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Come and See: Everything You Ever Wanted in the One Place You Would Never Look
Come and See what? LIFE as God intended irresistibly revealed today in a way that is every bit as awe-inspiring and life-changing as when Jesus Himself walked the earth.
Todd Wagner invites readers to experience the adventure, goodness, and fullness of life that God has intended for humankind from the beginning of time and especially today through His provision through His people. Weekly meetings of mostly bored adults who regularly attend services have nothing to do with God’s vision for His people. Wagner paints the picture of a perfect Father’s intention to bring His people into an adventurous life full of authentic relationships, powerful transformation, and seemingly impossible significance and meaning.
Todd Wagner invites readers to experience the adventure, goodness, and fullness of life that God has intended for humankind from the beginning of time and especially today through His provision through His people. Weekly meetings of mostly bored adults who regularly attend services have nothing to do with God’s vision for His people. Wagner paints the picture of a perfect Father’s intention to bring His people into an adventurous life full of authentic relationships, powerful transformation, and seemingly impossible significance and meaning.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2017
128 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 14, 2018
I protect my 5* reviews for about 5-10% of the books I read, so listen up! This is my favorite book about Christianity and the Church written in this decade.
Come & See identifies the church as the most meaningful entity on the earth today–one who is not resigned to failure or malaise merely because "many churches are doing it wrong". Rather, the church still is magnetic, powerful, absolutely distinct, and capable of holiness and fervor–in the same way, we see passion and power spilling out of the early church of the NT, we will see this today. And these things are exactly what we will invite others to Come & See on display in our own churches. For many burnt-out pastors and beat-down Christians, this seems like a myth. So maybe the most impactful part of this book is the page that certifies that this is possible because it is already happening in his own church, Watermark, and it is a page you might skip–the dedication.
This book is dedicated to the thousands of friends who, like I do, call Watermark their spiritual home and who so patiently admonish, encourage, and help me more fully experience the Life I have always wanted. You all are living examples of all that I have written about. May the Lord multiply your kind all over the earth. Ultimately however, it is dedicated to and especially an expression of thanks to the kind Father who is forever for me, whose Son was given for me, and whose Spirit provides everything I need to know and make known to all that is Life indeed. May you alone be glorified in this work, and may millions more come and see the goodness and grace that exist only in You. To the first I am temporally and to the latter I am eternally thankful.
I've got enough books full of good ideas. I could use more whose ideas are being lived out. I love that Watermark does this as a church in a way that is deserving of this kind of praise but refusing still to steal the spotlight from Jesus. This book won't be the one that saves you or sets right your church, which is why Scripture saturates everything you'll find here (it's 95% of the footnote content.)
Todd writes just like he teaches, and I have always found him to be extremely forthright, holding to high standards that are set not by men but by God. His approach is commonly staged in a way that relies more on wisdom than it does on intelligence (though I believe the evident intelligence here speaks for itself.) He speaks audibly against the church's internal abusers with an evident distaste for hypocrisy and stands firm against external accusers with a willingness to deal with difficult questions honestly, refusing to manufacture insincere spiritual experiences or to invent his own theology apart from Scripture.
Come & See doesn't reinvent the wheel of discipleship. But I believe its uniqueness will highlight where we have settled for a lesser Gospel than what the Bible has to offer, and does much to elevate the real one.
Come & See identifies the church as the most meaningful entity on the earth today–one who is not resigned to failure or malaise merely because "many churches are doing it wrong". Rather, the church still is magnetic, powerful, absolutely distinct, and capable of holiness and fervor–in the same way, we see passion and power spilling out of the early church of the NT, we will see this today. And these things are exactly what we will invite others to Come & See on display in our own churches. For many burnt-out pastors and beat-down Christians, this seems like a myth. So maybe the most impactful part of this book is the page that certifies that this is possible because it is already happening in his own church, Watermark, and it is a page you might skip–the dedication.
This book is dedicated to the thousands of friends who, like I do, call Watermark their spiritual home and who so patiently admonish, encourage, and help me more fully experience the Life I have always wanted. You all are living examples of all that I have written about. May the Lord multiply your kind all over the earth. Ultimately however, it is dedicated to and especially an expression of thanks to the kind Father who is forever for me, whose Son was given for me, and whose Spirit provides everything I need to know and make known to all that is Life indeed. May you alone be glorified in this work, and may millions more come and see the goodness and grace that exist only in You. To the first I am temporally and to the latter I am eternally thankful.
I've got enough books full of good ideas. I could use more whose ideas are being lived out. I love that Watermark does this as a church in a way that is deserving of this kind of praise but refusing still to steal the spotlight from Jesus. This book won't be the one that saves you or sets right your church, which is why Scripture saturates everything you'll find here (it's 95% of the footnote content.)
Todd writes just like he teaches, and I have always found him to be extremely forthright, holding to high standards that are set not by men but by God. His approach is commonly staged in a way that relies more on wisdom than it does on intelligence (though I believe the evident intelligence here speaks for itself.) He speaks audibly against the church's internal abusers with an evident distaste for hypocrisy and stands firm against external accusers with a willingness to deal with difficult questions honestly, refusing to manufacture insincere spiritual experiences or to invent his own theology apart from Scripture.
Come & See doesn't reinvent the wheel of discipleship. But I believe its uniqueness will highlight where we have settled for a lesser Gospel than what the Bible has to offer, and does much to elevate the real one.
May 14, 2019
Wagner is the founding and Senior Pastor of Watermark Church in Dallas. Watermark has grown into a megachurch, primarily for its ability to deeply disciple its members and showcase life transformation (disclaimer: my church licenses its marriage ministry). The church takes Christian community seriously, and in this book, Wagner presents what he believes Christian community ought to look like, and the impact that such a church would have on the surrounding culture. Throughout, Wagner discusses how his beliefs in Christian community plays out at Watermark. This involves things like the language (e.g. there is no such thing as the term “regular attender” that is so commonly used by churches), how often believers fellowship and live life alongside each other (pretty much continuously), Christian accountability, membership vows (at Watermark, members must recommit every year), Christian service, and so on. Basically, members of a church community need to be all in, and when they are, amazing things will happen. As a church leader, I found the exhortation convicting, the examples helpful, and the testimony inspiring. I don’t agree with everything Watermark does as it lives out its belief, but do believe the points raised by Wagner ought to be debated and considered by church leaders everywhere.
December 6, 2017
Powerful, beautiful, challenging. This book offers comfort for the weary one and challenge for the complacent one. If you need your flame fanned and your imagination stirred, read this.
Come and See what it means to BE the church.
Come and See what it means to BE the church.
December 30, 2022
A very powerful call for vibrancy and authentic discipleship in church life. Wagner has a strong critique of “The Deal,” in which preachers/pastors tacitly agree not to demand too much of members in exchange for attendance and money. He also seems to have quite a bit of derision for the prosperity gospel churches and there is an undercurrent of opposition to miracles/spiritual gifts. He interprets the “greater works” of John 14:12 as the dramatic changes and radical lifestyle Jesus gives Christians as part of their testimony to the world.
The strength of the book is in this call to action. He has some interesting approaches, such as requiring members at Watermark to re-up their commitment at the beginning of each year. There is a lot here about transparency, accountability, and seeking counsel from other members in the church. I loved the sections on gossip and having direct conversations with our brothers when we are hurt/sinned against. He also stressed church discipline, which is an extreme rarity in denominational Christianity.
I was disappointed that the book wandered around a lot from topic to topic without any real sense of thesis. I guess the more accurate subtitle would be “stuff I think about church.” Also he rambled about rather straightforward topics in a way that added about 100 unnecessary pages.
The strength of the book is in this call to action. He has some interesting approaches, such as requiring members at Watermark to re-up their commitment at the beginning of each year. There is a lot here about transparency, accountability, and seeking counsel from other members in the church. I loved the sections on gossip and having direct conversations with our brothers when we are hurt/sinned against. He also stressed church discipline, which is an extreme rarity in denominational Christianity.
I was disappointed that the book wandered around a lot from topic to topic without any real sense of thesis. I guess the more accurate subtitle would be “stuff I think about church.” Also he rambled about rather straightforward topics in a way that added about 100 unnecessary pages.
September 28, 2019
I was underwhelmed by this one. To me there was very little structure so it ended up being 300+ pages of blog posts. I think I understand the message that Wagner was trying to get across, but it meandered way too much. Just like most books it was entirely too long and should have been dropped to 150 pages with a central focus on what the New Testament church looked like and therefore what our church today should look like. And even that could have been done in 100 pages or less. I picked up a few small things, but otherwise nothing ground breaking here.
September 28, 2022
This book hits home on many points related to the true Church in fellowship vs the dead western church culture. This is communicated well with plenty of Scriptural support and I highlighted many things.
Since I am local to the authors church, I looked him up so I can come and see. In the outcome of the local church referenced, I see just how difficult it is to live out this type of fellowship in todays culture, where an Adversary seeks to distract and divide every fellowship of people.
Since I am local to the authors church, I looked him up so I can come and see. In the outcome of the local church referenced, I see just how difficult it is to live out this type of fellowship in todays culture, where an Adversary seeks to distract and divide every fellowship of people.
November 5, 2018
Good encouragement for church leadership and lay people alike to remember what we are called to do as Christians. "Come and see" changes to "Go and be, " not just coast thru life or selfishly live the "best life now" philosophy that is so prevalent in our culture. Todd speaks truth, even uncomfortably so at times. But it's truth that people need to hear. Thankful to my brother, Mike, for putting this book in our hands.
February 13, 2019
Have been under Todd's leadership for 10 years now, and what he writes in these pages aren't only true- they're lived out. You'll be blessed by this re-imagining of what the church can be. In the United States we've lost sight of what the church was meant to be to change the world...this will help you remember!
August 13, 2019
Best book one what the Church is meant to be. Helped to clarify some of my own experience with Church, community and sharing Jesus with others. If you're suffering from discouragement about the Church, this book is for you. May it encourage you and give you hope for what Jesus can accomplish through weak and unlikely people who commit to fully following Him.
May 14, 2018
My favorite page - 268
I was an angry, sad, depressed divorcee. I was Changed by hearing the name Jesus. What I like about this book is it’s real, raw & honest. Not some theological, hard to understand, sanctimonious beat down.
I was an angry, sad, depressed divorcee. I was Changed by hearing the name Jesus. What I like about this book is it’s real, raw & honest. Not some theological, hard to understand, sanctimonious beat down.
February 13, 2019
phenomenal. One of those books that speaks life and that you know you will re-read many times even before you are halfway through. Excellent.
December 30, 2019
Convicting and passionate.
January 19, 2020
Game changer. I'll reread many times I'm sure. It's an invitation to the church. Who the church is, and what the church ought to be doing.
March 14, 2024
Great read! Thankful to have been apart of a church like Watermark! Forever grateful for the people and the ministry!
December 14, 2025
Very dense. Took a while to get through, but so much good content! Honestly such a convicting book, but also gives some really good, practical advice on how to overcome certain sin patterns and what the scriptures say about how to live a Christian life and why (not because you have to for your salvation, but why you should want to in order to live out God's perfect plan for you!).
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews