Feels Like Home: How Rediscovering the Church as Family Changes Everything

by Lee Eclov, Collin Hansen (Foreword)

"What a refreshing book! Imagine a church whose primary emphasis is to make people "feel at home." I wish every young pastor could read this book. Thanks, Lee, for a wonderful reminder of what the church is to be." - Erwin W. Lutzer , Pastor Emeritus, The Moody Church, Chicago Is your church acting like an organization or a home?

You love your church, but you wonder if it could be more. There’s a greeting team, but is there a true spirit of welcoming? There are committees, leaders, and programs, but is there a Spirit-led vision? There are small groups, but are people truly connected? Pastor and award-winning author Lee Eclov was troubled by these questions. Then, he had a he wasn’t called to lead an organization, but a family. His job was to be a "homemaker," not a CEO. This paradigm shift changed everything. In Feels Like Home, he shares what he’s learned from over 40 years of ministry about being the family of God and how to live into that beautiful reality. This short volume is full of stories of small adjustments that make a huge difference in the effectiveness, warmth, and growth of a church community. Discover how the love of a family can transform your church.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2019

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good. I didn't find it quite as easy to read as his Pastoral Graces, but it's so evidently from the same heart that made that book one of the very best books I read last year. But the only weakness was that the presentation wasn't as good. The pastoral heart, the view of the Church, the theology, the insight into Scripture, the love, the encouragement to a heart that needed it... this book excelled in all of these! He doesn't write about a church that feels like home; he raises it to life in the mind! If you are looking for a "healthy church," or looking to make your own church a healthy church, Eclov sets out one of the most essential metrics you need to use.

[Christian Wermeskerch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't say this often, but this book is extremely refreshing. Against the constant pessimism facing the Church, Eclov reminds us of the role of the Church as God's place of hospitality. Reminding readers that people are looking for a home, Eclov paints a grand picture of how the church can be home to Christians and non-Christians. He also gives theological foundations for this concept while giving practical applications, either through stories of churches who have gone before or examples from Scripture.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book was pretty so-so. It argues for why the family metaphor should be very influential in how we try to shape the church. Perhaps it was just not super compelling to me because I've heard family language used so much in church settings.

The second half was more about how to achieve this family feeling in a church, and this section was above average. I think Lee Eclov really shines when he is talking about his pastoral experiences (I thought his book Pastoral Graces was amazing), and the second half brought that out much more.

[Zach True]

This was really eye opening as an individual going through the first years, growing pains if you will, of a church merger. It's an interesting dynamic when you bring one body together who are tight knit with another community who are tight knit. Our current situation brought, as I can imagine, multi facet difficulties. Upon reading this book, I have come to understand that our collective church leadership truly are uniting the two bodies into One with Christ. Thankful for how this book puts to words uniquely what our church is going through!

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3.5 and 4.
Practical. Scriptural, though a few of the chapters that built this foundation felt a little fluffy.

“Gordon MaxDonald said, ‘The world can do almost anything as well as or better than the church. You need not be a Christian to build houses, feed the hungry, or heal the sick. There is only one thing the world cannot do. It cannot offer grace.’”

Eclov offers the Church a pathway to offer that grace through the vehicle of being a family.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book on making sure the church feels like home! The theology of the church as a family is one that often gets overlooked in church growth talks - but is such an important one. The author offers very practical advice on creating a church environment that has a sense of home, and his chapters on Ruth and Philemon as a biblical basis for church as family are exceptional. I recommend this book to all pastors and church leaders - it is a challenging and refreshing perspective.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book by Pastor Lee Eclov and it just beams with the warmth of pastoral love for the family of God. Eclov fills this book with practical examples and ideas as well as many Biblical teachings on what it means to be a church that is a family. I have been able to glean much from this book for my own congregation.

[Lindsey Haro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful! I cried reading it. This is how the church should be! I've tasted it in a past church and I miss it so much, I hope for it again on this Earth, and I excitedly wait for it's perfection in heaven. Grab some tissues and buy this book. It's a must read!

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book warmed my heart! Probably closer to 4.5 stars than 5 but who cares? Written from a pastor to pastors, this book painted a compelling picture of the church as a family and made me grateful to be a part of a wonderful church family.

[Jonathan Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book of what a church should feel like and the reminders of how to get there.

[Brittani Chapman]

MML