Reappearing Church: The Hope for Renewal in the Rise of Our Post-Christian Culture

by Mark Sayers

What if the rise of secularism is good news for the church?

For decades, we set our hopes on technology, politics, and the appearance of peace. We wanted to believe we were headed somewhere better—that progress was happening. But now as our technology ensnares and isolates us, our politics threaten to tear us apart, and our cultural decline continues to accelerate, people are understandably distressed.

But throughout history these periods of decline traditionally precede powerful spiritual renewal—and even revival. What if all the bad news in this world is actually good news for the church?

Discover why there’s reason to be wildly hopeful and how to prepare yourself and your church to be a part of renewal now and in the future.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Church, Faith, Nonfiction, Cultural, Christianity

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2019

About the author

Mark Sayers is the senior leader of Red Church and the cofounder of Über Ministries. He is particularly interested in the intersection between Christianity and the culture of the West. Mark lives in Melbourne, Australia, with his wife, Trudi, and their daughter (Grace) and twin boys (Hudson and Billy).

Reviews

[Erik Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t decide on 3 or 4 stars. Content is solid. Some chapters were 5 star worthy. But the publishing is so obnoxious I wasn’t sure if I could finish it. He has so much profound yet simple truth in this book, but the pull quotes, the pointless “charts” and what I’m assuming are “tweetable” lines separated out and underlined are so distracting it’s almost unbearable. I’ll plan to recommend the book with preemptive apologies for the presentation.

[Dave Hallahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know if Mark Sayers and John Mark Comer set this up, but Reappearing Church was such a great follow up to The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. Where John Mark points out that the distraction and busyness of our culture is destroying our souls and implores us to pick up the practices of Jesus (spiritual disciplines) to help slow us down and allow us to pick up the easy yoke, then Sayers reminds us that “spiritual disciplines [are] more than just additions to our personal life goals, but rather central pillars and walls in the building of a new life architecture. Biblical faith deals with the ‘architecture of time,’ this as we recenter our lives around God’s presence, we reorder around a different scale.”

For God to do a mighty work of renewal, I must allow him to start in me. I also just reorient my life to a different scale, a different measuring stick, a different speed. Thankful for both these pieces of work. Looking forward to the Spirit’s work coming in my own heart and life.

[David Lasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book for any interested in following Jesus and sharing faith in current culture. Sayers unpacks the challenge of living in an age that “wants the Kingdom without the King”. He then points to how movements of God occur in the seemingly most unlikely places through ordinary people. He provides principles and methodologies to help give practical next steps. Really challenging, honest, yet hopeful read

[Bri Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with friends as the author suggested and I loved it! Having others to enflesh what we were reading about was so beautiful. Grateful for Sayer’s ability to prophetically articulate where we are as Christ’s church in the timeline of culture. This book did not skirt past the reality of what being a follower of Jesus can be like, yet, I ended it with so much hope in my heart.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of life in churches in 2022 that the author predicted and tried to prepare us for. We were not prepared. So I have taken a lot of this to heart and will apply it to my leadership in our church going forward. His section on revival was amazing! Very practical and very much what I needed. Highly recommended

[Abby McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️! Super fascinating book about true renewal in believers that leads to revival. Covers why we need it, how it can be resisted or missed, and how we can instead make ourselves available for it. I can’t even properly summarize in a few sentences so you’ll have to just read it for yourself!! This is one that I had to write notes on and will need to go back to so that I can better digest it all.

Was convicting, practical, gave me new perspective, and spurs me on to continue to pray and contend with God to bring about renewal in my own heart and in the hearts of his people!

[John Frias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reappearing Church is a bit of a technical manual, but has great fruit on what it takes to encourage a revival. It is systemic, and the personal change we undergo, affects others. Renewal is the word that stays with me as I pursue Jesus and try to share that walk with others.

The big idea: Renewal is all about the intentional patterns in our lives.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to start to start a petition for good reads to allow for partial stars in their ratings. On the one hand this is an thought provoking and insightful book in many ways but it is also abstract and conceptual and designed like a business focused self-help book (I know this is how people interact with information these days but still...). 3.5 stars would be helpful here.

There is a lot to wrestle with here and if taken seriously much to challenge Christian readers. I think in the big picture Sayers is correct that the facing the challenge of post-Christendom is an opportunity for renewal and but that it will take much more that programs and marketing to prepare the church for God's movement. I also think he gets at the heart of the problem when he identifies the threats of hyper-individualism, consumerism and secularism (both progressives and conservatives embrace these isms in important ways).

Not surprising since it has been my hobby horse for years now, I think it ignores the narrative/historical aspects of scriptures and in fact comes from a pretty Western/Modern approach to theology but that doesn't necessarily make the argument any less important.

[Garrett Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed the book. Much more optimistic than his "Disappearing Church" (although a also enjoyed that one). I'd say the main point of the book is that Christians need more DEDICATION. A small, dedicated, group (or "remnant") is more powerful than a large, lukewarm one. He then explains what that dedication might look like, and how to be open to God's plan for revival.

My main critiques are; one, the odd graphs that were placed on every page. It is very possible that I'm not smart enough to understand them all, or their importance, so others may find them very helpful, but I found them distracting. Second, the book was not exactly saturated with scripture. While I understand the value is mostly found in Sayers cultural analysis, it would have been nice to have some specific Bible behind it.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Sayers book that I have read.

I enjoyed his larger framework of how renewal can come about but what I enjoyed most was his humble and hopeful posture for the future. He isn’t pessimistic or naive.

I’d recommend this to any one who is looking to begin thinking through how they can bring about renewal where they currently live.

[Paula Vince · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was set as a course text book, and felt like one! Still, plenty of thorough research and good ideas from Mark Sayers. All about dynamics in the church over the centuries, where modern congregations tend to get it wrong, and the circumstances in which renewal has always seemed to unfold, no matter the place or time.

[Austenn Akers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good content & perspective for this post-christian culture. Definitely a timely book.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly disappointing. I've really liked everything else I've read or listened to from Sayers so this was a bummer. I liked the content of the first few and last few chapters the most.

I found the design/layout style to be distracting from the content. I think it was designed to appeal to readers with little to no attention span. Every page had some mixture of unnecessary (not helpful) diagrams, pre-underlined sentences, or text boxes about related concepts.

[Dick Wiedenheft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Sayers has a gift for stepping back from the urgent issues and conflicts of our time and insightfully reflection on the deeper dynamics and processes at work.

In Reappearing Church he outlines the groundwork needed for renewal and revival to come in our time. Building on cultural analysis, Scripture, systems theory, and the history of revival, he inspires, fascinates, and challenges us to a more faithful faith.

His book feels as once fresh and relevant while also grounded in time-tested truth and wisdom.

That’s not to say all his arguments are air-tight. I felt he painted an overly dark picture of our current consumer/individualistic/globalized culture and the millennials it has produced. And he left me asking why some churches/regions experience renewal (as he hopefully anticipates for the West) while others simply die out.

Despite these limitations, this book is highly recommended. It is a badly needed dose of sanity and encouragement in a crazy, anxious age.

[Tim Casteel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the 70 books I read in 2019, this book is the best.

Mark Sayers brings much needed HOPE to the dismal realities of 2019. His most helpful insight: that times of crisis are actually opportunities for God to move in revival.

Sayers combines a broad understanding of modern times with a historical pattern of how revivals happen.

He thinks 2019 is primed for revival: "history shows it's precisely at moments like this—when the church appears to be sliding into unalterable decline, when culture is shaken by upheaval, when the world globalizes, opening up new frontiers & fostering chaos/change—that God moves again”

"As the gap between what our culture promises and what it delivers grows wider, its failures create openings for the gospel."

[Liz Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would call Mark Sayers part cultural guide, part modern prophet, part revival expert, part giver of hope. There is so much in this little book, but a couple things stood out to me...the idea of being a non anxious presence in an anxious system because of the presence of God. Also, was convicted by his hypothesis that we can intellectually agree with biblical truth or belief in renewal, but what is most powerful is the pattern of our lives. We aren’t always shaped by our intellectual beliefs, but by the patterns of our actual days. If we pattern our lives as consumers, we won’t be changed or bring change to spaces around us. Really good book. Highly recommend to my church family who wants to see God move in our culture.

[Steve LaMotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the content of the book was very good. Sayers does a great job of interpreting culture and what it means for the church. I'm reading more about revival and renewal from Sayers and others that I pray it is coming.

The problem with the book is the layout. It makes it hard to read. There are "pull-out" quotes that are likely highlighted to be tweeted. Where other books highlight text, in addition to where the text appears in context, the editors/publisher have enlarged and underlined the text in the middle of paragraphs. It is disruptive and unhelpful.

Layout aside- the content of the book is worth reading.

[Em (Makenna) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an arc of this book on netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting... I liked some of the chapters but i'm not sure how useful this book would be in a small group setting as they suggest.

[Mark Warnock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose it's appropriate that I finish a book on the renewal of the church--our desperate need of it, and the historical patterns by which God has renewed the church in the past--on Easter Sunday. Sayers thinks in ways similar to me. I'm a student of culture and sociological movement, generational theory and the history of philosophy. The interaction between the decadence of the West, our technologically driven global hyperconnectivity, the vast spiritual emptiness of so many people's lives, and the stuck nature of the evangelical church, all of these cry out for a move from God. Sayers walks out a fairly detailed and nuanced pattern of how renewal can and has taken place. It's a blueprint both for understanding the overall picture, and also provides multiple entry points for action. Only God can bring renewal, but we can repent of our failings, start prayer groups, engage new formation and discipleship habits, and cultivate holy desperation. I'm moved to contemplate what action God would have me take.

[Brydan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful throughout, the last couple of chapters rush by the fastest as you get caught up in the hope and momentum Mark has built throughout the book.

Looking forward to reading through this book with a similarly minded small group, to help 'bed in' some of the lessons and life rhythms that Mark mentions are essential for bringing renewal - both personal and on a broader scale. While they aren't the mechanism through which renewal will happen (if X, then Y), practising various disciplines both personally and corporately is the logical next step to reading such a work. Ends on a note of challenge: 'Are you up for the task?'

[Luke Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read through this book quickly, as it is easily digestible. Yet, while it is an easy read, its truths and insights are important and impacting, leaving me with not only much to think about, but much to do.

I appreciate Mark Sayers’ ability to critique and yet hold out so much hope for both the Church and culture. He truly has evaluated our moment in time and history, drawn connections between the time now and the times of the past, while still believing that real renewal and revival can happen!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking change in the Church and in the culture around them. It is convicting and practical, requiring a response of its readers.

[Tyler Clemo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended, dynamic, presents data, examples and patterns. Great for understand yourself and how cultural influences you, and moving forward to being an influencer on the culture for Renewal in our culture.
The relevance of breaking down secularism and its affect, and on us in the church and how we are trying to be the church while holding onto the ideals of secular individuality.
Again highly recommend it, read it with a group as it was intended to.

[claire r · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sayers certainly sees the big picture! In the book he attempts to map out the renewal process, what causes it, the transitions, and how successful renewal through and with God produces a remnant that can ultimately cause a revival in the overall culture. I appreciated the straightforwardness of it, and the reflections on past history to determine the best ways to make an impact moving forward. Motivating👍

[Eric Blessing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I have read this year. I would highly suggest it for any Christian who finds unrest in our current culture (both Christian and secular) and for any minister of Christ who wishes to see the Lord's name known on earth as it is in heaven.

[Samuel Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book bringing hope to the seemingly hopeless church. A reminder that renewal is not only possible but an expected part of the Christian journey. A reminder to not lose heart as cultural Christianity wanes, but to pray fervently that God would intercede

[Jeff Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better books I have read in a while about the future hope of the church. It practically breaks down weaknesses caused by society, but gives practical steps forward.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is Mark Sayers's companion piece to his previous work, Disappearing Church. In that book, Sayers commented on the socio-cultural state of humanity and how "unnecessary" church, much less faith and service, has become to human beings, especially youths. In this book, Sayers outlines why there is every reason to hope for a renewal wherever we may do God's work. The book calls the reader what happen in a human heart when it realizes the world is not sufficient for any of us and how "holy discontentment" with our surroundings will invariably lead to renewal through a faithful understanding of the Bible, God, and the ways He works.

Throughout the book, Mark blends commentary of present day practices of finding our own gods in everyday life with a discussion of world history, where he states, "God has written a dynamic of renewal into the pattern of history." The Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the popularity of Socialism in the 20th century all represent periods of history where it seemed most of humanity was trying to shed previous antiquated notions of thought and behavior and seek out a new "happiness" and "understanding". Christianity was in the philosophical crosshairs during each of these times.

Christians have persevered through the Roman Empire, the Soviet Union, and any number of radical Muslims. Christianity has succeeded so well because the world has failed so often. The book points to a failure of secularism to obtain any sort of satisfying resolution to the human dilemma and highlights times when Christianity has always risen up to move genuine change and compassion in people through the Holy Spirit.

When we are at the end of our rope, having tried every last vestige of self-satisfaction and fulfillment that we are able to find, God will be there to pick us up. It only takes a tiny collection of exhausted souls to start a renewal of faith for Jesus's sake and from there, a new church can take root and many will come to know Christ. Naturally, the fire cools, and being the fallacious human beings we are, we compromise and stray and faith fades as a whole in society as the generations go by. It was true with Israel in the Old Testament and it continues to be true today.

Sayers says that it is times of crisis that shake us up and create turmoil inside, which can only be answered by holiness and belief. As this is true in us individually, it is true in societies, cultures, and countries. In the same way Israel repeatedly strayed from God, then repented and returned, then strayed again, so has the rest of the world. Right now, we are just preparing for another transition, one that wil take us right back to God's grace as He has directed us.

[Tim Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really challenged, compelled, inspired, re-hope-ed me in the way of Jesus! I really need these inspirations again and again! There is so much hope for renewal in our time! We have so much power to be an influence in our communities for God when we wholeheartedly for him!

[Keith Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much gold in this book, I need to take action and come back to it time and time again.

[Eric Schlipf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book spoke to the context I live in better than any other I’ve read, and gave me some helpful language for trying to make sense of it.