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The Church of Irresistible Influence: Bridge-Building Stories to Help Reach Your Community
A city set on a hill, inescapably visible. A lit lamp brilliantly illuminating the darkest room. With compelling metaphors, Jesus described the church and its impact on the world. And indeed, filled with the Holy Spirit, the early church demonstrated a spiritual energy and depth that transformed the surrounding culture.
Don’t let your church settle for less! Using bridges as a metaphor for “irresistible influence”--or i2, as he calls it--Robert Lewis shows how your church can become a strong, well-traveled link between heaven and earth in your community. In this engaging and uplifting book, Lewis tells the stories and shares the experiences and lessons of Fellowship Bible Church to show * what it will take to reconnect your church with your community * the how-to’s of “incarnational bridge building” * true stories of i2 in action * how to expand the i2 effort through new partnerships and adventures * requirements of the church in the 21st century
Discover how the power of incarnational bridge-building can impact your church and your community at the annual Church of Irresistible Influence conference. For information, contact Fellowship Associates: www.fellowshipassociates.com; phone (501) 975-5050.
Don’t let your church settle for less! Using bridges as a metaphor for “irresistible influence”--or i2, as he calls it--Robert Lewis shows how your church can become a strong, well-traveled link between heaven and earth in your community. In this engaging and uplifting book, Lewis tells the stories and shares the experiences and lessons of Fellowship Bible Church to show * what it will take to reconnect your church with your community * the how-to’s of “incarnational bridge building” * true stories of i2 in action * how to expand the i2 effort through new partnerships and adventures * requirements of the church in the 21st century
Discover how the power of incarnational bridge-building can impact your church and your community at the annual Church of Irresistible Influence conference. For information, contact Fellowship Associates: www.fellowshipassociates.com; phone (501) 975-5050.
224 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2001
12 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Robert Lewis
33 books5 followersRobert Lewis is the best-selling author of Raising a Modern-Day Knight and Rocking the Roles: Building a Win-Win Marriage. He is also executive director of the Global Reach research/resource organization, founder of the Men's Fraternity ministry, and pastor-at-large for Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2001, he was named Pastor of the Year by the National Coalition of Men's Ministry. He and his wife, Sherard, have four children. Jeremy Howard holds a Ph.D. in Christian Apologetics and Worldview Studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Now a writer and editor, he lives with his wife and children in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 29, 2020
This book was both fantastic and encouraging...and also kind of annoyed me a lot. Hm, why is that so? Well, firstly, I enjoyed the encouragement and conviction which comes from hearing the works of the Lord through His bride the church. And so I did much enjoy hearing some of the stories of the members of this church in Little Rock, Arkansas and how they were used by God as they ministered to the city around them. Indeed, too often do we as the church turtle inside our church buildings, rarely to be seen outside the confines of our glorious cathedrals. And indeed do we oft forget that we are called to be a light to the world. So for these reminders and the wonderful encouragement that comes with hearing of the works of the Lord, I cannot totally dismiss or think ill of this book. On the flip side though...this book did irk me at times, and part of that may be my own traditional and introverted nature. But I did wince at times reading this book...as I slowly realized that this book seemed to be a "greatest hits" playlist of one church in Arkansas...and far more self-glorifying than I was comfortable with. I'm sure this was not the intent of the author and that he would point to God as the source of all their works, but it came across as a bit overmuch and a bit smug at least to this reader. Of course, I'm one that doesn't appreciate heralding my works before men and perhaps this principle is a bit different when it's a church and addressed to fellow brothers and sisters. But it still made me feel uncomfortable reading...seemed a bit too self-aggrandizing. I also was a bit put off by the most likely unintentional message that if...certain Christians are struggling and not doing well and possibly not even Christians, once they start serving and reaching out to their communities, everything will change and their life will be transformed! Works transforms no one - only Christ does that. And of course, that is a message the author of the book would agree with. But there were multiple stories told of church members whose lives turned around once they launched ministries or started ministering to others and the moral of those stories veers dangerously closed to works-based moralism. Again, not intended by the author I'm sure, but I still felt uncomfortable reading. Again, this may be my own flaws talking. All in all, the primary message of this book is sound. As a church, we should be reaching out to the world around us! We should not shudder and bunker down! We should seek to love those who know not God. And the local church should facilitate the efforts of its members to love their neighbors! And...I did much appreciate the emphasis that we should seek to minister in those areas in which God has given us a passion and gifting. Amen!! Too often do churches or people try to force people down paths for which they are most ill-suited. God blesses us with so many wonderfully unique mixtures of desire and talent...and we should be encouraging each other to use those gifts for the benefit of those around us, not trying to force everyone into a single pre-determined ministry path. So this book was a mixed bag. I really appreciated some of the truths and encouragements gleaned from it. I was a bit uncomfortable with the presentation of much of the book, and that may be my own issue, I know not. Nonetheless, I am grateful to read a book that proclaims the power and love of God and calls His church to be a force for love and light in this dark and dying world.
January 23, 2018
In those days I never built much of a bridge into the world. Like many churches, we advertised - impersonally inviting the uninitiated to courageously "seek us out." the community also felt our occasional "hot breath" concerning issues like abortion, pornography, and other specific social ills - a disembodied voice of judgement.
But after years of doing so, it began to dawn on me that my actions - no matter how sincere - were not merely ineffective, but they were, in fact, fueling an even greater hostility and alienation between our church and the community. I was burning bridges, not building them. (36)
But to our age, truth is nothing more than talk - especially when you don't show it. The eye, not the ear, is the decisive organ. Our post-modern world is tired of words - it wants real. Real is everything. Real is convincing.
And yet, real is something the church seems less and less geared to demonstrating, much less producing. What we are geared to is slicker, more technologically brilliant presentations of truth. But the real truth is, where is the love of God we talk about? Where is the transforming power of Christ? The changed lives? The selfless giving? The god works? While the world waits to see it in their communities, the church is consumed with talking about it in their sanctuaries.
This is why we are not spanning the chasm and connecting with the community. We are trying to build bridges on truth alone, while the world is crying out for proof. Proof!
Our design is wrong. We need bridges that balance public proclamation with congregational incarnation. Bridges that are suspended by the steel cables of the Great Commandment as well as the Great Commission. In the twenty-first century, the church must understand, as never before, that faith - without works - is dead. So, too, will be our influence. (40)
...put much less time into pointing out the world's errors and much more time into proving God's love. (47)
...without practically attractive, spiritually compelling, proof-positive lifestyles, what good are our claims and pronouncements about a life-changing God? If we can't outlive the world at every point - in our marriages, with our children, at work, with money, in our relationships, in the use of our time - why dare to speak of salvation and the abundant life? (61)
christian lifestyle:
*passionately committed to Jesus Christ (a heart for God)
*Biblically measured (everything by the Book)
*Morally pure (in a morally compromised age)
*Family centered (healthy homes are priority)
*Evangelistically bold (willing and confident in sharing one's faith)
*Socially responsible (the community around us is our business)
(61)
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
For too long the church has been trying to turn people into something they are not. And it only fuels their fears of inadequacy. How much better to go with the grain and transform who they are into ministry. Let their passion for public schools, politics, sports, the elderly, city development, moral issues, and yes, even advertising, be potential areas of ministry. (100)
Irresistible influence will require laypeople to reconnect with a lifestyle of specific spiritual standards and service.
What are the lifestyle distinctives of the evangelical? Increasingly, this is a hard question to answer, especially when... seven out of ten Christians are "prone to hedonistic attitudes about life." The reality is that most Christians like to keep their lives spiritually undefined. This encourages a flabby, day-to-day morality that believes that as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, it's okay. (216)
But after years of doing so, it began to dawn on me that my actions - no matter how sincere - were not merely ineffective, but they were, in fact, fueling an even greater hostility and alienation between our church and the community. I was burning bridges, not building them. (36)
But to our age, truth is nothing more than talk - especially when you don't show it. The eye, not the ear, is the decisive organ. Our post-modern world is tired of words - it wants real. Real is everything. Real is convincing.
And yet, real is something the church seems less and less geared to demonstrating, much less producing. What we are geared to is slicker, more technologically brilliant presentations of truth. But the real truth is, where is the love of God we talk about? Where is the transforming power of Christ? The changed lives? The selfless giving? The god works? While the world waits to see it in their communities, the church is consumed with talking about it in their sanctuaries.
This is why we are not spanning the chasm and connecting with the community. We are trying to build bridges on truth alone, while the world is crying out for proof. Proof!
Our design is wrong. We need bridges that balance public proclamation with congregational incarnation. Bridges that are suspended by the steel cables of the Great Commandment as well as the Great Commission. In the twenty-first century, the church must understand, as never before, that faith - without works - is dead. So, too, will be our influence. (40)
...put much less time into pointing out the world's errors and much more time into proving God's love. (47)
...without practically attractive, spiritually compelling, proof-positive lifestyles, what good are our claims and pronouncements about a life-changing God? If we can't outlive the world at every point - in our marriages, with our children, at work, with money, in our relationships, in the use of our time - why dare to speak of salvation and the abundant life? (61)
christian lifestyle:
*passionately committed to Jesus Christ (a heart for God)
*Biblically measured (everything by the Book)
*Morally pure (in a morally compromised age)
*Family centered (healthy homes are priority)
*Evangelistically bold (willing and confident in sharing one's faith)
*Socially responsible (the community around us is our business)
(61)
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
For too long the church has been trying to turn people into something they are not. And it only fuels their fears of inadequacy. How much better to go with the grain and transform who they are into ministry. Let their passion for public schools, politics, sports, the elderly, city development, moral issues, and yes, even advertising, be potential areas of ministry. (100)
Irresistible influence will require laypeople to reconnect with a lifestyle of specific spiritual standards and service.
What are the lifestyle distinctives of the evangelical? Increasingly, this is a hard question to answer, especially when... seven out of ten Christians are "prone to hedonistic attitudes about life." The reality is that most Christians like to keep their lives spiritually undefined. This encourages a flabby, day-to-day morality that believes that as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, it's okay. (216)
October 17, 2025
3.5 stars This book challenges churches to move beyond isolation and actively engage their communities through compassion and service. Robert Lewis shares inspiring stories of bridge-building ministries that transform lives and neighborhoods. Blending biblical insight with practical guidance, it shows how authentic relationships and visible love can make the church a powerful, irresistible force for change.
September 15, 2021
Definitely dated, but helpful and challenging nonetheless. An ironic next book after a bunch of Eugene Petersøn and spiritual formation books… but I need to be reminded that we have a purpose and a calling to action as well as a need to service the soul
August 21, 2017
Enjoyed reading what this church in Little Rock did to help its people go from proclaiming to being salt and light. Lots of good ideas and practical help.
April 18, 2023
Though a little dated, the book was helpful in connecting the importance of the gospel with serving the community. I love the emphasis on engaging your community because of the gospel.
January 19, 2017
"The message of this book is simple: the church must rediscover its essential role and craft as bridge builder. For the world's sake. For the church's sake. For God's sake" (28). Lewis summarizes his task well with this statement. Reading Lewis's book 15 years after publication makes me impressed by the impact of Lewis's book and others who shared similar convictions in the early 2000's. Their fingerprints are all over much of the church today.
That isn't to say that Lewis's voice isn't still needed. It is. But with the benefit of seeing the church move in Lewis's direction for 15 years, there are some cautions that are needed to his approach. Before I move to those cautions, a bit more about Lewis's book.
Lewis wants to see the church move out beyond its walls to make a gospel-impact in the communities it is a part of. What kind of impact? What kind of work is Lewis advocating for? "The truth is finally revealed. Anything done in the name of Christ, in the name of love, is ministry. Anything."
Lewis argues that the church will have an irresistible influence as it: 1) spans the great divide between church and culture; 2)builds incarnation bridges into the community; 3) partners with the community in leadership development.
There are a number of places that Lewis is particularly compelling, particularly in his vision of connecting groups and purposes. There is a power when groups serve alongside one another with a common purpose. Lewis's admonition that we build relational bridges and better cultural bridges to our community are likewise compelling, although they have been adopted so thoroughly by the church at large, they don't hit with the freshness they must have in 2001.
The significant weakness of Lewis's book is that Lewis's approach is highly programmatic. Lewis's self-portrayal makes it sound as though he's never said yes to a service idea presented to him. The complexity of the ministry structure as a result of this impulse for those who have been in vocational ministry makes one's head spin. The rubber-meeting-the-road moment for me, then, is trying to figure out how to implement Lewis's active service model with a more streamlined and focused approach.
A more minor concern is that Lewis's book doesn't contain the biblical-theological anchor for his call that I would have hoped for. That can be provided by the thoughtful reader, but those who don't have that anchor in place could easily go adrift without a firm understanding of the gospel and the church.
I'm grateful to Lewis for the challenge in "Irresistible" and hopeful to prayerfully work toward becoming a bridge to our community for the sake of the gospel.
That isn't to say that Lewis's voice isn't still needed. It is. But with the benefit of seeing the church move in Lewis's direction for 15 years, there are some cautions that are needed to his approach. Before I move to those cautions, a bit more about Lewis's book.
Lewis wants to see the church move out beyond its walls to make a gospel-impact in the communities it is a part of. What kind of impact? What kind of work is Lewis advocating for? "The truth is finally revealed. Anything done in the name of Christ, in the name of love, is ministry. Anything."
Lewis argues that the church will have an irresistible influence as it: 1) spans the great divide between church and culture; 2)builds incarnation bridges into the community; 3) partners with the community in leadership development.
There are a number of places that Lewis is particularly compelling, particularly in his vision of connecting groups and purposes. There is a power when groups serve alongside one another with a common purpose. Lewis's admonition that we build relational bridges and better cultural bridges to our community are likewise compelling, although they have been adopted so thoroughly by the church at large, they don't hit with the freshness they must have in 2001.
The significant weakness of Lewis's book is that Lewis's approach is highly programmatic. Lewis's self-portrayal makes it sound as though he's never said yes to a service idea presented to him. The complexity of the ministry structure as a result of this impulse for those who have been in vocational ministry makes one's head spin. The rubber-meeting-the-road moment for me, then, is trying to figure out how to implement Lewis's active service model with a more streamlined and focused approach.
A more minor concern is that Lewis's book doesn't contain the biblical-theological anchor for his call that I would have hoped for. That can be provided by the thoughtful reader, but those who don't have that anchor in place could easily go adrift without a firm understanding of the gospel and the church.
I'm grateful to Lewis for the challenge in "Irresistible" and hopeful to prayerfully work toward becoming a bridge to our community for the sake of the gospel.
March 27, 2013
Lewis is the pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, a successful church by the world’s standards of attendance and income. But rather than simply maintain the status quo, Lewis and his leadership team decided that such statistics did not really measure whether the church was fulfilling its true purpose. Early on in this book, Lewis argues the point that “Contrary to much evidence, the church does not exist for the sake of the church. It exists for the sake of the world.” And with this as a fundamental principle, he decided to lead Fellowship Bible in a different direction – one whose purpose was serving the community. This book describes the journey and the results of re-structuring a church for the sole purpose of being externally-focused. Small groups are not vehicles for social gatherings, but rather vehicles for social change. The book provides a basic description of the structure to accomplish this goal, with several chapters devoted to real examples of how this change transformed not only Little Rock, but also transformed the individual people who obediently stepped out in faith. Throughout the book, Lewis uses a metaphor of building bridges to frame the kind of bridge-building churches need to do to the world. From a prose perspective, Lewis is an engaging writer, although I felt all of the chapters that are testimonies of people, while illustrative, are also somewhat of filler chapters. His basic argument and model could have been told in a book half this size. Nevertheless, I recommend this book for church leaders and pastors as a conversation starter. Churches need to move away from focusing solely on discipleship and building up the body at the expense of reaching the community, and this book provides an example of what can happen when a church decides to do this and shake up the status quo.
June 16, 2014
I was extremely dubious when I started reading this book. Advice from a megachurch conservative pastor in Arkansas, oh, boy! What could he possibly have to say that would relate to the pastor of a tiny progressive church in Washington State? As it turns out, quite a bit. Only a few times did I find myself thinking, "Ok for a multi-staff church with lots of resources but that will never work HERE."
Indeed, Lewis seems to have a number of very sound ideas that are replicable in churches of any size, towns with active ministerial associations, local denominational judicatories, etc. His "i2" concept gets to the very heart of the Gospel -- churches should be instruments of irresistible influence in their locales.
So while some of the details are going to vary wildly from place to place, I urge pastors and lay leaders to read this book for its overarching message and ideas. We should all be excited about making our churches the source of irresistible influence in our communities.
Indeed, Lewis seems to have a number of very sound ideas that are replicable in churches of any size, towns with active ministerial associations, local denominational judicatories, etc. His "i2" concept gets to the very heart of the Gospel -- churches should be instruments of irresistible influence in their locales.
So while some of the details are going to vary wildly from place to place, I urge pastors and lay leaders to read this book for its overarching message and ideas. We should all be excited about making our churches the source of irresistible influence in our communities.
April 27, 2008
This book is a solid book, though not particularly deep. It's driven by the desire to see churches connect and engage with their local communities, and describes how one church and the churches around them did so. It's very much a 'here's a big idea, and how it worked, you do it' kind of book, but nonetheless it's good for all that. the stories, instead of being cringeworthy illustrations, were actually good illustrations of what the author was talking about.
December 6, 2016
I really appreciated the outward focus of the book. More theological than the purpose-driven model. This book practically realizes some of the points of "strategic movement" popularized by books such as "Purpose Driven Church" and "Simple Church" but with a much greater emphasis on the service of the church and the irresistible influence that service should create in the world. This book is not about building a mega church, but about maximizing the churches potential. Worth the read.
October 10, 2007
This is a refreshing book so far on the Church and the postmodern culture, and a reminder to what we are called to as Christians.
I highly recommend this book...it calls the Church to reach the world.
I highly recommend this book...it calls the Church to reach the world.
September 15, 2008
A good companion volume to The Externally Focused Church. This author asks the question, "If your church would no longer exist would your community miss it?"
But I don't think this should be THE defining question that should set the course for a church's direction.
But I don't think this should be THE defining question that should set the course for a church's direction.
August 10, 2009
Bruce assigned this book for the Vision Team to read. I read it yesterday on the plane coming home and was just filled with inspiration! It absolutely connected with me and spoke to my heart. I can't wait to meet with everyone tonight and discuss it and its application for our church!
November 6, 2012
Really enjoyed the concepts and principles detailed in the book. The success stories recorded here are worth the price of admission alone. This will be very helpful to you if you are interested in bridging the gap between the church and the world.
April 2, 2012
They went from Bible study to big church. They initiated small groups, with success. They reached a stage of maturity and asked, "Now what?" That's when things really got exciting.
June 7, 2012
Good stories to give feet to vision. Not much depth. Worth reading for some ideas.
December 3, 2013
If you ever want to read a book that will make you rethink the idea of a successful church, this is it..
May 7, 2016
This is a great read for anyone who wants to see the church reach out and get involved in the community. Inspiring and exciting to see how bridges can work between the church and community.
September 11, 2008
Great, practical insights!
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June 4, 2017Good stuff. Very inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews