I really enjoyed this novel. It was a slow start reading but when definitely worth it. I was very happy about the ending of this book. It was good to see Christian values stay strong int he story and win out in the end.

Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors and she did a great job writing this novel. I really appreciate her pointing out the folly of trying to grow a church just for numbers sake and without any really consideration for the congregation's spiritual health. However, I did not finish this novel because I felt that some of the content wasn't appropriate. I didn't think that some of the subject matter should have been dwelt on like it was.

I am learning to truly appreciate Francine Rivers' writing more with each book of hers that I've read...but this book is powerful and so "spot on!" It addresses the issue of American churches today becoming entertainment facilities to try to attract more and more people...while all the while the ones attending never grow or change spiritually. Forget the hymnal...forget the true gospel...those things offend and bore. "God has never been concerned with numbers. He's concerned with focus and heart. Growth in numbers is a blessing as long as spiritual growth and maturity come along with it." The young preacher in this story had to learn this the hard way...but thank God, he learned it, but not without paying a very dear price. This is a book I wish all preachers and church leaders would take the time to read. We don't go to church to be entertained and have our ears "tickled." If we do, we might as well stay home. "The first order of business in the church wasn't to go out and put up a building for meetings. It was to win souls, teach, have fellowship, break bread together, and pray. It's not the building that matters or the programs or numbers. It's not the music or ritual. It's about our relationship with Jesus Christ. Believers are the church. Christ's resurrection power is revealed through our new lives."

I would recommend this book for every christian.

When I read the blurb of a review on the cover of this book written by Anne Graham Lotz, I wasn't sure what she meant by "...almost prophetic statement of the church in America...". Now that I've finished the book, it makes more sense than I care to admit.

There is so much I'd love to say about this novel, but I'm going to skip that and get to the point. If you are a church member or are even considering going to church, please read this book. We all need to be questioning what we are taught. We must keep our pastors accountable. If their sermons do nothing but make you feel good, you are being fed a bunch of nonsense.

I HIGHLY recommend this story for EVERYONE who believes in God. It is crucial that we know what our pastors are teaching/preaching. We need to ask, is it biblical? Where we spend eternity depends on it.