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After "I Believe": Everyday Practices for a Vibrant Faith
Pastor and author James Emery White leads his church and his life with a singular mission: to turn spiritual explorers into fully devoted followers of Christ. The obvious first step in this process is for someone to cross the line of faith--to say, "I believe." That was the heart behind his book Christianity for People Who Aren't Christians. But what comes after "I believe" is equally important, and it's the way someone truly becomes a fully devoted follower of Christ. This manual for discipleship takes new Christians through the basics of growing in the faith and connecting with the church, including
- prioritizing Bible study
- developing a regular prayer life
- spending quiet time with God
- plugging into the life of a local church
- experiencing God in worship
- finding ways to serve others
- being faithful with finances
- and more
A perfect resource for pastors and ministry leaders to offer to the new believers in their midst, After "I Believe" is a solid foundation for anyone seeking to build a vibrant Christian life.
- prioritizing Bible study
- developing a regular prayer life
- spending quiet time with God
- plugging into the life of a local church
- experiencing God in worship
- finding ways to serve others
- being faithful with finances
- and more
A perfect resource for pastors and ministry leaders to offer to the new believers in their midst, After "I Believe" is a solid foundation for anyone seeking to build a vibrant Christian life.
240 pages, Paperback
Published February 16, 2021
9 people are currently reading
945 people want to read
About the author
James Emery White
31 books54 followersJames Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, North Carolina; president of Serious Times, a ministry that explores the intersection of faith and culture. Dr. White is an adjunctive professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president; and author of more than twenty books.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 7, 2025
Simple practical book. Not my fav but very good. Ended better than it started. Great for new believers to lifelong Christians
March 10, 2021
Fantastic
This is one I will come back to again and again for my own study, but also to lead others through.
This is one I will come back to again and again for my own study, but also to lead others through.
March 1, 2021
This book is intended to walk through the basics of Christian living or even basic spiritual disciplines. It is well written and relies on Scripture. My caution would be that each chapter involves doing something, possibly changing part of your life. So to give this book to a new Christian to read by themselves could be overwhelming. Ideally I think it would be used over a period of time with someone or possibly even a small group.
June 14, 2021
In my experience, churches put a whole lot more emphasis on justification than sanctification. Getting saved is the priority and takes work, but growing in faith is usually reduced to attend church, tithe, and serve somewhere. Discipleship is a real lack in our churches and that lack creates churches that are consumeristic and not community. James Emery White seeks to rectify this with After I Believe.
This is the perfect for a new believer’s class, a youth group, or anyone wanting a deeper attachment to their faith. White’s writing is clear, simple, and memorable. He does that pastor thing with alliteration and bullet points (I’d surmise this book grew out of a sermon series) that makes his teaching easy to recall and fun to digest. It’s a book that you’ll read quickly, but then reflect on for a long time.
The very first chapter deals with misconceptions and myths about the Christian life. I like that White got these out of the way immediately. One of the most important myths he tackles is that faith should be instantaneous, that is we should be frustrated if we’re not immediately free from all our baggage when we come to Christ. But he also warns of the reverse—being a Christian for a long time doesn’t necessarily indicate spiritual formation either. And neither does putting in a lot of effort! Point by point, White whittles away what isn’t discipleship in order to lay the foundation for what is.
After I Believe has a chapter on how to read the Bible. It has a chapter on prayer. White talks about worship and being part of a church community. Chapter by chapter, step by step, he says clearly the things that many long-time Christians leave unsaid because we mistakenly think everyone already knows.
White’s passion for discipleship is evident. His pattern is clear and straightforward. His message in engaging and interactive. After I Believe should be a go-to resource for new believers in your church.
This is the perfect for a new believer’s class, a youth group, or anyone wanting a deeper attachment to their faith. White’s writing is clear, simple, and memorable. He does that pastor thing with alliteration and bullet points (I’d surmise this book grew out of a sermon series) that makes his teaching easy to recall and fun to digest. It’s a book that you’ll read quickly, but then reflect on for a long time.
The very first chapter deals with misconceptions and myths about the Christian life. I like that White got these out of the way immediately. One of the most important myths he tackles is that faith should be instantaneous, that is we should be frustrated if we’re not immediately free from all our baggage when we come to Christ. But he also warns of the reverse—being a Christian for a long time doesn’t necessarily indicate spiritual formation either. And neither does putting in a lot of effort! Point by point, White whittles away what isn’t discipleship in order to lay the foundation for what is.
After I Believe has a chapter on how to read the Bible. It has a chapter on prayer. White talks about worship and being part of a church community. Chapter by chapter, step by step, he says clearly the things that many long-time Christians leave unsaid because we mistakenly think everyone already knows.
White’s passion for discipleship is evident. His pattern is clear and straightforward. His message in engaging and interactive. After I Believe should be a go-to resource for new believers in your church.
August 17, 2022
The material White offers in not bad by any means (although I did not fully agree with his interpretation of apostleship). My primary hesitation with the volume is it does to much to quickly. There is a fast pace to the book which is helpful as a primer, but in my opinion, fails to succeed in showing the true nature of discipleship. It truly is a prime and introduction to life as a disciple.
The book is readable and simple which are wins for some people. For disciples seek to really grow or learn how to walk with Jesus more deeply I would recommend more specific resources for specific topics.
The mix of theology and spiritual practices (praxis) created a very surface level tone for the book. Not bad, busy basic. Nothing was talked about in-depth due to the large volume covered.
With so much to read, I wouldn’t read this in depth all the way through at this point in my Christian faith (a pastor and 20 year believer).
The book is readable and simple which are wins for some people. For disciples seek to really grow or learn how to walk with Jesus more deeply I would recommend more specific resources for specific topics.
The mix of theology and spiritual practices (praxis) created a very surface level tone for the book. Not bad, busy basic. Nothing was talked about in-depth due to the large volume covered.
With so much to read, I wouldn’t read this in depth all the way through at this point in my Christian faith (a pastor and 20 year believer).
March 24, 2021
I can't thank Jim enough for his sermons and writings. He makes it easy for beginners like me in my journey to faith in Christ, to understand everything.
April 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this! Even though I've been a believer for years, many of these aspects I have not followed or not been diligent in doing. Highly recommend!
November 1, 2024
Great step by step guide for new believers...would be great to use for Bible study with new Christians!
November 20, 2024
Great book that inspires a plan after committing to Christ. Offers insightful meaning of scripture combined with modern Christianity.
June 14, 2021
In my experience, churches put a whole lot more emphasis on justification than sanctification. Getting saved is the priority and takes work, but growing in faith is usually reduced to attend church, tithe, and serve somewhere. Discipleship is a real lack in our churches and that lack creates churches that are consumeristic and not community. James Emery White seeks to rectify this with After I Believe.
This is the perfect for a new believer’s class, a youth group, or anyone wanting a deeper attachment to their faith. White’s writing is clear, simple, and memorable. He does that pastor thing with alliteration and bullet points (I’d surmise this book grew out of a sermon series) that makes his teaching easy to recall and fun to digest. It’s a book that you’ll read quickly, but then reflect on for a long time.
The very first chapter deals with misconceptions and myths about the Christian life. I like that White got these out of the way immediately. One of the most important myths he tackles is that faith should be instantaneous, that is we should be frustrated if we’re not immediately free from all our baggage when we come to Christ. But he also warns of the reverse—being a Christian for a long time doesn’t necessarily indicate spiritual formation either. And neither does putting in a lot of effort! Point by point, White whittles away what isn’t discipleship in order to lay the foundation for what is.
After I Believe has a chapter on how to read the Bible. It has a chapter on prayer. White talks about worship and being part of a church community. Chapter by chapter, step by step, he says clearly the things that many long-time Christians leave unsaid because we mistakenly think everyone already knows.
White’s passion for discipleship is evident. His pattern is clear and straightforward. His message in engaging and interactive. After I Believe should be a go-to resource for new believers in your church.
This is the perfect for a new believer’s class, a youth group, or anyone wanting a deeper attachment to their faith. White’s writing is clear, simple, and memorable. He does that pastor thing with alliteration and bullet points (I’d surmise this book grew out of a sermon series) that makes his teaching easy to recall and fun to digest. It’s a book that you’ll read quickly, but then reflect on for a long time.
The very first chapter deals with misconceptions and myths about the Christian life. I like that White got these out of the way immediately. One of the most important myths he tackles is that faith should be instantaneous, that is we should be frustrated if we’re not immediately free from all our baggage when we come to Christ. But he also warns of the reverse—being a Christian for a long time doesn’t necessarily indicate spiritual formation either. And neither does putting in a lot of effort! Point by point, White whittles away what isn’t discipleship in order to lay the foundation for what is.
After I Believe has a chapter on how to read the Bible. It has a chapter on prayer. White talks about worship and being part of a church community. Chapter by chapter, step by step, he says clearly the things that many long-time Christians leave unsaid because we mistakenly think everyone already knows.
White’s passion for discipleship is evident. His pattern is clear and straightforward. His message in engaging and interactive. After I Believe should be a go-to resource for new believers in your church.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews