The Global House Church Movement

Rating:
Summary: Not as helpful as expected
Review: Although I agree with the thesis of this book entirely, it did not live up to its billing. One would suppose that the author's PhD would equip him in some way to speak authoritatively on his subject, but his degree is in Mechanical Engineering! The book does not add anything significant to the literature on house churches. His treatment on the usage the New Testament word, "ekklesia" merely follows the traditional line. His statement that ekklesia is used in the New Testament to describe house church, citywide church, regional church and universal church ignores Robert Bank's research and shows inexperience in dealing with the New Testament text. At best, Zdero's book serves as a cursory introduction to the subject but its billing as scholarly is misleading. Even as an introduction, it contains errors, which further limits its usefulness. I would not be so hard on the book if my expectations had not been built up so high by those who recommended it and endorsed it. I guess this is a lesson to all Christian authors to show a little more humility in the promotion of their books.

Rating:
Summary: A Note from the Author
Review: Grassroots Christianity is Back!

Ever feel that traditional church has put God in a box?

Does alternative, grassroots, faith sound interesting?

If so, you may want to read this book.

Contents of the Book
1. The Vision: The Once and Future Church
2. Personal Experiences: My Journey along the Road less Traveled
3. Biblical Foundations: Church, First-Century Style
4. Historical Perspectives: House Church Movements, Then and Now
5. Radical Principles: 10 Declarations of the Radical Church
6. Practical Considerations: Getting House Churches Going
7. Strategic Directions: Launching House Church Movements
8. Conclusions: What Now?

A little about me as the author of this book: I have participated in, started, and led grassroots communities of faith called "cell groups" and "house churches" for the past 18 years. I invite you to check out our website www.housechurch.ca or email me at [e-mail] for any and all dialogue.

As for the 5-star rating of my own book, they don't let you fill out this form without some sort of a rating. Naturally, you will have to be your own judge as to what you think of the book.

All the best,

Rad Zdero

Rating:
Summary: Serves it's purpose well
Review: I'm a church planter in the south of France. I found this book to be not an excellent encyclopedia, but rather an excellent Manifesto of sorts possessing the revolutionary dynamite of Luther's "95" rather then the extensive and scholarly Calvin's "Institutions".
He sums up well the main points of the House Church movement while being respectful of those Christians who do not meet for worship in homes but rather special buildings. He chooses his words carefully and I therefore would want to recommend this book to anyone tiered with traditional models of church or who are looking to plant a new church.


Rating:
Summary: the Finest House Church book yet
Review: Outside of the Bible, I would certainly say that this book is the finest yet written on the subject of house church. It is informative and inpiring. It is rooted in history with an eye on the current situation of the world. It is Biblical and practical. In summary, n excellent read for anyone interested in the subject - at any stage of belief. Rad brings the subject home.