Rating: 
Summary: Read, Laugh, Enjoy & Compare!!
Review: This book started a little slow for me. But, I kept reading because it was the selection for the book club I have joined. I am very glad I kept reading. Anyone who attends church on a regular basis can find someone to fit the characters in this book. You may find yourself comparing your church members to the characters instead of listening to your church services. Even if you don't attend church you will be able to believe the wild things that go on and what others have to do to correct the madness. Set aside a block of time,sit and enjoy. You will get mad if you have to stop reading and do something else. It is a good book, you won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: I didn't know there was an author in my congregation
Review: I simply was not aware that Ms. Bowen was a member of my church. I've been attending my church for 3 years now and I have the distinct privilege of being in the inner-sanctum so to speak, and I can't find Ms. Bowen's name on the roster anyplace, but it just has to be there. I think I have to call my pastor to see if he knows that we might have a published author in our midst. Church Folk has hit the nail on the head in its fictional account of the goings on with down-home southern churches and had me bent over in laughter while I read the story. Many times I laughed out loud, violently shook so that people asked me what was so funny. I read entire pages out loud to company and by the time I was through, one girl laughed until she cried. This was simply a story that I couldn't put down.A love story would be the first side to this story. Reverend Theophilus Simmons is undoubtedly a man, despite a clerical collar, subject to the temptations any other human is faced with. He's young enough to recognize that he's but a man and makes a concerted effort to separate on occasion, church from personal life. One of these times has surfaced when he met Miss Essie Lee Lane, who isn't the least bit impressed that he's a minister or anybody else. Nosey family, of course, sees differently, a minister is a fine catch and Essie, deep down feels the same way. Their budding romance can be best characterized by the word-sweet and gives hope that love really is this special. The equally as interesting second side of the story contains a myriad of scandals that abound within the fictionalized Gospel United Church Denomination. Not one section of the denomination has been left without thorn. The undisputed power of the person who contributes the most in tithes, the politics of the local mortician and the distribution of their fans amongst the pews, the church tramp, the young women who flock to the congregation of the new young single pastor, the "high and mighty" bishop's widow and her granddaughter that just must marry a preacher, the romance between bookkeeper and pastor are all explored. Oh and how can I forget neither the fierce hat competition nor the outrageous one-of-a-kind outfits that have the distinct pleasure of being referred to as "church-going to meeting" clothes. You won't want to miss a single page while reading this book. Set in Mississippi in the early 60's Church Folk is hilarious. Even in 2002, it speaks volumes of the goings on now and you can't help but laugh when you see people you know between its covers. I especially like the paperback version that contains the Readers Group Guide. Although the story is fiction, the discussion questions illicit thoughts relevant to today, and helps us explore the very real themes throughout the book. Love does happen, read the Song of Solomon, there are virtuous women, read Proverbs 31 and this is put in proper perspective within the Readers Group Guide. If you call yourself "Church Folk" take this book to church and get your girlfriends to read it, and have a meaningful discussion at the end. I know I will.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay Reading
Review: I liked this book because it shows the weaknesses that even good pastors face, but this book portrays pastors as human and not above reproach. However, the main characters in the book lacked Character, in my opinion, because of some of the choices they made and the way they chose to handle certain situations. I feel that the sexual aspects of the book I could have done without. Being that it was supposed to be christian fiction the sexual parts were totally unexpected and uncalled for--It would have been a good story without it. If not for the sexual parts, I would have rated this book at 5 start.
Rating: 
Summary: Well uhh, let's see...
Review: ...it started out interesting. Theophilus Simmons sounds like a believable character. But why portray the church, particularly this denomination, as such scandelous people? As Christians, we should practice conveying messages of hope not destruction. That includes Christian novels. I thought the emphasis on the 'wrong-doings' of the church was not necessary; at least not to that extent. Remembering that we are to be witnesses for the kingdom of God and drawing people to Him, not away from Him.
Rating:
Summary: Church Folk
Review: The African American Church has always been a staple of hope and stability in urban, rural, and suburban communities dominated by people of color. The dynamic of all the different personalities and the constant gossip and drama surrounding Sunday mornings is something parishioners of Greater Hope Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee thrive on. Church Folk takes place during the 1960's on the throes of the Civil Rights movement, which is one of the many tumultuous eras where the Black community relied of the church for guidance, resources, and strength through faith. This bold new novel gives life to those parishioners who give us unforgettable moments, commonly known to all as "Church Folk". Theophilis Simmons is a young, talented minister who is recently awarded a pastorship of a large church in Memphis. The trust the congregation has in their new pastor is suddenly threatened by his past sins when Glodean Benson saunters through the sanctuary flaunting her well known past sexual relationship with the pastor. Simmons, a fundamentally good man, has built a reputation as a gifted orator with a fiery preaching style and is seen as the rising star of the denomination. Unfortunately, Theophilis falls in love with a "jook joint" cook whom the many church folk find inappropriate company for the minister. Throwing his reputation aside he pursues Essie Lane with the same vigor that he approaches the pulpit. When a shocking scandal emerges during the Triennial Conference, Reverend Simmons is forced to set aside his ambition to right the wrongs perpetrated by a group of corrupt ministers. I was intrigued by both the subject matter and the style of writing used by author Michele Andrea Bowen in this novel. Even though this story takes place in the heart of the civil rights movement, the dynamic of the church characters still ring true today. The players in this novel were masterfully developed and I admit to feeling a kinship with Reverend Simmons because he showed inner strength and a strong sense of self. Church Folk gives readers an entertaining look at a southern church dealing with issues many of which are in contrast with religion. I recommend this novel to churchgoers above 30 years old. I give "Church Folk" a rating of 4
Rating:
Summary: Good story, but too many characters.
Review: Good story. Very interesting, at times... My only complaint is that there were too many characters. I kept having to go back and remember who was who. (Deacon so-and-so... Pastor blah blah blah... Too much to remember.) Otherwise, it was a good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: Church Folk was a wonderful book for the time frame it was written in. When we think the 60's you have to visualize what was going on in the South and in the Church. Church Folk was awesome and I could not put the book down. It really kept you interest throughout the entire book. It was entertaining and quite funny at times. Yes, the description of the clothing was quite vivid but I can remember when clothes were an outstanding feature when attending church in the black churches in general. Yes, the book gives great detail towards skin color, but again this was a high point during that time frame. I enjoyed the ending because justice and the Lord's will prevailed and that is the story of a christian book. To See God At Work within the Church and Our Lives. AMEN Michele, I look forward to seeing more of her work.
Rating:
Summary: I didn't like it at all
Review: After reading Church Folk, I expected to feel uplifted and inspired, instead I felt sad, and didn't like how any of the characthers acted, no one seemed like a true chrisitan to me. I didn't like all the color complexes, most of the characther had. I really did try to like the storyline, but just couldn't.
Rating:
Summary: Hillarious
Review: This book was excellent. I couldn't put it down. I would recomend it to anyone curious as to how the real church folks are. LOL!!! The church folk in this book are scandalous. I hope there is a Church Folks 2.
Rating:
Summary: "WHAT A RIDE"
Review: This Novel started off like an Amtrak train- fast-paced and clean, giving us the scenic view of the adventures of Essie and Theophilus. It was an entertaining and informative journey, enlightening us on the "goings on" in the Black Church......... UNTIL ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE- Lawd Have Mercy! It soon turned into a ride on a city bus, with plenty of dirt! It was crowded with so many preachers- at least that's what them nametags said, but it seemed to me mo' like most of them Butterscotch, Fudge, Chocolate and Double-Dipped-Chocolate men was takin' the next thang smokin' in the opposite direction of they callin'. Glodean sashayed in wit her Pepto-Bismol pink suit and golden gloves- Shameless! Eatin' Theophilus up wit huh eyes and shakin' them hips- remindin' Theophilus that SHE was the roller coaster he used to ride. All them men of THE WORD, chasin' after women who gonna leave them SPEECHLESS and men of the CLOTH, chasin' after the PRETTIEST DRESS! Chile, it was a MESS! A big o'le pile of "Do Wrong". Ya'll keep readin', Chiren. This here my stop. Oh, fore I go, one mo' thang, "Theophilus, YOU SO NASTY!" (wink, wink)
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