Rating: 
Summary: True Spirituality
Review: The authors may have influenced my thinking and life profoundly in the 5 years I have come to listen and read them, but there was no way I would let anyone get away with clunky spiritual assertions. But I didn't have to as there weren't any in 'How People Grow'. Now this is difficult for me. Cloud and Townsend have themselves suggested and promoted that if we agree with someone about nearly everything, then there is probably something wrong. I would in an instant flame them, but 'How People Grow' just keeps getting me to appreciate and honour God more and more as I learn to walk in truth and grace. All I can do is thank God it was written. (I will let the flak be fired by the so-called heresy-hunters. They get spookier all the time.) From the first day 2 years ago, this book has always managed to to point me back to a God of loving and truthful holiness, grace, acceptance, unconditional love and majesty. It hardly seems possible that they write about the same Christian God who has been misrepresented in the legalistic and 'holier-than-thou' evangelical and Charismatic circles, and the One skewed beyond recognition by the liberal camp. Much of what I read in their books and listen to in their messages hark to the works of Henri Nouwen and Philip Yancey in the spirit and tenor of the themes. 'How People Grow' is ultimately about accepting that we desperately need God and His resources and His ways to accomplish life as He has planned it for us. People play an integral part in God's plan for us. Also, without humbly asking each other for help and support, we negate and cut-off a crucial resource of God to our detriment. 'How People Grow' is already the best devotional in my room among an impressive array of old trusted standards and it has spoiled me. I won't be able to read anymore "you-better-comply-or-God-will-be-mad-at-you" books. Neither the "look-at-me,aint-i-great-and-blessed, it-was -just- God- and-me-all-the-way" offerings. Thank God for tender mercies
Rating:
Summary: True Spirituality
Review: The authors may have influenced my thinking and life profoundly in the 5 years I have come to listen to and read them, but there was no way I would let anyone get away with clunky spiritual assertions if there were any. But I didn't have to as there weren't any in 'How People Grow'. Now this is difficult for me. Cloud and Townsend have themselves suggested and promoted that if we agree with someone about nearly everything, then there is probably something wrong. I would in an instant be flame them, but 'How People Grow' just keeps getting me to appreciate and honour God more and more as well as walk in truth and grace that all I can do is thank God it was written. (I will the flak to the so-called heresy-hunters.) From the first day 2 years ago, this book has always managed to to point me back to a God of loving and truthful holiness, grace, acceptance, unconditional love and majesty. They write about the same Christian God who has been misrepresented in the legalistic and 'holier-than-thou' evangelical and Charismatic circles, and the One skewed beyond recognition by the liberal camp. Much of what I read in their books and listen in their messages hark to the works of Henri Nouwen and Philip Yancey in the spirit and tenor of the themes. 'How People Grow' is ultimately about accepting that we desperately need God and His resources and His ways to accomplish life as He has planned it for us. People play an integral part in God's plan for us. Also, without humbly asking each other for help and support, we negate and cut-off a crucial resource of God to our detriment. 'How People Grow' is already the best devotional in my room among an impressive array of old trusted standards and it has spoiled me. I won't be able to read anymore "you-better-comply-or-God-will-be-mad-at-you" books. Neither the "look-at-me,aint-i-great-and-blessed, it-was -just- God- and-me-all-the-way" offerings. Thank God for tender mercies
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read... for Christians (and non) on the growth path..
Review: The Cloud & Townsend duo has authored yet another Christian-oriented book with very practical application methodology to lives burdened with unresolved hurts, relationship struggles, and Christians struggling to be true God-like creatures. This book sets the foundation of what God intended and that all growth is truly spiritual. The book walks through the key disciplines to growth: discipline, obedience, suffering, etc. and gives instructive approaches to staying on track both as a grower and as a disciple to a grower. If only everyone would read this and stretch and strive for growth....
Rating:
Summary: Insightful viewpoint, very interesting
Review: This book can be summarized as a Biblical based approach to understanding personal growth and how that relates to spiritual growth. Two psychologists, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend examine the personal growth process and point out how that process is found within the pages of the Bible. With that personal growth process as the starting point they then show how personal growth is in fact spiritual growth. This is one of the best books on personal growth that I have read. How People Grow is highly recommended to anyone seeking to change their life, get out of the rut of stagnation, or move to a happier place in their life. It is also recommended to Christian counselors, Pastoral counselors, and others involved with helping people.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource!
Review: This book encouraged me and reminded me that God uses all things to work together for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The authors bring together their many years of psychiatric hospital experience and their theological training. An excellent resource for anyone seeking to understand themselves or those they love.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes you think!
Review: This book really makes you think! I applaud the two doctors for making us realize living in line with God is a growth process and tell us how we can start. I know it made me think about my past and how it has affected me today that leads to mistakes and sin. The only problem I had with it though is that the book emphasizes too much on small groups and other people. They ARE important, to be sure, but we need to learn to depend SOLELY on God also--because SOMETIMES, other people, even other loving people, are not there.
Rating:
Summary: Its all about spiritual growth
Review: This book was not only helpful to my own emotional growth, but it gave me great insight and help in leading others with their own growth. If you are looking for answers to the hard questions you get about recovery from addiction, abuse, grief, or loss, you need this book. My paradigm has made another shift. I have read most of C and T's books and this one tops the list of the best I have read. It is 100% backed by the word of God, and pulls no punches to value of relationships in dealing with lifes problems.
Rating:
Summary: Pages 166-185 has the essence of a blessing
Review: Those particular pages are the most worthwhile.
They discuss:
1. wrong teaching
2. disconnection from grace
3. false standards
4. weak conscience
5. idealization of conscience
6. confusion of conscience with the Holy Spirit
7. godly sorrow v.s. worldly sorrow
8. the nature of correction
9. true guilt and false guilt
10. guilt as an old voice
11. the child position
12. isolation
Rating:
Summary: Good Book For Those Interested in Spiritual Growth
Review: While "How People Grow" concentrates on a small group setting, the book is also valuable for the individual person struggling with spiritual growth. Among the many interesting points the authors describe include: 1. We have to give up our self-sufficiency and submit to God's rule in our lives.
2. Humility is an essential trait for bearing pain and we are created to be dependent on God and others.
3. We are responsible for submitting our will to God's will.
4. Guilt is inwardly focused while godly sorrow is focused on how we have hurt others.
5. Grief is an essential part of spiritual growth.
6. Psychology is to used only to support, not supplant, the Bible.
7. We need to show people that change is not just for religious reasons, but as the way to a better life.
8. God has a special tenderness towards those who are needy and brokenhearted.
9. Life works much better when we surrender lordship to Jesus.
10. Excellent points on dealing with rebellion and overcoming temptation. Additionally, the book stresses the importance of being accountable to safe people who are interested in our spiritual growth and are not out to just judge others. The book is highly recommended for either the individual or small group leader interested in facilitating the spiritual growth of others. I believe the book would have been even more valuable if more text had been dedicated to developing strategies for finding safe people to confide in and some specific steps to facilitating growth. In other words, many principles were stated but fewer strategies were mentioned. For example, the tips for growers and facilitators at the end of every chapter could have been more specific (what questions to ask, what specific steps can you step to help those hurt by distorted Bible teachings, how can you teach the value of godly sorrow, etc.). The complaint aside, I highly recommend the book!
Rating:
Summary: Good Book For Those Interested in Spiritual Growth
Review: While "How People Grow" concentrates on a small group setting, the book is also valuable for the individual person struggling with spiritual growth. Among the many interesting points the authors describe include: 1. We have to give up our self-sufficiency and submit to God's rule in our lives.
2. Humility is an essential trait for bearing pain and we are created to be dependent on God and others.
3. We are responsible for submitting our will to God's will.
4. Guilt is inwardly focused while godly sorrow is focused on how we have hurt others.
5. Grief is an essential part of spiritual growth.
6. Psychology is to used only to support, not supplant, the Bible.
7. We need to show people that change is not just for religious reasons, but as the way to a better life.
8. God has a special tenderness towards those who are needy and brokenhearted.
9. Life works much better when we surrender lordship to Jesus.
10. Excellent points on dealing with rebellion and overcoming temptation. Additionally, the book stresses the importance of being accountable to safe people who are interested in our spiritual growth and are not out to just judge others. The book is highly recommended for either the individual or small group leader interested in facilitating the spiritual growth of others. I believe the book would have been even more valuable if more text had been dedicated to developing strategies for finding safe people to confide in and some specific steps to facilitating growth. In other words, many principles were stated but fewer strategies were mentioned. For example, the tips for growers and facilitators at the end of every chapter could have been more specific (what questions to ask, what specific steps can you step to help those hurt by distorted Bible teachings, how can you teach the value of godly sorrow, etc.). The complaint aside, I highly recommend the book!
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