Mere Churchianity really opened my eyes and forced me to think long and hard about my relationship with Christ and my place in the church. I will start off by saying that I am not the target audience that Michael Spencer wrote this book. He wrote this book for those followers of Christ who feel disenfranchised by the modern evangelical church. They are tired of how thing are being done and they have already left or are seriously thinking about leaving. They are not leaving the Faith but the modern construct of the church. I have grown up in the church but I have never really felt disenfranchised or ready to make a jump out of it. I have disagreed on numerous occasions about how things seem to be going but overall I am happy where I am. So, I know I did not fully understand this book because it was not written to me. But, it really made me think long and hard and for that I am very thankful.
One of the main things that I appreciated the most about Mere Churchianity was how honest and candid Mr. Spencer was about the modern church. It was refreshing. In many ways the church we see is a human construct and not that of Christ. There are many flaws and those flaws are called out in this book.
But, it is important to say that the flaws of the church is not the point of this book. Mr. Spencer points out these flaws because he wants us to see the difference between a “Church-Shaped Spirituality” and a “Jesus-Shaped Spirituality.” We are called to seek out Jesus for our discipleship and growth, not the church and all its programs. Jesus-Shaped Spirituality is honest, transforming, and often, not easy. This is about vulnerable with your Savior and yourself and not covering up with the “Happy Little Christian” disguise.
Like I said before this book was not written specifically to me but I am so glad I read it. I give it five starts because not many books make me think like this one. I was forced to think about my own spiritual walk. Is it true to Christ? Is it open and honest? This book also helped me understand the people who are leaving the church, not the faith. I can see why they think they way they do. My mind is more open now to their reasoning. I am so thankful for the opportunity to read and review this book. I have no doubt I will be sharing it with my friends.
Note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program to review but these are my completely honest opinions.
