The Honest to God Church

Publisher Description

Pastor and church consultant Doug Bixby considers the many ways churches can fall short of their potential to be grace-filled places. He also shows what the church and the life of disciple-ship look like when we get honest with God and get real with one another. Bixby makes it clear that "honest to God" churches are always come-as-you-are churches. Drawing from the gospel and real-life examples, Bixby explores pathways to a more open and authentic Christian life and spiritual community between the extremes of liberal and conservative, judgmental and permissive, mean and merely nice. He provides action steps for church leaders seeking to begin shaping their church into a conduit for God's grace. Bixby recommends we embrace the concept that we all are saints and sinners simultaneously. Churches that do this raise disciples who readily admit their sin and brokenness while anchoring their lives in God's grace and working to spread the good news of that grace to the world. Bixby encourages all congregations to live authentically and transparently so that we do not have to pretend that we are okay when we are not. Rich in theological insights yet easy to read, The Honest to God Church is ideal for study and discussion by a whole congregation or in small groups and adult classes. Each chapter ends with ideas to try and questions for further discussion. The book challenges us to respond to Jesus's call to come as we are, not as we think we ought to be. Visit Doug Bixby's blog at ImperfectChurches.org.