An Army of Ordinary People

by Felicity Dale

Book by Dale, Felicity

Genres: Christian

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Anthony D’Apolito III · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Tony. Thank you Felicity.

This book will be an inspiration to me for the rest of my life.

[Cathy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never considered what would happen to our world if all 21st century, American Christians literally followed in the faith-steps of Christ's first followers--the central characters of the Biblical book of Acts. Now that I've read Felicity Dale's An Army of Ordinary People, I can't stop thinking about what the next decade could be like if they did.

This collection of twenty anecdotes shows what happens when a handful of ordinary believers dare to step out of their comfort zones and put their faith, and the example set for us by the early Church, into action. Each individual highlighted in Army does something I long for the confidence to do: they obey the urgent call to share Christ with their world, whether boardroom or bowling alley, with their all their heart, soul, mind, and strength--not with force and might and pulpit pounding, but with love and concern and kindness.

You've likely heard stories of missionaries venturing into the wilderness and bringing record numbers of third-world and/or openly anti-Christian natives to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Army is nothing of the sort.

Instead, this volume is filled with well-told, engaging tales of, as the title states, ordinary people from all walks of life living out their ordinary lives--with one exception. Each chooses to consciously BE Jesus--in word and deed--to those in their personal circle: co-workers, family, friends, and acquaintances.

Without even realizing it, these simple people become church planters. The churches they plant, however, resemble in no way the church I (or likely you) attend each Sunday morning.

Their "simple" or "house" churches spring up from such seeds as one couple inviting another over for dinner and saying grace before the meal, or a mother giving her daughter permission to invite a friends over for the family's Sunday breakfast and devotion time, or a cubicle-dweller offering to pray for his co-workers when they tell him their troubles. Things you and I can easily do.

Each chapter is followed by an insightful commentary from the author citing and expounding on Biblical examples and references, and reinforcing Jesus' command in Acts 1:8--"Go and make disciples of all nations." This "Great Commission," as Christians refer to it, instructs us to start our mission in our own back yard.

Army is an inspiring look at an arm of Christ's Body I knew existed but didn't realize was actively vibrant and multiplying all around me. Even if the particular flavor of "church" Felicity Dale savors in Army sours you, you will be motivated to take a deeper look at what you thought "church"--the gathering of His followers--was meant to be. It will send believers scurrying to the scriptures to find that 2000 year-old teaching is still relevant.

My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of “An Army of Ordinary People”.

[Jenny Rose]

What is Church: (page 27- 30)
Jesus' main teaching in his ministry was about the "Kingdom of God".
Disciples had this modeled to them by meeting house to house.
The word "church" is only mentioned 2xs in the Bible (Matt 16 & Matt 18)

Church is when 2 or more people are gathered in His name.

In NT the word church is used in 3 different context:
Church in a home
Church of a city or region
Church universal

We shouldn't use the word "church" in association with a building (i.e. I left my Bible at church) or in association with a denomination (ie First Baptist Church).

Church - ekklesia (greek) meaning "called out ones".

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The book's subtitle summarizes it pretty well: "Stories of real-life men and women simply being the church." Each chapter tells a part of someone's story, and how God worked through them in simple and yet significant ways. This isn't a collection of only the best, most unbelievable stories, with all of the difficulties glossed over. I feel that many stories I've heard elsewhere which are meant to be inspiring end up sounding unreal. But this isn't the case with An Army of Ordinary People. More than anything, these stories are honest and believable." Click here to continue reading my review.

[Michael Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focuses on small groups being the church. There are many great things God does in small groups in the lives of people and there is a precedent for small groups in the NT (Acts 2:42, etc). However, this book focuses on the negative of "legacy" churches and leaves out any discussion of leadership in the early church (elders and deacons - Philippians 1:1; Titus 1; 1 Timothy 3) and paid pastors (1 Tim. 5:18).

[Bracy Wevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book on showing there really are different ways of doing church!!

[Wanda (The Watered Soul) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book that challenged my view of church and had me longing for something different. Amazing stories of people living out their faith in every day life in simple ways.

[Dan Mayhew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felicity has done an inspiring job of describing how simple churches form and grow. I bought several copies and distributed them among the house churches that make up The Summit Fellowships network.