I liked much of this, as I have for the whole series. I would have found concrete examples from actual churches more helpful than a realistic parable,I liked much of this, as I have for the whole series. I would have found concrete examples from actual churches more helpful than a realistic parable, as moving as it was.
The way the grammar builds from one thinker to another can be a bit hard to follow, also. But overall this is a helpful corrective too many visions of the church that rely on market logic and tools rather than divine action and patience....more
This is a very good book especially for those doing church in large cities. Make no mistake, this looks and reads like a textbook. In some places it wThis is a very good book especially for those doing church in large cities. Make no mistake, this looks and reads like a textbook. In some places it was a bit of a slog, but there is a lot of meat on these bones.
If you aren’t already aware, Keller is firmly in the Reformed (PCA) camp - that means I have significant theological and ethical differences from him. I struggled a bit with the narrow range of theologians he quoted in the first section; DA Carson was in almost every chapter there.
But there is much wisdom here to gain from someone that has successfully planted a conservative (though sophisticated) church in Manhattan. His advice on contextualization is especially helpful, and he names the worst impulses of big box-McChurch culture while urging us not to overcorrect.
His emphasis on a balance of ministry is a helpful word at a time when few churches seem to take the whole gospel seriously....more
Some interesting and inspiring stories, but I can’t help but suspect this is to stoicism what Joel Osteen is to Christianity. Would also be stronger iSome interesting and inspiring stories, but I can’t help but suspect this is to stoicism what Joel Osteen is to Christianity. Would also be stronger if the author did not read it himself....more
I still quite like this book and find it helpful. Explains why so many people - men in particular - struggle with meanUpdated February 2023, 2nd read:
I still quite like this book and find it helpful. Explains why so many people - men in particular - struggle with meaning and purpose after they retire. He also draws from deep theological wells while being open to insight from other wells, which is a hard balance to strike.
Good reading for anyone at or over middle age. Skews a bit towards a more educated and/or upper middle class readership, but quite good....more
Very good book, better than the vast majority in the leadership genre. I wish it were not nearly all narrative, though. Helpful both for work and lifeVery good book, better than the vast majority in the leadership genre. I wish it were not nearly all narrative, though. Helpful both for work and life outside of work....more
Some very interesting ideas, and challenged some sacred cows. Some of the productivity ideas will only apply in traditional office settings. I think hSome very interesting ideas, and challenged some sacred cows. Some of the productivity ideas will only apply in traditional office settings. I think he gets out over his skis a bit on some of the parenting questions. But overall a short but worthwhile read....more
For me, the experience of reading this book did not match all the marketing hype I had heard about it. It felt like a standard book on Lincoln during For me, the experience of reading this book did not match all the marketing hype I had heard about it. It felt like a standard book on Lincoln during the Civil War. I was expecting more on his leadership, or at least more analysis of it than simply anecdotes of his leadership. Not bad, just not as good as I was hoping....more
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