Love Without Walls: Learning to Be a Church In the World For the World

by Laurie Beshore, Jeff Brazil

We see it all around us: Poverty. Unemployment. Crime. Hopelessness. Anger. Disenchantment. Injustice. We want to help. We want to do something. But what? Good intentions are good, but often our efforts at helping others can actually make things worse. And in many communities the church is viewed with suspicion, if not downright hostility. So how can churches effectively serve the needs of their communities in ways that communicate the love and grace of God? According to author Laurie Beshore, churches need to step up and take action, but it all begins by learning. You must get to know the people in your community and establish relationships built on mutual trust and respect. This is the compelling twenty-five year story of how Mariner’s Church, a growing mega-church in Irvine, CA, began reaching out to their community and how they made more than their fair share of mistakes along the way. But these hard-earned lessons are now of immense value to a new generation of church leaders trying to serve their own communities that are skeptical, if not understandably suspicious, of the intentions of the 21st century church. Laced with ultra-practical teachings and transferable principles for churches and ministries of all sizes and styles, this is a book filled with potent lessons and powerful stories both heartbreaking and inspiring.

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2011

Reviews

[Old_airman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An invaluable read for all who are interested in ministry whether they are starting out or a real veteran. Many helpful tips are provided as well as missteps that their organization has made.

[Kate Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The key to cultural transformation has been a willingness to acknowledge our mistakes and failures, and a commitment to be taught by the Lord through one another.”

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

It sounds as though one might learn a good deal from the experiences of the Mariner's Church and Outreach Ministries of Irvine, CA. That said, I continue to question how one ever feels really involved in such a mega-ministry (if that's the right word). Clearly, the title seems to explain that there is little need for a church to have a building in order to be the church. Or, it may also mean that the church as it does its best work knows no boundaries. Both are worthy of consideration. It is also good to hear that successful ministries don't reach their success without making mistakes, sometime very significant ones. Two key words seem to arise repeatedly - relationships and patience. In the chapter, "Bribery," pg 46, I underlined the last sentence of the last full paragraph, "More than anything, what they want and need is relationship." In the chapter, "First Patience, Then Leadership," speaking of a program for parental involvement, on pg 102, the middle paragraph ends with, "It took eight years for a dad to show up." Lastly, I would like to engage Beshore on her comment on pg. 21, point 3, "Christian service cannot be separated from Christian faith. The sharing of the gospel message must be at the heart of every ministry." I only bring this point up because it gave me such high hopes for the remainder of the book; however, so much of the rest of the book did seem very focused on the service angle without the expression of how the gospel message came into play.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book highlights a specific church in S. CA that went through drastic changes internally and changed how they worked externally as well through various ministries that were out to help the community around them and the international world as well. It was pretty good and encouraging for if you are involved in a church and may be longing to create a ministry as well. Basically just have a heart and love people and trust in Christ to see you through, is what I got out of this. It was good.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

3.5 stars

It was good and had some very good points but for some reason I just couldn't connect with the authors voice. It could be how the tone was or how it seemed like she had it all figured out but I just wasn't a fan.
Like I said there were some good points but nothing really memorable or different about it.