4.6 Stars Out Of 5
4.6 out of 5
(21)
(4)
(2)
(0)
(1)
Quality:
4.5 out Of 5
(4.5 out of 5)
Value:
4.4 out Of 5
(4.4 out of 5)
Meets Expectations:
4.2 out Of 5
(4.2 out of 5)
92%
of customers would recommend this product to a friend.
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Displaying items 1-5 of 28
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  1. Jim J
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    For anyone going through a worship style change
    October 15, 2011
    Jim J
    Quality: 5
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    My wife came across this book while on the internet. She read me the description of the book about a church that was going through a reinvention, revitalization, healthy church initiative, or whatever the term is the politically correct name for a change in style of worship. People were feeling that something was happening to their church, why was the choir being replaced with a praise band, the organ was being replaced with electronic music, people weren't showing the respect for the sanctuary the way we were taught, everything seemed to be oriented toward attracting a more youthful congregation, etc. No one was listening or cared about the old "gray hairs" anymore as long as they continued to provide the necessary money to sustain the church.

    Since the church of which I am a member has recently witnessed a similar movement of revitalization and emphasis on attracting more youth in church fellowship, I immediately ordered the book. My friends and I were not the only ones who felt like the description above. When I first examined this book, by initial response was "Oh, No — It's FICTION!" But since I had purchased it, I felt that I might as well go ahead and read it. The story was just as described. The author developed the story around a group of senior fictional characters who were having trouble adjusting to a transition of worship style from which they had grown accustomed. The idea of replacing an organ with a band consisting of guitars, drums, and an electronic keyboard was almost to the point of being a sacrilege. MacDonald and his wife are the only real characters in the book, the other are fictional. To try to resolve the issue, the pastor (MacDonald) decides to have a "Discovery Group" which would meet weekly to address issues facing the church. During the course of the book, the "old" and the "new" finally learn to appreciate each other, and everyone lives happily ever after.

    As I was reading the book, I found myself identifying feelings expressed by the different characters in the book as being the same as those expressed by many of my church friends and myself. As I progressed through the chapters, suddenly discussions between the characters started to make me think and realize why many things were happening. I suddenly started looking at this aberration that I perceived being forced upon me in a totally different light. I begin to see the bigger picture by examining the history of church worship. If things had never changed, we gentiles would never have been allowed to worship as we do today without conforming to Jewish traditions. We still would be using the Psalms as our hymns and drums, lyre, flutes, etc. would be our musical instruments. Change has happened throughout church history, why should we be any different. It helps open one's eyes to see worship from the younger generation's perception; but also, provides ideas how to compromise and work together to serve everyone with all worship tastes.

    I strongly recommend Who Stole My Church? for anyone either young or old whose church is adapting to a newer style of worship. It neither will answer all your questions nor remove feelings of disappointment that results from being forced to change your style or other aspects of worship services that we have enjoyed for more years that any of us care to acknowledge. To hear Dr. MacDonald being interviewed in reference to this book, log onto: http://missionsfrontline.com/profiles/blogs/gordon-macdonald-who-stole-my
  2. Anonymous
    Windsor, ON
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Who Stole My Church? by Gordan MacDonald
    June 27, 2011
    Anonymous
    Windsor, ON
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    I loved reading this book by Gordan MacDonald, it is written like a novel, which I think is a great way to deal with a very difficult issue of what's happening in our churches today. There is a paradigm shift. Each generation thinks it is right and at times there is a battle going on in the church. Sadly this is NOT the church that Christ talked about in scripture.

    MacDonald takes this approach, I believe, to help the reader see all the sides of the story and walk through an objective way of dealing with this problem. As a pastor walking into a traditional church he is confronted by many in the congregation on how to 'run' the church. He ends up putting a committee together to work through some very difficult situations. The group is a mix of ages, stages in life and perspectives. Throughout the book we get to find out each person's personal thoughts and its very eye opening. No one is out to get each other; they just don't understand each other's perspective.

    This book is a great read. From the young to the old, we all have our own views and ideas on how the church

    should run. This book will help you give you a different perspective and open your eyes to the others around you. Will it change your life or church? I guess that's up to you!
  3. bostonwhaler
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    It should open our eyes
    August 30, 2017
    bostonwhaler
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Hits to the core for a lot of churches today. This book includes each and everyone of us to a degree or more. I bought 20 books and passed them out in our church and the feedback was that they all saw a part of themselves in the book. If we are honest then we will see ourselves in this book small or big. I can only emphasize that the leaders of the church should WANT to read this so they can better lead the church and Gods people.I recommend this for all to read and be blessed by it thru the spirit.
  4. Rose
    San Diego, CA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Help build the next generation/change happens
    August 18, 2011
    Rose
    San Diego, CA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I really appreciate this author and what he wrote. As a Christain, now 40 years, I want to leave a healthy church behind by helping this generation to come into their fullness in Christ with a mission to carry the gospel forward to their next generation. And for my generation that means change. Thank God someone was willing to make that change for my generation coming from the 70's..
  5. John Griffin
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    July 31, 2010
    John Griffin
    Rather premature on my part to provide a rating. Still reading it. But that's the good news. I think it is well worth looking at from a pastoral care stand point and allowing pastors of traditional churches/congregations to identify issues relating to loss/grief associated with change. Puts me in the mindset of, WHO MOVED MY CHEESE? Even though the characters are fictitious, the story line is not. There is angst in many churches who are overwhelmed with multimedia ministries, praise teams, multi-ethnic issues, etc. The "pastor" helps to facilitate a healthy dialogue with a starter group of members to help them see things from a proper perspective -- helps them to discover where/how things got off track in the first place. Where they go from there is where I have not gotten to, but I think that so far this is a wonderful book. Very pleased with it. And if I have anything to add to it, believe me I will. Peace
Displaying items 1-5 of 28
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