Book Review: The Hole in our Gospel
Just finished The Hole in Our Gospel today, by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision. The subtitle is "What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer that Changed my Life and Might Just Change the World." How's that for mouthful.
The Willow Creek Association sent a copy to all WCA churches and Willow Creek handed out 10,000 copies one weekend after their church services. So it comes quite well recommended...and it did not disappoint. If I could recommend only one book to someone to help them get a biblical perspective on compassion ministry in the context of local and global missions (what the P.E.A.C.E. Plan is about), this would be the book.
It's a very personal story, Richard Stearns story (remarkable, inspiring and one that most of us can identify with), but it's also like a comprensive textbook. Maybe too textbookish at times, but worth it if you want to learn and go deeper than normal. Reading this book was like taking all I've learned on this topic my whole adult life (a subject I've devoted tons of time and interest) and pouring it into one book that's filled with great stories. It should be required reading for everyone in our P.E.A.C.E. ministry leadership and in our church leadership. I really can't recommend it enough.
Lois and I both listened it. We were deeply moved and challenged. Some good conversations grew out of it, as well as some soul searching in both of us. I'd recommend listening if you struggle getting through long books. I downloaded it from Audible. Some of the stories he tells will undoubtedly be working their way into my messages over the coming weeks. Please read this book.