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Relational Revolution: 5 Shifts for Rediscovering Church as Heart-to-Heart Connection
Are you done with church as merely a program, a preacher, a building or a system to follow? Longing for healthy community that transforms character? Or maybe you have lost any hope of seeing emotionally healthy leadership in Christian communities and you're wondering what’s next. If you are ready to live church as an interactive, stable connection with God and those around you that transforms your community into the hands and feet of Christ no matter where you are, you are not alone! An amazing spiritual and relational revolution is currently underway. While millions are leaving institutional church to save their relationship with God, a church movement is rising that is fueled by joy and led by Jesus. Christians all over the world are training together to nurture healthy communities that love as God loves.
This thought-provoking and hopeful book about Christian community presents a path toward creating emotionally safe churches that form healthy church leaders and communities. God is transforming an ineffective and, at times, harmful Christian culture into vibrant, loving, spontaneous expressions of hope for the world today.
The truth presented in Relational Revolution offers a way of being part of vibrant communities of Jesus rather than simply attending church. God is drawing people back to the original intent of healthy, connected family-like bonds, not merely a program, organization or institution.
After decades of exploring what would need to shift in Christian culture for the people of God to become a vibrant expression of God’s hands and feet here on earth, LK10 authors have come together in Relational Revolution to
This thought-provoking and hopeful book about Christian community presents a path toward creating emotionally safe churches that form healthy church leaders and communities. God is transforming an ineffective and, at times, harmful Christian culture into vibrant, loving, spontaneous expressions of hope for the world today.
The truth presented in Relational Revolution offers a way of being part of vibrant communities of Jesus rather than simply attending church. God is drawing people back to the original intent of healthy, connected family-like bonds, not merely a program, organization or institution.
After decades of exploring what would need to shift in Christian culture for the people of God to become a vibrant expression of God’s hands and feet here on earth, LK10 authors have come together in Relational Revolution to
100 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2023
50 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 8, 2025
This is declaration of what LK10 sees as what the church should love like. It was relatable and inspiring.
I want to love and serve others out of a state of joy. I want to practice with others. I want to have a heart for and with Jesus, not just knowledge of HIM.
I want to love and serve others out of a state of joy. I want to practice with others. I want to have a heart for and with Jesus, not just knowledge of HIM.
May 1, 2023
An easy read; perfect for those who are intrigued by the relational revolution but unsure if they want to jump into a pile of content or courses quite yet. This resource gives a sweet taste and overview for an old/new way of BEING the church. As former pastors who were burnt out and “done” with the church and not with God, these relational rhythms were a large part of the work God did to save our marriage and family. As we’ve healed, we’ve fallen into a sweet balance of still loving the institutional church while also running ahead with the revolution and what that brings. We’ve come to a place of truly seeking “unity above uniformity” rather than just giving that phrase lip-service. I share this in a review to emphasize that this book is NOT attacking the institutional church, but rather inviting the “big C” Church to step deeper into love, life, and connection with God and each other.
April 27, 2023
great read
Lots of great information about God and changing how we view the church, and I will be reviewing the book again—great resource and helpful for new and old Christians looking to continue to lean on God.
Lots of great information about God and changing how we view the church, and I will be reviewing the book again—great resource and helpful for new and old Christians looking to continue to lean on God.
April 19, 2023
“It’s church Jim but not as we know it.”
This little book packs a punch well above its size. It is short (~100 pages), but lovingly provocative. In just a few pages, John White, Kent Smith and Toni Daniels, diagnose some serious problems with the current pastor-centric, program-driven, building-based, American/Western church model. They then provide some creative solutions, named core values. The book does not claim to be comprehensive but to offer some insights for ongoing discussion. There is also a detailed series being produced on each value. The first, “Joy-Fueled, Catalyzing a Revolution of Joyful Communities” is now available.
The traditional church has been in decline, both numerically and in cultural influence for several decades. This decline has been coupled with increasing revelations of serious dysfunction and abuse in some congregations.
Thus, what has seemed stable and certain for generations as how ‘church’ was to be expressed, is no longer a given. The authors point to the millions of the ‘dones’, those who have left traditional church models, but have not abandoned their faith. In fact, the authors say that many are leaving to keep their faith: “those leaving the institutional form of church expressed a desire for community life that was not centrally organized by a large institution.”
White, Smith and Daniels, propose a solution that is relational rather than structural. What seems a new model is really a return to New Testament principles of church: church is an organism not an organization. These core values are focused on the life of God, rather than mere sets of beliefs.
The authors ask, “Why is this transformation crucial?” They explain that the good news that God offers the world is not merely a set of beliefs, a creed, or a ticket to heaven, but God himself. This is a paradigm shift. A shift from the idea of DOING, i.e. faithful church activity and ultimately getting to heaven; to the idea of BEING, i.e. developing relational connection with God and one another, here and now.
In subsequent chapters, White, Smith and Daniels outline each core value using their experiences setting up their LK10 church model. Here are the five core values summarized:
1-Joy-fueled:
‘Being Joy-fueled … means you know that even when you cannot “do” anything for God today, God loves you and deeply enjoys being with you, anyway. God is not in a relationship with you just to use you; he actually loves and delights in just being with you.’
2-Jesus led:
‘[L]eft-brained Christianity, still common today, promotes the idea that most people cannot really hear God speak … Therefore … the best we can do is to adhere to the principles the Bible teaches. … The thought is that if people just knew the right things to do and how to think, they would make better choices. That seems much safer and easier than actually training people to listen and relate to a living God. We are left with a WWJD Christianity.’
3-Communities of Practice:
‘Jesus began his revolution by calling together a small group of people to be with him … This small band of brothers and sisters were witnessing and practicing the life of God’s love–the good news–together. This was not a community of perfection, but a community of practice … This new culture includes cultivating skills such as joy, quieting, curiosity [and] sensing God’s presence.’
4-Spiritual Parents:
‘Spiritual parenting at its best is a relational endeavor where we accompany each person to become all God has made them to be … Church grows at the speed of attachment, where heart-to-heart connection and character growth are more important than getting “results,” ’ and ‘God is in the business of re-parenting us, inviting us into a life-giving family (the Trinity) and connecting us with brothers and sisters with whom we can train.’
5-Ecosystems of Grace:
‘When emotionally mature human community is happening, these whole ecosystems of God’s grace become demonstration plots of God’s love and multifaceted wisdom. Uniquely designed individuals connect together to train in their skill and grow in their relational maturity. They share their hearts with each other, and they stream God’s consistent presence so powerfully that people know there is something different about them.’
If you are wondering about what does ‘church’ really mean, I thoroughly recommend engaging with this text. Grapple with the ideas. Pray into them. Become Jesus led as the authors suggest. Ask Jesus what He wants you to do. Become joy fueled. Prepare to be surprised. Become part of the Relational Revolution.
====
Disclaimer: I am part of the launch team and have read an advanced copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
This little book packs a punch well above its size. It is short (~100 pages), but lovingly provocative. In just a few pages, John White, Kent Smith and Toni Daniels, diagnose some serious problems with the current pastor-centric, program-driven, building-based, American/Western church model. They then provide some creative solutions, named core values. The book does not claim to be comprehensive but to offer some insights for ongoing discussion. There is also a detailed series being produced on each value. The first, “Joy-Fueled, Catalyzing a Revolution of Joyful Communities” is now available.
The traditional church has been in decline, both numerically and in cultural influence for several decades. This decline has been coupled with increasing revelations of serious dysfunction and abuse in some congregations.
Thus, what has seemed stable and certain for generations as how ‘church’ was to be expressed, is no longer a given. The authors point to the millions of the ‘dones’, those who have left traditional church models, but have not abandoned their faith. In fact, the authors say that many are leaving to keep their faith: “those leaving the institutional form of church expressed a desire for community life that was not centrally organized by a large institution.”
White, Smith and Daniels, propose a solution that is relational rather than structural. What seems a new model is really a return to New Testament principles of church: church is an organism not an organization. These core values are focused on the life of God, rather than mere sets of beliefs.
The authors ask, “Why is this transformation crucial?” They explain that the good news that God offers the world is not merely a set of beliefs, a creed, or a ticket to heaven, but God himself. This is a paradigm shift. A shift from the idea of DOING, i.e. faithful church activity and ultimately getting to heaven; to the idea of BEING, i.e. developing relational connection with God and one another, here and now.
In subsequent chapters, White, Smith and Daniels outline each core value using their experiences setting up their LK10 church model. Here are the five core values summarized:
1-Joy-fueled:
‘Being Joy-fueled … means you know that even when you cannot “do” anything for God today, God loves you and deeply enjoys being with you, anyway. God is not in a relationship with you just to use you; he actually loves and delights in just being with you.’
2-Jesus led:
‘[L]eft-brained Christianity, still common today, promotes the idea that most people cannot really hear God speak … Therefore … the best we can do is to adhere to the principles the Bible teaches. … The thought is that if people just knew the right things to do and how to think, they would make better choices. That seems much safer and easier than actually training people to listen and relate to a living God. We are left with a WWJD Christianity.’
3-Communities of Practice:
‘Jesus began his revolution by calling together a small group of people to be with him … This small band of brothers and sisters were witnessing and practicing the life of God’s love–the good news–together. This was not a community of perfection, but a community of practice … This new culture includes cultivating skills such as joy, quieting, curiosity [and] sensing God’s presence.’
4-Spiritual Parents:
‘Spiritual parenting at its best is a relational endeavor where we accompany each person to become all God has made them to be … Church grows at the speed of attachment, where heart-to-heart connection and character growth are more important than getting “results,” ’ and ‘God is in the business of re-parenting us, inviting us into a life-giving family (the Trinity) and connecting us with brothers and sisters with whom we can train.’
5-Ecosystems of Grace:
‘When emotionally mature human community is happening, these whole ecosystems of God’s grace become demonstration plots of God’s love and multifaceted wisdom. Uniquely designed individuals connect together to train in their skill and grow in their relational maturity. They share their hearts with each other, and they stream God’s consistent presence so powerfully that people know there is something different about them.’
If you are wondering about what does ‘church’ really mean, I thoroughly recommend engaging with this text. Grapple with the ideas. Pray into them. Become Jesus led as the authors suggest. Ask Jesus what He wants you to do. Become joy fueled. Prepare to be surprised. Become part of the Relational Revolution.
====
Disclaimer: I am part of the launch team and have read an advanced copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 10, 2023
enlightening guide
“Relational Revolution: 5 Shifts for Rediscovering Church as Heart-to-Heart Connection" offers a transformative perspective on rekindling the essence of church as a deeply connected community. This book presents five profound shifts that encourage readers to rethink their approach to church, fostering meaningful heart-to-heart connections.
The strength of "Relational Revolution" lies in its call for authentic and genuine interactions within a church context. The shifts presented challenge traditional norms, prompting readers to embrace vulnerability, openness, and empathy as essential components of a thriving spiritual community.
The book skillfully navigates through the shifts, providing practical insights and thought-provoking reflections. Each shift is supported by real-life examples and relatable anecdotes, making it easy for readers to envision the transformation from conventional to heart-centered church interactions.
“Relational Revolution: 5 Shifts for Rediscovering Church as Heart-to-Heart Connection" offers a transformative perspective on rekindling the essence of church as a deeply connected community. This book presents five profound shifts that encourage readers to rethink their approach to church, fostering meaningful heart-to-heart connections.
The strength of "Relational Revolution" lies in its call for authentic and genuine interactions within a church context. The shifts presented challenge traditional norms, prompting readers to embrace vulnerability, openness, and empathy as essential components of a thriving spiritual community.
The book skillfully navigates through the shifts, providing practical insights and thought-provoking reflections. Each shift is supported by real-life examples and relatable anecdotes, making it easy for readers to envision the transformation from conventional to heart-centered church interactions.
August 26, 2024
A language for this hunger...
My wife and I have lead ministry(ies) for 30 years. Twenty-five of those vocational. For the last 12, we've hungered for something deeper. Not doctrinally different, but deeper, more stable, and more fruitful. Something that could host, support, and sustain revival. Authentic revival (wholistic transformation). Finding ourselves rubbing up against "done" ourselves, we've been discovering hope and refreshment through Relational Discipleship culture.
This short, accessible book provides a language for what we are building. LK10 is honest, unassuming, and flexible. It's simple enough to work everywhere and with everyone, which also makes it suitable for life's complexities. We've struggled to explain to people what we're building via our recent transition away from common American church settings and systems. These authors have succinctly and caringly NAILED it. This book is now my answer for the curiously confused.
My wife and I have lead ministry(ies) for 30 years. Twenty-five of those vocational. For the last 12, we've hungered for something deeper. Not doctrinally different, but deeper, more stable, and more fruitful. Something that could host, support, and sustain revival. Authentic revival (wholistic transformation). Finding ourselves rubbing up against "done" ourselves, we've been discovering hope and refreshment through Relational Discipleship culture.
This short, accessible book provides a language for what we are building. LK10 is honest, unassuming, and flexible. It's simple enough to work everywhere and with everyone, which also makes it suitable for life's complexities. We've struggled to explain to people what we're building via our recent transition away from common American church settings and systems. These authors have succinctly and caringly NAILED it. This book is now my answer for the curiously confused.
August 18, 2023
Hopeful
I appreciate the in depth look that the author did at the issues surrounding the mass exodus of church going people. The acknowledgment that many people are put off because of fundamentalism that shuns people away is a start. It makes an attempt to address the potential issues and how to address them through the promotion of new core values in an attempt to reconnect people with a new love for church going.
I appreciate the in depth look that the author did at the issues surrounding the mass exodus of church going people. The acknowledgment that many people are put off because of fundamentalism that shuns people away is a start. It makes an attempt to address the potential issues and how to address them through the promotion of new core values in an attempt to reconnect people with a new love for church going.
September 13, 2023
A great read for church planters and leaders!
A quick read giving some great perspective on one of the biggest problems facing the church today.
More then, state the obvious and complain about how the younger generation doesn't want business as usual they are solutions oriented, and I definitely appreciated that.
There are a lot of people looking for the same thing Jesus wants and wants for them, and this book is about making it happen.
A quick read giving some great perspective on one of the biggest problems facing the church today.
More then, state the obvious and complain about how the younger generation doesn't want business as usual they are solutions oriented, and I definitely appreciated that.
There are a lot of people looking for the same thing Jesus wants and wants for them, and this book is about making it happen.
October 22, 2023
Primer for the movement
The authors clearly lay out the Lk10 heartbeat for a living church. It is simple without being simplistic. It is full of hope with a clear map of how to follow Jesus in joy-filled communities. If you are already familiar with this effort or this is all new to you, there are many valuable references and helps to guide you in the next right step. I recommend that you read this book and connect with Lk10 very soon.
The authors clearly lay out the Lk10 heartbeat for a living church. It is simple without being simplistic. It is full of hope with a clear map of how to follow Jesus in joy-filled communities. If you are already familiar with this effort or this is all new to you, there are many valuable references and helps to guide you in the next right step. I recommend that you read this book and connect with Lk10 very soon.
November 20, 2025
This is a manifesto for a new church planting movement, not a fully developed work. I found them on point in their critique of contemporary institutional and program-driven churches, and they highlight important values for an authentic Spirit-driven church culture anchored around relational connection with God and one another. It's a worthy conversation as churches explore what kind of church cultures actually produce deep and connected transformation.
June 22, 2023
Revolution
This book is a push for the movement of LK10. The beginning & end chapters covers the structure of the movement & the contents in between are very good about next level church.
This book is a push for the movement of LK10. The beginning & end chapters covers the structure of the movement & the contents in between are very good about next level church.
August 9, 2023
Very Informative Book
This book is very well written and is very informative about the church. It is a must read for all. So eye opening and needed. Great job putting this out. Thank you for writing it.
This book is very well written and is very informative about the church. It is a must read for all. So eye opening and needed. Great job putting this out. Thank you for writing it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews