This is a book of truth. These Sketches are taken from real life. They are facts, not fancies. They are the experiences of some whom the author has known in the course of his ministry. He has not given to them an item of colouring. The only thing about them from which any erroneous impression can possibly arise, is to be found in the fact that they are only sketches, not containing all that could be given in respect to the individuals here mentioned. But they are believed to contain a fair and sufficiently full representation of each case.

The author has made this selection from the materials in his possession, on the principle of avoiding useless repetitions as much as possible, and on the principle of meeting some of the strange difficulties which sometimes trouble inquirers after salvation.

I didn’t know what to expect when I began reading a A Pastor’s Sketches by Ichabod Spencer. Out of the blue I was asked to review the book by a small publisher I had never heard of which was odd for two reasons: 1) I hadn’t updated my blog in months and 2) I would expect a publisher to want well written reviews of their books. I was also worried that if the book was bad I’d have to write a review saying as much, but in the end the lure of a free book was too much for me!

What I found though as I began reading the book was amazing. In fact I was weeping at the end of the first chapter. The book is a collection of conversations that Ichabod Spencer began putting to print in 1851 while pastoring in Brooklyn, New York. This was a time between the Second and Third Great Awakening in America and as such it was a unique period of time. It’s also written in an older, more proper, style of American English. Yet, the relevancy of the book was astonishing to me.

As I attempted to tell my friends of what I was reading three things kept coming to mind:

The Unique Style of the Book
I’ve read other books where there might be a snippet of a conversation here or there, but this book is an entire collection of private conversations between a pastor and his congregants. A quick word about the privacy issue: 1) The author states from the get go that he is fully convinced that he has anonymized the stories enough that no one will know who he is talking about, 2) They’re also dead at this time and 3) the purpose for sharing such conversations is excellent.

Many of us would like to know how to answer the seemingly infinite objections to Christianity or guide a confused soul through the rough waters of doubt. How else can you sit in and watch, what I would consider, a master do just that? It’s been a wonderful learn-by-example experience for me that would be close to impossible to find in another way (unless you bugged your pastor’s office – don’t do it!)

Also, the fact that the book is a collection of short stories is perfect for readers like me who like to jump around and sometimes only have time to read a short section.

The Scriptural Saturation of the Conversations
All great books should draw you to the greatest book of all. Ichabod’s responses are saturated with Scripture. Sometimes the majority of what he says in a conversation is just Scripture quotations. That might sound annoying at first, but well you just have to see him do it yourself. I long to be able to share Scripture as easily, as boldy, as appropriately to the situation as he does.

The Character of the Man
Ichabod Spencer, as far as I can tell, is not an astonishing man. It is just that though, his simplicity, which makes the conversations so amazing. Ichabod does not come to people with eloquent speech or powerful rhetoric. No, he comes boldly and humbly to people with the best that he has to offer: the Word of God. What you see when reading these conversations is the Word of God at work & bearing fruit and Ichabod as simply the vessel for it.

He isn’t brash or pushy. If someone doesn’t wish to speak on the topic of faith then Ichabod doesn’t wish to make them. If they are willing to though, he can’t help but be honest with them, sharing the truths of God in love without shame.

Where to Find It
After looking around I’ve found that the publisher, Solid Ground Christian Books, is the cheapest place to buy this two volume set (even used on Amazon was more expensive!) On their site you can also find additional information about the book and Ichabod himself.

Finally, You can listen to a reading of the book which was the featured mp3 at Sermon Audio just a few days ago:

Shortly thereafter I read the book and loved it. We all need direction in our lives and Total Church provides it in some of the simplest of terms. If you’re a Christian and wondering or not if a book about “the church” would really provide direction for you, then you absolutely need to read it! The first three chapters are worth the $10 by themselves.

It’s also come to my attention that Veritas Community Church has created a free study guide! I’ve only flipped through it, but I can’t wait to dig into it later.

Also, check out the messages of Steves excellent talk at that Seattle boot camp and be sure not to miss the Q&A:

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

In the following MP3 Tim Keller gives some practical advice on discerning a call. He speaks of three questions that he uses in helping others evaluate a call:

1. Do you have a passion for it?
2. Do those around you affirm this?
3. Is there an opportunity?

I can say yes to the first two and God may be opening up the third one.

One of my biggest fears is becoming a Elder when not qualified to do so. What specifically comes to mind on this is 1 Timothy where Paul says that a pastor must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

I feel weak in this area with regards to self-discipline with finances, husbandry and fathering. I have certainly seen growth and I do expect more, but I am not yet personally satisfied that the level they are at is, well, emulatable. That is, that I can’t in good conscience point to myself and tell others “like this!”

Now I know what some of you may be thinking. “Point to Jesus Dwayne! Duh!” And that of course is true and is a pastors (and any Christians) main charge, but I believe that is exactly what I am saying. The way that I lead my life can point towards Him well or . . . not.

What do you think about this?

“We are not called to build the kingdom of glory, but to carry a cross in the kingdom of grace. To forget the cause of missions is to forget the purpose of Christ in a world still spared from destruction. The purpose of your life must be the purpose of Christ’s death.” (25)

“Every gift you have received, then, is a calling of the Spirit.” (30)

“It is quite possible to overestimate the gifts you have; it is quite impossible to over-supplicate the gifts you need.” (30)

“What opportunities do you perceive? The first doors are in the room where you are.” (37)

“Both the heart of mercy and the hand of help must characterize the man who holds forth the Word of life.” (56)

“Worship is always an echo, reflecting the word of grace with the cry of praise.” (58)

“The pulpit is not a psychiartrist’s couch or a seminar room. The preacher is a herald, an announcer, not a pollster.” (59)

“Wisdom is knowledge with the knower left in; or better, it is knowledge with God left in. True knowledge begins and ends with God.”(72)

“To learn how you may serve Christ tomorrow, you must serve him today. Stir up your gifts and Christ’s call will be made clear.” (82)

Rediscovering the Gospel is an ongoing process. Our church is a big ship to turn. I would never attempt to turn it if the approval of others was as vital to me now as it was a year ago and if I hadn’t been changed by love, by Good News. In the midst of news this good, there is no better place to be—even if Iam rejected by some and even if attendance falls. As a sinner-pastor, I stand in dependence on grace to plant and water Gospel seeds, recognizing that God himself gives the growth. In 2008, I will endeavor to preach an ever-clearer message that is faithful to the Scriptures—and woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel. Indeed.

Read the rest of his account here.

Here is the beginning of some recent information on how they are decentralizing their body:

Kaleo Church began with a vision of preaching the Word and gathering people to be on mission to the world. Originally our dream amounted to being the ‘Mars Hill’ of San Diego, where I had come from and the church that planted us. For a variety of reasons this vision shifted as we saw the tensions of growing one large service here in San Diego.

It was through the influence of Harbor Presbyterian we felt gospel-motivated to change our vision to become a multi-site church planting movement with elders preaching the Word at each location. We felt smaller bodies of people gathering together made more sense.

Read the rest here.

Benton’s piece de resistance is this circular argument: Unless solid Christian seek out, populate, and serve “little and very local” churches, the light of the gospel may go out in those areas. However, small churches can hold out the offer of the gospel in an authentic, small-scale way that bigger churches cannot: “Everyone needs to become a Christian and local churches are the God-ordained means of holding out the Word of life to the community.”

I think that sounds crazy. Why not say “Unless solid Christian seek out, populate, and serve mega churches, the light of the gospel may go out in those areas.” Just as true isn’t it? But it goes on and I see some balance:

You may be asking at this point, “Is it wrong to attend a large church?” Not usually, not always, and not necessarily. As Benton says, “To join a big thriving church is not always wrong, but it is frequently the easy option…how the devil would love to herd Christians into a few big city centre churches, getting them to travel miles from their communities and leaving vast tracts of our country with no viable witness for the gospel.”

I dig what he is saying. In fact I know some mega churches who specifically see that problem and are trying to avoid it. Then, in my opinion, the review just takes a nose dive:

Elsewhere, Jesus says, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given… Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” These verses almost certainly apply to the conundrum of whether one ought to attend a small church or a large church.

Okay now this is just ridiculoous. These verses most certainly do not apply to what size church you should join. What Jesus is talking about is plain as day: Marriage and Divorce.

Sorry, I was wanting to post about this book because it looked interesting to me, but now I am just frustrated with the tossing around of Scripture in the review. Sheesh, come on Discerning Reader!

Read the rest of the review here.

I’ve read a few books from some of their fellows including How People Change, Blame It on the Brain? and Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave. and attended two of their conferences.   Everything that I have seen from them has been great both in style and biblical grounding.

Like good attorneys, we have the job of showing that the truth matters IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, that case being the human lives before us, both now and eternally. Relevance can’t be faked, avoided or assumed without dire consequences; consequences for which we are fully responsible.

Full article here.