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Shadow Christians: Making an Impact When No One Knows Your Name
Are you a shadow Christian?
Shadow Christians are people who work in the margins, in the shadows created by the spotlight shining on others. We often think they—we—are insignificant. But here’s the good God chooses and uses shadow Christians.
There are some names in the Bible that everyone Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, Mary, Peter, Paul. But the Bible is also full of stories with unnamed characters. People who made a difference not in the spotlight, but in the shadows.
If you’re a shadow Christian, you matter to God, and he wants to use you to make a difference.
Shadow Christians are people who work in the margins, in the shadows created by the spotlight shining on others. We often think they—we—are insignificant. But here’s the good God chooses and uses shadow Christians.
There are some names in the Bible that everyone Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, Mary, Peter, Paul. But the Bible is also full of stories with unnamed characters. People who made a difference not in the spotlight, but in the shadows.
If you’re a shadow Christian, you matter to God, and he wants to use you to make a difference.
224 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2020
14 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Iorg
37 books9 followersDr. Iorg teaches leadership, preaching, and church ministry courses at Gateway Seminary. He speaks frequently on these subjects in conferences and other venues, including college campuses and leadership seminars. His publications include six books: The Painful Side of Leadership, The Character of Leadership, Is God Calling Me?, The Case for Antioch, Seasons of a Leader’s Life, Unscripted and his latest, Ministry in the New Marriage Culture. Iorg has also written dozens of articles and curriculum materials.
Iorg is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University (B.A.), Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He is married to Ann, has three adult children, and three grandchildren. His hobbies include reading fiction, cheering on the Oregon Ducks, and searching for the world’s best barbeque restaurant.
Iorg is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University (B.A.), Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He is married to Ann, has three adult children, and three grandchildren. His hobbies include reading fiction, cheering on the Oregon Ducks, and searching for the world’s best barbeque restaurant.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 1, 2024
This is an encouraging and humbling read. It’s a great response to the social media culture that we live in where we must post and advertise our accomplishments and accolades. The Bible doesn’t call us to live our lives seeking the spotlight but instead we’re instructed to lead humble and selfless lives. I’m looking forward to taking some of the points noted in this book into the new year!
December 24, 2020
The majority of Christians live in the shadows. Not that they’re “secret” Christians. Not that they don’t want to be outed as Christian. Not that they blend in with the world so much that you can’t tell they’re Christians. They’re just…not well known. In the age of megachurches and celebrity pastors, “regular” church leaders can often feel inadequate and lost. Am I really making an impact if the church I pastor only has twenty members? If my small group is just six people? If nobody really knows who I am outside of my circle? In Shadow Christians, Jeff Iorg says “Definitely.”
In many ways, Shadow Christians is simply a book on discipleship. It’s a book on how the church becomes the church. Iorg writes about how it’s the “everyday” and even unnamed people of Scripture who make as much or of an impact on a community than any of the “big name” apostles or prophets. (Samaritan Woman At The Well, anyone?)
Throughout the book, Iorg uses the examples of unnamed believers who effect change in their communities through their obedience to Jesus. They share the Gospel, they give sacrificially, they work behind the scenes, they are pastors and church planters and worship leaders and nursery workers. Iorg shines the spotlight in the shadows to remind us of where the majority of ministry is done: faithfully, quietly, and relentlessly amid the everyday.
Shadow Christians is a must-read for your church’s volunteer staff and elder/deacon board. It’s a reminder that their work matters and is not insignificant. It’s a blueprint for how to work in the shadows—how to work for Kingdom goals and not name recognition, how to be a small light in the margins where the big lights cannot reach. Iorg’s use of the stories of nameless believers puts us in solidarity with those whose stories were told, even as their names were withheld. It’s a reminder that every little bit matters and that God’s sees and knows these names, even if nobody else does.
In many ways, Shadow Christians is simply a book on discipleship. It’s a book on how the church becomes the church. Iorg writes about how it’s the “everyday” and even unnamed people of Scripture who make as much or of an impact on a community than any of the “big name” apostles or prophets. (Samaritan Woman At The Well, anyone?)
Throughout the book, Iorg uses the examples of unnamed believers who effect change in their communities through their obedience to Jesus. They share the Gospel, they give sacrificially, they work behind the scenes, they are pastors and church planters and worship leaders and nursery workers. Iorg shines the spotlight in the shadows to remind us of where the majority of ministry is done: faithfully, quietly, and relentlessly amid the everyday.
Shadow Christians is a must-read for your church’s volunteer staff and elder/deacon board. It’s a reminder that their work matters and is not insignificant. It’s a blueprint for how to work in the shadows—how to work for Kingdom goals and not name recognition, how to be a small light in the margins where the big lights cannot reach. Iorg’s use of the stories of nameless believers puts us in solidarity with those whose stories were told, even as their names were withheld. It’s a reminder that every little bit matters and that God’s sees and knows these names, even if nobody else does.
September 27, 2024
Have you ever felt that you have no impact on the world? I have, even in the age of social media. If you're a Christian, you may feel that you have no value in serving the Lord, and even wonder how God could love a nobody like you (I've often felt that way).
"Shadow Christians: Making an Impact when No One Knows Your Name" by former president of Gateway Seminary and current President/CEO of the SBC Executive Committee Jeff Iorg (pronounced like "forge", without the "f") is a major encouragement for those dealing with such thoughts.
Iorg deals with people in the New Testament that we're familiar with but we don't know their names (e.g. the leper Jesus healed, or the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment), and applies them to us. He divides the book into two parts:
1. God loves Shadow Christians
2. God uses Shadow Christians
This book is written so the everyday Christian can read and follow it, and so they can be encouraged by it. I recommend this book.
"Shadow Christians: Making an Impact when No One Knows Your Name" by former president of Gateway Seminary and current President/CEO of the SBC Executive Committee Jeff Iorg (pronounced like "forge", without the "f") is a major encouragement for those dealing with such thoughts.
Iorg deals with people in the New Testament that we're familiar with but we don't know their names (e.g. the leper Jesus healed, or the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment), and applies them to us. He divides the book into two parts:
1. God loves Shadow Christians
2. God uses Shadow Christians
This book is written so the everyday Christian can read and follow it, and so they can be encouraged by it. I recommend this book.
October 26, 2021
The concept is excellent. The content is fair. I felt that Dr Iorg was stretching at times to site examples from the Bible to support his theme. Some of them just were not strongly tied.
Otherwise, the encouragement to serve whether you are in the spotlight or not is valid and timely in a selfie/social-influencer culture.
Those serving in the shadows need to know how valuable their service is even if no one ever gives them recognition (though the leaders ought to always strive to provide positive and encouraging feedback).
I think the book is worth the read. I hope it encourages those who hide in the shadows not serving at all, to at least be involved in the mission somewhere.
Otherwise, the encouragement to serve whether you are in the spotlight or not is valid and timely in a selfie/social-influencer culture.
Those serving in the shadows need to know how valuable their service is even if no one ever gives them recognition (though the leaders ought to always strive to provide positive and encouraging feedback).
I think the book is worth the read. I hope it encourages those who hide in the shadows not serving at all, to at least be involved in the mission somewhere.
June 14, 2024
“You matter, but making your name well-known doesn’t.”
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews