Recent Reads {Quitting Church}

Quitting Church: Why the Faithful Are Fleeing and What to Do about It by Julia Duin - Julia Duin, religion editor for The Washington Times, has put together this thoughtful and well-researched exploration of why there may be a growing number of "formerly churched" as well as "unchurched" people out there.Duin does not give us a 'how-to' book, offer simple steps to bringing folks back into the church, or even on keeping the ones we have.  She does offer valuable insight into what those disengaged or dissatisfied Christians are thinking and feeling, whether they have already bolted or not.  The challenge then, is for the pastors, church leaders, and laypeople to see where church is not living up to the mission given to it, and where we can make changes that more accurately reflect Christ and His Kingdom.  I thought the book did a good job of highlighting the disconnect that so often occurs between our Christian beliefs and how we live them out - or at least how others perceive that we are living them out.  I'd be surprised if there's any believer of any stripe who doesn't disagree with at least one thing presented in this book, or who isn't at least a tiny bit offended by something in this book.  But, I would also expect that all believers who read it will experience a little bit of the heartbreak that occurs when the Body of Christ fails its members.  By presenting the problems and question that are prompting Christians to disengage from established churches without trying to come up with a 'one size fits all' or '12-step program' solution for churches, Duin leaves it to the readers to assess where their own local church body may need to refocus on what the Bible tells us the Body of Christ should be like, and what course corrections might need to be made.