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The Genius of One: God's Answer for Our Fractured World
The world is fractured. Tensions are high, patience is low, and goodwill is hard to come by. In The Genius of One, author and pastor Greg Holder reminds us of the high value Jesus and his early followers placed on community and offers guidance for how to see and relate to one another in emotionally and spiritually healthy ways so that we, the church, can fulfill Jesus’ prayer for us and model a better way of loving one another in a fractured world.
Tracing back to a prayer Jesus prayed on the worst night of his life, “That they”―that we―“would be one,” Holder takes his readers on a winding journey from that glorious prayer to the practical realities of everyday life. For those who cling to the hope that God is still at work, this book will both stir a deeper longing for a better way and provide practical steps toward that way.
Tracing back to a prayer Jesus prayed on the worst night of his life, “That they”―that we―“would be one,” Holder takes his readers on a winding journey from that glorious prayer to the practical realities of everyday life. For those who cling to the hope that God is still at work, this book will both stir a deeper longing for a better way and provide practical steps toward that way.
203 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2017
42 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Greg Holder
26 books27 followersGreg Holder is author of Never Settle, The Genius of One, co-creator of Advent Conspiracy and a contributing writer for The Voice Bible. He serves as lead pastor at The Crossing, reaching nearly 10,000 people in person and online, calling people from an unlikely mix of spiritual backgrounds to consider what it means to follow Jesus in today’s world.
@gregholder_
@gregholder_
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 31, 2018
Inspirational words from Greg, who is the main pastor at the church we go to, The Crossing in Chesterfield (St. Louis). Greg shares several humorous stories in the book, always tying them into something greater. He talks about close encounters with a shark and close encounters with a trip nearly gone wrong in India with his family. You need to read the book to truly appreciate them. We are blessed to have Greg as our pastor, and lots more will be blessed by reading his book. Highly, highly recommend!!
January 17, 2018
The Genius of One, written by author and Pastor Greg Holder, is a book that looks at how the church and community can work together. He uses lots of humor and his stories apply so well to the points he is making. I loved his shark and fly fishing stories, but the snake story, not so much. It is a book that is so on point for every Christian to read in these days that we are living in. He gives practical suggestions that everyone can apply to their lives.
November 20, 2017
I received a complimentary copy.
Review Q&A-
- What did you like about the book and why? The author provides and clean and refreshing way to very his topics. It is easy to follow and I think that it can help a lot of people.
- What did you not like about the book and why? I just think that some of the things included did not really mesh with my thinking choices, but it is not really a dislike, just more of a struggle to get through.
- What did you learn? Well i think that basically no matter what you take out of this book you will gain from it instead of lose insight.
- To whom would you recommend this book and why? I think I would recommend this book to someone open minded that wants to learn as well as find ways to communicate the topics included.
Review Q&A-
- What did you like about the book and why? The author provides and clean and refreshing way to very his topics. It is easy to follow and I think that it can help a lot of people.
- What did you not like about the book and why? I just think that some of the things included did not really mesh with my thinking choices, but it is not really a dislike, just more of a struggle to get through.
- What did you learn? Well i think that basically no matter what you take out of this book you will gain from it instead of lose insight.
- To whom would you recommend this book and why? I think I would recommend this book to someone open minded that wants to learn as well as find ways to communicate the topics included.
January 25, 2018
Put in for this book as it is about union. Is full of scripture and how to's. The body of Christ is His believers. When we learn who we are in Him it is easier to work together as one. He comes to indwell each of us in our individuality. Don't see us becoming like Him.See us dying to self so He lives His life in and through us. Thanks to Goodreads.
April 17, 2018
What insight if we could collaborate listen and work as one. Using our differences not to divide but to strengthen. This book makes me wonder of how I can expand my network.
July 16, 2020
Greg nails it.
June 4, 2022
Let it be so.
January 7, 2025
Used as a study at my church. Life impacting. Learned more about being a Christian and follower of Christ with purpose and effect.
November 3, 2017
I gave The Genius of One by Greg HolderGreg Holder 3/5 stars -- There is a lot of goodness in this one, especially if you’re in any time of leadership role or have any influence in a group or community. In a time that feels extremely divided, focusing on unity and treating one another in a godly way is essential. There are many helpful and engaging stories in this one, as well as thoughtfully worded questions to help you reflect and respond personally as you read. I enjoyed this one and found it encouraging and uplifting.
Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for sending this complimentary copy to me to review!
Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for sending this complimentary copy to me to review!
July 2, 2019
The Genius of One, written by author and Pastor Greg Holder, is a book that looks at the biblical design of community, while offering leadership and guidance on how this community can be a reality for each of us.
I had never heard of Greg Holder before reading this book, but immediately enjoyed his writing style. He teaches clearly using interesting illustrations that connect with the reader, he’s personal and humorous, and the book flows well and makes sense.
The book is balanced. He doesn’t suggest community is following strict guidelines or that it has to look a specific way. He realizes we are all gifted and wired uniquely. Everybody that reads this book will come away with applications unique and personal to them.
I would recommend this book to anybody that wants to see greater unity and intimacy in the church, among Christians, and in the world as a whole.
It’s a great book that really does apply to everybody. Even if you don’t agree with every single thing he says, it’s a great conversation starter that offers hope that healing, reconciliation, and community are all possible. I’m thankful I had the opportunity to read it.
*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. The review was my honest opinion. No compensation was received.*
I had never heard of Greg Holder before reading this book, but immediately enjoyed his writing style. He teaches clearly using interesting illustrations that connect with the reader, he’s personal and humorous, and the book flows well and makes sense.
The book is balanced. He doesn’t suggest community is following strict guidelines or that it has to look a specific way. He realizes we are all gifted and wired uniquely. Everybody that reads this book will come away with applications unique and personal to them.
I would recommend this book to anybody that wants to see greater unity and intimacy in the church, among Christians, and in the world as a whole.
It’s a great book that really does apply to everybody. Even if you don’t agree with every single thing he says, it’s a great conversation starter that offers hope that healing, reconciliation, and community are all possible. I’m thankful I had the opportunity to read it.
*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. The review was my honest opinion. No compensation was received.*
September 2, 2020
Relevant for our current world
I was inspired and encouraged by the information in the book. It was helpful in suggesting plans to help make changes happen. Sometimes, knowing where and how to start something is the hardest part. The next hardest part is breaking out of our current ideology and habits. The Genius of One has concise ways to work out of these quagmires. We are truly at a point where we need to make something happen that will truly heal our fractured world through God’s love and grace.
I was inspired and encouraged by the information in the book. It was helpful in suggesting plans to help make changes happen. Sometimes, knowing where and how to start something is the hardest part. The next hardest part is breaking out of our current ideology and habits. The Genius of One has concise ways to work out of these quagmires. We are truly at a point where we need to make something happen that will truly heal our fractured world through God’s love and grace.
March 12, 2018
Jesus prayed for his disciples and followers (for us). What did he pray? He prayed that they would be one. He prayed for unity. (John 17) We are called to be ministers of reconciliation, not destroyers of oneness or unity. (p. 24) "Interdependence is very clearly Paul’s main point with this talking anatomy lesson [in 1 Corinthians 12]. But implicit in it is the need for every part to actually do what it is supposed to do, whether it be a prominent and highly visible part or not.” (p. 98)
"What if there were some aspects of the incarnation--God being in the world in a physical, flesh-and-blood way—that applied to us?” (p. 138)
"The Church is his body, it is the physical form of his presence on earth. Touch the church and you touch the body of Christ, which means you touch Christ. That also means that when the body of Christ touches the world, so too does Jesus. It is one of the ways he comforts people in troubles.” (p. 139)
2 Corinthians 1 - He is the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
"One of the ways God comforts his people in their troubles is a flesh-and-blood presence. (p. 140) The genius of God is this: we are to share what we’ve gone through with one another. This is how we embody the very presence of the god of all comfort. We are again in the mystery. But god will use the pain that left a scar on ones heart to now strengthen another. Hope flows ever so slowly from one to the other. And yet God points comfort in both directions. Now the one with older, partially heard wounds find meaning in what happened all those years ago. Not a reason—but now something redemptive is finally happening.” (p. 146)
“In a world splattered with hate, the body of Christ must now move—dripping with grace and veined with love.” ( p. 190)
Philippians 1:27 NIV - Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
We need this book at this time in America. We Christians in all of our churches need to be united and do ministry in oneness. It’s not a competition between Christians or churches. We are all on the same team. Backed by scripture for spiritual oneness, Greg gives many examples and possibilities of what this may look like. He encourages us to find creative ways to work in unity toward the common goal.
Each chapter ends with questions for reflection and discussion so I recommend you read this with at least one other person to discuss and share and collaborate.
"What if there were some aspects of the incarnation--God being in the world in a physical, flesh-and-blood way—that applied to us?” (p. 138)
"The Church is his body, it is the physical form of his presence on earth. Touch the church and you touch the body of Christ, which means you touch Christ. That also means that when the body of Christ touches the world, so too does Jesus. It is one of the ways he comforts people in troubles.” (p. 139)
2 Corinthians 1 - He is the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
"One of the ways God comforts his people in their troubles is a flesh-and-blood presence. (p. 140) The genius of God is this: we are to share what we’ve gone through with one another. This is how we embody the very presence of the god of all comfort. We are again in the mystery. But god will use the pain that left a scar on ones heart to now strengthen another. Hope flows ever so slowly from one to the other. And yet God points comfort in both directions. Now the one with older, partially heard wounds find meaning in what happened all those years ago. Not a reason—but now something redemptive is finally happening.” (p. 146)
“In a world splattered with hate, the body of Christ must now move—dripping with grace and veined with love.” ( p. 190)
Philippians 1:27 NIV - Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
We need this book at this time in America. We Christians in all of our churches need to be united and do ministry in oneness. It’s not a competition between Christians or churches. We are all on the same team. Backed by scripture for spiritual oneness, Greg gives many examples and possibilities of what this may look like. He encourages us to find creative ways to work in unity toward the common goal.
Each chapter ends with questions for reflection and discussion so I recommend you read this with at least one other person to discuss and share and collaborate.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews