How Churches Became Cruise Ships: A Survival Guide for the Seasick Christian

by Skye Jethani

When did pastors start acting like CEOs rather than shepherds? Why do people demand churches be entertaining and never boring? Why are there fewer churches today, and why are they more fragile than ever before?These are some of the questions author Skye Jethani tackles in his latest eBook, How Churches Became Cruise Ships. Like the popularity of cruise vacations, it is obvious that the shape of the modern church is very attractive to millions of people. If you are content with what the church has become, the benefit of this book for you may be limited to its explanation of recent church history and trends. If, however, you are like the millions of others wrestling with what the church has become, this book will help you identify the cause of your queasiness and provides you with ways to overcome it. Note from the I recommend reading this book in community; Processing your thoughts about the church with others may uncover similar stories, or challenge your assumptions in ways reading alone never could. Ultimately, my hope is that together you will be able to discern where God is calling you—and the entire church—in the days ahead.

Genres: Church, Faith, Ecclesiology

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2015

About the author

SKYE JETHANI is an author, speaker, consultant and ordained pastor. He also serves as the co-host of the popular Phil Vischer Podcast, a weekly show that blends astute cultural and theological insights with comical conversation. He has been a sought after consultant for groups facing challenges at the intersection of faith and culture like The Lausanne Movement, The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and the Interfaith Youth Core. Skye has authored three books, The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity, WITH: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God, and Futureville. Skye and his wife Amanda have three children: Zoe, Isaac, and Lucy and reside in Wheaton, IL.

Reviews

[L.C. Tang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author illustrates how the cruise ship analogy is the perfect metaphor for what some churches have slowly emulated over time. A short 4 chapters and only 32 pages made for an easy and quick read. I think every church leader needs to read this, as it's food for thought. I like how the author starts off with expressing his love/hate relationship with the sea, which is a good segue into the cruise ship/church analogy. Overall, an interesting read.

[Patrick Couch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jethani never fails to deliver. Deliver what? Challenge, information, reasons to fall on your knees in repentance and faith before the God who alone is sovereign. Jethani makes sure that someone is commenting on the nature of the (postmodern) church in a clear and biblical manner. He brings his readers back to where God is and what God's purpose for the church is. Like I said, Jethani never fails to deliver!

[Sheila Nielson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting comparison that is worth reading.

[Allie Marks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple read explore how the church (primarily American church) changed from a vehicle meant to bring its people to God to being the destination in and of itself. I'm sure much more can be said, but this is a short and sweet introduction. Skye provides a helpful metaphor, reflecting on how large ships shifted from transporting passengers across the ocean to entertaining passengers in the cruise ship business when the jet liner made ships obsolete.

Since I am not coming from a seeker friendly mega-church background, the content was not super relatable for me. However, I found content important for my reflections on the purpose of the church at large. How can the American church adapt its structure to re-identify its purpose? Still trying to figure that out. But at least I have a new metaphor to help me articulate the problem.

[Janet Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need to REALLY get this :)

I've jumped ship. I am stepping back, observing, wanting to be part of the solution. I want to be a part of a revolution back to the Book of Acts movement on how to do "church". Great insights. As I write I am on an elliptical going nowhere. Forward motion but no change in location. I am tired of spinning my wheels and want to see real change in my community and region. IT IS COMING! GUARANTEE IT! Sent One

[Heidi Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Done Skye

This has been an extremely humbling, eye opening, & vitally important book for myself & any pastor who needs to stop trying to be cool or relevant. Instead we need to fix our eyes on Jesus & pray to be the Church that He’s always dreamed of in this world & for His Father. Well done Skye

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book that I’ve thought a lot about since I started it. The metaphor of the modern church becoming a “destination” in and of itself is thought-provoking. The book ends on a positive thought about the church being in good hands with Christ as its head, but that there are things we can do to combat the dualism of sacred vs. secular.

[Peg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect analogy of so much that is wrong in the Western church in the U.S.