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Jesus Killed My Church
The test of our lifetime is not graded on our production but on our willingness to agree that the leadership of Jesus is perfect.
Have you even been given every tool for success and managed to fail anyway?
How do you react when you're doing the very thing you were wired to do and all the wires get crossed?
Jesus Killed My Church is the story of a church planter who had every reason to succeed, yet God had another idea. Or another definition of success.
Have you even been given every tool for success and managed to fail anyway?
How do you react when you're doing the very thing you were wired to do and all the wires get crossed?
Jesus Killed My Church is the story of a church planter who had every reason to succeed, yet God had another idea. Or another definition of success.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
8 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Randy Bohlender
5 books1 followerRandy Bohlender was raised on a wheat farm in North Dakota. He has a B.A. in Pastoral Ministry, a deep love for his family, and a fascination with things that go fast and make loud noises.
Randy and his wife, Kelsey have been married since 1989 and live in Kansas City, Missouri with their seven children. They are a part of the International House of Prayer.
Randy and his wife, Kelsey have been married since 1989 and live in Kansas City, Missouri with their seven children. They are a part of the International House of Prayer.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 19, 2021
The author is pretty clear in the beginning that this isn't really a formula or how-to book. It reads more like a biographical ministry experience that moved him from the church planting space to a more para-church ministry (or at least outside the four walls of the church ministry). While it was good to see how God moved in his life to get him where he felt ultimately called, I did look for a few key takeaways from the book. But didn't really find much in the way of takeaways. An encouraging read for sure. And it demonstrates the fact that God's plans for our lives are often much different than our own.
March 11, 2017
Good book...honest...
As a pastor (and potential church planter) I found this a good read filled with an honesty and frankness that was appreciated... it was well written and filled with many anecdotes about the journey God took the authors family on....more descriptive than prescriptive, but an insightful read nonetheless...
As a pastor (and potential church planter) I found this a good read filled with an honesty and frankness that was appreciated... it was well written and filled with many anecdotes about the journey God took the authors family on....more descriptive than prescriptive, but an insightful read nonetheless...
July 12, 2013
I don't know about you, but I see churches on virtually every corner, yet I seldom consider the hardships and the dealings that people go through when they decide to plant a church. It's probably because I've been privileged as a son of a preacher, and even now as a preacher myself, not had that desire to go down that path. That's not to say I would not follow the leading of the Lord, should he say do it. It's just that it's not what I myself would do, seeing what people go through.
In Randy Bohlender's book Jesus Killed My Church, he shares all of the trials and tribulations that he and his wife went through on their journey to plant a church. Youth and inexperience can plague anyone. Doctrinal and denominational structures can often get in the way of someone who has a fresh perspective for what can be experienced. Randy shares vivid details of what he went through to ultimately finding himself right where Christ wanted him.
If you have ever had a desire to plant a church, be a part of the start of something new, or desire to encourage someone you know in their endeavor to build, plant, or grow a church, I highly recommend this as an invaluable resource.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from the publisher through the Destiny Image Book Review Program. I was required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
In Randy Bohlender's book Jesus Killed My Church, he shares all of the trials and tribulations that he and his wife went through on their journey to plant a church. Youth and inexperience can plague anyone. Doctrinal and denominational structures can often get in the way of someone who has a fresh perspective for what can be experienced. Randy shares vivid details of what he went through to ultimately finding himself right where Christ wanted him.
If you have ever had a desire to plant a church, be a part of the start of something new, or desire to encourage someone you know in their endeavor to build, plant, or grow a church, I highly recommend this as an invaluable resource.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from the publisher through the Destiny Image Book Review Program. I was required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
June 8, 2013
Randy is a wonderful tour guide as he takes us through his adult experiences of serving the Lord, being an example of how we, in our finite broken ways, focuses on performance and "doing" with a specific sense of Godliness and success. Our God is so much more than we realize that He does work all out for good and that our only mission is to seek Him and let Him provide, nurture, heal and grow us into our destinies that He ordained for us.
Randy has journeyed through much farther than myself and many whom would receive much from this book, as it illustrates God's heartbeat and Kingdom ways. Ways that relieve us from many of the pressures and expectations we put on ourselves to earn all we need and desire. If only we will lean on, press toward and position ourselves to spend time with and experience God Himself. Simply put God is surprising and bigger and better in answering our prayers than we can imagine and they don't come all wrapped up the way we want them.
Randy has journeyed through much farther than myself and many whom would receive much from this book, as it illustrates God's heartbeat and Kingdom ways. Ways that relieve us from many of the pressures and expectations we put on ourselves to earn all we need and desire. If only we will lean on, press toward and position ourselves to spend time with and experience God Himself. Simply put God is surprising and bigger and better in answering our prayers than we can imagine and they don't come all wrapped up the way we want them.
August 14, 2012
This is a good autobiography. There are many key moments contained within Bohlender's life story that became teaching points for me. If you've ever even given an inkling of a thought towards planting a church (as I have), then this is quite possibly the book you should start with. But even for the casual reader, it's engaging, informative, and as I said previously during a progress report, stirring. 3.5 out of 5.
April 9, 2012
This book couldn't have come at a better time in my life. I feel like I could have written all of these words verbatim. The author takes you from a challenging youth ministry to the start of a new church and then a mission with a well-known prayer organization. His life roller coaster is one of obedience, especially when it's tough and unpopular.
February 8, 2016
Great Book
This book reads like a work of fiction. The writer is very gifted. I learned a great deal about the lives of church planters, but I also learned a lot about how God speaks and works through people. Having been part of a church plant that only lasted about three years, this book helped heal some of the hurt and confusion I was still holding on to.
This book reads like a work of fiction. The writer is very gifted. I learned a great deal about the lives of church planters, but I also learned a lot about how God speaks and works through people. Having been part of a church plant that only lasted about three years, this book helped heal some of the hurt and confusion I was still holding on to.
May 25, 2013
A must read! Randy is a gifted writer so reading his ministry-biography was spell bounding. He shares joys and sorrows, up and downs. Anyone in ministry or considering ministry should read this book! He really has passion for Jesus! And it sounds like... A great wife!
February 9, 2014
This was an interesting book about the author's journey from traditional ministry to a more non-traditional one. His ability to describe what he was feeling and how he was processing his experiences was very good. I liked reading the book.
September 13, 2012
A great book with some great one-liners in there.
August 3, 2016
This book fascinated me. It made me think, and re-evaluate how I manage my life, and my realtionship with God. I keep recommending it to my friends.
May 30, 2016
Great Book
I would recommend this book to anyone who has tried and failed in ministry! The author has a neat way of relating some incredible advice by sharing his own story
I would recommend this book to anyone who has tried and failed in ministry! The author has a neat way of relating some incredible advice by sharing his own story
February 14, 2016
Makes you want to stretch and trust God more.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews