Life After Church: God's Call to Disillusioned Christians

by Brian Sanders

Life without church. It's getting easier to imagine. And maybe you already left. A leaver, then. Committed to Jesus, not an institution. Perhaps you've left your church in spirit, remaining in the pew. Outwardly silent. Secretly bored. In either case, Brian Sanders has a word for you. Out of his own experience as a leaver, Brian distills the complex problem into two viable Whether Sunday mornings find you alone in a one-bedroom apartment or isolated in a church of thousands, Brian reminds you to keep listening for God's call. Reform the church that is Christ's. Be it from the inside out, or the outside in.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity

191 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2007

Reviews

[Byron Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for those struggling with the established church. Do you leave? Stay? The author contends that what passes for "Church" often does not meet the biblical criteria for "Church" and so when we leave, we are not really leaving the true Church. He asserts that the following three components must be present for church to be a biblical expression of the Body of Christ: Worship, community and mission. The author, however, is not simply telling people to feel free to leave the local church. He gives good guidelines that we need to follow to help us see if God is calling us to leave or to stay. And he asserts that we really only have two choices. We leave or we stay. If we stay, we support the church and leaders. If we leave, we leave well, not in bitterness and complaining. And if we believe we are called to leave, we are not leaving the upper case "C" Church. If we leave and want to survive, we still need all three components of Church in our lives, worship, community and mission. To leave church and stay home and not participate in corporate worship of some kind, in community and with the purpose of mission to expand the kingdom of God is not the answer. Both leaving and staying are hard choices to make and each has its own challenges. And finally, for those who do decide to leave, the author emphases the need for personal spiritual disciplines to get us through the period between our current church experience and the church experience we will need to find in order to keep growing in Christ.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very glad I read this book. I could relate on many levels, was challenged and convicted. I felt encouraged to continue pursuing Christ and what He is leading us to do as a family. It was a relief to know that I am not alone.

[Jeri P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, I wished I had read this years ago when I needed understanding stepping away from church.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful and encouraging. This book examines the many reasons why so many believing Christians are leaving church congregations, and gives helpful advice and suggestions. He outlines what he believes a church should be, and contends that many buildings or meetings referring to themselves as churches are not fulfilling these broad criteria.

I was particularly interested in the chapter summing up five basic reasons why people may legitimately decide that their current congregation is not the right place to be. He doesn't condemn, and encourages people to consider seriously what God is asking them to do, then to do that whole-heartedly, not indulging in criticism or gossip.

Well-written with much to think about, and some positive ideas for moving forwards.

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, albeit sometimes meandering read. A lot of views and questions are posed, mainly for those considering leaving their church, but not exclusively. I would recommend this to anyone in a church leadership position.

[Pathway Midland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the main title seems to suggest an end to Church, or going to church, this book actually explores the possibilities for people who no longer seem to fit in their church.
Some people just don't feel like a certain church is best for them, but should they leave it and search for another? Should they consider starting their own community? What are some of the reasons that many face such a difficult decision? For those who are in such a situation, how does one decide to stay or go? These are some of the questions that are addressed in this book. The book calls the Christian to stay strongly committed to the Church/Kingdom while exploring the best way to do so. Sometimes leaving an individual church might be what is best for the Kingdom and sometimes it is to stay put. Sanders was a "leaver" himself and can relate to those who are experiencing uneasiness with church. He encourages his readers to practice biblical principles of honoring their spiritual leaders, being active in their congregation and giving themselves to the body. I did not see this book as a call to leave church, but rather as a way to explore the options of those who feel out of place in their church.

- Curtis

[Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the main title seems to suggest an end to Church, or going to church, this book actually explores the possibilities for people who no longer seem to fit in their church.
Some people just don't feel like a certain church is best for them, but should they leave it and search for another? Should they consider starting their own community? What are some of the reasons that many face such a difficult decision? For those who are in such a situation, how does one decide to stay or go? These are some of the questions that are addressed in this book. The book calls the Christian to stay strongly committed to the Church/Kingdom while exploring the best way to do so. Sometimes leaving an individual church might be what is best for the Kingdom and sometimes it is to stay put. Sanders was a "leaver" himself and can relate to those who are experiencing uneasiness with church. He encourages his readers to practice biblical principles of honoring their spiritual leaders, being active in their congregation and giving themselves to the body. I did not see this book as a call to leave church, but rather as a way to explore the options of those who feel out of place in their church.

[Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A came across this book a couple of years after having left the traditional-institutional church. I wasn't particularly searching for any answers or in need of affirmation, but out of curiosity, I wanted to examine the writers viewpoints and hear his heartbeat on the subject.

Surprisingly I found it affirming in meant respects and paused at others. My heart is ever-evolving in regards to the subject of "leaving church". I think he provides readers with some insightful thoughts of consideration and I was encouraged to see that he didn't belittle institutional religion, nor those would've decided to leave.

What I took away from the book was his desire to assert that one must know why he/she is living; I don't particularly hold that position. Because that position seems to weigh heavily within the book to me, I did not give it a full 5-stars.

I think for one deciding whether to leave, that this book is one to consider. Read with an open-mind and not to be swayed. I truly believe that if one is reading to be swayed, then can one truly say that their decision was an authentic choice? I dare think not.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...If people are engaged together in meaningful, fruitful mission, they can and will overlook small things. If, however, there is no meaningful mission that a church or its people are engaged in together, the results can be disastrous...When we aren't engaged in mission as a community, we tend toward scrutiny, because we have nothing better to do."

There you have it, in a nutshell. Strive to overlook the minor issues in others. Work together. Have a purpose.

This book was a tough, but necessary read. I highly recommend that everyone read this book. You may disagree with pretty much everything Sanders says about church (or leaving one), but you can't deny that his insight that what can KILL a church (and the spirit of its parishioners) is spot on.

I finished this book with an entirely different perspective than when I began. Is life perfect? No. Do I have all of the answers? Nope. And you know what? I'm actually kind of okay with that.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Sanders has synthesized the ambiguous thoughts and abstract ideas into a cohesive whole. Not only are his words illuminating and affirmingbut they are also difficult and necessary to this generation. Brilliant a writer as Brian is, however, I must always admire him with caution as it is these larger truths that are presenting themselves through the vessel of the author not a man creating absolutes and perfect truths. The world needs more voices and less talking mouths. I believe Sanders is an enlightened messenger of the Lord, but he is not the only one. It is easy to forget that fact because it is so tempting to admire man for his great work, rather than be struck with awe for the Father

[4fabfelines Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a good book so don't get me wrong it just lacked some.. The author gives a clear outline of what Church is supposed to be, but then encourages people to stay in the system that lacks.
So i do not give this any more than 3 stars. He makes some very good points and thoughts so this book is not thrown out with the bathwater either...
read it, but have your own opinion..

[Anne Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is all very worthy, but only really speaks to evangelical or charismatic Christians. For those of us who are neither of these, this book is unhelpful at best and damaging at worst. Sanders has a rather judgemental attitude that I definitely didn't warm to, and I suspect his vision of God might be far too narrow. Read it if you must, but take any advice it offers with a large pinch of salt!

[Brook Maturo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated Brian's way of sorting out thoughts, opinions and feelings to arrive at some clear conclusions and calls to action - whether in the staying or going. It helped me articulate some of my own thoughts and take corresponding steps of faith.