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Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods
Jonathan Brooks was raised in the Englewood neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. As soon as he was able, he left the community and moved as far away as he could. But through a remarkable turn of events, he reluctantly returned and found himself not only back in Englewood but also serving as a pastor ("Pastah J") and community leader. In Church Forsaken, Brooks challenges local churches to rediscover that loving our neighbors means loving our neighborhoods. Unpacking the themes of Jeremiah 29, he shows how Christians can be fully present in local communities, building homes and planting gardens for the common good. His holistic vision and practical work offers good news for forgotten people and places. And community stakeholders and civic leaders will rediscover that churches are viable partners in community transformation in ways that they may never have considered. God has always been at work in neglected neighborhoods. Join Pastah J on this journey and discover new hope for your community.
240 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2018
39 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Brooks
5 books2 followersJonathan Brooks ("Pastah J") is senior pastor of Canaan Community Church in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. A sought after speaker, writer, and artist, he has contributed to two books: Banned Questions for Christians by Christian Piatt and Making Neighborhoods Whole by John Perkins and Wayne Gordon.
Jonathan has a master's of divinity in Christian community development from Northern Seminary, and taught elementary education and arts in inner city Chicago for over a decade. A firm believer in investing in the community you grew up in, he has a deep desire to impress this virtue on the students and young people in his congregation, classroom, and community. His projects include the Canaan Community Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC), a not-for-profit community development company that provides youth development, holistic health options, college scholarships, music lessons, and continual support to the incarcerated and their families. He is also a recording artist with the hip-hop group Out-World and has been featured on numerous albums with artists such as Lecrae, Tedashii, Shai Linne, and Sho Baraka.
Jonathan lives in West Englewood with his wife and two daughters.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jonathan has a master's of divinity in Christian community development from Northern Seminary, and taught elementary education and arts in inner city Chicago for over a decade. A firm believer in investing in the community you grew up in, he has a deep desire to impress this virtue on the students and young people in his congregation, classroom, and community. His projects include the Canaan Community Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC), a not-for-profit community development company that provides youth development, holistic health options, college scholarships, music lessons, and continual support to the incarcerated and their families. He is also a recording artist with the hip-hop group Out-World and has been featured on numerous albums with artists such as Lecrae, Tedashii, Shai Linne, and Sho Baraka.
Jonathan lives in West Englewood with his wife and two daughters.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 26, 2020
This book is five stars all around.
Many of the topics written in this book are close to my heart. Those being ending ending “Food Deserts” in urban areas where traditional grocers often pass over, and urban gardening.
Reading this book will show that perceptions can change. There are possibilities everywhere.
Many of the topics written in this book are close to my heart. Those being ending ending “Food Deserts” in urban areas where traditional grocers often pass over, and urban gardening.
Reading this book will show that perceptions can change. There are possibilities everywhere.
July 18, 2019
The story of the author's work in ministry in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, described in terms of Jeremiah's letter to the exiles in Jeremiah 29.
The author sets forth his story in a compelling way: a child of the area who moved out and yet came back and found himself the pastor of a local church, and how he has grown and developed to understand the area better, to love the people, to work effectively with and among the people, and to produce meaningful change in the community.
The author's goal is to encourage Christians, wherever they are, to be present in their communities. He encourages them to participate in community efforts, to not consider themselves as better than or greater than the community, but to seek their community's welfare, just like Jeremiah encouraged the Israelites to do while in Babylonian exile. He encourages cooperation with local organizations doing good work, and does not expect the church to do all that work itself, which was refreshing and valuable. He demonstrates through his own example how one can come to love an area generally unloved and considered unlovable by many, and how important it is to get past the pretense and prejudice and find and love people where they are.
While there are many, many books in this "X Church" or "Church X" genre, and it's easy to just gloss over them or think they're all just variations on a theme, this one has a lot of power and value and is worth consideration. Highly recommended.
**--galley originally received as part of early review program, although I read the final edition which I purchased
The author sets forth his story in a compelling way: a child of the area who moved out and yet came back and found himself the pastor of a local church, and how he has grown and developed to understand the area better, to love the people, to work effectively with and among the people, and to produce meaningful change in the community.
The author's goal is to encourage Christians, wherever they are, to be present in their communities. He encourages them to participate in community efforts, to not consider themselves as better than or greater than the community, but to seek their community's welfare, just like Jeremiah encouraged the Israelites to do while in Babylonian exile. He encourages cooperation with local organizations doing good work, and does not expect the church to do all that work itself, which was refreshing and valuable. He demonstrates through his own example how one can come to love an area generally unloved and considered unlovable by many, and how important it is to get past the pretense and prejudice and find and love people where they are.
While there are many, many books in this "X Church" or "Church X" genre, and it's easy to just gloss over them or think they're all just variations on a theme, this one has a lot of power and value and is worth consideration. Highly recommended.
**--galley originally received as part of early review program, although I read the final edition which I purchased
May 13, 2024
I don’t care who you are or what you feel called to in life, I think you should probably read this book. Incredibly insightful at the very least! & incredibly informative and formational if you do see yourself living in a neglected neighborhood one day!
April 2, 2019
What an excellent book. A solid, heart-full, passionate look at how the church forsakes some communities and what can be done about it. Great story, theologically based narrative that lead me to care even more about communities that God loves. Loved it.
January 2, 2019
I was meant to read this book, it was definitely placed in my lap, or Kindle, by God. I have never read a book about the church that I found instantly relatable and could be immediately to practice. Jonathan not only points out the problems, but gives proven solutions.
This entire book was so easy and wonderful to read. It should be read by everyone, not just those in ministry, but believers and unbelievers alike. So much can be gained by a mutual understanding of the situations addressed in this book.
I cannot sufficiently express how much I learned from this book. I look forward to seeing what more Jonathan writes and how much more he improves his community and the church as a whole.
This entire book was so easy and wonderful to read. It should be read by everyone, not just those in ministry, but believers and unbelievers alike. So much can be gained by a mutual understanding of the situations addressed in this book.
I cannot sufficiently express how much I learned from this book. I look forward to seeing what more Jonathan writes and how much more he improves his community and the church as a whole.
March 3, 2020
So so much to think about after finishing this. It's a long and in depth read but worth it. Brooks brings up the hard questions and challenges the reader without overwhelming you or making you feel inadequate.
April 12, 2023
“There are no God-forsaken places. And when God’s people practice presence in the neglected neighborhoods all around us, we can say with confidence that there are no church-forsaken places either. “
October 9, 2019
Reading this book was a really special experience for me, for a number of reasons. I was first introduced to Jonathan in the fall of 2015 during my orientation for Mission Year, where he was one of many speakers and gave a talk that encapsulated a number of the stories and principles that now make up this book. His talk stands out as one of the most memorable and moving from that whirlwind week, and I remember my housemates and I frequently citing his encouragement to see with bifocals as a major tool during our year. Then, in 2017, I was able to join Mission Year's staff as the Philly city director, working (virtually) alongside Jonathan during his second year as the Chicago CD. That year, which also happened to be the same one he was completing this book, was a gift that only reaffirmed my sense of who Jonathan was and left me so excited that his perspectives and practices were going to be accessible to more than ever with the book's completion.
Personal connections aside, I also loved this book because of all the ways it spoke to the sort of ministry and life I've had the opportunity to be immersed in the past 4+ years because of my involvement with Mission Year. In fact, the book was assigned for our team members to read this year to kick off their curriculum, and I genuinely can't imagine a more perfect starting place. Jonathan does an amazing job highlighting the importance of amplifying the beauty and assets of neglected communities, recognizing and prioritizing the dignity of the people who live there, and centering the question of "where" as an anchor for one's ministry and pursuit of the common good. He expertly weaves his own story and experiences (often told with a notable warmth and humor) together with more broad principles and practices, all grounded by the narrative found in Jeremiah 29.
After swimming in circles of "urban ministry" (as multifaceted and complex as that is), I've been introduced to the archetypes of "Remainers, Returners, and Relocators" and while Jonathan doesn't employ these himself, it is notable that his perspective is so firmly situated as that of a "Returner."(Interestingly, another book I read this year that feels like an excellent companion to this one was also written by a "Returner" – Mi Casa Uptown: Learning to Love Again.) I think he offers a deeply compelling vision for doing just that for readers coming from similar neighborhoods as his own, however I thought at times that for those in the other two categories, the ongoing exile motif was made complicated by the notion that we were called to do ministry in the last place we wanted to be. He does affirm the value of Mission Year, which almost fundamentally necessitates relocation, but I'm left curious about how he would reconcile an understanding of identifying as being in exile while also intentionally moving into a neglected neighborhood with the intentions he establishes for that endeavor.
I think that this book has so much to offer, whether you're someone who has just begun this work of practicing presence in neglected neighborhoods like the team members I work with, you've been engaged with that for decades, or you're like Jonathan and grew up in that environment and are now hoping to reinvest in it. And, despite offering ample wisdom, Jonathan writes with a consistent humility that acknowledges the ways he and his church community have fallen short, learned from their mistakes, and grown because of them. While he certainly isn't afraid to critique the wrongs of churches (and it was particularly fascinating to read his analysis of the economic impact of overchurched communities), it's clear that his motivation in doing so is steeped in a righteous anger and a passion to see the church be the church it's called to be. In fact, at its core, I believe that this book is a love song to the local church in all its bifocaled beauty and brokenness as an agent of change in our neighborhoods and world.
Personal connections aside, I also loved this book because of all the ways it spoke to the sort of ministry and life I've had the opportunity to be immersed in the past 4+ years because of my involvement with Mission Year. In fact, the book was assigned for our team members to read this year to kick off their curriculum, and I genuinely can't imagine a more perfect starting place. Jonathan does an amazing job highlighting the importance of amplifying the beauty and assets of neglected communities, recognizing and prioritizing the dignity of the people who live there, and centering the question of "where" as an anchor for one's ministry and pursuit of the common good. He expertly weaves his own story and experiences (often told with a notable warmth and humor) together with more broad principles and practices, all grounded by the narrative found in Jeremiah 29.
After swimming in circles of "urban ministry" (as multifaceted and complex as that is), I've been introduced to the archetypes of "Remainers, Returners, and Relocators" and while Jonathan doesn't employ these himself, it is notable that his perspective is so firmly situated as that of a "Returner."(Interestingly, another book I read this year that feels like an excellent companion to this one was also written by a "Returner" – Mi Casa Uptown: Learning to Love Again.) I think he offers a deeply compelling vision for doing just that for readers coming from similar neighborhoods as his own, however I thought at times that for those in the other two categories, the ongoing exile motif was made complicated by the notion that we were called to do ministry in the last place we wanted to be. He does affirm the value of Mission Year, which almost fundamentally necessitates relocation, but I'm left curious about how he would reconcile an understanding of identifying as being in exile while also intentionally moving into a neglected neighborhood with the intentions he establishes for that endeavor.
I think that this book has so much to offer, whether you're someone who has just begun this work of practicing presence in neglected neighborhoods like the team members I work with, you've been engaged with that for decades, or you're like Jonathan and grew up in that environment and are now hoping to reinvest in it. And, despite offering ample wisdom, Jonathan writes with a consistent humility that acknowledges the ways he and his church community have fallen short, learned from their mistakes, and grown because of them. While he certainly isn't afraid to critique the wrongs of churches (and it was particularly fascinating to read his analysis of the economic impact of overchurched communities), it's clear that his motivation in doing so is steeped in a righteous anger and a passion to see the church be the church it's called to be. In fact, at its core, I believe that this book is a love song to the local church in all its bifocaled beauty and brokenness as an agent of change in our neighborhoods and world.
December 15, 2020
I came to this book with a very strong and positive opinion of Jonathan Brooks. I see him as one of the most relevant for Christian church leaders.
I was not disappointed. I will not want to use this space to give you my thoughts, other than my strong recommendation that you read it soon in you have a leadership or lay leadership responsibility in a current Evangelical Christian church.
I predict you will feel both smarter and more encouraged that every about the value of your church and what you can do to help it reach more people in increasingly powerful ways.
I was not disappointed. I will not want to use this space to give you my thoughts, other than my strong recommendation that you read it soon in you have a leadership or lay leadership responsibility in a current Evangelical Christian church.
I predict you will feel both smarter and more encouraged that every about the value of your church and what you can do to help it reach more people in increasingly powerful ways.
September 26, 2025
This is a useful book for pastors and other interested Christians on the subject of engaging our communities better.
A major part of it is the author's own memoir. He shares his personal history, especially his return to the neighborhood that he grew up in (and originally aspired to get out of and stay out of) as well as his education and background. Particularly interesting was his backdoor call into the ministry; the pastorate of his church was practically thrust upon him.
In several sections the author is candid about his frustrations with the churches and with church ethos in general in his community. They're sometimes seen as functioning dead space, where the only interest is their own internal success and the building up of their numbers. These were helpful points; they're not fun to read - as it's tempting to be defensive about the church. But it's useful honesty if it's taken to help us all be better. Brooks calls the church into a posture for service. It's good for us to engage with community leaders who are already active in community development. There is definitely a strong element of challenge in this book.
An interesting part of his approach is to challenge the traditional notion of outreach. Brooks sees it as having too much of binary effect, driving a wedge between Christians and the broader world around them. There's a need for the faithful to see themselves as part of the community they're in the midst of - rather than some kind of cut-off type of entity.
A major part of the book is also Bible exploration. There's a very heavy focus on Jeremiah 29 - which goes back to the Israelites-in-exile and the divine command to settle in; when the nation/community around you prospers, you'll prosper too.
Part of this included a nice focus on food, drawing from the divine command to plant gardens in Babylon. It's good to pay attention when food comes up in the Bible; it can take you in some interesting directions. For Brooks, it was neat to see his (eventually successful) effort to get a Whole Foods Grocery Store in his neighborhood.
I felt a tinge of disappointment when Brooks mentioned his church leaving behind its affiliate church ties. The reason given was that denominational strands can be turnoff for some; if they're reluctant to set aside some old family heritage, they won't come to your church. The ironic thing is that I got this book when author spoke in old-line denominational group of pastors. I couldn't help but think: What happens to the old guard if everyone thinks this way? What if it's this kind of energy and engagement that is needed in the older families of churches? I feel the need to respect the decisions people make even when I don't like them - but still there's part of me that feels frustrated with that type of thing.
But overall I'm really glad I read this book. It's a very useful challenge. It helped me to think about ways I can be more engaged with the community that I'm serving in.
A major part of it is the author's own memoir. He shares his personal history, especially his return to the neighborhood that he grew up in (and originally aspired to get out of and stay out of) as well as his education and background. Particularly interesting was his backdoor call into the ministry; the pastorate of his church was practically thrust upon him.
In several sections the author is candid about his frustrations with the churches and with church ethos in general in his community. They're sometimes seen as functioning dead space, where the only interest is their own internal success and the building up of their numbers. These were helpful points; they're not fun to read - as it's tempting to be defensive about the church. But it's useful honesty if it's taken to help us all be better. Brooks calls the church into a posture for service. It's good for us to engage with community leaders who are already active in community development. There is definitely a strong element of challenge in this book.
An interesting part of his approach is to challenge the traditional notion of outreach. Brooks sees it as having too much of binary effect, driving a wedge between Christians and the broader world around them. There's a need for the faithful to see themselves as part of the community they're in the midst of - rather than some kind of cut-off type of entity.
A major part of the book is also Bible exploration. There's a very heavy focus on Jeremiah 29 - which goes back to the Israelites-in-exile and the divine command to settle in; when the nation/community around you prospers, you'll prosper too.
Part of this included a nice focus on food, drawing from the divine command to plant gardens in Babylon. It's good to pay attention when food comes up in the Bible; it can take you in some interesting directions. For Brooks, it was neat to see his (eventually successful) effort to get a Whole Foods Grocery Store in his neighborhood.
I felt a tinge of disappointment when Brooks mentioned his church leaving behind its affiliate church ties. The reason given was that denominational strands can be turnoff for some; if they're reluctant to set aside some old family heritage, they won't come to your church. The ironic thing is that I got this book when author spoke in old-line denominational group of pastors. I couldn't help but think: What happens to the old guard if everyone thinks this way? What if it's this kind of energy and engagement that is needed in the older families of churches? I feel the need to respect the decisions people make even when I don't like them - but still there's part of me that feels frustrated with that type of thing.
But overall I'm really glad I read this book. It's a very useful challenge. It helped me to think about ways I can be more engaged with the community that I'm serving in.
November 30, 2018
Church Forsaken
Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods
by Jonathan Brooks
InterVarsity Press
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 06 Nov 2018
I am reviewing a copy of The Church Forsaken through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:
The author of this book was raised in the Englewood Neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. When he was able to he left and moved as far away as he was able. But through a remarkable turn of events he found himself not only back in Englewood but also serving as a Pastor as well as a community leader.
In this book Jonathan Brooks challenges local churches means to rediscover that loving our neighborhoods.
Using the themes of Jeremiah 29, he shows how Christians can be completely present in local communities including doing things like building homes and planting community gardens.
I give The Church Forsaken five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
June 10, 2019
« Continue to love all God’s people, establishing genuine relationships and challenging any uniformed or monolithic stereotypes. Jeremiah urges Israel to seek the peace and welfare of the city where they have been sent into exile. This means they must learn to value Babylonian social structures, backgrounds, languages, identities, customs, and political climate. While people may be different, it does not mean that they are any less valuable to the kingdom of God....There is mutual transformation happening as we seek one another’s welfare. This is also why churches should partner with residents, community organizations, law enforcement, and government officials. These partnerships are for the collective flourishing of our community. Transformation happens when the entire community works together and values every person’s contribution » (Brooks 211-212).
September 2, 2021
Every so often you read a book that speaks so acutely to your heart and passions. This is one of them. Jonathan Brooks speaks into how to love the neglected communities around is the way Jesus intended us to. He says there is no such thing as God forsaken places, just church forsaken ones. And gives an incredible exposition on Jeremiah 29 with so many compelling stories of his experience in Chicago. Jonathan doesn’t just write a good book, he lives it and it’s evident from how he shared so candidly about his leadership. Jonathan gives me hope that my hood, and the communities like mine in the Bronx can be transformed. Jonathan inspires and challenges me to be an active part in God’s plan. So grateful to learn from him through this masterpiece.
July 24, 2019
This is a brilliant book. It is not the work of a celebrity or megachurch pastor; it's the work of someone who's more concerned with the flourishing of his neighbourhood and the church embodying news locally than it is the work of someone boosting his profile or brand. It reminded me a bit of Eugene Peterson's 'Under The Unpredictable Plant', though quite different in style, it carries that book's DNA of embracing the locality God has placed a church and a pastor in and not longing for the flashy or alluring. A down to earth book that many of us pastors need to take on board.
October 21, 2020
Pastor Brooks' anecdotal book is invaluable in helping churches think critically about how they should engage church-forsaken places. This looks a lot more like listening and learning and following than talking, teaching, and leading. He draws numerous principles from the Jeremiah passage about how exiled Israel was to "seek the welfare" of Babylon to illuminate for the church how she should play a vital and transformative role in the flourishing of the community.
March 25, 2025
For any Christian, in any place. This book has incredible lessons that surpass boundary lines, and its basis on Jeremiah 29 is a refreshing, realistic view of the passage. Book in summary: God cares about where you are placed and how you engage with it as much as He cares about what you are doing. Comfort isn’t His aim for you. Shut your mouth, listen. Plant your feet, act. Faithful in this place! Good cause for thought for the setting I find myself in.
February 8, 2020
This book made me so proud to have lived in Chicago for 8 years and attended a fantastic church on the South Side that is engaged in its community. So glad that Pastah J is challenging our views of “under-resourced neighborhoods” and encouraging all of us to start asking God where he wants us to work and not just what he wants us to do.
March 30, 2022
Pastah J is both prophet and storyteller, with a good news story from the hallowed ground of Englewood that comes with a timely call to the Church. Weaving wisdom, exegesis and testimony, he offers us a wholehearted invitation to seek the flourishing of our own neighborhoods, and to be transformed along the way.
February 26, 2024
practical
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book especially the hands on approach used to make contact with forsaken people. This is a must read for any ekklesia that is serious about being on the cutting edge of implementing initiatives to create closer bonds with the community in which it has been called to be representatives of God’s government.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book especially the hands on approach used to make contact with forsaken people. This is a must read for any ekklesia that is serious about being on the cutting edge of implementing initiatives to create closer bonds with the community in which it has been called to be representatives of God’s government.
January 20, 2019
I loved reading the story of Pastor Jonathan Brooks and his return to his Englewood neighborhood. He embodies the call to love our neighbor. He presents a beautiful, holistic vision of the gospel and community development. This is an example of the church as it could be.
May 4, 2020
Awesome story with wonderful and applicable practices for other church leaders. Only four stars because I thought some of the anecdotes towards the back (re: CCDA, different contexts, struggle seeing transformation, etc) would have been better placed towards the front.
September 14, 2021
Absolutely incredible book! 👏
Souch goodness between these pages. I can not recommend this enough! Even if urban ministry isn't your thing ... the words spoken will change your view and heart towards how God views it all.
Souch goodness between these pages. I can not recommend this enough! Even if urban ministry isn't your thing ... the words spoken will change your view and heart towards how God views it all.
June 3, 2019
Great vision of what the church should be in the community.
June 30, 2019
A lot to ponder
Pastah J challenges everyone, whether urban or suburban, wherever, to take a look at what we are doing, where and how we are doing it.
Pastah J challenges everyone, whether urban or suburban, wherever, to take a look at what we are doing, where and how we are doing it.
July 24, 2019
Very convicting and compelling
September 22, 2020
A good read; mix of biography and commentary. A reminder that true change takes a long time in one place.
January 3, 2021
Spoke directly to my passions
October 21, 2021
Excellent guide to redeeming neglected neighborhoods #BridgeBuilders
January 17, 2025
Everyone should read this book! This book just wants me to be a better person and gives me hope!!
January 1, 2023
I have so many thoughts still after finishing this book. Reading Pastor Brook' stories about places where others believe church to be forsakes is eye opening. His approach, thoughts, and ideas are truly amazing. It really contains some great practices that need to be implemented in order for the continuing church to meet people where they are needed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews