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Last Call: From Serving Drinks to Serving Jesus
“I had a vision of a faith community where people could have a wider understanding of God and our relationship to him/her. I wanted to create a place where people could state what they believe and what they struggle withâ€"freely. I wanted a community of people who know we don't all have to agree on everything.â€�
Jerry Herships, former altar boy who had dreamed of making it big in show biz, tended bar to make ends meet as he worked gigs in comedy and game shows, looking for his big break. After giving up the dream and leaving Los Angeles, he found his way back to the church and discovered God calling him to ministryâ€"but not just any ministry. Now he leads AfterHours Denver, a bar church where people worship with a whiskey in their hand and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to serve Denver's homeless. Last Call is a story of having and giving up on dreams, finding yourself, and finding how God can use you in unexpected ways.
Jerry Herships, former altar boy who had dreamed of making it big in show biz, tended bar to make ends meet as he worked gigs in comedy and game shows, looking for his big break. After giving up the dream and leaving Los Angeles, he found his way back to the church and discovered God calling him to ministryâ€"but not just any ministry. Now he leads AfterHours Denver, a bar church where people worship with a whiskey in their hand and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to serve Denver's homeless. Last Call is a story of having and giving up on dreams, finding yourself, and finding how God can use you in unexpected ways.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2015
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November 2, 2015
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It's like church without the parts that suck.
Many people would read an ad for a church in a bar with that tag line and cringe. And just as Jerry Herships says in his memoir, Last Call: From Serving Drinks to Serving Jesus, the ad, and AfterHours Denver, isn't for them anyway.
Because for 200 million Americans, the traditional church doesn't just work for us. We are tired of sitting in pews in stuffy churches, looking out of stained-glass windows and half-heartedly listening to a boring minister talk about Jesus. Some of us would rather be outside the church, and outside of our comfort zones, DOING the work Jesus told us to do.
You know feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and caring for the sick. We are tired of giving offerings for bigger, better buildings and projects that don't really apply to us. We want to do more than hear The Message; we want to live it.
My review might be a bit biased, as I am one of AfterHours' rogue disciples. But if I didn't believe in our ministry and our purpose, I would have spent my $12 buying four shots of Jamo during our next Monday gathering at the Irish Rover instead of this book. And if I didn't love this book so much, I would be on Yelp writing a review on how cool it is that I can get four shots of Jamo for $12 on Monday nights at the Irish Rover.
It only took me a couple of days to finish this memoir, and each time I sat down to read, I felt like I was getting a chance to sit and have a drink with Jerry. (We call our pastor by his first name. I think he might faint if any of us referred to him as Rev. Herships. That might be a fun trick to try on Monday night.) And, usually, when I sit and have a drink with him, I cry. That's exactly what I did throughout this entire book.
Life has a way of taking everything you know to be true and good and right and flipping it all around until you begin to lose all faith in yourself (and sometimes, even your God). This happened to Jerry several times before he found his calling - starting a church that meets in bars, makes sack lunches and then serves them to our city's homeless.
The ultimate takeaway from this memoir is one that has resonated with me deeply over the last few months as I have tried to make sense of a life that has been turned upside down far too many times: that the only way out of brokenness is to help the broken. Because even as Christ hung from the cross in His time of deepest need, He offered mercy to one who did not deserve it.
AfterHours has been the balm in Gillead for this sin-sick soul. With every sip of bourbon swallowed and every peanut butter and jelly sandwich made, AfterHours has done what all the king's horses and all the king's men could never do; they put me back together again.
Last Call isn't a book for those looking for all the answers to life's toughest questions. Jerry doesn't pretend to know why our friends in the park have no homes, and he can't tell you why there is so much suffering in our lives, but he most certainly will challenge the way you look at church and how you do service. And maybe, for you, just as it did for me, you'll find that sometimes answers aren't important when there are people to feed.
It's like church without the parts that suck.
Many people would read an ad for a church in a bar with that tag line and cringe. And just as Jerry Herships says in his memoir, Last Call: From Serving Drinks to Serving Jesus, the ad, and AfterHours Denver, isn't for them anyway.
Because for 200 million Americans, the traditional church doesn't just work for us. We are tired of sitting in pews in stuffy churches, looking out of stained-glass windows and half-heartedly listening to a boring minister talk about Jesus. Some of us would rather be outside the church, and outside of our comfort zones, DOING the work Jesus told us to do.
You know feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and caring for the sick. We are tired of giving offerings for bigger, better buildings and projects that don't really apply to us. We want to do more than hear The Message; we want to live it.
My review might be a bit biased, as I am one of AfterHours' rogue disciples. But if I didn't believe in our ministry and our purpose, I would have spent my $12 buying four shots of Jamo during our next Monday gathering at the Irish Rover instead of this book. And if I didn't love this book so much, I would be on Yelp writing a review on how cool it is that I can get four shots of Jamo for $12 on Monday nights at the Irish Rover.
It only took me a couple of days to finish this memoir, and each time I sat down to read, I felt like I was getting a chance to sit and have a drink with Jerry. (We call our pastor by his first name. I think he might faint if any of us referred to him as Rev. Herships. That might be a fun trick to try on Monday night.) And, usually, when I sit and have a drink with him, I cry. That's exactly what I did throughout this entire book.
Life has a way of taking everything you know to be true and good and right and flipping it all around until you begin to lose all faith in yourself (and sometimes, even your God). This happened to Jerry several times before he found his calling - starting a church that meets in bars, makes sack lunches and then serves them to our city's homeless.
The ultimate takeaway from this memoir is one that has resonated with me deeply over the last few months as I have tried to make sense of a life that has been turned upside down far too many times: that the only way out of brokenness is to help the broken. Because even as Christ hung from the cross in His time of deepest need, He offered mercy to one who did not deserve it.
AfterHours has been the balm in Gillead for this sin-sick soul. With every sip of bourbon swallowed and every peanut butter and jelly sandwich made, AfterHours has done what all the king's horses and all the king's men could never do; they put me back together again.
Last Call isn't a book for those looking for all the answers to life's toughest questions. Jerry doesn't pretend to know why our friends in the park have no homes, and he can't tell you why there is so much suffering in our lives, but he most certainly will challenge the way you look at church and how you do service. And maybe, for you, just as it did for me, you'll find that sometimes answers aren't important when there are people to feed.
November 12, 2015
I haven't met Jerry in person (yet), but after reading this I feel I know him. He's "that guy". Let me explain:
Growing up in Southern California, I was surrounded by the entertainment industry. I always wondered who the people were in the jobs where you knew faces, but not names. You just always say, "Oh, it's 'that guy'."
Well, Jerry went from "that guy" to "THAT GUY" - not in entertainment circles,but in religious circles. I mean - who has church in a bar? Jerry does. THIS is what I want church to be everywhere...not pretentiousness, but realness.
Often times I ask authors why they write the books they do. I don't need to ask the question this time. Jerry has a story to tell and it's one we need to hear.
Growing up in Southern California, I was surrounded by the entertainment industry. I always wondered who the people were in the jobs where you knew faces, but not names. You just always say, "Oh, it's 'that guy'."
Well, Jerry went from "that guy" to "THAT GUY" - not in entertainment circles,but in religious circles. I mean - who has church in a bar? Jerry does. THIS is what I want church to be everywhere...not pretentiousness, but realness.
Often times I ask authors why they write the books they do. I don't need to ask the question this time. Jerry has a story to tell and it's one we need to hear.
December 8, 2015
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley.
There need to be more Christians like Jerry Herships in the world. Not just Christians, I guess, but people. In the beginning of the book, he says that nowhere in the bible does it say to go to church once a week, sing, pray, and tell Jesus how awesome he is. But the bible does say (a ridiculous amount of times) to help those in need. That is what AfterHours is about. It's too bad I don't live in Denver. Don't get me wrong, I love going to traditional church. I'm Byzantine Catholic, and our liturgy is beautiful. But I'm a "Christmas/Easter-Christian," as he puts it. I don't feel motivated to go on Sundays. This doesn't mean I'm not a follower of Christ or not religious. As the author feels, it seems Jesus cared most about helping those in need, and many churches don't seem to put as much of an emphasis on this as the bible would suggest we do. I think the 200 million odd people (like me) who don't go to church every Sunday are looking for a church very much like this, that does what Jesus did, and preaches love and tolerance. I am so glad I read this book, and I would highly recommend it.
There need to be more Christians like Jerry Herships in the world. Not just Christians, I guess, but people. In the beginning of the book, he says that nowhere in the bible does it say to go to church once a week, sing, pray, and tell Jesus how awesome he is. But the bible does say (a ridiculous amount of times) to help those in need. That is what AfterHours is about. It's too bad I don't live in Denver. Don't get me wrong, I love going to traditional church. I'm Byzantine Catholic, and our liturgy is beautiful. But I'm a "Christmas/Easter-Christian," as he puts it. I don't feel motivated to go on Sundays. This doesn't mean I'm not a follower of Christ or not religious. As the author feels, it seems Jesus cared most about helping those in need, and many churches don't seem to put as much of an emphasis on this as the bible would suggest we do. I think the 200 million odd people (like me) who don't go to church every Sunday are looking for a church very much like this, that does what Jesus did, and preaches love and tolerance. I am so glad I read this book, and I would highly recommend it.
October 4, 2015
This was a somewhat interesting read about a comic who ended up going into ministry. He shares his story of giving up on dreams, finding his way into seminary, and eventually starting a progressive church-in-a-bar that ministers to the homeless of Denver. He had some interesting points but I felt like there was a lot of rambling that could have been edited out. I highlighted a few tidbits but felt like I did not connect with his story or view of Christianity very well. Oh, and there's a lot of cursing. He does warn the reader that he has a foul mouth and, as you read, you realize that he is telling the truth. I appreciated his honesty throughout the book and loved the stories of how they have made a difference in the homeless community of Denver. It is obvious that he has a heart for reaching those who often are overlooked or forgotten.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press. Thank you!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press. Thank you!
February 6, 2016
Excellent book! There was so much about this author's story I could completely grasp it's hard to know where to begin. From seeing his life as following a specific plan that doesn't seem to be working out to finding out that God had a different plan for your gifts. As a bonus his church is one I could really appreciate (Non traditional, meets in local bars, prepares PB&J sandwiches to serve to the homeless in a local Denver park).
"We become so consumed with what people think that we stand paralyzed on the sidelines, never getting into the game of life. Sadly, I think this kind of fear affects most of us. It isn't easy to let people see the crappy stuff in your life, the demons you've been fighting for years and just can't beat, or just the quirks you'd rather hide."
I have a feeling this is a new book I will be quoting a lot.
"We become so consumed with what people think that we stand paralyzed on the sidelines, never getting into the game of life. Sadly, I think this kind of fear affects most of us. It isn't easy to let people see the crappy stuff in your life, the demons you've been fighting for years and just can't beat, or just the quirks you'd rather hide."
I have a feeling this is a new book I will be quoting a lot.
April 16, 2016
In this book Jerry Herships tells how he came from being an Altar boy in a Catholic Church to being a pastor to an unusual church that meets in various bars. He uses the skills that he had refined as a comedian to his preaching. The unusual location of the church which is different locations throughout the city means that he reaches out to those who otherwise would not attend church. This book tells how he goes out to the unchurched of the city to reach them instead of expecting them to come to church. I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review from Netgalley.
January 16, 2016
It took a long time to get to the Jesus part of this book, but it was a very entertaining ride! A story of how life wanders and helps us end up right where ministry would have us. Herships' gospel conviction of what it means to follow Jesus reminded me of how I got into this thing in the first place.
January 5, 2016
Awesome! A must read.
October 11, 2017
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last Call is Jerry Herships’ autobiography of his life thus far. He had a dream of being in show business and Last Call is his journey that led to him founding AfterHours, which is ‘church in a bar’. He seems to know what people need in church and created an environment that reaches those that might not ever set foot in a church and also helping the homeless.
We go on this journey as he tells us about trying to ‘make it’ in the entertainment industry to becoming a UMC pastor (United Methodist Church). It is definitely a unique journey. He does eventually end up on late night television, just not in the way he intended!
Herships tells it like it is and Last Call is a short and easy to read memoir. It makes you think about church and what you want from it. And are you getting what you need? What could you do to help with church? What is your mission? Besides having church in a bar he also feeds PB&J to the homeless and has communion in a park in Denver. He reaches the people that may never feel like they can go to church, and these people all become family. He says some people say his is a ministry and not a church, but it is a church! Church is wherever two or more come together to worship Jesus and our Father, no matter the location! Some locations are more ‘open’ to others than other locations.
This is a memoir that those who work in a church should read, they may learn something. The only thing that could interfere with his message is that he does use some foul language, which he does mention beforehand as a disclaimer, but that could deter some from reading Last Call. It is not ‘heavy use’ language, but something for readers to look out for.
Last Call is recommended.
I received a copy from NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last Call is Jerry Herships’ autobiography of his life thus far. He had a dream of being in show business and Last Call is his journey that led to him founding AfterHours, which is ‘church in a bar’. He seems to know what people need in church and created an environment that reaches those that might not ever set foot in a church and also helping the homeless.
We go on this journey as he tells us about trying to ‘make it’ in the entertainment industry to becoming a UMC pastor (United Methodist Church). It is definitely a unique journey. He does eventually end up on late night television, just not in the way he intended!
Herships tells it like it is and Last Call is a short and easy to read memoir. It makes you think about church and what you want from it. And are you getting what you need? What could you do to help with church? What is your mission? Besides having church in a bar he also feeds PB&J to the homeless and has communion in a park in Denver. He reaches the people that may never feel like they can go to church, and these people all become family. He says some people say his is a ministry and not a church, but it is a church! Church is wherever two or more come together to worship Jesus and our Father, no matter the location! Some locations are more ‘open’ to others than other locations.
This is a memoir that those who work in a church should read, they may learn something. The only thing that could interfere with his message is that he does use some foul language, which he does mention beforehand as a disclaimer, but that could deter some from reading Last Call. It is not ‘heavy use’ language, but something for readers to look out for.
Last Call is recommended.
I received a copy from NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review it!
January 2, 2016
God gives differing gifts to us all, and empowers us accordingly by the Spirit. That's the message that Paul gives to the Corinthians. Jerry Herships is a gifted emcee for Jesus. That's the story he tells in "Last Call."
This is the story of a man from Detroit moving from being an entertainer to becoming a United Methodist pastor of a unique community set in bars. The skill set that enabled him to be successful in the entertainment world have been put to use in a new venue -- ministry. Much of the book is autobiographical. We learn the ins and outs of his entrance into the entertainment world, with all of its rises and falls, a move from Detroit (and a job as an emcee at Cedar Point) to LA to Orlando and finally to Denver and seminary. The final chapters explore the ministry that Herships set up in Denver that combined holding services at a bar with serving communion and lunches to the homeless in a park.
Herships raises important questions about the mission of the church. Like others, including those who endorse the book (Doug Pagitt and Nadia Bolz-Weber), he challenges what he perceives to be the inwardly focused nature of much mainstream Christian life. He has had experience in big suburban churches, which helped support and encourage his ministry, but he's not exactly excited about such ministries. He's not excited about church as we know it. He seems to like good preaching, but isn't so sure about the rest of traditional worship. It would appear that worship in the bar is more emcee-led with secular music rather than church music.
The book is easy to read. You move quickly from one story to another. Herships life in the entertainment world holds your attention. He may never have been the main event, but he rubbed shoulders with Leno and Seinfeld, and that's good enough for most of us. Now his focus is on feeding the homeless. He understands that he's not changing homelessness, but as efforts are underway in the community to address some of these problems, he gathers people to offer PBJ sandwiches and communion to the homeless in the park.
There's a critique of traditional church. It doesn't meet his needs. He prefers a different venue. Obviously there are others who feel the same, and he is attracting them. Many are under 35 and are more attracted to service than bible study and worship. That's understandable. There is a place for such kinds of churches (he's bemused at the fact that many colleagues won't acknowledge his community as church, but only as a ministry). At the same time, as he hints, much of the support financially for the ministry comes from the churches he critiques as being irrelevant. He talks a lot about authenticity and transparency. These are buzz words today. Yes, young people want authenticity, but I think we all do.
Here's my critique, and it probably says more about me than him. I'm not prudish and I'm not holier than thou, but I was raised to refrain from using certain kinds of language. He admits regularly that his "potty mouth" might not be his best quality, but its there throughout. And, well, I guess old fashioned, and not sure that this is true authenticity. At least it wouldn't be for me. That said, I think the book offers us insight into ways in which the church can be in mission.
As the book ends, in the last full chapter, Herships talks about the power of communion. I think this was the most compelling part of the book for me. Jesus was known for his Table Fellowship. Communion can be a powerful witness of the presence of God in our midst. His discussion of how people's lives were touched as the received the elements of communion in the park was powerful. Most of those who received the elements wouldn't enter a church, but found grace in these elements shared in the park. I'd like to know more, for I too believe that communion has a missional component.
So, read and listen for God's voice. That is the word I heard from the book.
This is the story of a man from Detroit moving from being an entertainer to becoming a United Methodist pastor of a unique community set in bars. The skill set that enabled him to be successful in the entertainment world have been put to use in a new venue -- ministry. Much of the book is autobiographical. We learn the ins and outs of his entrance into the entertainment world, with all of its rises and falls, a move from Detroit (and a job as an emcee at Cedar Point) to LA to Orlando and finally to Denver and seminary. The final chapters explore the ministry that Herships set up in Denver that combined holding services at a bar with serving communion and lunches to the homeless in a park.
Herships raises important questions about the mission of the church. Like others, including those who endorse the book (Doug Pagitt and Nadia Bolz-Weber), he challenges what he perceives to be the inwardly focused nature of much mainstream Christian life. He has had experience in big suburban churches, which helped support and encourage his ministry, but he's not exactly excited about such ministries. He's not excited about church as we know it. He seems to like good preaching, but isn't so sure about the rest of traditional worship. It would appear that worship in the bar is more emcee-led with secular music rather than church music.
The book is easy to read. You move quickly from one story to another. Herships life in the entertainment world holds your attention. He may never have been the main event, but he rubbed shoulders with Leno and Seinfeld, and that's good enough for most of us. Now his focus is on feeding the homeless. He understands that he's not changing homelessness, but as efforts are underway in the community to address some of these problems, he gathers people to offer PBJ sandwiches and communion to the homeless in the park.
There's a critique of traditional church. It doesn't meet his needs. He prefers a different venue. Obviously there are others who feel the same, and he is attracting them. Many are under 35 and are more attracted to service than bible study and worship. That's understandable. There is a place for such kinds of churches (he's bemused at the fact that many colleagues won't acknowledge his community as church, but only as a ministry). At the same time, as he hints, much of the support financially for the ministry comes from the churches he critiques as being irrelevant. He talks a lot about authenticity and transparency. These are buzz words today. Yes, young people want authenticity, but I think we all do.
Here's my critique, and it probably says more about me than him. I'm not prudish and I'm not holier than thou, but I was raised to refrain from using certain kinds of language. He admits regularly that his "potty mouth" might not be his best quality, but its there throughout. And, well, I guess old fashioned, and not sure that this is true authenticity. At least it wouldn't be for me. That said, I think the book offers us insight into ways in which the church can be in mission.
As the book ends, in the last full chapter, Herships talks about the power of communion. I think this was the most compelling part of the book for me. Jesus was known for his Table Fellowship. Communion can be a powerful witness of the presence of God in our midst. His discussion of how people's lives were touched as the received the elements of communion in the park was powerful. Most of those who received the elements wouldn't enter a church, but found grace in these elements shared in the park. I'd like to know more, for I too believe that communion has a missional component.
So, read and listen for God's voice. That is the word I heard from the book.
December 7, 2015
Disclaimer: I received an electronic galley copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.
This is one of those books where I needed a 2.5 star option. I'm glad I read this book, because the author made a few good points, but I never did fathom a purposeful point to the book as a whole, therefore the book itself doesn't really fall into a "like" category.
Oh well, err on the side of favor and call it three stars.
What I liked:
The clarion call to service.
The emphasis/reminder that holy days are celebrated with joy and feasting, not somberness (Nehemiah 8:10).
The clear reminder that attending church 1 hour out of each week does not make you a follower of Christ (1/168 of your week, to quote the author).
Acknowledgement that many who either do (or would) follow Christ do not/will not attend a regular service in an established physical church.
What I disliked:
The name dropping. I apparently missed the point of many of Mr. Herships's anecdotes, especially those from his days in Hollywood. I was expecting some indication the Hollywood experience, the shallowness of celebrity, etc., drove Mr. Herships into ministry. Rather it was an earthquake that drove him out of Los Angeles, not into service. Therefore, why did I need to know much if any of what came before? The name-dropping again on the final page of the book (Jerry Seinfeld, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Drew Carey, Jay Leno) felt like ego.
Mr. Herships seems to thumb his nose at seminary. I cannot recall him mentioning one thing he truly learned from his two(?) years at seminary, although there was 1.5 pages devoted to the strictures of a history class with which he seems to find fault. If he saw so little point to it, why did he attend? Presumably so he could make a career of being a pastor, whereas I know and know of plenty of lay ministers who serve the same way he does (feed the poor, minister to the sick, meet them on their own turf) while maintaining a job or business to support themselves and never attending seminary.
His viewpoint on Christ the person (radical, strong, defender of those who cannot defend themselves) and a single, albeit oft repeated, message to care for the poor seems to be a fixation to the exclusion of all other Biblical teachings. "Go and sin no more" doesn't appear to hold much merit in his world. While we should not judge others, in addition to preaching the good word, helping the poor and downtrodden, etc., we are each of us meant to strive for perfection, to raise each other up and encourage each other to grow in Christ. I don't see encouragement in that area coming through from Mr. Herships's description of his ministry. But perhaps this is such a foundation stone of his work that Mr. Hership assumes the reader knows this is part of the work and stating it could deter from his greater point. This is after all a very brief look at Mr. Herships's life and ministry, coming in at just under 170 pages.
As a related aside, the idea that some among the twelve apostles may have come to fisticuffs while serving as disciples is shocking and I'm at a loss as to the basis for this statement. While God uses the flawed to carry his message, we must not forget that redemption only came from perfection (Christ).
The author, while decrying the judgement of others and himself, still feels like a judgmental person.
Having written those four cons, especially finishing with the (strategically placed) final con, I am aware of the apparent hypocrisy in that statement, but I am judging the impression I received from the book, not Mr. Herships himself, whom I've never met. I have no doubt he is an excellent person, that we could get on famously, and that his heart is for the Lord.
But these flaws (as I perceive them) in the content of the book are the reason I cannot unreservedly recommend it to anyone.
This is one of those books where I needed a 2.5 star option. I'm glad I read this book, because the author made a few good points, but I never did fathom a purposeful point to the book as a whole, therefore the book itself doesn't really fall into a "like" category.
Oh well, err on the side of favor and call it three stars.
What I liked:
The clarion call to service.
The emphasis/reminder that holy days are celebrated with joy and feasting, not somberness (Nehemiah 8:10).
The clear reminder that attending church 1 hour out of each week does not make you a follower of Christ (1/168 of your week, to quote the author).
Acknowledgement that many who either do (or would) follow Christ do not/will not attend a regular service in an established physical church.
What I disliked:
The name dropping. I apparently missed the point of many of Mr. Herships's anecdotes, especially those from his days in Hollywood. I was expecting some indication the Hollywood experience, the shallowness of celebrity, etc., drove Mr. Herships into ministry. Rather it was an earthquake that drove him out of Los Angeles, not into service. Therefore, why did I need to know much if any of what came before? The name-dropping again on the final page of the book (Jerry Seinfeld, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Drew Carey, Jay Leno) felt like ego.
Mr. Herships seems to thumb his nose at seminary. I cannot recall him mentioning one thing he truly learned from his two(?) years at seminary, although there was 1.5 pages devoted to the strictures of a history class with which he seems to find fault. If he saw so little point to it, why did he attend? Presumably so he could make a career of being a pastor, whereas I know and know of plenty of lay ministers who serve the same way he does (feed the poor, minister to the sick, meet them on their own turf) while maintaining a job or business to support themselves and never attending seminary.
His viewpoint on Christ the person (radical, strong, defender of those who cannot defend themselves) and a single, albeit oft repeated, message to care for the poor seems to be a fixation to the exclusion of all other Biblical teachings. "Go and sin no more" doesn't appear to hold much merit in his world. While we should not judge others, in addition to preaching the good word, helping the poor and downtrodden, etc., we are each of us meant to strive for perfection, to raise each other up and encourage each other to grow in Christ. I don't see encouragement in that area coming through from Mr. Herships's description of his ministry. But perhaps this is such a foundation stone of his work that Mr. Hership assumes the reader knows this is part of the work and stating it could deter from his greater point. This is after all a very brief look at Mr. Herships's life and ministry, coming in at just under 170 pages.
As a related aside, the idea that some among the twelve apostles may have come to fisticuffs while serving as disciples is shocking and I'm at a loss as to the basis for this statement. While God uses the flawed to carry his message, we must not forget that redemption only came from perfection (Christ).
The author, while decrying the judgement of others and himself, still feels like a judgmental person.
Having written those four cons, especially finishing with the (strategically placed) final con, I am aware of the apparent hypocrisy in that statement, but I am judging the impression I received from the book, not Mr. Herships himself, whom I've never met. I have no doubt he is an excellent person, that we could get on famously, and that his heart is for the Lord.
But these flaws (as I perceive them) in the content of the book are the reason I cannot unreservedly recommend it to anyone.
October 24, 2015
Clearly written and deeply relevant, this book is an account of how an aspiring stand-up comic and entertainer whose gifts lay in hosting and headlining, "making people focus on the main attraction," became an ordained pastor, headlining for the biggest act of all. And don't worry, you won't find any metaphors in this book that are nearly as tortured as that last sentence. On the contrary, Herships's style is straightforward and clear while still being engaging and entertaining. The language avoids the empty platitudes that litter much Christian nonfiction, while also steering clear of the overstylization of the New Yorker school: if you're used to books where every chapter begins with comprehensive description of a nondescript geographic location, you may be pleasantly surprised at the directness of the writing here. The only issues are a few instances of unexplained allusions that may go over the head of a non-churchgoer (make sure you are familiar with the Lesson of the Widow's Mite before you read this).
Herships's church, After Hours, meets in bars around Denver every Monday to drink, have fellowship, and make bag lunches for those in need, who receive them in Civic Center Park the next day. Full disclosure: I have attended these meetings in the past and will do so in the future. While I suspect I'm temperamentally much closer to the regular churchgoers that Herships is not too concerned with reaching, the community and sense of purpose After Hours has continues to bring me back, and Herships evokes both of these in the pages of his book. We get the sense of searching for a purpose, and the effort of pursuing that purpose once we have found it. I hope you put down this book with a desire to undertake virtuous and true labor.
Herships's church, After Hours, meets in bars around Denver every Monday to drink, have fellowship, and make bag lunches for those in need, who receive them in Civic Center Park the next day. Full disclosure: I have attended these meetings in the past and will do so in the future. While I suspect I'm temperamentally much closer to the regular churchgoers that Herships is not too concerned with reaching, the community and sense of purpose After Hours has continues to bring me back, and Herships evokes both of these in the pages of his book. We get the sense of searching for a purpose, and the effort of pursuing that purpose once we have found it. I hope you put down this book with a desire to undertake virtuous and true labor.
October 28, 2015
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing copies of Last Call for GoodReads Giveaways.
I read this yesterday when it arrived in the mail. It is only 163 pages and a quick read. It may have been a little too long, and there were times when the author was verbose. It is a humorous story about his ministry in a bar in Denver. I can tell the author has a heart for helping the homeless, and the stories are pretty interesting. As a Christian I have to question his method of serving Jesus in a bar while cussing with the customers. Sure, we are all sinners, but an 'ordained minister' should be setting a better example. But I think 'ordained minister' is something you can get online without any formal training. Anyway, it is good there are those who are trying to help the homeless, and we could all learn from his efforts.
I read this yesterday when it arrived in the mail. It is only 163 pages and a quick read. It may have been a little too long, and there were times when the author was verbose. It is a humorous story about his ministry in a bar in Denver. I can tell the author has a heart for helping the homeless, and the stories are pretty interesting. As a Christian I have to question his method of serving Jesus in a bar while cussing with the customers. Sure, we are all sinners, but an 'ordained minister' should be setting a better example. But I think 'ordained minister' is something you can get online without any formal training. Anyway, it is good there are those who are trying to help the homeless, and we could all learn from his efforts.
December 29, 2016
Jerry Herships is unlike any minister you have met before. His experiences alone before receiving his call to ministry are enough to fill a book. But add to that what he is doing in Denver and it makes this memoir even more compelling.
A former altar boy who had vast dreams of being the next Johnny Carson, Herships tended bar as he worked to make ends meet with his various comedy and game show gigs. These aren’t the usual experiences that one who is called to ministry is expected to have. But Jerry isn’t your typical pastor. His book tells his story of moving to LA to chase his dream of becoming the Carson for a new generation to forming a new faith community – a bar church – known as AfterHours Denver.
Read more at http://jasoncstanley.com/book-review-...
A former altar boy who had vast dreams of being the next Johnny Carson, Herships tended bar as he worked to make ends meet with his various comedy and game show gigs. These aren’t the usual experiences that one who is called to ministry is expected to have. But Jerry isn’t your typical pastor. His book tells his story of moving to LA to chase his dream of becoming the Carson for a new generation to forming a new faith community – a bar church – known as AfterHours Denver.
Read more at http://jasoncstanley.com/book-review-...
September 11, 2015
I received a copy of this from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked: This book is funny and conversational. The message is a good one.
What I didn't like: I feel like the book could have been cut in half and been more powerful. There were a few too many stories and not enough actual plot...which makes sense because this book is basically a memoir.
What I liked: This book is funny and conversational. The message is a good one.
What I didn't like: I feel like the book could have been cut in half and been more powerful. There were a few too many stories and not enough actual plot...which makes sense because this book is basically a memoir.
December 10, 2015
Good read if you are a "churchy type" and like to learn of those who seek newer expressions of being church. This one occurring in the Denver area. Jerry, the author and ordained clergy is not only thinking "outside the box" he IS working "outside the box"!
December 8, 2015
Read most of it, but found his ego to be a bit too much for me.
September 27, 2017
I met Jerry Herships before reading his book and it’s why I decided to pick up this title. Church books are about as far from my categorical interests as the Dewey Decimal System can place them, but Jerry has a shining, optimistic personality that makes you want to hear him tell a good story. After doing a small bit of good work together I wanted to know more about him and his seemingly effortless indulgence in the hard work of finding and inspiring good. Our experience involved preventing homelessness for a single working mother with two months of back rent and grocery expenses. Herships didn’t know the woman from Eve but found the wherewithal to help within a couple days. More recently I called upon him to help a 27-year resident of my city avoid being evicted due to a $100 increase in rent that she couldn’t budget on her disability income. Again, he and his people came through. I sense that people are attracted to Jerry because they want to do some good in the world and he makes it very simple and fun for them to do so. In the case of the single mother in need of rent, I contacted Jerry and he put it out to his community with a simple and elegant message like “hey buddies, I heard this perfect stranger needs big help. You can be a helper. We could help together. What do you say we chip in?” In less than a day there were thousands of non-bureaucratized, unrestricted dollars to help her. Part of his appeal is that you can pick up on a sense of healthy irreverence with him—which is better detailed in the book. Jerry cares little for the power of the pulpit if that pulpit is set aside from the people. Hership’s book is most interesting when it dives into this irreverence—pointing out, for instance, how absurdly unsustainable church real estate is when the mission is to keep faith flowing through the world outside its doors (as I write this it should be noted that Joel Osteen’s church remained closed to those unable to walk upon the waters drowning Houston, Texas). Herships deploys finer points on theological arguments sparingly, which is a good thing because it’s consistent with the bigger theme of his church and book. Herships, in an authentic way, leads from relationships with the people. It is the faith that must learn to immerse itself among the people, not so much the people who must learn to dunk themselves in a baptism and immerse themselves in the faith.
I frequently say that all I really care to know of Christianity is what a decent Children’s Bible would tell me. The Children’s Bibles I remember waste so little time condemning people, displaying the power of wrath, or naming abominations. Give me the magic shows, the Veggie Tales, or Linus on Charlie Brown’s Christmas. Or give me Jerry Herships’ book that keeps to the point of what doing good can look like—then, please, stop. It’s enough to simply stop there. When people are cared for by other people they feel more cared for by the God. That’s enough and it yields fewer goddamits muttered to the shepherd from His flock. For those leading a congregation, Herships provides a great readable guide on how to delight in a simple uncomplicated faith which, as Herships notes, is a hard thing to do.
I frequently say that all I really care to know of Christianity is what a decent Children’s Bible would tell me. The Children’s Bibles I remember waste so little time condemning people, displaying the power of wrath, or naming abominations. Give me the magic shows, the Veggie Tales, or Linus on Charlie Brown’s Christmas. Or give me Jerry Herships’ book that keeps to the point of what doing good can look like—then, please, stop. It’s enough to simply stop there. When people are cared for by other people they feel more cared for by the God. That’s enough and it yields fewer goddamits muttered to the shepherd from His flock. For those leading a congregation, Herships provides a great readable guide on how to delight in a simple uncomplicated faith which, as Herships notes, is a hard thing to do.
December 11, 2017
I received a free copy through Goodreads in exchange for a review. I enjoyed the story about how the author transitioned from a bartender to a pastor. I liked the story about how he got to where he is now. The first half of the story was better than the second half. I do like how he has church in unorthodox places like bars. There are a lot of people out there that won't go to a church but seem to feel like they can go because it is in a place they would normally go. I am not very religious and I do not believe in organized religion so I really like how he has changed peoples lives by his unorthodox way.
November 16, 2024
I loved this book. Jerry is a no-nonsense cussing unconventional preacherman, but he’s got it right with putting love out there in the world. Giving money to the church and singing in the choir is all well and good, but making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for and offering a listening ear and sharing some communion with our friends who are out there struggling in the world is awesome God love, too.
November 8, 2019
Great book learning about Jerry's past and Afterhours. He has a compelling voice an an author.
October 7, 2015
I was unsure about this book going into it, but I thought I'd give it a shot. The content itself does not bother me, like the foul language or the fact that the church is in a bar. I'm a Southern Baptist, but not so staunch that I'm going to shame Mr. Herships for the work he is doing or the way he goes about it. There is a good message in this book, and the author is part of a good mission. Personally I felt like the book could've been a lot shorter. At times I found myself thinking that certain parts I had read did not contribute anything to the book other than to let the author ramble on. If there was a point to some ramblings it would've been better, but I failed to see a point. Overall I thought this book did have a good message in its central theme and it was pretty entertaining. I received this as a free ARC from Westminster John Knox Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2016
Read this for Leadership Council at church and really enjoyed author's 'tell it like it is' style of writing...refreshing narrative of a man who began a ministry with 'friends without homes' in Denver beginning in bars by making PB&J sandwiches. Just let the Holy spirit move him and those around him and it worked!!!
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