Vertical Church: What Every Heart Longs for. What Every Church Can Be. in David C Cook

Aug 19, 2012 Renada Thompson rated it really liked it

Lots of underlining and corner folding, especially in the chapters on witness and prayer. A few key passages:

"The power of the gospel is not in the relational capacity of the witness but in the message itself." (p. 247)

(in response to a crisis) "I prayed only for the reputation of Christ to be protected and extended." (p. 292)

"It's self-deception to believe there is a true faithfulness apart from visible fruit; a barren tree is not an upgrade to trees with bad fruit." (p. 152)

"Boldness is simply ...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Jeanie rated it really liked it

I was excited to read this book because of my own journey with the Lord and how I love the church. This is not about a better way but the only way. It is not about styles of worship, but about worshipping in spirit and in truth. Many of us may have experienced many things when it comes to the church, some good and wonderful and some ugly and hurtful. However, that being said, I realize I am part of the good and the ugly and because there is ugly and we are sinners, this reasonated with me becaus I was excited to read this book because of my own journey with the Lord and how I love the church. This is not about a better way but the only way. It is not about styles of worship, but about worshipping in spirit and in truth. Many of us may have experienced many things when it comes to the church, some good and wonderful and some ugly and hurtful. However, that being said, I realize I am part of the good and the ugly and because there is ugly and we are sinners, this reasonated with me because it all comes down to what Jesus said to Mary she had chosen the right thing that will never be taken away. Before I go any further, I did have one concern. There has been much marketing on this book. It seemed a little contridiction of what MacDonald was saying in his book. In reading this book, on my facebook feed, he is visiting Mark Driscoll's church in promoting this book. In fact he has visited many churches and has a web page for this book. It rubs me a little wrong, however, does it take away from the need to be a vertical church versus a horizontal, no...So what is the difference between the two? Let me start by saying that when I had changed churches several years ago, members of the church that I was a member for many years were asking me is the new church relevant in its teaching. Actually it was'nt and I could'nt articulate the difference and now I can. The difference was the trancedence of God vs the relevant of God in my life. That is huge. For me and I think it is true, when we have a horizontal church, it is easy for idols to appear. However, the trancedence of God tears those idols down. For that I am thankful. The book goes into great detail about other differences and the dangers that we may face and not even be aware of. The thing is a Horizontal church has great people that care about others, that want to see people won for Christ and those are all good things, however, God's glory is only shown in the trancedence of worship. When I can say I am undone. Holy Holy Holy is the Lord. If I am not saying that after a gathering, then I have not met with God. If I see no need for repentance, then I have not met with God. If I cannot say, God have mercy on me. If I cannot see sin for what it is and how it destroys others, then I have not met with the Lord. Vertical shows me who God is and then I am empowered to serve where He has placed me. All this is done by frevent prayer that keeps me humble and dependant on him. Highly recommend this book. ...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Jacob Coldwell rated it really liked it

Helpful outlook on priorities within a church. While not all expressions of church will look the same, it is helpful to review some essential pieces for Gods church.

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