52 Churches in 52 Weeks

by Dave Boice

If you could visit a different church each Sunday for one full year…Where would you go?Who would you see?What would happen to your faith?After a string of bad first dates and no church to call home, Dave Boice chronicles his yearlong spiritual journey in search for something more. What started as a simple endeavor to find a hometown church turned into a thrilling spiritual adventure that is sidesplittingly witty and deeply emotional.From the streets of Manhattan to the beaches of Orange County, Boice explores numerous denominations including Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Quaker, Greek Orthodox, Christian Science, and other churches. From 20,000-seat megachurches to being the lone congregant at a Scientology service, no building was too big (or as a visit to “The World’s Smallest Church can attest) too small. He danced with Pentecostals in Arkansas, immersed himself in prayer with monks that make beer in Massachusetts, and headbanged at a church known for heavy metal music in Ohio. You’ll hear sermons from some of Christianity’s most widespread preachers (Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes), most intellectual (Tim Keller and Os Guinness), most emergent (Nadia Bolz-Weber and Jay Bakker), to even the most curious (Todd Burpo from Heaven is For Real).Boice’s unique undertaking and honest reflection reveals startling epiphanies and insights that will engage both believers and skeptics. 52 Churches in 52 Weeks is a must-read for anyone who wrestles with faith in the 21st century.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christianity

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2018

Reviews

[Nina Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the YouTube episodes better

I guess my age is showing. I’m not a Millennial but rather a Boomer. The first few chapters held my attention, but later on, he lost me. Spoiler Alert: And I bowed out after the sex scene.

IMHO Dave’s YouTube videos are more real, less of a personal pity party. Wish I could give it more stars, but this old lady just didn’t care for the book.

[Harisa- EsquiredToRead]

I'm choosing not to rate this because I went into it from just seeing videos from the author's youtube. I commend him for trying out different churches and trying to figure out his faith but I had a hard time with this book. I had a hard time particularly connecting with his writing style, use of metaphors, and interweaving of his romantic life in here -- but I'm not sure if it is a "me" problem and feel bad rating it based on that.

Either way, I think navigating faith and spiritual growth should be something we all discuss a bit more openly and I enjoyed that aspect of this book.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the perfect combination of spirituality and comedy it has opened my eyes to all the different types of religions and beliefs that each one has. even though there are many beliefs that we all have as human we want one common thing and that is to believe in a higher power and believe There is more reason to life than what meets the eye.

[kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

5stars

Very interesting read of comparative churches. I hope he finds his One True.
Good faith. 5more words required to post

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courageous

I truly wish more believers of all.faiths would take this hero's journey. Boice combined the anthropological, the sociological and light theology while keeping the reader entertained and hopefully inspired.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an eye-opener this book was. I have taken many of the lessons and have a play them to my own church life. Whenever we have a visitor, I always make sure to greet them. This was just an amazing book and I’m so grateful that the author wrote about their experiences.