Spent Matches: Igniting the Signal Fire for the Spiritually Dissatisfied

by Roy Moran, Refraction

Spent Matches explores the possibility that a few small paradigm shifts within the church might make the difference between extinction and effectiveness. In fact, taking a clue from the automobile industry, the church might be able to not only halt the rapid decay in attendance but also become an effective tool in achieving Jesus' final command. For instance, the Hybrid car has become the answer to Detroit's environmental and oil crisis issues. Finding the synergy between two technologies, gas and electric has created a new day for the auto industry. Likewise, Spent Matches explores how the church can find synergy between two seemingly competing an invitation to come and a command to go. The Hybrid metaphor brings energy to the church's mission and an explanation to the age-old argument of Missional versus Attractional methods. Features

Genres: Christian Living, Church, Christianity

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2015

Reviews

[Ernest · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this for work at the request of my Lead Pastor, coming from a Youth Pastor.

I appreciated some of Moran’s insights. He’s frustrated that so much of what he sees in “the church” in the west. Some examples are:
- the lack of conversion growth (p.15-16)
- “Our strategies are too expensive and too bureaucratic to move at the speed of the population growth around the world.” (p.18)
- we are in a predicament because of “our ever-increasing desire to add complexity to the simplicity that Jesus left us with.” (p.21)
- throughout the book he has a major issue with the focus being teaching & knowledge in churches, arguing that this lacks an emphasis on obedience and limits people from taking the gospel forward because they are left feeling ill-equipped or not educated enough.

I think we can all resonate with some of these frustrations. Too many people are consumers in the church, much of what is being done is hardly effective, and most church attendees cannot disciple another person.

Why I gave this a 2 out of 5 though is because 3 reasons.

1. Bad theology & hermeneutics throughout the book that are the foundation of his methodology.

2. The methodology put forward is one that would be foreign to the Apostles, church leaders, and early believers and is not THE method of the NT.

3. The Journey Group/Discovery Group (JG/DG) diminish preaching/teaching and misuse Scripture to justify it.

Here goes my understanding & explanation.

1. Moran argues that Jesus “was comfortable commissioning people who not only lacked complete faith but were confirmed doubters. We need to feel this scene: Jesus is about to entrust His mission to people who are not yet believers.” (p.27) to make disciples based off of Mt 28: 17-20. Spending even a few minutes working through the Greek & commentaries, you’ll see that this isn’t even likely. It is a reach to say this means they doubted in the sense that they do not believe. I’m surprised at Moran here as shortly after he explains rightly (and clearly) that the “go” in the GC is not an imperative in the Greek but often in English is misunderstood. This leads him to say “Whether they doubted or worshiped, they were treated as equals by Jesus. He was banking on both groups being able to carry out his mission.” (p.28) I can’t get on board with this due to Jesus’ clear teaching of what an actual disciple is (Mt 16:24-26; not simply one in title who literally followed after Jesus in earth), Rom 6-8, especially 8:6-9, and more. On p.34 this type of thinking causes him to argue that when Jesus commissions the followers it would not make “one iota of difference in the passage.” if Jesus were to swap obedience to precede making disciples and baptising them, referring to conversion. To me this is an inversion of law & gospel...”As people read and respond in obedience to the wisdom of God in small, understandable, and livable sections, small steps of obedience walk them right into the family of God.” p.135 This is confusing as he clearly affirms the need for repentance and faith in different portions of the book.

Some other theological concerns I have with what Moran argues:
- p. 38 evangelism is not commanded in Scripture, & in the same vein “At Shoal Creek, we no longer teach people to share their faith.” (p.122)
- p. 64 he argues that the establishment of pastors, elders, & deacons as offices in the church “violates Jesus’ leadership teaching” in Mt 23 & compares it to the “caste system in India”
- p.164-165 Moran rightly elevates the humility of Jesus but then in regards to Philippians 2 and kenosis says of Jesus, “willing to put aside even His claim to be God in an effort to serve.” Jesus did not lay aside his claim to be divine: Mk16:61-62, Jn 8:56-58.

2. The apostles & followers of The Way did not organize DG/JG and facilitate conversations. In Acts the model is clearly that the gospel is preached and then people devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings. When persecution breaks out in Acts 8:4 it says “those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.” Paul’s mission trips are focused on preaching and teaching. In 1 & 2 Timothy Paul repeatedly stresses preaching the gospel. Elders are always established, the Scriptures are read and explained, preaching and instruction is primary. The idea that we need to find “persons of peace”, facilitate groups that have multiplication as their primary goal, and resist teaching does not mirror the NT methodology of the truth going forward.


3. Moran diminishes teaching repeatedly and puts forward a model of facilitating discussions based on the Bible. The Journeys are biblically saturated and I don’t doubt would be edifying to many who study them, especially those who are new to the faith. Moran really values discovery and thinks people will learn better if they discover the truth themselves; “The group is designed for people to hear from God themselves, so the idea of teaching or telling people what to believe about the passage doesn’t belong in a Journey (or Discovery) Group.” p.126 Passages that stress or command teaching/preaching are not engaged with & it’s as if people who want to teach are elevating themselves above the Holy Spirit because they don’t trust that He is the best teacher. Teachers are a gift, not a hindrance to the church or a blocker of people getting saved. Moran uses John 6:44-46 to reinforce his point that “God’s Word is not being taught, but read and obeyed. God is the teacher leading people to Jesus.” p.139 Look up Jn 6:41-51, this is not a proof text to argue that if you read the Bible you don’t need teachers because God is the best teacher.

I am not arguing that God is not the best teacher. Apart from His grace and help none of us will understand Scripture rightly. The issue is proof texting this passage to argue for a methodology that is not in line with what we see implemented in the early church.

In conclusion Moran says on p.117-118, “Too often methodologies are closely attached to theologies. The average Christian views theology as fixed. If methodologies and theologies are connected then threatening one threatens the other. A change in methodology becomes a fight for orthodoxy.” He’s partially right, methodologies are often attached to theologies and I think his methods are faulty because of the theology he has built it on.

If you read this, thank you. This was more for me as I have to work through this later with my pastor and I’m working through my struggles with the book. If you disagree, feel free to correct me where I’m off or lacking understanding.

If Roy Moran ever reads this: I share your frustrations with people praying a prayer and not understanding the good news p.201-202. I love your passion to see all followers of Jesus obedient to what they read in Scripture and partaking in Mt 28:19-20. I think your frustrations and the ineffectiveness you’ve seen in churches has led you to try something different but some of your biblical interpretations and focus on being an attractional church p.101-102 have caused you to miss the mark.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can get past the first chapter (it’s a bit of a grind), this book presents an insightful argument against modern evangelism and a compelling picture of what church is meant to be about. Moran isn’t trying to sell a step-by-step program to be followed out of the box, but a fresh application of the Great Commission. I was surprised (and a little uncomfortable) with how much this book challenged me. It is intended to shift paradigms, so if you’re uncomfortable after reading this cool, then it’s working!

[Tim Genry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book in the discussion of disciple making movements! Where the church is multiplying, disciples of Jesus are multiplying. How do i make disciples that make disciples? This book helps answer that question. As a church planter, this book is in my toolbox. During this pandemic, our church began practicing the strategies of disciple making movements and God is blessing us with prayer, community engagement and making disciples! Thanks Roy Moran for writing this book and entering into the discussion!

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you ever want to introduce people to Christ but hate the sales pitch? Did you ever want to move past the mental belief to true obedience to Christ? Either way this might be the book for you. Through asking the right questions and offering friends and relatives a new way to do Bible Study as put forward in this book you can accomplish what is called making disciples who make disciples. I recommend this book.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "Church" has changed throughout the years both for the good and the bad. Through these years the changes may have taken us away from the model/way that it was intended to be...more focused on immediate/instant conversion as well as a "one size" fits all brand of discipleship. In Spent Matches, Roy Moran shares ideas, strategies, as well as his personal convictions as a way to help believers to think about what church & discipleship ought to be.

[Cassidy Purdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It is clear throughout history that you don’t always get disciples when you plant churches; but if you make disciple-making disciples, you always get the church as Jesus intended it.”

“Adults have a high degree of commitment to their own conclusions and a low degree of commitment to conclusions given to them by others.”

[Micheal Maynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Moran challenges accepted methodologies for current church practices. He advances his path forward for their church and gives the reader a great deal to consider. I didn't really read it as a how-to manual but as a "think for yourself" strategy regarding discipleship and ministry.

[Lane Corley · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you turn a programmatic church into a multiplication movement? Roy Moran answers this question with his experience of leading Shoal Creek Community Church. Very practical and actionable for a church of any size, or for a church planter who wants to start a movement.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Learning to use discovery process to take spiritually interested people to a relationship with God allows us to put away our energy into connecting people with God rather than ourselves. Their first dependency in their spiritual lives is on God and not us."

Summary:
Ray Moran writes this book to challenge churches today. He has noticed either churches are declining or plateauing. He created this disciple making movement with the idea that disciples create more disciples. Moran talks about his experiences and how it might be a good idea to implement it in churches today.

Evaluation:
This book is very practical. Moran gives you a step by step guide on how to do a discovery group. This is one of the reasons why I really liked this book because I think it is something easy to add to ministry.

He gave me new insight into the great commission. The biggest thing that Moran addresses is this idea in how we get caught up in teaching people and not teaching them to obey. If we teach people how to obey God then they put their dependance on Him and not other people.

The only thing I didn't like about the book was that I felt like he repeated himself. I know his main point was about the great commission. It's okay to repeat your point once or twice, when I am reading it like three to five times it's too much.

Would I recommend this book?
Yes, I would. If you are a pastor and wanting to do something different in your ministry. This book is very insightful and if we want to see an increase in numbers of people attending church, I think we have to do something different

4/5 stars

[Thomas Christianson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The early overuse of broad generalities gives way to useful practical ideas.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just ok. There were some good insights about doing discipleship differently, but it was a bit too radical for my taste.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would read again. Helpful in that it talked about movements from the American context rather than village context.

[Gregory Keven Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing work

I loved the focus on Christ’s agenda. We’re called to follow Him and make followers. Thank God for this book!

[Rebecca Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, I wonder if Christians will ever penetrate the culture that I’m a part of. Meanwhile, my friends all around lament the loss of our Christian culture as materialism and decadence run rampant throughout American society. Then, I read a book like Spent Matches: Igniting the Signal Fire for the Spiritually Dissatisfied (Refraction) and realize that Christianity has never done as good a job of touching the lives of people around me the way that I had always believed.

Roy Moran begins the book with some frightening statistics about how many people are not attached to Jesus or the gospel throughout history. Then, he ponders if what we’re doing is working. Just as important, is what we’re doing the Biblical command that Jesus gives as the great commission?

Upon examination, Moran finds that the way the modern church is attempting to complete the great commission is neither biblical nor successful, and he proposes some ideas about how the church should adapt going further and about how we can begin sharing lives and sharing journeys through the Bible, allowing God’s word to speak directly to people rather than setting up intermediaries in discipleship.

I found Moran’s book intriguing, and I found so many of the concepts to be valuable.and informative. I especially took much time to ponder how often I’ve been encouraged to share my faith with people and not my life. In the evangelism class that I’ve taken at my church, I was taught my ninety second testimony and how to strike up conversations with strangers and give that testimony. While that might serve me well in some situations, I have found that, in others, just knowing I’m a Christian and that I’m trying to “sell” them Jesus puts me on negative footing with someone I could have developed a relationship with. I’m just a girl who wants to share with others how much joy that Jesus has brought into my life without having to worry about all the baggage attached to the word “Christian.”

I’ll be keeping this book on my permanent bookshelf because in this book, Moran also shares some guidelines for his facilitator groups and seven journeys through different (and important) themes in the Christian faith he has found are great for discussion groups and house “churches” as they attempt to facilitate the experience of seeing God work in their lives and speak to them. I think it would be a great way to eventually facilitate Bible study with interested neighbors or friends that I make through our interactions with the community.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.

[Ken Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have some thinking to do. And some praying. Roy Moran wants to provoke some paradigm shifts in his readers, and given the fact that true paradigm shifts should inevitably make people uncomfortable, I think Roy Moran has done a good job with this book. Because after finishing this book, I felt very uncomfortable — but in a way that wants to continue the conversation, and go back over what I underlined, and talk with God and others about what I read. I feel provoked in an area in which I need to be provoked because I haven’t been as fruitful as I want to be. Roy Moran presents in this book an understanding of the Great Commission that challenges our knowledge-based approach to discipleship. Jesus called us to teach people to obey his commands, not to simply know them, and so if we’re not making disciples who also obediently make disciples, then we’re not achieving what Jesus called us to achieve. So Roy Moran offers a paradigm-rattling obedience-based discipleship model that is highly repeatable in its simplicity, allowing any disciple of Jesus to make disciple-making disciples, but that doesn’t check all my boxes for what I think “church” is meant to look like! This book is both persuasive and compelling enough to make it difficult for me to ignore its premise amidst my difficulties with some of its implications. I have some thinking to do.

[Jim Pool · Rating 3 out of 5]

spent matches

I found this book thought-provoking. Several helpful chapters. Some helpful insights and calls to action. I intend on putting some of what I've read here into practice.