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Designed for More: Unleashing Christ's Vision for Unity in a Deeply Divided World
DESIGNED FOR MORE draws groundbreaking implications for how to achieve unity and collective movement through new research on a jaw-dropping phenomenon of flocking starlings known as a murmuration. This marvel is one of nature's most spectacular Imagine hundreds of thousands of birds in motion, caressing the sky like a brush on canvas. It is a beautiful madness that is completely ordered.Our world is divided and fragmented.Even among followers of Christ, God's great story of reconciliation has been crippled because the messengers of that story are unreconciled.But God designed us for so much more. Thankfully, He has hidden incredible lessons in nature to help solve complex human problems. Birds first taught us to fly, and now they will teach us to unify! DESIGNED FOR MORE calls every Christian to consider how, through collective movement, they can bring about Christ's daring vision for unity in the Church to impact the world like never before. Join authors Lucas Ramirez and Mike DeVito as they unveil the power of the murmuration principles in order to inspire unity in individuals and the Church as a whole.** Download your FREE 10 Day Devotional and 5 Day Reading Plan LucasRamirez.org
- GenresChristianity
272 pages, Hardcover
Published June 12, 2018
6 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Lucas Ramirez
4 books4 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
Other authors publishing under this name are:
Lucas Ramirez, MD
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, LUCAS RAMIREZ emigrated to the U.S. as a child with his family. After graduating from Eastern University, Lucas’ professional focus has been developing the next generation of leaders and seeing today’s church unify as the body of Christ. He incorporates this passion and focus in his work as the Executive Director of The Gathering Place, an innovative student mentoring and Christian leadership development organization impacting over 10K students annually. Lucas is a non-profit expert with more than 11 years of full-time ministry experience, both in local church context and as an executive in the non-profit ministry space. He lives on the southern coast of Georgia with his family.
Other authors publishing under this name are:
Lucas Ramirez, MD
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, LUCAS RAMIREZ emigrated to the U.S. as a child with his family. After graduating from Eastern University, Lucas’ professional focus has been developing the next generation of leaders and seeing today’s church unify as the body of Christ. He incorporates this passion and focus in his work as the Executive Director of The Gathering Place, an innovative student mentoring and Christian leadership development organization impacting over 10K students annually. Lucas is a non-profit expert with more than 11 years of full-time ministry experience, both in local church context and as an executive in the non-profit ministry space. He lives on the southern coast of Georgia with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 31, 2021
Any book on unity founded in the nature and ambitions of God is important. Throw in the analogy with birds and it should be a favorite for me. Although this isn’t a favorite it was more for structure and unmotivating pathways that I found it wanting. The content is good. This is a beginners book on unity in the church and it does a good job pointing out why it’s important, what the problems are and some very broad possible action steps.
June 15, 2018
Ramirez says that many churches spend so much energy on their own congregation they miss the larger picture. Churches are like isolated little flocks rather than part of a much larger flock, all moving together. He explores what keeps congregations apart, the importance of unity in God's plan, and then offers a strategy for moving toward working together.
Ramirez had seen a video of starlings as huge flocks move together. Called murmuration, seeing the birds flying together inspired him to develop this book.
I appreciate his looking at what keeps congregations apart, such as competition and cultural issues. He did not address the elephant in the room, doctrine, until much later in the book. When he finally does write about it, he defines unity. It is not when everyone agrees on everything but when the interconnectedness is realized and oneness is pursued for God's glory and expanding the kingdom. (Loc 2002/3320) I think doctrine is a big issue in preventing unity and was disappointed that Ramirez did not offer a good strategy to get beyond that issue.
Ramirez offers a strategy for a community wide movement near the end of the book. He suggests and looks for grassroots, local, organic initiatives. The unity, it would seem, is not something initiated by church leadership but is more the work of the individuals in the pews, working together with other Christians in community projects, etc. I found it interesting that what seems to keep churches apart is found at the leadership level but the work of unity is expected at the layperson level. I have been in a church where the laypeople were more than willing to initiate community action but the senior pastor was too insecure in his own ministry to give encouragement to possible lay ministry. If the problem is at the pastoral level, that is where the cure needs to begin.
I felt Ramirez's writing style is somewhat academic and is aimed more at leadership than the layperson, where he expects the work of unity to be initiated. He writes like he is developing a systems theory as he explores the aspects of unity and the dynamics involved. I think this book would be appreciated most by pastors and church leaders. They could use the information in this book to encourage the people in their congregations to engage in unity producing activities in the community.
I received a complimentary egally of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Ramirez had seen a video of starlings as huge flocks move together. Called murmuration, seeing the birds flying together inspired him to develop this book.
I appreciate his looking at what keeps congregations apart, such as competition and cultural issues. He did not address the elephant in the room, doctrine, until much later in the book. When he finally does write about it, he defines unity. It is not when everyone agrees on everything but when the interconnectedness is realized and oneness is pursued for God's glory and expanding the kingdom. (Loc 2002/3320) I think doctrine is a big issue in preventing unity and was disappointed that Ramirez did not offer a good strategy to get beyond that issue.
Ramirez offers a strategy for a community wide movement near the end of the book. He suggests and looks for grassroots, local, organic initiatives. The unity, it would seem, is not something initiated by church leadership but is more the work of the individuals in the pews, working together with other Christians in community projects, etc. I found it interesting that what seems to keep churches apart is found at the leadership level but the work of unity is expected at the layperson level. I have been in a church where the laypeople were more than willing to initiate community action but the senior pastor was too insecure in his own ministry to give encouragement to possible lay ministry. If the problem is at the pastoral level, that is where the cure needs to begin.
I felt Ramirez's writing style is somewhat academic and is aimed more at leadership than the layperson, where he expects the work of unity to be initiated. He writes like he is developing a systems theory as he explores the aspects of unity and the dynamics involved. I think this book would be appreciated most by pastors and church leaders. They could use the information in this book to encourage the people in their congregations to engage in unity producing activities in the community.
I received a complimentary egally of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
June 21, 2018
(#Sponsored By Faithwords)
Lucas Ramirez's "Designed For More" is about church unity and how to achieve it. Using the example of bird murmurations, Ramirez and Mike DeVito inspire to unity as individuals and the church as a whole.
Ramirez and DeVito offer a compelling and inspiring account of what unity means for the church. If Christians and churches worked together instead of competing with and criticizing each other, how many people would be affected?
The importance of unity is displayed by the murmurations of starlings. These birds work together to protect each other and ward off predators. It is an awesome parable for our day.
While the authors sometimes get caught up in too much rhetoric, the subject matter of unity is so important and there is so little material as persuasive as "Designed For More". The world needs to know that God's people are one. When we are so divided by our theology that keeps us divided into groups, how can we expect the outside world to comprehend what Jesus truly wanted us to understand.
https://www.designedformorebook.com/v...
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Hatchette Book Group, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Lucas Ramirez's "Designed For More" is about church unity and how to achieve it. Using the example of bird murmurations, Ramirez and Mike DeVito inspire to unity as individuals and the church as a whole.
Ramirez and DeVito offer a compelling and inspiring account of what unity means for the church. If Christians and churches worked together instead of competing with and criticizing each other, how many people would be affected?
The importance of unity is displayed by the murmurations of starlings. These birds work together to protect each other and ward off predators. It is an awesome parable for our day.
While the authors sometimes get caught up in too much rhetoric, the subject matter of unity is so important and there is so little material as persuasive as "Designed For More". The world needs to know that God's people are one. When we are so divided by our theology that keeps us divided into groups, how can we expect the outside world to comprehend what Jesus truly wanted us to understand.
https://www.designedformorebook.com/v...
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Hatchette Book Group, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
August 2, 2018
This book combines nature and unity in the church and society. The book looks at murmuration (how birds all flock together) and uses its concept to encourage the church to unify and take the togetherness out into communities.
The book does not just give advice for the church, but the theories can be used in business in running a company in getting everyone on the same page.
For an in depth review, go to https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...
The book does not just give advice for the church, but the theories can be used in business in running a company in getting everyone on the same page.
For an in depth review, go to https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...
November 9, 2018
Must read for every pastor desiring to follow the whole of the scripture.
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September 21, 2023DNF, TBH. Received in a Goodreads giveaway. While an intriguing topic with ample examples, I found myself bogged down by repetition. Would recommend to Christians interested in cooperation among denominations.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews