book review: irresistible church

title: the irrestitable church: 12 traits of a church heaven applauds
author: wayne cordeiro
publisher: bethany house
date: 2011

Wayne Cordeiro is a mega-church pastor in Hawaii. This book lists what he calls "12 traits of a church that heaven applauds."


I approach books like this with skepticism. I find that books based on a list (7 habits..., 5 steps..., 9 principles... and the like) to be not only very formulaic, but rather simplistic. They tend to take something that worked in one context and imply that this will work everywhere.


So why then read this book? I've heard Wayne Cordeiro speak and read a couple of his earlier books and quite enjoyed them.


Cordeiro makes the point that this is book is about "becoming a church that irresistible to heaven" rather than people. And so for Cordeiro an irresistible church: Hungers for the presence of God, remembers who she is, lives heart first, practices gratefulness, promotes healthy relationships, is always learning, promotes spiritual self-feeding, connects everything to a soul, chooses to love, takes risks, humbles itself, and has a plan. 


The book is okay. It is a quick read; lots of stories and illustrations; sometimes the Bible used more as proof-text than shedding light; brief teaching on the selected theme. It's a very much a book that reflects some of the priorities of conservative North American evangelical church culture. 


If you are fan of John Maxwell and Rick Warren writings, i.e. you like lots of stories and bullet points, you will enjoy it. But may I suggest that there are some better books that will stretch you.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".