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Finding Church: What If There Really Is Something More?
If, like many other people, you have questioned whether there is something more to Jesus church than the religious institutions we ve inherited after two thousand years, you ll want to read Finding Church. Here is straight talk from a man who has sought authentic New Testament community for more than fifty years and who has discovered it in the most unlikely places. Now Wayne wants to help you find this incredible bride Jesus is shaping by looking at the church as God sees her and by recognizing her as she takes shape around you. His church is a living temple, springing up in the individual heart and then knit into a worldwide community of people whose very relationships put God s glory on display. There s no way human effort can build it or sustain it, which is why our attempts fall so woefully short. She is the fruit of a new creation of men and women who live beyond the human conventions of society and share a life in Jesus that satisfies their most ardent hunger.
208 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2014
58 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Wayne Jacobsen
30 books103 followersWayne Jacobsen was a pastor for 20 years and a Contributing Editor to Leadership Journal and has authored numerous books and articles on spiritual formation, relational community and engagement of culture. Wayne also cohosts a weekly podcast at TheGodJourney.com, out of which came his collaboration on the writing of The Shack and helped create Windblown Media, the publishing company behind the phenomenon.
As the director of Lifestream Ministries, Jacobsen travels globally teaching on themes of intimacy with God, the Love of God, and relational church life.
As President of BridgeBuilders, he is also a nationally-recognized specialist and mediator in resolving cultural and religious conflicts. Jacobsen has become known for his expertise in the pros and cons of organized religion.
As the director of Lifestream Ministries, Jacobsen travels globally teaching on themes of intimacy with God, the Love of God, and relational church life.
As President of BridgeBuilders, he is also a nationally-recognized specialist and mediator in resolving cultural and religious conflicts. Jacobsen has become known for his expertise in the pros and cons of organized religion.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 3, 2015
This is the best book I have read this year. I really needed to hear this message. Read it at your own peril, Jacobsen will rock your world!
"Christianity has spawned an entire industry of congregations, seminaries, publications, and denominations, all of which have turf to protect to guarantee their survival. They want people to stay dependent on them and thus promote a fear-based Christianity that considers belonging to the wrong “church” or believing the wrong doctrine as a cause for divine rejection."
(Kindle Locations 2922-2925)
"On the darker side are those congregations that are simply fiefdoms for bullies or insecure leaders that take people captive to their will by manipulating them with fear and guilt. I’ve been in the wake of such groups to help deeply scarred souls find healing. These groups often use the language of radical Christianity and attract passionate people, but that passion is soon twisted into legalism as everyone is told to follow the leader’s vision exclusively, to view other groups with disdain, and to abuse others by overtly or covertly marking and shaming people who do not conform. Sadly, some people enjoy abusive congregations, either because it makes them feel superior to “less-committed” believers or because they think their personal spiritual failures merit a weekly berating from the pulpit." (Kindle Locations 2509-2515)
"What about church discipline? I’m certain that the discipline process of Matthew 18 was never to be applied in an institutional setting. I’ve never seen it done that didn’t result in abusive treatment, designed to manipulate people’s responses out of fear instead of inviting them into transformation and freedom. The things I had to do as a pastor to protect the environment now make me cringe with regret. The language of Matthew 18 and I Corinthians 5 are far more powerful inside a community of friends."
(Kindle Locations 2835-2838)
"How do we know who is a Christian if they don’t belong to a recognized group? My question now is how do we know if they do? Many people are part of congregations for social, religious, or cultural reasons, but have no desire to follow Jesus. We know someone belongs to him not by the group they identify with, but by the love and life of Jesus that emanates from them. It is not so hard to tell in most cases."
Kindle Locations 2844-2847)
"The questions themselves show how dependent we’ve become on those institutions for our spiritual survival. We cannot imagine that Jesus is able to move beyond them in touching our lives, our children, or the world. Losing our dependency on human systems is scary at the start because we’ve been taught to trust them. I even worried that I might be wrong and by sharing my journey I might lead others astray. I know there are many who wish I’d heeded that last impulse and not stirred up such a hornet’s nest. But honestly, you have no idea what you will come to discover about Jesus and his church after being out of a conformity-based system for a few years. Having learned to live more relationally for nearly two decades, my perspective has completely shifted. Now it is harder for me to see how our institutions can give rise to the relational realities in which his church thrives. Now I wonder how weekly Bible lectures alone can possibly help people engage God. How are children ever going to learn about him in a Sunday school curriculum that turns every Bible story into a morality play that indoctrinates them into believing their behavior is more important to God than they are? And I don’t know how people can possibly enjoy the gift of an elder coming alongside them when they are so busy managing an institution."
(Kindle Locations 2769-2779)
"Realize that the hope of reformation often falls on deaf ears. People like it that way or they wouldn’t be there. If you find you no longer fit in, feel free to move on. A commitment to a congregation is not a life sentence. When it ceases to inspire your life in Jesus, it is time to move on and see what else God has for you. That may come in seasons of great pain, as you come to realize what God is stirring in you no longer fits the group you’ve been in; it may come with great joy, as God draws you into other opportunities more consistent with his work in you. It would be best not to leave with a volley of condemnation, nor to try to drag others with you. Just follow him as he leads you. Those who are worried only about the success of their group rather than building up the whole body of Christ will find this discussion threatening. They have even coined the accusation “church hopping” to discourage people from considering leaving their group." (Kindle Locations 2586-2593)
"Third, who genuinely cares about others and who is not living by obligation, commitment, or covenants? Accountability attempts to change people from the outside and if you are pressured with guilt and fear, you won’t grow to know him. Genuine compassion for others spawned by grace working in us will invite us into the most productive relationships." (Kindle Locations 2535-2538)
"Fifth, in whatever group you find, is everyone respected or is there a hierarchy of spirituality that elevates some over others? Do people talk down to you as experts or laterally with you as fellow travelers on a journey of faith? Sixth, does it find freedom and order in mutual respect and love or by the demands of leadership? How are you treated if you see things differently than others? One of the earmarks of broken leadership is their demand for conformity and their appeals to personal loyalty if you express concerns or ask questions. If they get angry, belittle you (“ If that were true don’t you think God would tell me first?”), gossip about you, or marginalize you unless you silently submit, you’re in a dangerous environment. Run! To grow you need to question what you need to question and struggle where you need to struggle in an environment of love." (Kindle Locations 2542-2548)
"Eighth, are people being equipped to have their own spiritual journey, or are they encouraged to be dependent on the leaders? If they forbid you to read books that make them uncomfortable or if you are told you will wither spiritually if you don’t regularly fill your tank at the meetings, you’re already being taught to be more secure under human leadership than from following Jesus. Perhaps the best way to tell if you’re in a healthy environment is to take your internal temperature every few months. Is your heart growing increasingly full and is God becoming clearer to you, or are you finding yourself exhausted and no closer to God than you were months before? As best you can, ignore the institutional chatter especially if it is laden with guilt and commitment. I find the most fulfilling relationships in a congregation tend to avoid the politics of leadership teams and planning groups because that’s where manipulation and obligation first assert themselves to keep control of the group. In the end each of us has to decide at what point the institutional side of congregational life overruns the relational side. When it gets to the point that you spend more time recovering from a service than it took to get ready for it, maybe it’s time to disengage from that system."
(Kindle Locations 2554-2562)
"His church is coming together in ways that transcend our capabilities. It won’t be at a specific location, under any particular organization, or behind some charismatic leader. It will be in him. As you learn to live there, you will find yourself in proximity to others on a similar journey. Cooperate with his working by engaging the relationships he invites you into and watch what he can do. Wherever you find an act of self-sacrificing love, a group of people who care for one another with generosity and compassion, you’ll find his church. Whenever you engage a conversation that illuminates the work of Jesus in your life, you’ll find his church. However you can relax into the reality of his working, rather than trying to accomplish his work on your own, you’ll find his church. How do you find his church? By drawing to him and seeing where love leads you. Every morning I ask him, “Who are you asking me to love today?” Then I live with heart and eyes wide open to the people I cross paths with and those he places on my heart to contact. Follow him there and in the end you won’t have to find the church. He’ll make sure she finds you."
(Kindle Locations 2977-2986)
"Christianity has spawned an entire industry of congregations, seminaries, publications, and denominations, all of which have turf to protect to guarantee their survival. They want people to stay dependent on them and thus promote a fear-based Christianity that considers belonging to the wrong “church” or believing the wrong doctrine as a cause for divine rejection."
(Kindle Locations 2922-2925)
"On the darker side are those congregations that are simply fiefdoms for bullies or insecure leaders that take people captive to their will by manipulating them with fear and guilt. I’ve been in the wake of such groups to help deeply scarred souls find healing. These groups often use the language of radical Christianity and attract passionate people, but that passion is soon twisted into legalism as everyone is told to follow the leader’s vision exclusively, to view other groups with disdain, and to abuse others by overtly or covertly marking and shaming people who do not conform. Sadly, some people enjoy abusive congregations, either because it makes them feel superior to “less-committed” believers or because they think their personal spiritual failures merit a weekly berating from the pulpit." (Kindle Locations 2509-2515)
"What about church discipline? I’m certain that the discipline process of Matthew 18 was never to be applied in an institutional setting. I’ve never seen it done that didn’t result in abusive treatment, designed to manipulate people’s responses out of fear instead of inviting them into transformation and freedom. The things I had to do as a pastor to protect the environment now make me cringe with regret. The language of Matthew 18 and I Corinthians 5 are far more powerful inside a community of friends."
(Kindle Locations 2835-2838)
"How do we know who is a Christian if they don’t belong to a recognized group? My question now is how do we know if they do? Many people are part of congregations for social, religious, or cultural reasons, but have no desire to follow Jesus. We know someone belongs to him not by the group they identify with, but by the love and life of Jesus that emanates from them. It is not so hard to tell in most cases."
Kindle Locations 2844-2847)
"The questions themselves show how dependent we’ve become on those institutions for our spiritual survival. We cannot imagine that Jesus is able to move beyond them in touching our lives, our children, or the world. Losing our dependency on human systems is scary at the start because we’ve been taught to trust them. I even worried that I might be wrong and by sharing my journey I might lead others astray. I know there are many who wish I’d heeded that last impulse and not stirred up such a hornet’s nest. But honestly, you have no idea what you will come to discover about Jesus and his church after being out of a conformity-based system for a few years. Having learned to live more relationally for nearly two decades, my perspective has completely shifted. Now it is harder for me to see how our institutions can give rise to the relational realities in which his church thrives. Now I wonder how weekly Bible lectures alone can possibly help people engage God. How are children ever going to learn about him in a Sunday school curriculum that turns every Bible story into a morality play that indoctrinates them into believing their behavior is more important to God than they are? And I don’t know how people can possibly enjoy the gift of an elder coming alongside them when they are so busy managing an institution."
(Kindle Locations 2769-2779)
"Realize that the hope of reformation often falls on deaf ears. People like it that way or they wouldn’t be there. If you find you no longer fit in, feel free to move on. A commitment to a congregation is not a life sentence. When it ceases to inspire your life in Jesus, it is time to move on and see what else God has for you. That may come in seasons of great pain, as you come to realize what God is stirring in you no longer fits the group you’ve been in; it may come with great joy, as God draws you into other opportunities more consistent with his work in you. It would be best not to leave with a volley of condemnation, nor to try to drag others with you. Just follow him as he leads you. Those who are worried only about the success of their group rather than building up the whole body of Christ will find this discussion threatening. They have even coined the accusation “church hopping” to discourage people from considering leaving their group." (Kindle Locations 2586-2593)
"Third, who genuinely cares about others and who is not living by obligation, commitment, or covenants? Accountability attempts to change people from the outside and if you are pressured with guilt and fear, you won’t grow to know him. Genuine compassion for others spawned by grace working in us will invite us into the most productive relationships." (Kindle Locations 2535-2538)
"Fifth, in whatever group you find, is everyone respected or is there a hierarchy of spirituality that elevates some over others? Do people talk down to you as experts or laterally with you as fellow travelers on a journey of faith? Sixth, does it find freedom and order in mutual respect and love or by the demands of leadership? How are you treated if you see things differently than others? One of the earmarks of broken leadership is their demand for conformity and their appeals to personal loyalty if you express concerns or ask questions. If they get angry, belittle you (“ If that were true don’t you think God would tell me first?”), gossip about you, or marginalize you unless you silently submit, you’re in a dangerous environment. Run! To grow you need to question what you need to question and struggle where you need to struggle in an environment of love." (Kindle Locations 2542-2548)
"Eighth, are people being equipped to have their own spiritual journey, or are they encouraged to be dependent on the leaders? If they forbid you to read books that make them uncomfortable or if you are told you will wither spiritually if you don’t regularly fill your tank at the meetings, you’re already being taught to be more secure under human leadership than from following Jesus. Perhaps the best way to tell if you’re in a healthy environment is to take your internal temperature every few months. Is your heart growing increasingly full and is God becoming clearer to you, or are you finding yourself exhausted and no closer to God than you were months before? As best you can, ignore the institutional chatter especially if it is laden with guilt and commitment. I find the most fulfilling relationships in a congregation tend to avoid the politics of leadership teams and planning groups because that’s where manipulation and obligation first assert themselves to keep control of the group. In the end each of us has to decide at what point the institutional side of congregational life overruns the relational side. When it gets to the point that you spend more time recovering from a service than it took to get ready for it, maybe it’s time to disengage from that system."
(Kindle Locations 2554-2562)
"His church is coming together in ways that transcend our capabilities. It won’t be at a specific location, under any particular organization, or behind some charismatic leader. It will be in him. As you learn to live there, you will find yourself in proximity to others on a similar journey. Cooperate with his working by engaging the relationships he invites you into and watch what he can do. Wherever you find an act of self-sacrificing love, a group of people who care for one another with generosity and compassion, you’ll find his church. Whenever you engage a conversation that illuminates the work of Jesus in your life, you’ll find his church. However you can relax into the reality of his working, rather than trying to accomplish his work on your own, you’ll find his church. How do you find his church? By drawing to him and seeing where love leads you. Every morning I ask him, “Who are you asking me to love today?” Then I live with heart and eyes wide open to the people I cross paths with and those he places on my heart to contact. Follow him there and in the end you won’t have to find the church. He’ll make sure she finds you."
(Kindle Locations 2977-2986)
July 17, 2015
Yes! There really IS something more!
I read a lot of books on Christian spirituality and spiritual formation (discipleship or apprenticeship to Jesus). This offering by Wayne Jacobsen is in a category by itself in my estimation? It touches on many aspects and current trends in Christianity and "church". For my wife and I it affirms, confirms and informs the season of life in Christ that we find ourselves in currently, (I'm 65, she is 57, kids raised and gifting us with grandchildren). This book will be a tough read for dedicated and committed traditional institutional church folk (we once were). But it will be a great blessing for those seeking the "more" that Christ promised and continues to offer.
I read a lot of books on Christian spirituality and spiritual formation (discipleship or apprenticeship to Jesus). This offering by Wayne Jacobsen is in a category by itself in my estimation? It touches on many aspects and current trends in Christianity and "church". For my wife and I it affirms, confirms and informs the season of life in Christ that we find ourselves in currently, (I'm 65, she is 57, kids raised and gifting us with grandchildren). This book will be a tough read for dedicated and committed traditional institutional church folk (we once were). But it will be a great blessing for those seeking the "more" that Christ promised and continues to offer.
November 2, 2014
I really enjoyed the stories and insight about the Church Jesus is building. It is not a building or denomination, but a group of people who love God and are focused on Christ. Formal meetings at set times and in set places do not constitute the Church. When we keep our eyes on Jesus and allow his love to flow through us to those God brings into our lives, we are being the church. It is not sitting in meetings, letting a select few participate in an organized service. The author makes this book interesting and informative, and does not show any condemnation to those who may see things differently.
July 11, 2018
This book is for those who have left - or thought about leaving - their church congregations, but who are followers of Jesus who keep hoping for something more. It's also for those who don't understand the growing exodus from church congregations that has been happening, at least in the West, in recent years.
The author looks at some of the problems that can arise in both traditional and modern churches, and reasons why most organisations veer towards hierarchies, control, and large numbers of meetings. He acknowledges the importance of structure in short-term projects, and the value of church congregations for many people. This book is not an attempt to persuade anyone to leave their local church groups, but to encourage those who have already done so.
There are many Scriptural references, some anecdotes in the author's own life and journey, and a few answers to possible objections. There are also some helpful principles (NOT prescriptive in any way!) for moving forward, extending the Church (the Body of Christ worldwide and locally) and growing in love for God and other people without, necessarily, being tied to a Sunday morning gathering.
Possibly a tad dry in places, and sometimes a bit obvious - but overall I would recommend this very highly.
The author looks at some of the problems that can arise in both traditional and modern churches, and reasons why most organisations veer towards hierarchies, control, and large numbers of meetings. He acknowledges the importance of structure in short-term projects, and the value of church congregations for many people. This book is not an attempt to persuade anyone to leave their local church groups, but to encourage those who have already done so.
There are many Scriptural references, some anecdotes in the author's own life and journey, and a few answers to possible objections. There are also some helpful principles (NOT prescriptive in any way!) for moving forward, extending the Church (the Body of Christ worldwide and locally) and growing in love for God and other people without, necessarily, being tied to a Sunday morning gathering.
Possibly a tad dry in places, and sometimes a bit obvious - but overall I would recommend this very highly.
February 29, 2020
A book that can spawn great discussion. Wayne has found himself outside the traditional understanding of 'church'. He emphasizes that church is found where people love jesus and love one another, growing together in christ, but not bound to structures, meetings or institutions. He believes that it is hard to find 'church' in those places because they default to man trying to do what only God can do, and they play to our weaknesses as humans ooooof status, control, and money. I agree with most of this book, but feel that some things ste overstated. My husband and I are blessed that we have found church inside and outside structures, meetings and institutions. You can never go wrong loving God, finding ourselves in His love, and loving others.
March 31, 2020
My first Wayne Jacobsen read, and I was not dissapointed! Mr. Jacobsen has a great ability to communicate things that we think we understand in ways that show you the deeper meaning. I came across this book still relatively early in my walk with Christ, and came away with a much healthier relationship with my church and my Christian community.
September 11, 2020
I got a lot of of this book. Things that I had been struggling with for years are now more at ease with me. I have found more freedom and peace. I perhaps didn't find concrete answers but for now, that is enough.
I found this book well balanced and fair, with a slight bias away from the traditional church model. It was just what I needed at the time.
I found this book well balanced and fair, with a slight bias away from the traditional church model. It was just what I needed at the time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2020
Settles the heart...
Wayne addresses so well, that emptyness, the sense of falling short, feeling "less than" other Christians. I realize now it is the seeking within me that couldn't be filled by going through the motions and rituals created by others as a substitute for relationships, either with others but most especially, with the Father and my Savior.
Wayne addresses so well, that emptyness, the sense of falling short, feeling "less than" other Christians. I realize now it is the seeking within me that couldn't be filled by going through the motions and rituals created by others as a substitute for relationships, either with others but most especially, with the Father and my Savior.
October 13, 2018
Uplifting
I was very impressed with this book. I does a great job of giving the heart behind why we are followers of Jesus. So many books point only at problems in the institutional church without fully directing people to live in Christ’s life. This book does both.
I was very impressed with this book. I does a great job of giving the heart behind why we are followers of Jesus. So many books point only at problems in the institutional church without fully directing people to live in Christ’s life. This book does both.
July 3, 2017
A real world explanation of "Church is not in a building".
March 30, 2019
Masterful storytelling full of Truth and intrigue that will challenge your preconceptions.
Read
January 3, 2020an excellent book about what we do, why and how we connect to each other and to God in worship
January 6, 2022
The beginning of my path to "something more". Next is Beyond Sundays.
January 11, 2023
Water to my churched out soul. Have cried several times in this one, and even got to have a conversation about this book in a friend's living room. Highly recommend.
October 11, 2019
I really enjoyed the stories and insight about the Church Jesus is building. It is not a building or denomination, but a group of people who love God and are focused on Christ. Formal meetings at set times and in set places do not constitute the Church. When we keep our eyes on Jesus and allow his love to flow through us to those God brings into our lives, we are being the church. It is not sitting in meetings, letting a select few participate in an organized service. The author makes this book interesting and informative, and does not show any condemnation to those who may see things differently.
December 9, 2014
This book does a great job describing the who, what, where, when, why and how of the church that Jesus said He would build.
While what is currently called the church (institutions that meet on certain days in certain spots to hear certain members deliver sermons) often falls short of, or even gets in the way of, all that Jesus intended, the author does a wonderful job of not bad mouthing it.
If you have a hunger for something deeper than your current church experience this book my be for you.
While what is currently called the church (institutions that meet on certain days in certain spots to hear certain members deliver sermons) often falls short of, or even gets in the way of, all that Jesus intended, the author does a wonderful job of not bad mouthing it.
If you have a hunger for something deeper than your current church experience this book my be for you.
October 27, 2014
A powerful message -- not sure I 100% agree with everything, but it certainly brings to light what many people are searching for = Jesus in the real world!
Fav quote: "The church of the new creation is more like wildflowers strewn across a meadow than a walled garden with manicured hedges." (pg 29)
Fav quote: "The church of the new creation is more like wildflowers strewn across a meadow than a walled garden with manicured hedges." (pg 29)
September 23, 2015
I came upon this book at a pivotal point in my spiritual journey, and it has given me such clear confirmation and assurance that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. I highly recommend to anyone who is at a place of feeling that "something is wrong...there's got to be something greater and deeper than this."
October 29, 2015
THE best description and clarification of "church" out there! Excellent read! If you're a follower of Jesus, you must get your hands on this book and plan to be challenged and forever changed! Church is not and was never intended to be a religious organization, but a family whose sole purpose is to glorify Papa and spur each other on in love!
January 14, 2016
Really cool views on the future of the church! Definitely a thinker. I read the first half with a highlighter in hand and marked it up significantly. The second half I ended up skimming and skipping though. Worth picking up if you're trying to take a different look at church.
August 6, 2016
The best book on Church I've read by far.
I was told if I found the perfect church not to join it because I'd spoil it.
After many disappointments with "church" I now believe it is possible to participate in Christ's living breathing Bride; knowing Him more and making Him known here on earth.
I was told if I found the perfect church not to join it because I'd spoil it.
After many disappointments with "church" I now believe it is possible to participate in Christ's living breathing Bride; knowing Him more and making Him known here on earth.
January 8, 2015
I was both inspired and moved to tears more than once while reading Wayne's latest book, Finding Church. I found myself re-reading favourite quotes for months afterward. A truly rewarding read.
May 29, 2015
Live life loved; in, for and with Him! So Be It!!!
November 21, 2015
This book made me think a lot about the state of the church, what it means to be the church and options for that.
April 18, 2017
If you are like me and you know there is something beyond the institutional church, please read this book! This isn't a "let's put down the church as we know it" book as much as it is a booster shot to maybe get the church that you belong to to get back on track to what the church should look like. Close relationships, sharing, caring and praying for one another. Spiritual intimacy. If you have grown weary from the same old thing Sunday after Sunday, you will want to read this book!
April 21, 2017
Freaking yes, and amen. I have no additional words.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews