Rating: 
Summary: Churches that meet REAL need
Review: ...will give serious reflection on the radical information contained in this book. Hopefully you will take pastor Frazee seriously. This information is certainly not POP ecclesiology.
Frazee rightly diagnoses a common problem in Evangelical churches today: activity and programming that fails to connect people with their most basic need outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the need for AUTHENTIC relationships within their church!
Buy and read this book if you are at all interested in having a church that truly makes a difference in the lives of the people who call it home.
Rating:
Summary: Churches that meet REAL need
Review: ...will give serious reflection on the radical information contained in this book. Hopefully you will take pastor Frazee seriously. This information is certainly not POP ecclesiology. Frazee rightly diagnoses a common problem in Evangelical churches today: activity and programming that fails to connect people with their most basic need outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the need for AUTHENTIC relationships within their church! Buy and read this book if you are at all interested in having a church that truly makes a difference in the lives of the people who call it home. -- K. K. Dunn, Kansas City
Rating: 
Summary: Why is the mormon church so Attractive?
Review: And what was it that made true Christianity so attractive? Frazee returns us to those days of yesteryear. He helps Americans get from where they are to real Christian Community, in steps they can relate to, and in a manner much easier to relate to than my own extreme views. Small groups aren't enough- we need to go further- by having a common purpose, a common place, and common possessions. Frazee argues that we as Americans are statistically among the loneliest people on earth, and in large part because we as Christians don't practice the Gospel. I grew up in a Christian commune and have been part of five Christian communities, and still found a lot to gain from this book. At times the practical applications were not as helpful as the theoretical, but it is still an immensely practical book. I could understand the importance of common purpose, as I have been part of a Christian community which related in a common place, with meals and minimal common possessions, but had no common purpose. We came from all different theological backgrounds, with many different ministry foci. Ultimately, there was not significant cohesion or oneness without that common purpose. The second section of common place I found the most helpful, as I think about changes in moving shortly: considering where to move to, to be close to my church building, close to work to shorten commutes, close to other people of my church. Frazee makes the strong point that we lose so much time in driving, and in isolation at that, that we lose out on the bread of life of relationship. This is certainly true in areas like Seattle with it's extreme traffic. I also desire to apply his ideas on getting to know neighbors- simple things, which he goes into great detail on, such as waving, pop-ins, even borrowing (and returning!) items. I certainly appreciated the final section on common possessions. However, it appears that Frazee steps back a little bit from the extreme counter-culturalism previously advocated- perhaps for the awareness of American attachment to possessions. He doesn't only argue that our focus on the material is inhibiting us- but that materialism which leads to the pursuit of mammon leads to individualism which in turn leads to isolation- destroying everything common in our lives. Frazee is concerned with quality, not quantity. As such he is a welcome respite from the emphasis on church growth that sweeps American church thinking, as well as churches like the Toronto Blessing movement which would seek to focus on only the individual's relationship with God, and not the relationship with one another. There are two greatest commandments, and the second like unto the first. But most of all, I would encourage reading this book just for that rare opportunity to see the TV show Friends praised for what it shows us about Christ.
Rating: 
Summary: I suppose a grade of 'E' might assume that there was Effort.
Review: I am a strong advocate of churches taking hold of the principles of community that appear to be evident in the book of Acts. I can also see why some might read this book and give it 5 stars for proposing any old solution to what is a rather profound problem in the church today, and perhaps (as I think most would concede) for its interesting account in the 2nd half of the book regarding the author's experience with small groups in his church in Texas. The first half of the book, however, starts with such extreme and completely UNFOUNDED conclusions about American society and churches that many readers may not bother to read the rest of the book. Reading this book produced a few brief moments of excitement over sharing the author's view of the "lack of community" in the American church today, followed by several hours of HORROR at the extreme position the author takes and the extensive and rather mindless proposal he sets forth as THE (one and only) "solution," perhaps punctuated with some thought-provoking opinions about how small groups can best be structured in churches. The author begins in the early chapters by taking aim (obviously with a sawed-off shotgun) at an enemy he calls "the plague of individualism". Red flags go up in the first chapter or two regarding the broad definition of the "individualism" enemy as the author begins to lob his grenade-like rhetoric well beyond issues such as vain conceit and self interest to the exclusion of others. It becomes clear as one reads further that this author boldly advocates against church members thinking about an issue on their own and reaching a conclusion that is in anyway different from their religious leaders. Next, the author's idea begins to surface that church members should put the needs of others ahead of their own needs. At this point, those who read beyond an 8th grade level become aware that the author might have entitled the book "How to Start a Cult." This conclusion is confirmed again and again throughout the book. The author refers to urban gang-leaders (who kill people who disagree with them) and exclusionary Amish elders (who engage in mental warfare with, and often shun people who disagree with them) as good examples of effective authority. The author recognizes that "there are abuses that must be guarded against," but does not account for this in his principle that members must make themselves of "one mind" with their leaders. The author advocates throughout the book that individual thinking is a bad thing, with statements like "there is no need for fresh thinking in this area - just fresh obedience." (Has this author totally missed the child-abuse issues in the Catholic Church, or the recent Amish rape trial in the midwest involving a young Amish girl that was repeatedly assaulted by various community members with NO ACTION being taken by the community authorities??) The author also contradicts himself throughout the book. First, he says that "individualism" is a recent phenomenon that didn't even have a name prior to the mid 1800's. Then, he quotes scripture with the twisted introduction, "Notice how [the apostle] Paul challenges the mind-set of individualism." (Hello!?!?! Why would Paul be challenging something that didn't exist until mid 1800's???) This particular misapplication of scripture reveals the author's frightening view that disagreeing with church leadership constitutes "individualism" - an enemy that the church "must" root out. Throughout the book, he quotes polls (i.e., NOT extensive, empiracle, published research data) about how Americans (at large) do not understand basic principles of the Bible. Then he takes this poll data (which must certainly be considered at least suspect as it applies to the whole of America - including non-Christians) and applies it to the Church. He concludes upon this mis-application of questionable data that our Christian community is ignorant of its core beliefs and is not "committed to growing in the crace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." All I know is that if Christ's words "Judge not, so that you are not judged," and mean anything, this author is in danger of a world of hurt. Again, what is really painful about this atrocious book is that I believe that the American church needs more community. What we do NOT need, however, is McCarthy-ism or facism masquerading as unity or community. I am afraid that I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is not solid enough in their knowledge of scripture to recognize its misapplication, or not proficient enough with critically analysis to distill an ounce of truth when its laced with a pound of potentially-fatal falsehood. - Be blessed.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Radical Thinking
Review: I found myself excited and dissapointed as I read Randy's ideas of how we can create biblical community in today's society. Do I have true community in my current relationships? Is it something I can attain? The book helped me rethink my own understanding of what community is and what it's place is in the church. Many of the ideas in the book are very agressive in nature, and I found myself reflecting as I read on how they could be implemented in my situation (church planter of new church - 3 months old - in small town) The principles are totally transferable. I'd agree with Randy that people really want to be loved and cared for by others, and his book offers some of the best ideas I've read in a while. Classic example of eat the meat, throw out the bones. Teh whole Zone pastor idea is great, but would not be as effecive for us. However, I'm all over the concept of neighborhood.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Radical Thinking
Review: I found myself excited and dissapointed as I read Randy's ideas of how we can create biblical community in today's society. Do I have true community in my current relationships? Is it something I can attain? The book helped me rethink my own understanding of what community is and what it's place is in the church. Many of the ideas in the book are very agressive in nature, and I found myself reflecting as I read on how they could be implemented in my situation (church planter of new church - 3 months old - in small town) The principles are totally transferable. I'd agree with Randy that people really want to be loved and cared for by others, and his book offers some of the best ideas I've read in a while. Classic example of eat the meat, throw out the bones. Teh whole Zone pastor idea is great, but would not be as effecive for us. However, I'm all over the concept of neighborhood.
Rating:
Summary: Points us in the right direction
Review: I stumbled upon this book while browsing my favorite subjects at Amazon. The title was enough to move me to place an order though the book had not been released at the time. "Community" and "connecting" are the central subjects in this, another book which attempts to move us from our superficial satisfaction with hollow religious routine. I appreciate that Frazee does not lay down the how tos and steps, but puts his finger on the critical elements of healthy community life and leaves the reader to evaluate his/her own experience. He does a fine job of exposing the lonliness and isolation many churchgoers continue to suffer despite their involvment in small groups and programs. I recommend this book for anyone concerned about the health and welfare of their church, particularly those in positions of leadership who need to map a direction for improvement in Body life. My only dissatisfaction with the book is that he does not emphasize strongly enough the work of the Holy Spirit in drawing hearts, exposing need and inspiring life. He is the one element/factor/person without which all the church talk and activity is futile - wood, hay, stubble.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful principles for community-building in the church
Review: Individualism, isolation, and consumerism pervade American culture, says author Frazee, and they have invaded the church as well, undermining the church's call to be a loving community. The church's usual response to the cry for community--which is growing louder and louder with the mushrooming of postmodernity--is small groups. Small groups are a step in the right direction, but Frazee shows convincingly--to me, at least, and I'm a big champion of small groups--that most small groups fall well short of giving birth to authentic community. And, based on his extensive study of the elements that do produce authentic community, whether inside our outside the church, he shows why most small groups are something less than community. Frazee's proposed solution is very tangible. In fact, it is being lived out in Pantego Bible Church in Arlington, Texas, where Frazee is the senior pastor. His antidote to individualism is SHARED PURPOSE. His antidote to isolation is SHARED PLACE. His antidote to consumerism is SHARED POSSESSIONS. Of course, his primary inspiration for this model is the New Testament church. Most pastors won't have too much trouble with the idea that it is good for a church to have a SHARED PURPOSE. Not that that's easy to pull off, but there has been so much written about clarity of mission and vision that this is widely accepted, even if seldom put into practice. But after that it gets a lot more costly to follow Frazee where he wants to lead us. He acknowledges that all three of these principles are very countercultural, and therefore they will not be easy to implement. But when the core values of a culture destroy community, the only way to nurture healthy community in that culture is to be countercultural. By SHARED PLACE he means forming Home Groups within the church that consist of a few families who all live in the same neighorhood--defined as within easy walking distance. This is so that contact between the families can be frequent and spontaneous. It also means calling families to intentionally put down roots, to not pull up and move just because relocating can bring in another $5,000 to $10,000 in income. Building community will require making community a top priority in our lives. It also means simplifying life to have more time for relationships. Frazee suggests making the changes necessary to live on a single income (or one full-time income and a second part-time income generated from home). Countercultural stuff! But, Frazee believes, the price of recovering healthy community as a way of life. By SHARED POSSESSIONS Frazee does not mean doing away with private ownership and pooling all money and property in a common treasury. Rather, he means internalizing and living by the New Testament attitude: "No one claimed anything he possessed was his own, but they shared everything they had." They still had possessions, but they no longer saw themselves as owning them, but rather as stewards (managers) of them. Which meant that when one member of the community had a need, and other members had the means to meet the need, they met it. As a result, there was no unmet financial need in the Jerusalem church. Frazee believes that is a mark of healthy community and that the church can relearn how to do that today. Frazee's proposal is so countercultural that most churches won't consider it. We say we want community, but not many of us want to pay the price. We've become addicted to our two incomes, our excessive independence, and our self-sufficency. We aren't about to trade all that in on a simplified life and interedependence. But a significant minority will welcome Frazee's example. I hope that some of those who do live within walking distance of my house.
Rating:
Summary: Pepetuating church not Christ.
Review: It's amazing how many different methods and method-mongers are out there telling us, "This is the RIGHT way to 'do church' in the 21st century!" The methods range from chaos theory to a hierarchy so tight, one couldn't squeeze a pin head through the small hole bringing in the light.
Mr. Frazee falls into the middle category of those writers who have found a "new" way to "do church" in our 21st century. I believe he - in his zeal to accumulate data, opinion and facts - has found most of the truth why the church today is not effectively keeping people in the pews (or well cushioned chairs). I agree with Mr. Frazee on these points: We are not (as a church) teaching enough theology or Biblical doctrine or proper contextual/historical life application, and we are not (as a church) holding each other accountable to those Biblical doctrines. And I further agree the reason churches in general and small groups in particular are not "working" is a sore lack of teaching people how to love God and love their neighbor as themselves, asking them to show up more, demonstrating a changed life style, and modeling how to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, strength, and love their neighbor as themselves.
But I question how the whole testimony of Scripture can find its way into such a seemingly rigid worship and preaching/teaching structure (see the appendix in the book). A. W. Tozer - one of the greatest preachers and teachers of the twentieth century in America - bemoaned the current (pre-1963, but still current) lack of teaching the whole testimony of Scripture and Biblical doctrines. The possible danger I see in such a rigid plan, is those "pet" doctrines one becomes enamored with - because they're easiest to expound and so forth - are the only ones that the congregation is allowed exposure to.
And I question where the Holy Spirit is in Mr. Frazee's "new" plan? One of the greatest preachers and teachers of the twentieth century in England said that he never held to a preaching/teaching schedule, and never announced his sermon topic before Sunday (or any of the three or four other times he preached/taught during the week). The late Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reported that he always waited upon the Spirit of God to direct him to his sermon topics. To Mr. Frazee's credit, his preaching/teaching topic structure is very thorough of the doctrines of Scripture and could, with proper guidance from the Spirit of God, help greatly in forming those "skeletons" Dr. Lloyd-Jones talks about that lead to solid preaching/teaching (see Dr. Lloyd-Jones' book Preaching and Preachers).
I would urge Mr. Frazee to add one chapter to his book. He could call it Common Persecution. Because if this church does follow Pastor Frazee into this way of "doing church," persecution will come. Jesus and His apostles promised us it would. Any time a person who is justified in Christ begins to produce the fruits of righteousness and holiness, persecution will come. Not just from outside the church, but inside as well. We desperately need instruction on how to react Biblically to persecution.
All in all, Mr. Frazee has given us a great primer on changing some of the core infrastructure in our churches, with his sound research and reasoned arguments. I recommend this book, will quote from it, and implement some of the insights into my small group. Thank you, Mr. Frazee for your hard and good work!
Rating:
Summary: Another "right way to 'do church' in the 21st century"
Review: It's amazing how many different methods and method-mongers are out there telling us, "This is the RIGHT way to 'do church' in the 21st century!" The methods range from chaos theory to a hierarchy so tight, one couldn't squeeze a pin head through the small hole bringing in the light.
Mr. Frazee falls into the middle category of those writers who have found a "new" way to "do church" in our 21st century. I believe he - in his zeal to accumulate data, opinion and facts - has found most of the truth why the church today is not effectively keeping people in the pews (or well cushioned chairs). I agree with Mr. Frazee on these points: We are not (as a church) teaching enough theology or Biblical doctrine or proper contextual/historical life application, and we are not (as a church) holding each other accountable to those Biblical doctrines. And I further agree the reason churches in general and small groups in particular are not "working" is a sore lack of teaching people how to love God and love their neighbor as themselves, asking them to show up more, demonstrating a changed life style, and modeling how to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, strength, and love their neighbor as themselves.
But I question how the whole testimony of Scripture can find its way into such a seemingly rigid worship and preaching/teaching structure (see the appendix in the book). A. W. Tozer - one of the greatest preachers and teachers of the twentieth century in America - bemoaned the current (pre-1963, but still current) lack of teaching the whole testimony of Scripture and Biblical doctrines. The possible danger I see in such a rigid plan, is those "pet" doctrines one becomes enamored with - because they're easiest to expound and so forth - are the only ones that the congregation is allowed exposure to.
And I question where the Holy Spirit is in Mr. Frazee's "new" plan? One of the greatest preachers and teachers of the twentieth century in England said that he never held to a preaching/teaching schedule, and never announced his sermon topic before Sunday (or any of the three or four other times he preached/taught during the week). The late Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reported that he always waited upon the Spirit of God to direct him to his sermon topics. To Mr. Frazee's credit, his preaching/teaching topic structure is very thorough of the doctrines of Scripture and could, with proper guidance from the Spirit of God, help greatly in forming those "skeletons" Dr. Lloyd-Jones talks about that lead to solid preaching/teaching (see Dr. Lloyd-Jones' book Preaching and Preachers).
I would urge Mr. Frazee to add one chapter to his book. He could call it Common Persecution. Because if this church does follow Pastor Frazee into this way of "doing church," persecution will come. Jesus and His apostles promised us it would. Any time a person who is justified in Christ begins to produce the fruits of righteousness and holiness, persecution will come. Not just from outside the church, but inside as well. We desperately need instruction on how to react Biblically to persecution.
All in all, Mr. Frazee has given us a great primer on changing some of the core infrastructure in our churches, with his sound research and reasoned arguments. I recommend this book, will quote from it, and implement some of the insights into my small group. Thank you, Mr. Frazee for your hard and good work!
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