Follow: A Simple and Profound Call to Live Like Jesus
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another book on home disciple groups
âÂÂ[I]f Jesus is indeed God, then to truly follow Him is to pattern everything in our lives after His Life.â (12) This is the backdrop for McClung's book. He believes that following Jesus, âÂÂshould invade every area of our lives and transform everything about us.â (12)
McClung is not bullish on the church. âÂÂI have written this book, â he writes, â with the underlying belief that any hierarchy and all institutionalization of the church lead us directly away from Jesus Himself.â (13) âÂÂMost churches are boring!â (186) He questions âÂÂthe purpose of any form of church that does not call people to radical obedience.â (186) âÂÂChurch buildings and paid church leaders are the greatest hindrance to the growth of a movement.â (208)
At first his attitude put me off but as I read on, I realized he had a point. The early disciples did not squeeze church in before going fishing or shopping. The gospel was their life. The Christian community was at the center of their life.
McClung found he had inherited a Christian culture that he had mistaken for the teachings and practices of Jesus. âÂÂWe must study His teachings, look deeply at His example, and ask hard questions of ourselves and others about what it means to follow Jesus.â (15)
This is exactly what McClung does in his book. He looks at three basic truths of followers of Jesus: worship â love Jesus, mission â love the world, and community â love one another.
McClung suggests D-groups (discipleship groups) be formed to empower believers to share their faith. âÂÂWe teach that a D-group becomes a church when they baptize their own converts and share the Lord's Supper together.â (232) This seems to me to go against his earlier criticism of churches, that they were not, in fact churches unless they met certain criteria. He also says that being connected to a network of small discipleship groups is important. How does that happen unless there is some organization involved (and he does not like âÂÂorganizedâ church)?
McClung's âÂÂsimple churchâ ideas are simply a bit of a twist on the house church movement. If you do feel called to get out of your comfort zone you can contact his ministry in South Africa. McClung and his wife are permanent residents there as he is convinced a massive discipleship movement that will touch all of Africa and beyond is going to happen there.
This book was provided for review by The B & B Media Group, Inc.
November 10, 2010
Follow, Floyd McClungPowerful, inspirational, moving! It seems that God is inspiring a new realm of writers those testifying of the life-changing power of God. This author gets straight to the heart of the matter, calling readers to examine their lives and thoughts about God. I love the direct manner he uses and the grace that is evident in his writing. If a person can read this book and continue in an apathetic, lukewarm, unefentful relationship with Jesus there may be a true heart issue. Floyd McClung addresses the very topics that American Christians need to look closely at. I think this is a must read for those seeking to lead a life consumed by God and led by His hand for His glory on the mission field of life. If you are seeking to break free from religion, tradition and the chains of doctrinal rules this is the book for you. Live in the liberating freedom of Christs calling a life on the edge.Thank you B&B Media Group for this review copy
September 21, 2010
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