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Lessons from the East: Finding the Future of Western Christianity in the Global Church by Bob Roberts Jr.
Through tales of passionate faith and courage, "Lessons from the East" reveals the global nature of God and His church ... and invites us to join those worldwide in this larger story.
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First published April 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 24, 2022
If you find yourself wondering if there is a better way to "do church" you should at least consider Bob's vision as he shares it in his book.
August 6, 2017
A different perspective is always important, and Bob Roberts Jr. gave us one. I have worked through this book. We in the American church we try to cram everything into Sunday morning service. We say church and think building and service and an hour on Sunday. We try to do everything in our American way thinking in the best way and the only way. Maybe we should look outside our western context of the church, after all we aren't really making that big of an impact. We are losing ground, while in the East, people are coming to Christ in the face of persecution and violence.
Lots of this book resonated with me. I really connected with what Roberts said in the first part of the book. The second part deals a lot with how Roberts is reaching out to Muslims. I really recommend reading part 1 you can take or leave part 2. Part one will make you think about what and why of the local church practices. Much of what we do needs to be examined. Check out Lessons From the East and give it a read. If you are on church staff, read it with your staff. Give it a look.
Lots of this book resonated with me. I really connected with what Roberts said in the first part of the book. The second part deals a lot with how Roberts is reaching out to Muslims. I really recommend reading part 1 you can take or leave part 2. Part one will make you think about what and why of the local church practices. Much of what we do needs to be examined. Check out Lessons From the East and give it a read. If you are on church staff, read it with your staff. Give it a look.
June 12, 2017
Bob's Best Book Yet
Bob Roberts is one of the finest leaders in the Christian community. His particular genius comes from bringing out the best in others. This book teaches leaders how to live and serve by demonstrating how other leaders around the world take God seriously and follow his leadership often at great cost. Lessons from the East should be required reading for every Christian leader.
Bob Roberts is one of the finest leaders in the Christian community. His particular genius comes from bringing out the best in others. This book teaches leaders how to live and serve by demonstrating how other leaders around the world take God seriously and follow his leadership often at great cost. Lessons from the East should be required reading for every Christian leader.
October 31, 2017
A needed read for every Christian thinks there is more
A great read that presents a global and biblical view the of the church. The western church often doesn't fit that model, but the author speaks from experience about transitioning an existing church to model a global and biblical model that reaches across the street, the ocean, political lines, races, cultures, and religions. I greatly benefited from the book and was challenged deeply more times than I like.
A great read that presents a global and biblical view the of the church. The western church often doesn't fit that model, but the author speaks from experience about transitioning an existing church to model a global and biblical model that reaches across the street, the ocean, political lines, races, cultures, and religions. I greatly benefited from the book and was challenged deeply more times than I like.
August 6, 2018
Stretched My Theology
This book challenged me so much. There were parts that left me scratching my head, and saying, "Is that right?!" I love that! It stretches me and challenges me to get out of my comfortable bubble of understanding. I'm inspired moreso than ever to focus on His Kingdom
This book challenged me so much. There were parts that left me scratching my head, and saying, "Is that right?!" I love that! It stretches me and challenges me to get out of my comfortable bubble of understanding. I'm inspired moreso than ever to focus on His Kingdom
June 9, 2020
A book for American church leaders, specifally white males. Some chapters are fantastic, others are a bit weak.
March 23, 2021
An excellent examination of the things the western church could learn from the eastern church. The author is clear but does not accuse. Well worth the read.
June 20, 2016
The statistics for U.S. church growth is depressing. Outside of the U.S, it's a different story. For a long time U.S. church leaders thought they were experts in doing church. Is there something they need to learn from the global church?
Roberts is convinced he has identified a major flaw in the way American pastors think. An attractive worship experience is not how to reach the community. “The primary benefit we offer our communities...,” he writes, “is creative, selfless, tenacious service.” (14) Service will have a much greater impact than self-promotion.
Roberts tells stories from his oversees journeys of people making huge impacts in their communities, in every domain. Who they are and how they are serving is making a difference. They are actually living the gospel. Roberts writes about cell churches, discipleship, people who model the kingdom, the four shifts required, and much more. He suggests the global church can be our tutor to wake us up and show us what can happen when we are kingdom focused.
The lessons the global church has for us may be uncomfortable. In the West, we preach a balanced Christian life. In the East, they preach full abandonment to Jesus Christ. Here we preach wealth and a comfortable life. There they preach sharing in the sufferings of Christ. “We have a lot to learn from our friends in the East.” (175)
Some will no doubt find fault with Roberts because he has befriended Imams. He also recognizes the valuable ministry of women pastors. If God has called a woman to minister, he is all for letting it happen. He has seen the fruit of their labors. He's not afraid of the Holy Spirit either.
I recommend this book to pastors. You don't have to be a megachurch pastor. Pastors of small churches can make a huge difference by equipping people to serve in their domains of society, where they live and work. This book will help you go from being church focused pastor to being a kingdom focused pastor. There are “Consider This” questions at the end of each chapter so this book could be used for a study involving church ministry leaders or a city pastor association.
If, as a pastor, what you are doing in your church is not working to influence your community and further the kingdom of God, you need to read this book.
Food for thought: “The task of the church is to make disciples who engage the broad context of society for the kingdom of God to be increasingly realized on earth.” (35)
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Handlebar Marketing for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
Roberts is convinced he has identified a major flaw in the way American pastors think. An attractive worship experience is not how to reach the community. “The primary benefit we offer our communities...,” he writes, “is creative, selfless, tenacious service.” (14) Service will have a much greater impact than self-promotion.
Roberts tells stories from his oversees journeys of people making huge impacts in their communities, in every domain. Who they are and how they are serving is making a difference. They are actually living the gospel. Roberts writes about cell churches, discipleship, people who model the kingdom, the four shifts required, and much more. He suggests the global church can be our tutor to wake us up and show us what can happen when we are kingdom focused.
The lessons the global church has for us may be uncomfortable. In the West, we preach a balanced Christian life. In the East, they preach full abandonment to Jesus Christ. Here we preach wealth and a comfortable life. There they preach sharing in the sufferings of Christ. “We have a lot to learn from our friends in the East.” (175)
Some will no doubt find fault with Roberts because he has befriended Imams. He also recognizes the valuable ministry of women pastors. If God has called a woman to minister, he is all for letting it happen. He has seen the fruit of their labors. He's not afraid of the Holy Spirit either.
I recommend this book to pastors. You don't have to be a megachurch pastor. Pastors of small churches can make a huge difference by equipping people to serve in their domains of society, where they live and work. This book will help you go from being church focused pastor to being a kingdom focused pastor. There are “Consider This” questions at the end of each chapter so this book could be used for a study involving church ministry leaders or a city pastor association.
If, as a pastor, what you are doing in your church is not working to influence your community and further the kingdom of God, you need to read this book.
Food for thought: “The task of the church is to make disciples who engage the broad context of society for the kingdom of God to be increasingly realized on earth.” (35)
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Handlebar Marketing for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
June 29, 2016
I thought I would never get through this book. But it's not why you think. It's because I kept stopping to tweet the wisdom I found in it. And if the quote was too long for a tweet, then I posted it to my professional Facebook page.
When I received the offer for Lessons from the East: Finding the Future of Western Christianity in the Global Church, I hesitated. I'm not a pastor or denominational leader. To be honest, I only accepted it because my husband is both. I figured he might find it helpful. Now, I really don't want to let it go. He may have to buy his own copy.
Are you someone who wants to make a difference for the kingdom of God? Do you want to see your church impact the world around you? Are you curious about what God is doing in the world outside of North America? Then grab Bob Roberts' book. He offers challenges on living as disciples of Christ in our occupations and neighborhoods, not just our churches.
Roberts is part of the Global Collaborative Community made up of two dozen church leaders, most from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He shares the lessons he has learned from listening to those ministering in areas where Christianity is a minority religion at best, persecuted more often. He's put the strategies to work in his church, NorthWood in Dallas. Not all his congregants appreciated the changes; some left. But his church is seeing God do amazing things because they were willing to change.
Roberts talks of domains of society, like government, education, and economics, where we live our lives. The church, he says, is not a domain; it is present in every domain through its people or it is irrelevant. He recommends that churches stop focusing on worship services and begin to equip individuals to "minister where they live and work instead of primarily on [their] church campus."
Another suggestion is to engage with leaders in your community both in government and from other religions. Learn to work together where you can, to promote the common good. Build relationships; get to know people. Respect them and never speak evil of them.
If you want your prayer life to become more vibrant and learn to rely more on the power of the Holy Spirit, read Lessons from the East: Finding the Future of Western Christianity in the Global Church. Maybe you'll be able to get through it faster than I did, but I wouldn't count on it!
When I received the offer for Lessons from the East: Finding the Future of Western Christianity in the Global Church, I hesitated. I'm not a pastor or denominational leader. To be honest, I only accepted it because my husband is both. I figured he might find it helpful. Now, I really don't want to let it go. He may have to buy his own copy.
Are you someone who wants to make a difference for the kingdom of God? Do you want to see your church impact the world around you? Are you curious about what God is doing in the world outside of North America? Then grab Bob Roberts' book. He offers challenges on living as disciples of Christ in our occupations and neighborhoods, not just our churches.
Roberts is part of the Global Collaborative Community made up of two dozen church leaders, most from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He shares the lessons he has learned from listening to those ministering in areas where Christianity is a minority religion at best, persecuted more often. He's put the strategies to work in his church, NorthWood in Dallas. Not all his congregants appreciated the changes; some left. But his church is seeing God do amazing things because they were willing to change.
Roberts talks of domains of society, like government, education, and economics, where we live our lives. The church, he says, is not a domain; it is present in every domain through its people or it is irrelevant. He recommends that churches stop focusing on worship services and begin to equip individuals to "minister where they live and work instead of primarily on [their] church campus."
Another suggestion is to engage with leaders in your community both in government and from other religions. Learn to work together where you can, to promote the common good. Build relationships; get to know people. Respect them and never speak evil of them.
If you want your prayer life to become more vibrant and learn to rely more on the power of the Holy Spirit, read Lessons from the East: Finding the Future of Western Christianity in the Global Church. Maybe you'll be able to get through it faster than I did, but I wouldn't count on it!
June 14, 2016
A Way to Make American Churches More Reachable by Everyone
Many Americans, particularly some pastors, think bigger is better. Roberts sees many pastors who believe their role should be to grow a mega-church. Many of these pastors seem to desire the adulation that comes from having a large congregation and being perceived as a leader who can give excellent lessons. But, is that what God wants from his church? I think Roberts' answer is 'No.'
Roberts leads a small church in a Texas town but he has connections with a number of leaders in other countries, particularly the East. He believes that much of what these churches are doing is more in line with God's work than the mega-churches that fill with worshipers on Sunday, but have little carry over into these worshipers daily lives. He believes that pastors should be more interested in making disciples than in self-aggrandizement.
Roberts believes churches should emphasize growing the church through loving relationships that emphasize Jesus. Inspiring others to take up the call to build new churches and supporting this endeavor is more important than building a mega-church. Give other people a chance to be involved in the ministry.
This is a valuable book for anyone looking at churches in America today. I enjoyed the book and think that if more pastors took Roberts ideas to heart and practiced them we would have a more vibrant Christian life today.
I received this book from Handlebar for this review.
Many Americans, particularly some pastors, think bigger is better. Roberts sees many pastors who believe their role should be to grow a mega-church. Many of these pastors seem to desire the adulation that comes from having a large congregation and being perceived as a leader who can give excellent lessons. But, is that what God wants from his church? I think Roberts' answer is 'No.'
Roberts leads a small church in a Texas town but he has connections with a number of leaders in other countries, particularly the East. He believes that much of what these churches are doing is more in line with God's work than the mega-churches that fill with worshipers on Sunday, but have little carry over into these worshipers daily lives. He believes that pastors should be more interested in making disciples than in self-aggrandizement.
Roberts believes churches should emphasize growing the church through loving relationships that emphasize Jesus. Inspiring others to take up the call to build new churches and supporting this endeavor is more important than building a mega-church. Give other people a chance to be involved in the ministry.
This is a valuable book for anyone looking at churches in America today. I enjoyed the book and think that if more pastors took Roberts ideas to heart and practiced them we would have a more vibrant Christian life today.
I received this book from Handlebar for this review.
June 29, 2016
Have you ever wondered why the Christian faith is growing at explosive rates around the world – particularly in areas where believers are being persecuted – yet growth has stagnated in the United States?
If so, you’ll find Lessons From The East – Finding The Future Of Western Christianity In The Global Church by Bob Roberts Jr. a particularly enlightening book!
In Lessons From The East, Bob – a self-described “country boy from East Texas” – shares his transformation from a typical Southern Baptist pastor to a cross-cultural church planter and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
The book is engaging, easy to read and follow, and fascinating – full of great insights and stories for anyone involved in ministry, particularly pastors, church planters and ministry leaders.
There are questions for engagement at the end of each chapter, which makes Lessons From The East a great book for small groups to share and study as well!
I highly recommend this book to you.
This review is an excerpt from the original review that is published on my blog. To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
If so, you’ll find Lessons From The East – Finding The Future Of Western Christianity In The Global Church by Bob Roberts Jr. a particularly enlightening book!
In Lessons From The East, Bob – a self-described “country boy from East Texas” – shares his transformation from a typical Southern Baptist pastor to a cross-cultural church planter and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
The book is engaging, easy to read and follow, and fascinating – full of great insights and stories for anyone involved in ministry, particularly pastors, church planters and ministry leaders.
There are questions for engagement at the end of each chapter, which makes Lessons From The East a great book for small groups to share and study as well!
I highly recommend this book to you.
This review is an excerpt from the original review that is published on my blog. To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews