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Scattered Servants: Unleashing the Church to Bring Life to the City
Alan Scott, a leader in the Vineyard Movement, draws upon his years of experience to share inspiring stories of cities transformed by scattered servants. He shares practical ways for church leaders to move beyond the building walls and take the kingdom to those who need it most. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Scott argues that every believer, not just the leaders, can fill their city, workplace, and family with the beauty and power of Christ. When believers become scattered servants, the Holy Spirit will equip them to advance the kingdom and change lives through their hearts and hands.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2018
63 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 27, 2019
Alan Scott suggests “the next great move of God is not going to be a movement in the church. It’s going to be a movement of the church into society, rewriting the story of every aspect of our cities…” Although I agree with, and was challenged by, Scott’s emphasis on the external movement of authority-bearers outside of the four walls of the church, Scott seemed to look past the important work God does within the church. It should not be an either-or, but a both-and—God moves in the world both in the church and outside of the church. In fact, sometimes what God begins in the church then overflows into culture and society.
Scott rightly asserts, “The dream of God over your life is not that you become a believer and help out the local church. The dream of God over your life is that you come alive in His presence and bring life to every environment, spilling contagious hope into hurting humanity.” God is not interested in “church-goers” or “attendees,” but participants. The authority of the Father was given to Christ who then gave it to us so we would “go” into the world as bearers of new life (baptism) and teachers of all God has commanded. We are to both be and make disciples, and Scott suggests this authority is primary and viral. Specifically, Scott describes those who change cultures as those who, “know their identity, understand their spiritual authority and use that authority to bring life to the city.”
Scott goes too far, however, when he suggests, “If a ministry doesn’t lead us toward lost people or lost people toward God, we don’t do it.” He then goes on to write, “It doesn’t matter if a ministry is growing or appears successful, is marked by the supernatural, is appealing or attractive, [or] serves pastoral needs. If it’s not missional, we don’t do it.” Although I appreciate his passion for the lost, ministry is not only about reaching those who don’t know Jesus. Ministry includes equipping the saints, serving the needy, worship and prayer, encouraging others, and becoming more like Jesus. If a church only pursues ministries to those who don’t know Christ, the church will neglect the valid and continuous work that God wants to accomplish in the day-old or 90-year-experienced believer who still feels far from being the person God has created him or her to be. Yes, the church needs to be focused on the external needs of the city and the lost, but not at the expense of those God brings within the four walls of the parish.
Scott rightly asserts, “The dream of God over your life is not that you become a believer and help out the local church. The dream of God over your life is that you come alive in His presence and bring life to every environment, spilling contagious hope into hurting humanity.” God is not interested in “church-goers” or “attendees,” but participants. The authority of the Father was given to Christ who then gave it to us so we would “go” into the world as bearers of new life (baptism) and teachers of all God has commanded. We are to both be and make disciples, and Scott suggests this authority is primary and viral. Specifically, Scott describes those who change cultures as those who, “know their identity, understand their spiritual authority and use that authority to bring life to the city.”
Scott goes too far, however, when he suggests, “If a ministry doesn’t lead us toward lost people or lost people toward God, we don’t do it.” He then goes on to write, “It doesn’t matter if a ministry is growing or appears successful, is marked by the supernatural, is appealing or attractive, [or] serves pastoral needs. If it’s not missional, we don’t do it.” Although I appreciate his passion for the lost, ministry is not only about reaching those who don’t know Jesus. Ministry includes equipping the saints, serving the needy, worship and prayer, encouraging others, and becoming more like Jesus. If a church only pursues ministries to those who don’t know Christ, the church will neglect the valid and continuous work that God wants to accomplish in the day-old or 90-year-experienced believer who still feels far from being the person God has created him or her to be. Yes, the church needs to be focused on the external needs of the city and the lost, but not at the expense of those God brings within the four walls of the parish.
September 22, 2020
I read this book as it was recommended by our Church Leadership as we are now having to do Church differently in these difficult times. As I progressed through the book the process of what we too are trying to do started to clearly fall into place. The author has been very clear in this book about how a Church needs to be out of the building and into the community. Therefore we are those scattered servants now being church in our communities. At these difficult times this is much needed. The book is well written with a good balance of personal stories and testimony together with Scriptural references. I highly recommend this book as a guide to the changing face of church in the community.
June 18, 2020
A good book for the audience that this is meant for (Evangelical churches that tend to thrive on conversion numbers and exciting success stories) and definitely is a rallying point for external ministry, but just seemed a bit idealized and somewhat irresponsible.
I really like the premise of us all being "Scattered Servants" but I felt like the goal of being a scattered servant was flawed. The author only spoke of this premise regarding being spiritual stewards to our communities but with that, he would not finish a story unless it had "results." The tough part about service and compassion is that sometimes, just like Jesus and his ministry, results and change may not take place until long after you are gone. It just comes from a very privileged perspective and brings a feel-good and reward-driven attitude to a very lament-worthy, sometimes feeling hopeless, and painful topic of serving the underserved.
Therefore, this book is great if you need a kick in the butt to start serving people in general, but I feel like it is a bit demeaning of the realities of life-long situations of oppression and the sheer pain and hardship that it takes to commit one's life to serve those communities because it gives it a feel-good twist to painful and systemic issues. It frames service as rewarding, in an attempt to get people to serve, when in reality, service is humbling yourself at the expense of others and is almost inherantly, not rewarding.
Again, it does not make the book bad, rather, it is very much meant to kick start a privileged and potentially ignorant audience into serving but does not address the plethora of issues that stem from this "savior-esque" and "feel-good" service.
I really like the premise of us all being "Scattered Servants" but I felt like the goal of being a scattered servant was flawed. The author only spoke of this premise regarding being spiritual stewards to our communities but with that, he would not finish a story unless it had "results." The tough part about service and compassion is that sometimes, just like Jesus and his ministry, results and change may not take place until long after you are gone. It just comes from a very privileged perspective and brings a feel-good and reward-driven attitude to a very lament-worthy, sometimes feeling hopeless, and painful topic of serving the underserved.
Therefore, this book is great if you need a kick in the butt to start serving people in general, but I feel like it is a bit demeaning of the realities of life-long situations of oppression and the sheer pain and hardship that it takes to commit one's life to serve those communities because it gives it a feel-good twist to painful and systemic issues. It frames service as rewarding, in an attempt to get people to serve, when in reality, service is humbling yourself at the expense of others and is almost inherantly, not rewarding.
Again, it does not make the book bad, rather, it is very much meant to kick start a privileged and potentially ignorant audience into serving but does not address the plethora of issues that stem from this "savior-esque" and "feel-good" service.
February 19, 2019
This book is amazing! Alan Scott weaves together the Biblical text and the stories that he is experiencing in and through his church in such a profound and inspiring way! I haven’t read a non-fiction book in a while I didn’t want to put down but this was one. The premise of this book is an invitation to imagine the church not just as the gathered - but as a community of people scattered into all spheres of society, empowered by the Spirit and brining the culture of Heaven wherever they go. This is a must read for pastors, especially those wrestling with seeing their people empowered in evangelism. Highly recommended.
June 22, 2021
The book is written by one of the Vineyard pastors. It starts off with themes that would be very familiar to those who were exposed to the Vineyard movement in the 90's. However, the second part of the book starts exploring the relationship dynamic between cities and churches in a way that I have not seen done anywhere else. The discussion is very timely for the 2020's in the United States, given our current cultural moment and issues that we are dealing with. If you are looking for a better way of building the interaction between the Church / faith and culture / society / cities, this book has a lot of profound ideas and observations.
September 12, 2020
This book makes a couple of interesting points backed up by scripture although there was nothing new here and certainly not enough for a book. The author fills out the pages by repeating himself throughout and using large print, lots of sub titles in even larger font and lots of spaces. I think his ideas could be better delivered in one sermon or podcast.
February 20, 2020
Inspiring to scatter
Great stories of what happened when the church went into the community. Inspiring of what can be duplicated. Read it with an open mind as you begin to dream and be open to what God will do as you know who you are and walk in authority.
Great stories of what happened when the church went into the community. Inspiring of what can be duplicated. Read it with an open mind as you begin to dream and be open to what God will do as you know who you are and walk in authority.
August 19, 2020
The destiny of every Christian
An excellent, equipping and challenging read to live the life Jesus has called you to live. Not simply a pew warmer who punched their ticket to heaven, but an agent of the kingdom called to change the world
An excellent, equipping and challenging read to live the life Jesus has called you to live. Not simply a pew warmer who punched their ticket to heaven, but an agent of the kingdom called to change the world
December 7, 2018
Needs to be read
A challenging read but so good. The Church needs to read this book! Rather than winning our city's lets love our cities into their destiny!
A challenging read but so good. The Church needs to read this book! Rather than winning our city's lets love our cities into their destiny!
December 19, 2018
Fantastic book filled with passion. Can’t agree with all the theology, but we have a lot to learn from this lot!
Wonderful testimony of God’s Sovereignty will and purpose.
Wonderful testimony of God’s Sovereignty will and purpose.
May 16, 2020
Very good book and it pulls no punches. Great mix of real life stories and theology. It’s a pretty straight talk and really inspirational!
May 21, 2020
This book set my heart on fire I love it so so much
July 20, 2021
A truly inspiring book.
August 12, 2021
Inspiring and challenging, I loved every word. He is making all things new!
December 12, 2021
Fantastic book about the Church's true purpose in the world: remaking it in the image of Christ and redeeming what has been lost (esp in our culture/cities)!
December 29, 2020
So good! So many lessons and its inspired/encouraged me to keep creatively bringing faith into culture. Not as institutional, but to bring life to the city, facilitate dreaming and influence culture.
August 24, 2021
This book is a wake-up call to individuals and churches that are content with the status quo, programs, systems and small things. It activates believers to realise their agency and responsibility in bringing transformation not just to themselves but to their cities. God is not only on with a kingdom agenda of making all things new, he has empowered us to partner with Him in running hard after this. Too often we are held back by overthinking, creating bottlenecks and under-dreaming. I love how the writer reminds us that those who need help should eventually be those who give help; we cannot assume that the goal for the poor is to come out of poverty, it’s to also for them to carry transformation forward. This book has really inspired me to live in all that God has called me to live in and to challenge others to do the same!
I noticed the book was often repetitive which can either serve to drive the point or make you lose the point. I do also think there could be a risk of over-emphasising moving out of the church to the point that the reader may lose touch with the value and necessity of the gathered church. God is at work in all, most encountered Jesus before moving out. I also think that in the midst of pursuit in the supernatural and extraordinary in more tangible forms, we could lose the heart of God in that he is pleased with glory, even in the ordinary, the eating and drinking and WHATEVER we do.
I noticed the book was often repetitive which can either serve to drive the point or make you lose the point. I do also think there could be a risk of over-emphasising moving out of the church to the point that the reader may lose touch with the value and necessity of the gathered church. God is at work in all, most encountered Jesus before moving out. I also think that in the midst of pursuit in the supernatural and extraordinary in more tangible forms, we could lose the heart of God in that he is pleased with glory, even in the ordinary, the eating and drinking and WHATEVER we do.
August 27, 2019
Alan Scott has had influence on my life since 2012, when I heard him speak at The Cause to Live For, a Vineyard UK and Ireland conference. At the time, he and his wife Kathryn were leading Causeway Coast Vineyard in Northern Ireland, home of the Healing on the Streets movement, and a place where God seems to be up to something. Recently, they’ve moved to LA, to pastor the Anaheim Vineyard, and in the interim period, Alan had this book published.
Scattered Servants is a brilliant, readable book, with one very simple idea at it’s heart: what if the church didn’t exist to be a lovely club, but instead to partner with God in stepping out into the city (or village, town, or whatever) to bring the life of Jesus and the gospel of the kingdom of God to a hurting world?
Read the rest of my review on my blog: https://www.thomascreedy.co.uk/book-r...
Scattered Servants is a brilliant, readable book, with one very simple idea at it’s heart: what if the church didn’t exist to be a lovely club, but instead to partner with God in stepping out into the city (or village, town, or whatever) to bring the life of Jesus and the gospel of the kingdom of God to a hurting world?
Read the rest of my review on my blog: https://www.thomascreedy.co.uk/book-r...
May 25, 2020
An encouraging and challenging book about how church is more about serving the community around us and going out beyond the walls of a 'church' building than it is about filling the pews.
October 25, 2023
Just what I needed to read at the right time!!
June 20, 2021
Astonishing vision for the church
I love that church serves and leads its community into solutions and projects unthought of by the community but welcomed by everyone
I love that church serves and leads its community into solutions and projects unthought of by the community but welcomed by everyone
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews