Killer Church: Why Some Just Survive and Others Thrive in the Presence of God

by Nathan Finochio

Are our churches killing us?




Killer Church walks readers through a Biblical study of life and death at the altar of God, and attempts to answer the are our churches making us sick?




The Church has become peripheral to many Christians today, but throughout the New Testament it remains the epicenter of worship. Where have we gone wrong? And how can we recover the spiritual vitality of the Acts Church? Nathan suggests a way forward both theologically and pastorally in the chapters in this book. 




"Killer Church will inspire weak chuches to be strong robust churches. Nathan articulates biblical truth with a contemporary easy-to-understand style. I highly recommend this writing in today's world."

- Dr. Frank Damazio




"Nathan Finochio pulls no punches in addressing the challenges God puts before us as we seek to build churches on the right foundations in a fallen culture which does it best to take us in all the wrong directions."

- David Campbell




"Killer Church reveals how to keep the church anchored to God's purposes rather than our human assumptions and selfish expectations. With brilliant exposition of God's Word and memorable contemporary examples, Nathan Finochio reignites our passion for knowing God in spirit and truth, unleashing His Spirit in all areas of our lives."

- Chris Hodges, Senior Pastor, Church of the Highlands, Author of The Daniel Dilemma and Out of the Cave

Genres: Theology

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2022

Reviews

[Kat Mitropoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always have some kind of issue when it comes to spiritual books.
Either the author spoke over my head, he used filler chapters to make his book bigger thus generating more sales for the size, or it was boring and they lost me.

This was nothing like anything I’ve read before. Not only was it incredibly engaging, but I understood exactly what Finochio was trying to convey and articulate.
His chapters were insanely deep but completely understandable.

I also love Finochio’s personality coming out in the chapters as well (if you follow him on Instagram, you know how sarcastic and funny he can be).

I also loved how this book isn’t just for pastors who have a church. It’s about the believer going into church looking for it to serve then instead of the other way around. It’s about learning how God has preferences when it comes to worship and how we are priests here to love God and serve others.

I couldn’t recommend this book enough!!!

[Mady Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been bad about reading lately. Overall this book was so great, but I hit a rough patch 3/4s in and struggled through some points that were made. The book wrapped up nicely though and I’m glad I read it!

[Shawna Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nathan brings the truth about how churches are killing but more importantly how churches can thrive. I love this book because it’s relevant to where the church is at right now both in where we get it wrong, but how we can get it right.

Chapter 5 and 6, the interlude, were the meat of the book. Chapter 5 was incredible and I wept reading a little bit of his testimony. The last chapter felt like the finale of a Fourth of July fireworks, I highlighted the whole page.

I love that this book didn’t have the basic regurgitated, favorite Bible verses. Nathan dives into the context around the scripture passages he uses in his book and doesn’t just glaze the passages with his own understanding.

I feel encouraged and inspired to keep running on all cylinders for the local church bringing my best worship to God on His terms.

Nathan’s words are the pool cleaning net that will swipe out the dead bugs and debris floating around in your theology.

[Loey Wittink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this read. Nathan is clear, there is a good progression to the book, there is a clear message and the author doesn’t take too long to make his point. Great read.

Also, his observations about how our worship has become so much about ourselves, and not about how God wants to be worshiped are on point.

[Christina Mayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relationships are hard, we are all so different in our wants, needs, tastes, and preferences. Everywhere you look is evidence that the world is no longer focused on traditional marriage, values, or relationships. Instead, the world has become focused on self - selfcare is where its at; don’t worry about anyone else.

Killer Church begins with a discussion about marital relationships and how much work they are. How, in a marriage, discovering your spouses’ preferences and desires may feel weird and some of those preferences are hard to understand, but, when you gift them back to your spouse you will see that your gift goes a long way towards strengthening your relationship and showing your love. Nathan explains that God is a person who desires a real relationship with us, “You don’t need to understand God’s preferences or why He likes certain things and not others; you just need to know what they are and do them – if you wanna be in a relationship with God.”1

Nathan calls out the issues that he sees in the church that are hurting our relationship with God. He teaches us biblical truth so we can see the error of our ways, correct our relationship with the Lord and build stronger churches. From the reality of avocado toast to Christian Buddhism we have the power to restore our all our relationships and Nathan Finochio shows us how. A read that has completely shifted my viewpoint on selfcare.

[Zoe Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! Finochio does a fantastic job of addressing many ecclesiological errors within Western culture and guides Christians back to the foundational function of the Church: to worship God the way He wants to be worshipped. This book is a must-read for all Christians, especially those questioning the Western Church and its practices. Finnochio combats narcissistic and consumeristic views of God and His church in such a profound way, directing Christians to adjust their views of God to align with Him instead of trying to fit God within their own narrative. The writing is highly informative and yet simultaneously easy to understand, full of stories and Nathan's characteristic snark. I highly recommend Killer Church to anyone wanting to know more about Biblical perspectives on church and worship!

[Business Greg Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the way forward for our church today

I thought this was well written and well cited. My only complaint is I would have liked more on some topics. For example, a second chapter on anointing to further expand on the author’s point. But the author nails it with his statements that we are all priests (and responsible as priests). One of the big issues in the church today as I perceive it is the idea that pastors should do all the heavy lifting. It is on all of us to minister in our daily lives. Also the reframing of the importance of unrestrained worship was helpful.

[Daunavan Buyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Good

Nathan Finochio has done it again. His style, wit, and intellect shine through every page of this book. This book talks about the kind of worship that God is seeking and how/why many have rejected His ways in favour of other things (and what those consequences may be). Check it out.

[Jonathan Piers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Christian book I have read in a long time. Nathan has a compelling and engaging way of making his points and most importantly, backing up what he says. I loved seeing 70+ footnotes and an extensive bibliography. Even if you don’t agree with his point, you see where he’s coming from. Challenging and uplifting, I can’t recommend this enough. Bonus points for Dumb and Dumber reference.

[Bethany Zollman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much. I really like the way the author, Nathan Finochio, writes. His use of personal examples and illustrations really helped me understand the concepts in the book, and his use of scripture was sound. The book talks about the purpose of the church and our role in it. I'll definitely go back to this book over and over.

[Anders Wiik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to read abd re-read and re-read

A prophetic word for the church in 2022 and onwards

This is a must read

This will challenge you

This will challenge the congregation

Say goodbye to the rich young ruler

[Renata Kiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging and Convicting

An easy, fast read but full of spiritual gold. A call for the 21st century church to worship the one true God in spirit and truth. Christians serve a holy God, not a teddy bear. Christians are priests, not consumers. It’s time to act like it.

[Roscoe Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate is always 🔥 and he brings it in this one. He has a sense of urgency about the way he writes that really inspires you to want to change the Church immediately, and most the changes he suggests are pretty good.

[Josh Broyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. Nathan Finochio is an incredible author. This book truly breaks down walls and opens up hard conversations that need to be had within church. This book pushes the boundaries and really opens your eyes!

[Jonathon Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Nathan's approach and honest assessment of the state of Christianity and the church today.
This book will challenge you and draw into deeper understanding of acceptable worship and a desire to find more of the presence of God.

[Kayla Hay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charge to the modern Church to return to historic orthodoxy in doctrine and worship in spirit and in truth.

[Josiah Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

9.5/10
This is thee book I’ve been looking for. Thanks for writing it, Nathan 🙏🏼

[Ben Brackin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Church is needing this book! I’m speechless

[Shawna Tebb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic realistic relatable comparisons that truly make you think about your relationship with God and role in the church. Such an easy read. Highly recommend!

[Lizzy Tonkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

To listen to a condensed sermon of this book — Talking Church, We Exist to Worship God — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

[Brenden Campana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for the modern church.

[Grant May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I love how Nathan writes and I love how witty and deeply theological he is. I enjoyed this read from start to finish and I learned something along the way.

[evelina april · Rating 5 out of 5]

would recommend everyone serving in ministry to read this book. focuses on explaining that we don’t build the church around ourselves, we build our lives and worship around the way God intended and commanded. church doesn’t cater to us, we cater to church.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third time through. I read this every year because I love the clarity named, in order, of priorities of the church, especially in such mass confusion of priorities. God gets to prescribe how we worship Him, because He is God. The church belongs to Him. I think any conversation of ecclesiology needs to include this ordering and conversation included about the reality that we are inviting people to a bonfire.