Ed Stetzer continues to expand his teaching on missional living in this book. Missional living is what Ed describes as “seeing yourself as in a missionary setting, even if you never leave your neighborhood.” Taking his theme from 2 Corinthians 5, Ed demonstrates practical ways for the love of Christ to compel believers in their beliefs and behaviors.
The first four chapters of the book outline and detail the great love with which God has loved His people. The case is made for this love to compel our further response. Chapter 3 outlines a conversation between a group of believers who knew the needs of their community and had formulated plans to impact their communities in a positive way. When asked “What is the gospel?”, however, they had no clue. The authors brilliantly point out that when we assume the gospel, we assume too much. Indeed, without the gospel, what good is relevance or cultural engagement?
A majority of the book is devoted to the practical application of love; in other words, how does a believer show God’s love in an understandable, attractive manner? Ed’s response is excellent. He states “God has a perfect plan, and God laid out His plan eternally in His Word, the Bible. [I] think the most loving thing to do is tell the truth, even if that means disagreeing about someone’s most personal choices for life.” He further states that lovingly presenting God’s Word does not mean that one will go along with everyone’s ideas and thoughts. Believers are not to be controversial for the sake of controversy; but to cause the world to notice a difference in the way we behave in conflict.
This book would be a great resource for small study groups. It is designed to be used as such, including application and thought-inducing questions at the conclusion of each chapter. Read this book with a pen in hand while sitting in a quiet place. You will want to record your thoughts and reactions prompted by this book! For a summary statement, I could find none better than this one: “If we love the people who live where God placed us, we will do what it takes to reach them” (p.124). – Charles L. Eldred, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com
“This is a great tool to help your church learn how and why we should live compelled by love. God calls us to nothing less.”— Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life
“Compelled by Love is a much-needed overview for how God’s love compels us to love as He is loving in our world.” — Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God and Called and Accountable
“Here is an anthem of love that the missional church can sing with all its heart.”— Leonard Sweet, Drew Theological School, George Fox University,
“Compelled by Love is a great read for those needing encouragement and direction for engaging in God's work in the world.”—Thom Rainer, author of Simple Church
“Compelled by Love is a fine contribution to spiritual reflection and church renewal.”— Timothy George, founding dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, and senior editor, Christianity Today
“Compelled by Love gives us a much needed teaching on an overused word. . . .This book is necessary reading to redeem our understanding of how love fuels missional living.”— Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, author of Vintage Jesus: Timeless Answers to Timely Questions
“Compelled by Love helps us recover the legitimacy that only love can bring. And God knows, we could be a whole lot more loving!”— Alan Hirsch,author of The Forgotten Ways and The Shaping of Things To Come
“If the church needs anything today, it is to learn to love again. Ed and Philip remind us that love is the only motive that can really make us missional. And these two men live out what they write.”— Dr. John Avant, senior pastor, pastor, First West Church, author of Authentic Power: How to Unleash It in Your Life
“Ed and Philip help us discover biblically sound answers to crucial questions. Compelled by Love is filled with words of wisdom that will protect the best crafted how-to plans from being hijacked by fuzzy motives and misplaced goals.”—Steven M. Pike, administrator,US Missions director, Assemblies of God Church Planting and Health
“Ed and Philip call us to evaluate our lives and ministries by the standard of love. This book will meddle with our motives, but will call us to a higher way of living.” — Dr. Ronnie W. Floyd, senior pastor, First Baptist Church of Springdale and the Church at Pinnacle Hills, author of Finding the Favor of God: A Discovery That Will Change Your Life
“Compelled by Love is a compelling resource to spur conversation in small groups.”— Bill Easum, cofounder, Easum, Bandy & Associates
“Compelled by Love is the type of book that creates the atmosphere to see change in ministry.”— Johnny Hunt, pastor, First Baptist Woodstock
“Ed and Philip talk about the ultimate purpose of missions—to first love God with all our heart, and then to love others as we love ourselves. Love trumps mission, and together they equal missional love.”— Elmer Towns, dean, School of Religion, Liberty University
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jonathan Coombs (Melbourne, Australia), September 03, 2009
In three parts Stetzer and Nation write about the love of God, the love of the church and the love of believers. The primary and central point of this book is love. It challenges and opens-wide the readers imagination as to what love really means, both from Christ’s perspective and our living-it-out perspective.
In each part and then in each chapter the centrality of the cross is shown to be the essence of love. God’s love is shown through the cross, the church is identified by love, founded on the cross, and the believer is living in love through the power of the cross.
I think this is one of the best books i have read all year. It was challenging and convicting as it showed me the way of love. It highlighted how far the church today has drifted from its purpose to love God and love their neighbour. Through sound exposition and poignant illustration Compelled by Love encourages one to think how central love is in their life.
At the end of each chapter there are a handful of discussion questions, which could be used individually or as a group/mentoring type study. They are insightful and challenging questions based on what has been said in the chapter. I think much can be garnered from each chapter as one stops to think about what they just read.
With a focus on Jesus and a focus on being missional this book is an excellent resource and an excellent word to the church (individually and corporately) today. 9/10.
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Author: Philip Nation
Submitted: March 05, 2008
Tell us a little about yourself. I have been married to Angie since 1994. We have two sons: Andrew & Chris.
What was your motivation behind this project? I have served in ministry since the age of 17. During that time, culture and ministry has changed drastically but God's heart has not. This book is written to reconnect us with God's heart through missional ministry.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? Our hope is that believers will find the path to follow God's heart in being missional in everyday life.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? Writing this book was at times a celebration of what God has been doing in my ministry. At other times, it was a convicting exercise to ensure that my own church is on path with God's mission.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? The classic theologians who have influenced me the most are Jonathan Edwards, John Owens, John Piper and Henry Blackaby.
The contemporary authors and leaders who are guiding my thinking are Tim Keller, Bob Roberts, and my co-author Ed Stetzer.
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