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Vertical Church: What Every Heart Longs for. What Every Church Can Be.
An emergency call, and I rush from my coziness into the dark community where the police have requested a chaplain. Arriving in minutes, I find the family imploding with grief having just discovered their son hanging in the garage. In a moment of unshakable pain, he jumped off the ladder and into eternity. And I will never shake the look in their eyes when I asked why he hadn't called a church. "Why would he do that?" Across town, a pool of tears on my kitchen table as an out of town guest feels the weight of his infidelity, despairing that his famished soul finds no refuge and that he has to board a plane to feel fellowship. "Has your church tried to help you?" And the Christian leader confesses he hasn't been to church in years.
Infighting, backbiting, heartbreaking, frustrating ... church.
Though exceptions do exist, the reality is that church in America is failing one life at a time. Somewhere between pathetically predictable and shamefully entertaining, sadly sentimental and rarely authentic, church has become worst of all ... godless.
Vertical Church points to a new day where God is the seeker, and we are the ones found. In Vertical Church God shows up, and that changes everything.
If you want to experience God as you never have before and witness His hand at work, if you want to wake up to the first thought, "Thank God it's Sunday," if you're ready to feel your heart beat faster as you drive to your place of worship ... then devour and digest the lessons of Vertical Church .
Infighting, backbiting, heartbreaking, frustrating ... church.
Though exceptions do exist, the reality is that church in America is failing one life at a time. Somewhere between pathetically predictable and shamefully entertaining, sadly sentimental and rarely authentic, church has become worst of all ... godless.
Vertical Church points to a new day where God is the seeker, and we are the ones found. In Vertical Church God shows up, and that changes everything.
If you want to experience God as you never have before and witness His hand at work, if you want to wake up to the first thought, "Thank God it's Sunday," if you're ready to feel your heart beat faster as you drive to your place of worship ... then devour and digest the lessons of Vertical Church .
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 9, 2012
135 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
About the author
James MacDonald
260 books105 followersJames MacDonald (D. Min. Phoenix Seminary) is married to his high school sweetheart, Kathy, and both are from Ontario, Canada. He is the father of three grown children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and grandfather to four amazing grandsons. James’ ministry focuses on the unapologetic proclamation of God’s Word. In 1988, along with a small group of ministry partners, James and Kathy planted Harvest Bible Chapel which has grown to 13,000 people each weekend, meeting in six locations.
In 1997, a Bible-teaching broadcast ministry called Walk in the Word was established, now reaching more than three million people weekly. In 2002, a church planting ministry called Harvest Bible Fellowship was born and has established more than 70 churches across North America and around the world. James’ vision is that God will use him to help plant 1,000 churches in his lifetime.
James’ extensive ministry also includes a training center for pastors, a year-round camp, a biblical counseling center, a disaster recovery organization, and a Christian school—all used to reach more people with the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Now impacting millions of lives annually, God’s favor upon these ministries has been described by James as “abundantly baffling.” The MacDonalds’ view their ministry as proof that God still uses broken vessels to pour out His grace.
In 1997, a Bible-teaching broadcast ministry called Walk in the Word was established, now reaching more than three million people weekly. In 2002, a church planting ministry called Harvest Bible Fellowship was born and has established more than 70 churches across North America and around the world. James’ vision is that God will use him to help plant 1,000 churches in his lifetime.
James’ extensive ministry also includes a training center for pastors, a year-round camp, a biblical counseling center, a disaster recovery organization, and a Christian school—all used to reach more people with the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Now impacting millions of lives annually, God’s favor upon these ministries has been described by James as “abundantly baffling.” The MacDonalds’ view their ministry as proof that God still uses broken vessels to pour out His grace.
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January 13, 2013
What I loved about Vertical Church was MacDonald’s emphasis on the glory of God. That theme ran through out the book and for that alone the book was worth reading (p. 300).
I also found his counter-emphasis on the sameness of mankind in its desire for eternity and God refreshing. It’s a necessary balance to the over-contextualization that happens today. Says MacDonald,
We are taught to study out culture and contextualize the message to fit the uniqueness of the mass we seek to minister to. . . . Is the church about scratching the minutia of our unique itches, or is it about filling the vacuum of universal commonalty instilled in us by God? (p. 40)
While I say yes and amen, I also say it seems short-sighted to junk all contextualization as improper. Harvest Bible Church contextualizes their worship service. The first of the hallelujah! and head scratching.
However, my main issue was movement from the emphasis of God and his glory ( Hallelujah!) to over specific application (head scratching). For instance, in describing how you can tell if God’s glory is present in your church James offers these among other in a checklist: “people line up at the door long before the service starts and rush to the front to get the beast seats for passionate, expressive worship where voices are loud, hands are raised, tears are flowing, minds are expanded, and hearts are moved as Christ is adored,” conversion rates in contrast to church size, or small groups meetings (pp. 90-92). Many of these things I am for. I frequently raise my hands in worship, I attend a large church that typically sees lots of conversions, and my church offers small groups but what about people who don’t and let’s be honest most churches are not large, may not offer small groups, and according to the sovereign will of God they may not see a lot of conversions even though they preach and evangelize fervently and faithfully.
What then?
In close conjunction with that was the over emphasis on singing but specifically singing which results in manifestly expressive worship. MacDonald explicitly states that singing that doesn’t manifest itself with hand-raising and other outward expressions is wrong (p. 183). He also explicitly reject hymns for having too much doctrine. He contrasts doctrinally deep songs with simple repetitive songs which tend to produce the outward expressiveness.
Intimacy demands simplicity, and with all due respect to hymns filled with great theology, that level of complexity is not what the Scripture reveals as God’s personal preference. Yes, God has worship preferences too, and Vertical Church is about understanding those prerogatives and shaping our service plan to fit them (p. 176 what follows is a discussion about the angels singing “holy, holy, holy” as a model for simplicity and a rejection of the complex theology found in hymns pp. 173-79)
Of course, that’s a false dichotomy but what’s more he’s made his musical preferences (his contextualization ironically) binding on everyone else.
Finally, he seems to write with a lot of angst. Not necessarily bad but not helpful either. For instance,
Where rebuke comes from elders in the body of Christ it should be directed against confirmed, substantive error, not disagreement over method or minor variation in doctrine, and it should come from those qualified to give it. Even ESPN realizes that veteran NFL players are in the best position to critique those currently on the field. (p. 126)
He talks about deciding not to send his manuscript off for review by pastor friends who had offered help for fear their push back causing more spiritual warfare for him (p. 305). It was hard to separate the fiascoes of the last 18 months from the tone of Vertical Church. He takes potshots at everybody from reformed, seeker-sensitive, attractional, missional (p. 40, 168), and especially at those pesky fundamentalists (pp. 128-29). The last group takes the most heat which is ironic because as a former fundy one of my biggest gripes was how they often bound people’s consciences over preference which is what James does here as well.
The emphasis on experiencing the glory was wonderfully refreshing but would have been more impactful had it focused on the working of the Spirit in church through preaching the word. Preaching was emphasized but it seemed less than singing. A trend which is harmful for the body of Christ since preaching is the only guaranteed, never coming back void method of the Spirit to bring dead people to life in Christ. James says,
We preach so that worship will increase, not the reverse.
How often have we sat in church and heard the platform misnomer that a song will be sung to “prepare our hearts for the message”? Yes, ascribing worth to God elevates Him to His place and lowers us to ours, readying souls for God’s instruction, but the phrase can seem to imply a pecking order that should not be intended and is not true. We don’t worship so that preaching will be more impactful for us; we preach so that worship will be more impactful for God. (p. 170 the context of the chapter is lifting up singing as worship not acts of service or love see p. 168)
That’s a matter of emphasis which is important. James does offer some penetrating cultural observations about the state of preaching (check out pp. 151-55, 220). The most helpful chapter for me was the one on prayer. I realized I don’t pray enough or as boldly as I ought and so I do not receive because I do not ask. Vertical Church has some profound hallelujah! but also some of the most puzzling ironic head scratches.
I also found his counter-emphasis on the sameness of mankind in its desire for eternity and God refreshing. It’s a necessary balance to the over-contextualization that happens today. Says MacDonald,
We are taught to study out culture and contextualize the message to fit the uniqueness of the mass we seek to minister to. . . . Is the church about scratching the minutia of our unique itches, or is it about filling the vacuum of universal commonalty instilled in us by God? (p. 40)
While I say yes and amen, I also say it seems short-sighted to junk all contextualization as improper. Harvest Bible Church contextualizes their worship service. The first of the hallelujah! and head scratching.
However, my main issue was movement from the emphasis of God and his glory ( Hallelujah!) to over specific application (head scratching). For instance, in describing how you can tell if God’s glory is present in your church James offers these among other in a checklist: “people line up at the door long before the service starts and rush to the front to get the beast seats for passionate, expressive worship where voices are loud, hands are raised, tears are flowing, minds are expanded, and hearts are moved as Christ is adored,” conversion rates in contrast to church size, or small groups meetings (pp. 90-92). Many of these things I am for. I frequently raise my hands in worship, I attend a large church that typically sees lots of conversions, and my church offers small groups but what about people who don’t and let’s be honest most churches are not large, may not offer small groups, and according to the sovereign will of God they may not see a lot of conversions even though they preach and evangelize fervently and faithfully.
What then?
In close conjunction with that was the over emphasis on singing but specifically singing which results in manifestly expressive worship. MacDonald explicitly states that singing that doesn’t manifest itself with hand-raising and other outward expressions is wrong (p. 183). He also explicitly reject hymns for having too much doctrine. He contrasts doctrinally deep songs with simple repetitive songs which tend to produce the outward expressiveness.
Intimacy demands simplicity, and with all due respect to hymns filled with great theology, that level of complexity is not what the Scripture reveals as God’s personal preference. Yes, God has worship preferences too, and Vertical Church is about understanding those prerogatives and shaping our service plan to fit them (p. 176 what follows is a discussion about the angels singing “holy, holy, holy” as a model for simplicity and a rejection of the complex theology found in hymns pp. 173-79)
Of course, that’s a false dichotomy but what’s more he’s made his musical preferences (his contextualization ironically) binding on everyone else.
Finally, he seems to write with a lot of angst. Not necessarily bad but not helpful either. For instance,
Where rebuke comes from elders in the body of Christ it should be directed against confirmed, substantive error, not disagreement over method or minor variation in doctrine, and it should come from those qualified to give it. Even ESPN realizes that veteran NFL players are in the best position to critique those currently on the field. (p. 126)
He talks about deciding not to send his manuscript off for review by pastor friends who had offered help for fear their push back causing more spiritual warfare for him (p. 305). It was hard to separate the fiascoes of the last 18 months from the tone of Vertical Church. He takes potshots at everybody from reformed, seeker-sensitive, attractional, missional (p. 40, 168), and especially at those pesky fundamentalists (pp. 128-29). The last group takes the most heat which is ironic because as a former fundy one of my biggest gripes was how they often bound people’s consciences over preference which is what James does here as well.
The emphasis on experiencing the glory was wonderfully refreshing but would have been more impactful had it focused on the working of the Spirit in church through preaching the word. Preaching was emphasized but it seemed less than singing. A trend which is harmful for the body of Christ since preaching is the only guaranteed, never coming back void method of the Spirit to bring dead people to life in Christ. James says,
We preach so that worship will increase, not the reverse.
How often have we sat in church and heard the platform misnomer that a song will be sung to “prepare our hearts for the message”? Yes, ascribing worth to God elevates Him to His place and lowers us to ours, readying souls for God’s instruction, but the phrase can seem to imply a pecking order that should not be intended and is not true. We don’t worship so that preaching will be more impactful for us; we preach so that worship will be more impactful for God. (p. 170 the context of the chapter is lifting up singing as worship not acts of service or love see p. 168)
That’s a matter of emphasis which is important. James does offer some penetrating cultural observations about the state of preaching (check out pp. 151-55, 220). The most helpful chapter for me was the one on prayer. I realized I don’t pray enough or as boldly as I ought and so I do not receive because I do not ask. Vertical Church has some profound hallelujah! but also some of the most puzzling ironic head scratches.
February 10, 2023
A good perspective on the ultimate purpose of church. I appreciated MacDonald's focus on the glory of God and the four pillars (worship, preaching, evangelism, and prayer) he outlined for churches to pursue that goal of God's glory. Some of his thoughts about the actual applications of these four pillars seemed a little off base (especially on worship), but overall the book did a good job pointing out some of the excesses and lacks of the modern church. Especially important was the criticism the book offered for all the earthly methods some churches use to try to be relevant and attract people. MacDonald called those churches to turn to Biblical, God-centered methods and let the glory of God do the attracting.
September 9, 2012
Lots of underlining and corner folding, especially in the chapters on witness and prayer. A few key passages:
"The power of the gospel is not in the relational capacity of the witness but in the message itself." (p. 247)
(in response to a crisis) "I prayed only for the reputation of Christ to be protected and extended." (p. 292)
"It's self-deception to believe there is a true faithfulness apart from visible fruit; a barren tree is not an upgrade to trees with bad fruit." (p. 152)
"Boldness is simply speaking the gospel plainly. How many Christians fear to speak for Jesus because they think they need eloquence when plainness of speech is all God needs: 'God loves you. Jesus Christ died for you. He can change your life. He did it for me. He will do it for you.' That's the garden-variety, plain old, blue-jean boldness God blesses." (p. 241)
"Unless you are willing to be the aroma of death to those who are perishing, you will never be the aroma of life to those who are being saved." (p. 243)
"A bold witness speaks out of personal experience, so it is unafraid." (p. 246)
"The power of the gospel is not in the relational capacity of the witness but in the message itself." (p. 247)
(in response to a crisis) "I prayed only for the reputation of Christ to be protected and extended." (p. 292)
"It's self-deception to believe there is a true faithfulness apart from visible fruit; a barren tree is not an upgrade to trees with bad fruit." (p. 152)
"Boldness is simply speaking the gospel plainly. How many Christians fear to speak for Jesus because they think they need eloquence when plainness of speech is all God needs: 'God loves you. Jesus Christ died for you. He can change your life. He did it for me. He will do it for you.' That's the garden-variety, plain old, blue-jean boldness God blesses." (p. 241)
"Unless you are willing to be the aroma of death to those who are perishing, you will never be the aroma of life to those who are being saved." (p. 243)
"A bold witness speaks out of personal experience, so it is unafraid." (p. 246)
June 30, 2014
The first chapters on God's Glory are awesome. I cannot stress that enough. However, I wish I could just recommend parts of this book, because the whole of it was disappointing.
The first chapters are gold. Very profound. Convicting. Majestic. Relevant. I'd argue they're even useful to share with people who do not know Jesus as a starting place for a discussion about God. Also, lots of great illustrations to borrow in this book if you preach. I found that parts of the chapter on preaching was quite helpful on a practical level. The chapter on prayer is very convicting.
But, the rest was disappointing. Here, either the author, who was trying to make a case for contextualisation would end up making his personal preferences as superior to others, especially in his chapter on worship. I found the chapter on evangelism to lack depth and much needed distinctions. The slight arrogant tone throughout the book was also largely distracting for a book about the Glory-filled Church.
I found that many sentences prompting me to praise God were right next to puzzling sentences that I could not support. So, in short, the book was OK.
The first chapters are gold. Very profound. Convicting. Majestic. Relevant. I'd argue they're even useful to share with people who do not know Jesus as a starting place for a discussion about God. Also, lots of great illustrations to borrow in this book if you preach. I found that parts of the chapter on preaching was quite helpful on a practical level. The chapter on prayer is very convicting.
But, the rest was disappointing. Here, either the author, who was trying to make a case for contextualisation would end up making his personal preferences as superior to others, especially in his chapter on worship. I found the chapter on evangelism to lack depth and much needed distinctions. The slight arrogant tone throughout the book was also largely distracting for a book about the Glory-filled Church.
I found that many sentences prompting me to praise God were right next to puzzling sentences that I could not support. So, in short, the book was OK.
Read
July 15, 2025Several very bold truths in here about bringing God’s glory down, + how to get that Vertical experience. Highly enjoyed!
February 25, 2019
I have not yet finished the book but I have to say "Wow". This is the book I have been waiting for. It's due at the library tomorrow but I must purchase this book. I could not begin to type in all the meaningful sections in this book in the review. This book is the first of many church books I have read that doesn't make me feel inferior because I pastor a smaller church. It doesn't make me think, "If I just did this if would be better". It helps me to focus on the correct things. This review will probably be left incomplete so that I can read this book again and mark it up extensively!
One of the best book ideas ever was to put the quotes from Scripture in bold print in the book! The extensive endnotes are also tremendous!
The chapters on preaching and worship were fantastic! The first three chapter were kind of self-apparent to me but at chapter four it got really good.
I have read most of the "church" books (Organic, Breakout, Purpose-driven, Simple, Transformational, Sticky, etc;...) but this one is the best. (Although Organic & Sticky weren't bad). It reminds me quite a bit of Cymbala's "Fresh Wind/Fresh Fire" and MacDonald even tells a story of the book and his visit to Brooklyn in this book.
Some of my favorite quotes:
pg. 18-19-A real encounter with the living God changes everything...That is what church is supposed to do and be. Not an encounter with the glory of God in creation but an encounter with God in a different, even more awesome way that only church can provide. However, church today as a weekly experience with the manifest glory of God is the greatest lack we face. The lost are not found because God's glory is not revealed in church.
pg. 19-Christians have a way of crouching in their own culture instead of penetrating the one they live in with the gospel. Too many migrate to a faith that elevates issues debate and substitutes a set of personal preferences for the glorious gospel. Even our evangelism can become winning people to our doctrinal persuasion or our denominational loyalty instead of reaching the people next door and on our street who have no direct access to what we know they need.
pg. 79-God's manifest presence should be the consuming passion of every weekly service planning session and His absence the dread of every weekly service review.
pg. 86-giving God glory is not a reluctant sharing of what we have but a truthful deflection of what others confuse as ours but we cannot righteously accept. Refusing glory is not humility; it is honesty.
On pastors copying what other churches do that works:
pg. 98-most of those fires are of competence, not fires from transcendence. When a pastor tells his board he wants to sail the ship in a new direction, he has typically been stirred by a different horizontal emphasis with greater promise than the previous. In time the new method grows thin because we lack the gifts to pull it off, and a new conference beckons with the bright hope of competencies untried.
On perseverance in ministry:
pg. 116-What brings more glory to Jesus Christ, persevering in relationships or starting over? What brings more glory to Christ, running from your failures or staying put and facing up to them in God's strength? What better reflects the glory of Jesus: enduring relationships characterized by forgiveness or temporary ones fashioned in the shifting sand of "what can you do for me"?
pg. 120-How did we get to the place where we endorse all numerical advancement as "Christ building His church"? Since when is a majority response a test for validity? Increased attendance is no more a proof of Christ's manifest presence than decreasing attendance is assurance of faithful orthodoxy? It's not how many are coming but what is actually happening in the church that validates it as Christ's work among us.
Beware Deficient Worship
pg. 173-The problem was that worship was mostly intellectual. Great theology racing by us at a pace so dizzying that all we could express as we took our seats was effectively "that was all so true." There was little "spirit" in our worship. We understood what we sang, we believed it and sought to fix our eyes upon it, but church was more like a recitation of the periodic table than a hand-over-heart, tearful rendition of the pledge of allegiance. Is God satisfied with that? I always thought He was, and I only knew people who agreed.
pg. 177-Are there moments of simple praise direct to Jesus Christ unencumbered by lyric or instrumental complexity as part of your weekly worship experience?
pg. 183-God knows the things about you that make whole-person worship challenging, but He expects you to begin climbing over any limiters in your personality or home of origin to amplify your personal expression of gratitude for the gospel.
pg. 204-All truth is God's truth, but hear this: all truth is not God's Word.
On Preaching
pg. 225-We preach so that people can hear the voice of God, period. That is the foundational "why" that will keep you in your calling for a lifetime or 100 percent supportive of the person who has that calling in your church.
Referring to 2 Cor 2:16
pg. 243-Unless you are willing to be the aroma of death to those who are perishing, you will never be the aroma of life to those who are being saved. How much of the programmed evangelism in horizontal church flows from trying to avoid what cannot be avoided?
pg. 256-God uses the circumstances of life to ripen people to the gospel. Apart from that circumstance, we can target people and take them to dinner and testify through words and example to the truth about Jesus, but they will remain green to the gospel. Only when God Himself moves in their hearts to ripen them through a circumstance or condition that bankrupts their own ability to solve will they respond to the gospel.
pg. 257-Making church into a place where green apples feel comfortable is the worst thing with the best motives currently plaguing the Western world church. Yes to excellence; yes to losing religious jargon and the cheesy medieval music; but no to appealing to green-apple appetites for secular music and subjects that are worlds away from the Word of God.
pg. 261-The red apples are ready to hear a perspective that differs from the one they learned in the world that is failing them. The last thing they need, the worst thing we could give them, is exposure to what they have already discovered to be bankrupt. Give them a room full of passionate worshippers on fire for Jesus Christ with a powerful proclamation of God's Word applied to real life, and they will run to embrace what they have been searching and longing for.
pg. 300-The problem in the church today is that we treat God's glory as a by-product and the missional activities of the church as the primary thing when the opposite is what Scripture demands.
On page 247 there is a section on the "Relational Gospel" that is too long to retype here but I will be highlighting that whole page in my book.
To summarize--Great Book!
One of the best book ideas ever was to put the quotes from Scripture in bold print in the book! The extensive endnotes are also tremendous!
The chapters on preaching and worship were fantastic! The first three chapter were kind of self-apparent to me but at chapter four it got really good.
I have read most of the "church" books (Organic, Breakout, Purpose-driven, Simple, Transformational, Sticky, etc;...) but this one is the best. (Although Organic & Sticky weren't bad). It reminds me quite a bit of Cymbala's "Fresh Wind/Fresh Fire" and MacDonald even tells a story of the book and his visit to Brooklyn in this book.
Some of my favorite quotes:
pg. 18-19-A real encounter with the living God changes everything...That is what church is supposed to do and be. Not an encounter with the glory of God in creation but an encounter with God in a different, even more awesome way that only church can provide. However, church today as a weekly experience with the manifest glory of God is the greatest lack we face. The lost are not found because God's glory is not revealed in church.
pg. 19-Christians have a way of crouching in their own culture instead of penetrating the one they live in with the gospel. Too many migrate to a faith that elevates issues debate and substitutes a set of personal preferences for the glorious gospel. Even our evangelism can become winning people to our doctrinal persuasion or our denominational loyalty instead of reaching the people next door and on our street who have no direct access to what we know they need.
pg. 79-God's manifest presence should be the consuming passion of every weekly service planning session and His absence the dread of every weekly service review.
pg. 86-giving God glory is not a reluctant sharing of what we have but a truthful deflection of what others confuse as ours but we cannot righteously accept. Refusing glory is not humility; it is honesty.
On pastors copying what other churches do that works:
pg. 98-most of those fires are of competence, not fires from transcendence. When a pastor tells his board he wants to sail the ship in a new direction, he has typically been stirred by a different horizontal emphasis with greater promise than the previous. In time the new method grows thin because we lack the gifts to pull it off, and a new conference beckons with the bright hope of competencies untried.
On perseverance in ministry:
pg. 116-What brings more glory to Jesus Christ, persevering in relationships or starting over? What brings more glory to Christ, running from your failures or staying put and facing up to them in God's strength? What better reflects the glory of Jesus: enduring relationships characterized by forgiveness or temporary ones fashioned in the shifting sand of "what can you do for me"?
pg. 120-How did we get to the place where we endorse all numerical advancement as "Christ building His church"? Since when is a majority response a test for validity? Increased attendance is no more a proof of Christ's manifest presence than decreasing attendance is assurance of faithful orthodoxy? It's not how many are coming but what is actually happening in the church that validates it as Christ's work among us.
Beware Deficient Worship
pg. 173-The problem was that worship was mostly intellectual. Great theology racing by us at a pace so dizzying that all we could express as we took our seats was effectively "that was all so true." There was little "spirit" in our worship. We understood what we sang, we believed it and sought to fix our eyes upon it, but church was more like a recitation of the periodic table than a hand-over-heart, tearful rendition of the pledge of allegiance. Is God satisfied with that? I always thought He was, and I only knew people who agreed.
pg. 177-Are there moments of simple praise direct to Jesus Christ unencumbered by lyric or instrumental complexity as part of your weekly worship experience?
pg. 183-God knows the things about you that make whole-person worship challenging, but He expects you to begin climbing over any limiters in your personality or home of origin to amplify your personal expression of gratitude for the gospel.
pg. 204-All truth is God's truth, but hear this: all truth is not God's Word.
On Preaching
pg. 225-We preach so that people can hear the voice of God, period. That is the foundational "why" that will keep you in your calling for a lifetime or 100 percent supportive of the person who has that calling in your church.
Referring to 2 Cor 2:16
pg. 243-Unless you are willing to be the aroma of death to those who are perishing, you will never be the aroma of life to those who are being saved. How much of the programmed evangelism in horizontal church flows from trying to avoid what cannot be avoided?
pg. 256-God uses the circumstances of life to ripen people to the gospel. Apart from that circumstance, we can target people and take them to dinner and testify through words and example to the truth about Jesus, but they will remain green to the gospel. Only when God Himself moves in their hearts to ripen them through a circumstance or condition that bankrupts their own ability to solve will they respond to the gospel.
pg. 257-Making church into a place where green apples feel comfortable is the worst thing with the best motives currently plaguing the Western world church. Yes to excellence; yes to losing religious jargon and the cheesy medieval music; but no to appealing to green-apple appetites for secular music and subjects that are worlds away from the Word of God.
pg. 261-The red apples are ready to hear a perspective that differs from the one they learned in the world that is failing them. The last thing they need, the worst thing we could give them, is exposure to what they have already discovered to be bankrupt. Give them a room full of passionate worshippers on fire for Jesus Christ with a powerful proclamation of God's Word applied to real life, and they will run to embrace what they have been searching and longing for.
pg. 300-The problem in the church today is that we treat God's glory as a by-product and the missional activities of the church as the primary thing when the opposite is what Scripture demands.
On page 247 there is a section on the "Relational Gospel" that is too long to retype here but I will be highlighting that whole page in my book.
To summarize--Great Book!
February 28, 2013
This one was kind of a mixed bag.
Overall I really liked the first half. MacDonald's main thesis is that much of the local church has lost sight of the point of church: revealing God's glory. By attempting to appeal to the masses in (at best) ridiculously misguided ways, church has become a sideshow with no point. All of this I agreed with wholeheartedly, and it really influenced the way I think about church and where I'm seeing this (and not seeing this) in my own church.
The second half, where it gets into more practicals, is where it gets inconsistent. MacDonald starts off the book by stating how he wants this all to be be based from scripture. Yet a lot of his hermeneutics don't make sense at certain points. He seems to substitute certain of his personal preferences without much scriptural basis. The chapters on worship and prayer specifically come to mind. The oddest part was that often I would read a certain paragraph and totally agree, and then read the very next paragraph and think "Huh? Where did he get that from?"
I also have a big issue with his repeated statement that God's glory is only promised to the church, meaning the local church, and not, for example, a parachurch organization. But he never explains where he's getting this from. It doesn't seem to be biblically based. I obviously have personal issues with this, as I'm a former staff with the parachurch organization InterVarsity, but it also just doesn't make logical sense.
This is a relatively minor gripe, but he's not a strong writer. He basically writes the way he preaches, and it doesn't always translate very well to book-form. I've often wondered what someone who hasn't heard MacDonald's preaching would think of his writing. I'm mostly okay with it, but I grew up listening to him preach, so what do I know.
I wasn't sure what the point of the testimonies at the end of each chapter were. They're just pastors from your churches...of course they're going to have good things to say about the way you do it. It would have felt stronger if they were perhaps written by pastors/church leaders outside of Harvest. Or better yet, don't include the testimonies at all. I get why he wanted to include them, but in my opinion, they could have been left out and the book wouldn't have felt lacking.
I probably came off more critical in this review than I wanted, which is typical for me. :-P I actually did like it. Overall I'd still recommend this to any church leader. I was challenged in significant personal ways, as well as in my views on local church. It's encouraging and stretching, and makes me long for "vertical church" as MacDonald describes it. Just read it with a critical eye, and take some of the practicals with a grain of salt.
Overall I really liked the first half. MacDonald's main thesis is that much of the local church has lost sight of the point of church: revealing God's glory. By attempting to appeal to the masses in (at best) ridiculously misguided ways, church has become a sideshow with no point. All of this I agreed with wholeheartedly, and it really influenced the way I think about church and where I'm seeing this (and not seeing this) in my own church.
The second half, where it gets into more practicals, is where it gets inconsistent. MacDonald starts off the book by stating how he wants this all to be be based from scripture. Yet a lot of his hermeneutics don't make sense at certain points. He seems to substitute certain of his personal preferences without much scriptural basis. The chapters on worship and prayer specifically come to mind. The oddest part was that often I would read a certain paragraph and totally agree, and then read the very next paragraph and think "Huh? Where did he get that from?"
I also have a big issue with his repeated statement that God's glory is only promised to the church, meaning the local church, and not, for example, a parachurch organization. But he never explains where he's getting this from. It doesn't seem to be biblically based. I obviously have personal issues with this, as I'm a former staff with the parachurch organization InterVarsity, but it also just doesn't make logical sense.
This is a relatively minor gripe, but he's not a strong writer. He basically writes the way he preaches, and it doesn't always translate very well to book-form. I've often wondered what someone who hasn't heard MacDonald's preaching would think of his writing. I'm mostly okay with it, but I grew up listening to him preach, so what do I know.
I wasn't sure what the point of the testimonies at the end of each chapter were. They're just pastors from your churches...of course they're going to have good things to say about the way you do it. It would have felt stronger if they were perhaps written by pastors/church leaders outside of Harvest. Or better yet, don't include the testimonies at all. I get why he wanted to include them, but in my opinion, they could have been left out and the book wouldn't have felt lacking.
I probably came off more critical in this review than I wanted, which is typical for me. :-P I actually did like it. Overall I'd still recommend this to any church leader. I was challenged in significant personal ways, as well as in my views on local church. It's encouraging and stretching, and makes me long for "vertical church" as MacDonald describes it. Just read it with a critical eye, and take some of the practicals with a grain of salt.
November 27, 2013
I started this book because the church leaders and pastors talked so highly of it. My church is also doing a series on it coming up so I thought it would be good to have a full understanding as we go into it. I did not finish the book but on what I read is why I gave it 2 stars. James McDonald is a good guy and his church is doing amazing things. However, I found his book to be exactly what he said it was attempting not to be, another fad to promote growth. Throughout the book it seemed to me that if you just do these things, have these attitudes your church will grow. The book was also about 250 pages too long. It needs to cut out all the fluff and personal stories, I just didn't connect with them and I didn't see the connection to the point he was trying to make. Overall, if you are looking to grow your church and make your church more Christ-centered, focus on Scripture not on some man-made book, trust the Spirit and be in prayer.
November 18, 2012
This book started slow - first couple of chapters. The focus on the mission of the church being the the place where the Lord is glorified is on the mark. The church is about the Lord. It has a sense of exclusivity as to the place to find the church aligned with the God's purpose - Harvest Church - it is a very obvious promotion of this model - one must be prepared to see beyond this to be challenged Biblically!!
October 4, 2019
Vertical Church realigns the heart of the Christian leader to focus first on the vertical. It is easy to get caught up in speaking to the masses and even in genuinely caring for and loving others. However, without the foundation of a vertical approach (God first and center), then a Christian leader can easily become a tickler of ears and a pacifier. It is through vertical worship and focus that the best version of us can be found - all in Christ. When our focus is vertical we will be better in every aspect of leadership and ministry and be able to fully give life to others. When we focus on God, he will visit us, live in us, breathe through us, and move mountains for us. The church needs to get back to vertical worship to be effective. This is the heart of this book, written in a compelling manner with ample examples, Biblical foundation, and thorough application. This should be a foundational read for those in ministry.
June 12, 2018
Curiosity led me to read this book as I wanted to see if the author and I agreed about the #1 purpose of the church ... namely, to glorify God. We did agree. Sad to say, though, many churches today fail to make that a priority and get sidetracked on other endeavors. I wish the author had spent more time explaining his position and providing concrete examples so the reader could better grasp the vertical church concept. The book also seemed to be written to those in ministry, not to the average layperson and ended up becoming more like a class textbook than a compelling challenge for all Christians to rethink church. For those reasons I could only give it two stars.
December 2, 2022
I was disappointed in this book. It is too much fluff and not enough theology. The first half of the book was better in my opinion but fell short of my expectations. This book is written more for pastors rather than the average church goer. It is also written with the basis of look how well Harvest Church is doing, as if Harvest church is the model for a vertical church and every other group of churches should look to Harvest to see how real church is. That is probably an overstatement but it is throughout the book enough.
June 23, 2019
I am a member of a vertical church and truly enjoy Pastor MacDonald. My church truly is filled with people that for the first time in my life exemplified true disciples. They led me to Christ. I felt the book described well the intention...I beg those who need to feel it attend a vertical church and see thw result!
December 19, 2017
I have been attending church most of my life. Why do we do what we do? What do people really need when they gather on Sundays? What does God think of the American church? I loved being provoked to thought and this book did that.
March 23, 2020
Hypocritical to say the least. It was if this book was written by someone else. Though there was some good content, I wonder at what point did James MacDonald not take his own advice. This book was more about his accomplishments than anything. The chapters on prayer was the biggest let down.
July 6, 2024
Will not tank the star rating, but this was a DNF.
Most books, even though I do not work in church ministry anymore, I am able to apply to my current career. I was unable to make a connection to anything related to my current job.
Most books, even though I do not work in church ministry anymore, I am able to apply to my current career. I was unable to make a connection to anything related to my current job.
May 20, 2017
It's. What every heart longs for. What every church can be. ❤️❤️❤️❤️👌😁
December 28, 2017
This book really challenged my thinking on worship in the church. It is a simple read, and highly beneficial for both church leaders and Christians in all seasons of their walk with Christ.
March 19, 2019
Ok
Has some good stuff, but Azusa street happened when? He is not getting to work of Spirit? Seems like he missed the renewal of the 80s
Has some good stuff, but Azusa street happened when? He is not getting to work of Spirit? Seems like he missed the renewal of the 80s
August 30, 2012
I was excited to read this book because of my own journey with the Lord and how I love the church. This is not about a better way but the only way. It is not about styles of worship, but about worshipping in spirit and in truth. Many of us may have experienced many things when it comes to the church, some good and wonderful and some ugly and hurtful. However, that being said, I realize I am part of the good and the ugly and because there is ugly and we are sinners, this reasonated with me because it all comes down to what Jesus said to Mary she had chosen the right thing that will never be taken away. Before I go any further, I did have one concern. There has been much marketing on this book. It seemed a little contridiction of what MacDonald was saying in his book. In reading this book, on my facebook feed, he is visiting Mark Driscoll's church in promoting this book. In fact he has visited many churches and has a web page for this book. It rubs me a little wrong, however, does it take away from the need to be a vertical church versus a horizontal, no...So what is the difference between the two? Let me start by saying that when I had changed churches several years ago, members of the church that I was a member for many years were asking me is the new church relevant in its teaching. Actually it was'nt and I could'nt articulate the difference and now I can. The difference was the trancedence of God vs the relevant of God in my life. That is huge. For me and I think it is true, when we have a horizontal church, it is easy for idols to appear. However, the trancedence of God tears those idols down. For that I am thankful. The book goes into great detail about other differences and the dangers that we may face and not even be aware of. The thing is a Horizontal church has great people that care about others, that want to see people won for Christ and those are all good things, however, God's glory is only shown in the trancedence of worship. When I can say I am undone. Holy Holy Holy is the Lord. If I am not saying that after a gathering, then I have not met with God. If I see no need for repentance, then I have not met with God. If I cannot say, God have mercy on me. If I cannot see sin for what it is and how it destroys others, then I have not met with the Lord. Vertical shows me who God is and then I am empowered to serve where He has placed me. All this is done by frevent prayer that keeps me humble and dependant on him. Highly recommend this book.
September 26, 2012
James MacDonald, founding Senior Pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Illinois wants worshipers, churches and leadership to experience Holy Spirit power and God’s glory during worship. Yet that isn’t a common church experience, although MacDonald says it is at Harvest Chapel in his new book, “Vertical Church.” There he shares his “…twenty-five-year try-fail-try again pursuit of that single goal—to experience God’s glory…” in church.
MacDonald’s search for God’s “manifest presence” began with a “…stubborn-hearted prayer…he stole from Moses…” where he asked God to “Show me your glory,” a prayer God answered many times over in subsequent years. Today, multiple church plants later, with church attendance at Rolling Meadows’ founding campus over 13,000 on Sunday, congregations connect “…in heart, soul, mind and strength with…” their Creator. (pg. 19)
He credits such experiences to fervent prayer, adoration and worship that welcome God into Harvest’s church services. Still it’s under MacDonald’s leadership that parishioners learned to “encounter” God during worship and not just “work” for God in church settings.
MacDonald’s drive to seek God’s presence began years earlier during a profound summer camp experience as “…a rebellious, stubborn teen…” On his return home ten days later his parents were overwhelmed with his announcement, “Mom! Dad! I found God!”
Since that time of authenticity with God, where “…God burst powerfully…” into MacDonald’s soul “…he’s never been satisfied with less…” That life-changing experience birthed a life purpose that continues in MacDonald’s pastorate of Harvest’s “Vertical Church.” Where he reaches others through the “…loving interaction…and fervent prayers…” of genuine, faithful Christians.
He defines his church as “vertical”….Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/8vjyat3
MacDonald’s search for God’s “manifest presence” began with a “…stubborn-hearted prayer…he stole from Moses…” where he asked God to “Show me your glory,” a prayer God answered many times over in subsequent years. Today, multiple church plants later, with church attendance at Rolling Meadows’ founding campus over 13,000 on Sunday, congregations connect “…in heart, soul, mind and strength with…” their Creator. (pg. 19)
He credits such experiences to fervent prayer, adoration and worship that welcome God into Harvest’s church services. Still it’s under MacDonald’s leadership that parishioners learned to “encounter” God during worship and not just “work” for God in church settings.
MacDonald’s drive to seek God’s presence began years earlier during a profound summer camp experience as “…a rebellious, stubborn teen…” On his return home ten days later his parents were overwhelmed with his announcement, “Mom! Dad! I found God!”
Since that time of authenticity with God, where “…God burst powerfully…” into MacDonald’s soul “…he’s never been satisfied with less…” That life-changing experience birthed a life purpose that continues in MacDonald’s pastorate of Harvest’s “Vertical Church.” Where he reaches others through the “…loving interaction…and fervent prayers…” of genuine, faithful Christians.
He defines his church as “vertical”….Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/8vjyat3
July 5, 2015
While there were certainly sections of this book that I liked, and bits and pieces that challenged or encouraged me, overall I don't think it was that good. The writing isn't terribly strong. The arguments are oftentimes built off the author's personal preference but then made to be like the established standard. And for that matter, you can only self-depreciate so much before it starts seeming a little like false humility. And we got past that point in this book.
As other commentators have noted, there is some quality content on the glory of God being primary in this book. I will say I LOVED that he pointed out the modern church's mistaken idolatry of evangelism as our primary focus. That type of thinking is pervasive in modern Christianity and ignores the basic thrust of the NT teaching which is not "here are some keys to reaching the lost" but instead are "here are instructions on honoring God." Obviously, in reaching the lost with the gospel God is honored, but it's a cart and horse kind of thing. MacDonald does well to expose this and dig into its implications.
I just found myself wishing to be done with the book about midway through. Its vocabulary became painfully repetitive, its concepts increasingly uninteresting, and its application decreasingly evident.
As other commentators have noted, there is some quality content on the glory of God being primary in this book. I will say I LOVED that he pointed out the modern church's mistaken idolatry of evangelism as our primary focus. That type of thinking is pervasive in modern Christianity and ignores the basic thrust of the NT teaching which is not "here are some keys to reaching the lost" but instead are "here are instructions on honoring God." Obviously, in reaching the lost with the gospel God is honored, but it's a cart and horse kind of thing. MacDonald does well to expose this and dig into its implications.
I just found myself wishing to be done with the book about midway through. Its vocabulary became painfully repetitive, its concepts increasingly uninteresting, and its application decreasingly evident.
December 29, 2014
Excellent, well written, thought provoking with a string desire to honor Christ & the Word in every chapter. The author asks hard & difficult questions & does not answer them the way many church growth books answer them, his goal is to honor Christ not build his own kingdom. Some of this I knew & it's disturbing, 6,000 churches close their doors every year, 3,500 people leave the church every day, & less than 20% of American attend church regularly.
Here is a quote I love from page 157, "we have so elevated the role of human persuasion in evangelism that we see ourselves significant at the center if every human interaction, using our personalities & cultural connectedness to convince a person to Christ. All of this is an offense to the saving God who draws people to Himself & just needs the messenger to speak the Gospel words in love then get out of His way."
Challenging book, get it, read it, & apply.
Here is a quote I love from page 157, "we have so elevated the role of human persuasion in evangelism that we see ourselves significant at the center if every human interaction, using our personalities & cultural connectedness to convince a person to Christ. All of this is an offense to the saving God who draws people to Himself & just needs the messenger to speak the Gospel words in love then get out of His way."
Challenging book, get it, read it, & apply.
July 19, 2024
I have a unique perspective on this book for a couple of reasons: (1) As senior pastor of a Harvest, in the movement for 13 years. (2) I was one of approximately 30 pastors who spent two days with James in Elgin, IL, reviewing and sharpening a draft of the book...including spending a considerable amount of time vetting a potential title for this book. Thankfully use of the word "fulcrum" in the title was eliminated as an option.
Years ago I would have given the book a 5-star rating, because I was fully invested in the movement and completely sold on the author's philosophy of ministry. But we all grow and change, and our growth and experiences reform our perspective. As many other reviewers have stated the first part of the book is, by far, the best. And if it wasn't for my own philosophical changes in ecclesiology, worship, and church growth, I would have given it 3 stars. But, I have changed my views in those three areas, which requires me to give only 2 stars.
Years ago I would have given the book a 5-star rating, because I was fully invested in the movement and completely sold on the author's philosophy of ministry. But we all grow and change, and our growth and experiences reform our perspective. As many other reviewers have stated the first part of the book is, by far, the best. And if it wasn't for my own philosophical changes in ecclesiology, worship, and church growth, I would have given it 3 stars. But, I have changed my views in those three areas, which requires me to give only 2 stars.
June 22, 2015
I find the first half of the book very good. The emphasis on God's glory and especially the teaching that all are fundamentally the same with respect to their need for the Gospel. Dr. MacDonald hits the nail right on the head. However, it then gets pretty strange. There are a lot of checklists about how to tell if your church is good. A lot of the second half book has to do with the authors personal strife with certain groups of people. Overall, I would pass, as other books I've read are more directly to the point of what a Biblical church needs to principle themselves on. I would consider John Macarthur's "The Master's Plan for the Church." Thabiti Anyabwile's "What is a Healthy Church Member" focuses more on individuals, but I think it paints a sound Biblical picture of what a church should look like.
September 27, 2012
i found this book challenging and that is a good thing, if i ever find myself reading this book and bot challenged by its content there is something wrong with me. the last 4 chapter i found extremely interesting and helped me evaluate my "church" experience as to where it stands and where it should stand, as well as what church should be and what it isn't. i found this book challenges you to re-think the concept we grew up with about what church involves and how it is to centre around God and HIS glory. i highly recommend this book to people who go to church just to say they went or think that just going to church will get you to heaven, or for people who go to church because it is the right thing to do, get uncomfortable in your church enough to change the ordinary to extraordinary!!
December 28, 2012
A book that begins with the author complaining about waking up at 4:30am to climb a volcano for a Hawaiian sunrise already has its' work cut out to gain my favor.
I had return this book before finishing it. I could have flipped through the book and just read the boxed summary statements.
From what I did read the author makes a good, Scripture supported argument for setting priorities for your church.
- This book focuses on the church needing to focus primarily on glorifying God as opposed to entertaining the congregation.
-It is well-formatted for a small group study.
- The afore mentioned summary quotes are the best part.
- This book would work well for church planters or those wanting to reform/reclaim their church.
I had return this book before finishing it. I could have flipped through the book and just read the boxed summary statements.
From what I did read the author makes a good, Scripture supported argument for setting priorities for your church.
- This book focuses on the church needing to focus primarily on glorifying God as opposed to entertaining the congregation.
-It is well-formatted for a small group study.
- The afore mentioned summary quotes are the best part.
- This book would work well for church planters or those wanting to reform/reclaim their church.
August 11, 2013
With james macdonald books, i usually listen to the sermons, and then read the books. James is such an incredible speaker, i tend to find the books lacking. The ideas are incredible, but the writing leaves a little to be desired. With Vertical Church, i did not listen to the sermon series. This hurt a little because i did not have the background that i did on other books. The ideas are still solid, and i think very important to read. I would guess thoughnthat the sermons may be more impactful
With allof that being said though, the last chapter makes this book a must-read. The point of being strong, disciplined and fervent in our individual and collective prayer lives is one that must be read. That chapter alone gives this a book a 5-star rating.
With allof that being said though, the last chapter makes this book a must-read. The point of being strong, disciplined and fervent in our individual and collective prayer lives is one that must be read. That chapter alone gives this a book a 5-star rating.
December 24, 2012
It took me a little longer to read this book than most. That is not because it was boring but because I would read a section then have to go and think about it before coming back. This book opened my eyes to several things showing both good and bad areas in my own life and church. I would add this book to every pastor's "must read" list as it will challenge you. I don't give 5 star reviews but very very rarely. This book needs 6 stars. It was that good. Take this book and also get MacDonald's audio series off of his website and you will be good to go for a few weeks of a church challenge. You will be glad you did.
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