we think? How then should we live? What then, must we do? Unlike God, we live in the time between the already and not yet and we must wait until then. Until then, we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. Until then, we are called to comfort the afflicted, give food to the hungry and water to the thirsty. Until then, we are to shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, and grieve with the grieving. Until then, we are to care for the widow, the orphan, the alien, and the stranger. We are to “let [our] light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works and glorify [our] Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16 NKJV). Until then we are Christ’s heart and hands and feet – the ambassadors of His love in a hurting world. Until then we are called to show forth God’s deep love. ~Richard Stearns

Every act of kindness, each moment spent in prayer, and every expression of love in the name of Christ pierces the heart of the enemy and sends him into retreat. ~Richard Stearns

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. ~Attributed to Carl Bard

You see, Ralph and Cheryl didn’t sell everything they had and go onto the mission field; instead, they saw the mission field in everything they had. God used their passions, gifts, and skills right where they were planted, but they first had to make those gifts and skills available to Him. ~Richard Stearns

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. ~Attributed to C.T. Studd

It’s not the things we do in life that we regret on our deathbed, it is the things we do not. ~Randy Pausch

There are things that only you can do, and you are alive to do them. In the great orchestra we call life, you have an instrument and a song, and you owe it to God to play them both sublimely. ~Max Lucado

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs befotre Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day! ~Beethoven

[Beth DeLong · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have some mixed thoughts on this book. Fairly early on, I was irritated and ready to walk away from the book. It seemed Stearns was chastising Christians for not doing and giving enough, mainly financially. But he said this as a successful and wealthy CEO, who is still better off than most Americans with his nearly $300k paycheck at World Vision (and this being a pay cut for him from his previous position), living in a not cheap area of a not cheap city. Yet he went on at one point about how if you make $40k a year then you should be giving more to charity because you're so much better off financially than most the world. Never mind the details of cost of living in America vs, say, Africa.

But I pressed on because, not only are some of the book reviews stellar, but I also enjoyed the anecdotes. It's cool to see some of the stories of how others have given and what huge changes have occurred because of them!

And while I do enjoy the stories, and I understand Stearns wanting to include some rather large-scale examples of giving, he largely focuses on just that -- the large-scale. As such, that also makes it difficult to relate to.

Overall, it was a decent read and I enjoyed the anecdotes included and examples of how to get involved and how lives have been changed. But in the end, I didn't feel so much convicted as a believer to do more; more so I felt that I had read a 200-page letter from a wealthy CEO in a wealthy town telling the bulk of blue collar Americans that we're not doing enough to decrease world poverty.

[Allen Madding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Sterns throws down the gauntlet in Unfinished. Believing is not enough. It is not OK to become a believer and then live the rest of our lives focused on ourselves. If Jesus meant all that stuff He said that we see in red ink in the New Testament, then becoming a believer and then devising our early retirement in the Bahamas is probably not what He is calling us to do. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We were commanded to complete the work He started when He walked the earth. Did we somehow miss that part? Many believers wonder when He will return. Sterns suggests that He has not returned because He is waiting for us to complete the work we were tasked to do when He left.

Over the last two years working in a nonprofit working to help eliminate hunger in our community, I regularly wonder why so many churches and so many believers seem so unconcerned with the suffering in their own communities. I wonder why so many believers are not busy serving in some shape, form, or fashion. As I read this book, it dawned on me. The unengaged believers somehow believe that they have done what is required. They believe they have checked the box. Job done. But as Sterns so clearly points out, believing is just the beginning and there is so much more.

If you are a believer and you do not read another book this year, I strongly suggest I urge you I DARE you to read this book. And then get the six series DVD set and use it for a small group setting.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Sunday school class read this and watched the accompanying video series. We used the small group leader guide to go through the text. What I liked about Unfinished was the call to action that was the overarching theme of the book. Christians squabble with each other like politicians, while those in need to whom we are called to serve have no relief. Richard Stearns, CEO of World Vision, challenges Christians to overcome their pride and materialism, address the evils of poverty and violence in the world, and act in big and small ways to manifest the teachings of Jesus to a broken world. What I found challenging was the emphasis and preference given to extreme acts of charity that are, frankly, out of reach for many in my class of older students. I would have liked more examples of the Mother Theresa quote he uses at the end of the video series - "We can do small things with great love." Still, this study convicts the complacent Christian with specific actions.

[Janice Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a HUGE fan of 'The Hole in Our Gospel' (Richard Stearn's first book), I wanted to love this book as much as the first. But alas, I was a bit disappointed. He spent much of this book laying out basic Christian theology (like the fact that Satan really exists and an overview of the great commission). I was expecting some practical advice to follow-up on the first book, but that really wasn't included until the very last chapter. I ended up skimming some of this book. I'm not saying the book was bad...it was a decent read and covered God's expectations of Christians. I guess I'm saying that if you read 'The Hole in Our Gospel' and understand that you are called to action by God, then this book is not necessary as it doesn't provide much practical advice for actually heeding that call.

[Evan Þ. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This's a book exhorting Christians to not just treat Jesus as insurance against Hell, but be active in promoting His Kingdom: both in evangelism and in material charity. This, Stearns (the president of World Vision) says, is the answer to our longings for more meaningful lives.

I can't disagree with what he says in the abstract, but I'm frustrated at his lack of specific guidance. He gives many specific examples, but none of them seem specifically present in my life. I could volunteer with some of the local ministries, but that feels very much opposed to my talents. So I'm at a loss for how to apply this. I suppose the answer is to pray and wait for God to make it clear.

[Ken Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read regarding a difficult topic. The author draws from his own experiences to encourage followers of Jesus to be intentional about the task of building God's kingdom on Earth. Important encouragement to move on from a foundation of faith for salvation to being about what God has created us to be.

[Jaime Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on how to be more proactive and get a better understanding on the true meaning of faith.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

God book about Christ's commission to His followers that is still unfinished.

[Mfonido Ukpabio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very challenging book of a better way to live as a Christian. We have been called for a reason, let's fulfill it.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books walks you through God’s mission in the world and your part in it. Encouraging and challenging.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are early in your walk with God this book may be helpful, if not probably not.

[Brandon Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow-up to the Hole in Our Gospel!

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s very refreshing to see a book try to take a more moderate stance to religion. World vision seems like a very good company

[Nicholas Galiardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I'd grade "Unfinished" as a decent read. As with anything in life, it all depends on what you're looking for. As such I think it's only fair and appropriate that I try to approach this review from a multi-faceted standpoint, looking at

1: how it rates as an academic read, and
2: how it would rate from the average give-me-what-I-need-to-know-and-inspire-me sort of person.

Written by the President of World Vision (one of the largest international faith-based nonprofits), Richard Stearns has the experience and the stories to reinforce the central theme of the book - that God created you for a purpose, and whatever that purpose is, it is accomplished through action. Although I have never been much of a "purpose driven life" type reader of religious/spiritual material, Rich's interweaving of a large amount and variety of real life stories - coupled with his easy-to-read, easy-flowing style of writing - made for an unexpectedly pleasing experience. As the former CEO of Parker Brothers Games and Lennox, and the current leader of a 60,000+ organization with an international scope, his background of getting to the point and inspiring action, definitely influenced his approach in this book. The chapters are short, themed and replete with metaphors and stories which help encourage the average person and convince them that their life has a special purpose, that God cooperates with us (or perhaps we cooperate with God) to attain that purpose, and if we are willing to take that "walk of faith", our purpose will have a profound, positive impact on the world. As such, I think it would be hard for anyone, barring the hard-core cynic, from leaving this read without feeling somewhat empowered to positive action.

With that said, it is definitely not a seminary-level type read... and that's okay. Not only is the author not a religious leader, but neither is the targeted audience. Although the book does contain some biblical references, and light philosophy/theology concepts, it - perhaps - doesn't go into as much depth as I was hoping for, but rather relies on more experiential analysis. As such, I think it can provide a more relate-able experience for the average person, than a more advanced read might.

What I ultimately like about this book, is that it does a decent job of showing that faith, when just a set of beliefs without action... is stale... but then also inspires you to action.

Overall, I'd probably give it a 3.812342 out of 5, but since Goodreads only accepts whole numbers... I'll give it 4 :)

[Laura Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several years ago I read A Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stearns and was enlightened and challenged by it. I received an email inviting me to read his latest book "UNFINISHED: Believing is Only the Beginning" which again challenged me and also inspired me to find that "something" I can do.

He reiterates what we all know, however may forget or ignore, that we are all called for a purpose. There is no separation between the secular and sacred, that where we are is our mission. At the beginning of Chapter 15 he quotes George Elliot "It's never too late to be who you might have been."

He shares the domino chain reaction and how a little domino can topple a much larger one when strategically placed. The point being that we are often astounded at the end result of some miniscule event.

Because we doubt that anything we do is significant we often miss our opportunity to make a difference. In the introduction he states that God created us to be a key role in his story and we will feel incomplete until we find it.

He challenges us all with: "But the job he gave us to do remains unfinished. It is our turn now...our time to lead God's revolution."

[bsolt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich Stearns comes back with a strong follow-up to A Hole in our Gospel. I read the two books back to back so the concepts and themes were fresh in my mind. This book is a much more personal call to action and challenges the reader to think about their role in the Kingdom of God. It was a great and frustrating read at the same time because it leaves the reader questioning by asking the RIGHT questions that we usually pretend don't exist. But Stearns is so blunt with some of his themes, arguments, and questions, Unfinished is a great wake up call.

The only caveat that I had with the book was some of the analogies Stearns uses were linked to violence and in my opinion he could have used a better comparison (i.e. the army, D-Day, 9/11 terrorist attacks, sleeper cells in NY, etc.). However, Stearns does take time at the end of the book to say that our struggle to build the Kingdom is one of peace, using love and compassion. I wish that he would have infused this idea throughout the book.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Stearns' second book is written to encourage our hearts to live what Jesus taught and establish the kingdom of God accordingly. Much of this book was spectacular with inspiring stories of people living by faith in action. My one issue is that at times I felt Mr. Stearns was yes, certainly living out the kingdom of God, but at the same time he speaks of living out the kingdom while at times glorifying the US, which considering he referenced scripture several times saying we fight authorities of this world and even used an example of Jesus being bold against worldly kingdom, I have a hard time seeing how the Roman Empire ruled supreme for hundreds of years and our own country is nearly 240 years old only. It too will fall while Christ's kingdom rules for all time. Regardless, I truly appreciate what he wrote outside of this aspect. Spreading the gospel and caring for others by loving our neighbors is extremely important!! It is a good book to read and as stated can truly encourage believers further.

[Meepspeeps · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many metaphors in this book, and I hope that at least one of them resonates with each reader, prompting peeps to "finish" their faith by acting to change the world. The author breaks down the Biblical basis for taking action as a manifestation of faith and then gives both small and dramatic examples that peeps have lived to establish God's kingdom on earth. I liked the GPS metaphor where the Holy Spirit is the GPS device. I also appreciated his bold words about how many churches need to change course in order to really be part of God's kingdom on earth. There will likely be some readers, including pastors and other church leaders who say, "that's not me" or believe the prescription is too harsh (or hard). I say stop the introspection and get on with it - if every Christian in the USA did more of what the author talks about, there would be markedly greater justice and lower inequality in the USA and beyond.

[Ryan Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is essentially a wake-up call to Western Christians to take their calling as followers of Jesus seriously, living in the way of his Kingdom now. He mostly stays away from directly criticizing the Western Church ripe with problems (not all, but many). Instead, he does a very good job of painting a picture of how the Church could look more like Jesus and why that should be our urgent mission everyday.

For a certain demographic, I can see how this is a very important read, so really the 3-star rating would probably be more of a 4.5 for the average Western Christian. As somebody schooled in theology who has read deeper texts on the same subject with the same goal, it didn't do as much for me outside of a few odd biblical facts that I wasn't aware of and a lot of great stories of people who are taking the Kingdom seriously in their daily decisions, but I definitely can still recommend it.

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great follow up to Mr.Stearns previous book The Hole in the Gospel. Discussions and examples of followers of Christ who are continuing to live out what Jesus wanted his disciples to do, that being to go out into all the nations and share the Gospel and love your neighbor. It doesn't mean that you have to go to the other side of the Earth to do what Jesus wants us to do, it can be in your own neighborhood. Many come to accept Jesus into their lives and hearts, attend a weekly church service, participate in a small group, pray, listen to Christian music, and are basically nice and lovely Christians. Although this is all great, Jesus wants more from us, he wants us to do more. This book is inspiring and encourages Christians to transform into Christ-followers, to live out what Jesus had started and wants us to full-fill.

[Jamie Pennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author brings up a few good points and things to make you think. However his wordsmithing could be much better. I was expecting a commercial for World Vision and while the book certainly did lean that direction it was not as bad as I was expecting.

The author however seemed to me to be a big high on himself and the fact that he left a salary of over a million dollars to go work for a non-profit. In one sense I applaude this on the hand I am somewhat unimpressed that he left his million dollar a year high profile job in the for profit industry to advocate on behalf of the poor when he only makes a measley $300,000.00 a year now. All while he advocates for the poor and those who do not even make $1 a day.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a follow up book to The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? the Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World and it does a pretty good job. I felt Stearns' first book was a bit more compelling, but I was very appreciative that Unfinished has a study guide section to facilitate going deeper and actually using this book as a map to finding God's future for yourself.