This is a searing but loving insider critique of the individualism that marks
North American evangelicals. Fitch, senior pastor of the Life on the Vine
Christian community in Arlington Heights, Ill., blames an embrace of modernism
for attempts by evangelicals to "individualize, commodify, and package
Christianity." He criticizes mega-churches that end up functioning like
capitalist businesses with CEO-style pastors judging success by the number of
"decisions for Christ" produced. Each chapter outlines the various ways
evangelicalism has "given away" its influence and then offers concrete
practices designed to help the church reclaim its mission. Fitch's most
scathing criticism is saved for the evangelical willingness to embrace modern
psychology, which he blasts as patient-centered rather than Christ-centered.
He challenges evangelical churches to think smaller (in terms of congregation
size), place less focus on coercive evangelism, return to communal catechesis,
offer more liturgical worship and provide opportunities for small group
intimacy where Christians can confess their sins, repent, read scripture and
pray together regularly. Intellectually rigorous, this book's critical tone
will undoubtedly upset many conservative evangelicals, but will point the way
for the more moderate ones for years to come. (Oct. 15) Copyright 2005 Reed
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