I just received this book and I am looking forward to diving into it. As a person in my 60s who began following Jesus as a young child, as I got older the scare tactics caused me to fear my own faith decisions and wonder if I really had a true conversion. It wasn’t dramatic, it was simply I wanted to follow Jesus. In my young adult years our church held those Heavens Gates and Hells Flames drama events or the Christian version of Haunted Houses. I found myself desiring to be baptized again when I turned 40 just to make sure. The pastor framed it as nailing my decision down. No wonder so many who were exposed to that kind of theology are questioning, especially in today’s confusing Christian agendas. We are now no longer part of that kind of theology. Thankfully, Jesus has held me close and I continue to grow towards him even in my questions. Thanks for this preview.
One thing I have learned about conversion over the years is that it cannot be canned and that conversion is profoundly, profoundly personal. What happens to one is not identical to others. Thanks for sharing your story.
Hi Janet. I'm 75. I think what has happened is there is a God designed progression, natural system and at around 40-45 what has been labeled midlife crisis was normal. BUT since the 1970's women invested in their gifting and career so their kids caused empty nest closer to 60. And that midlife experience hits 15 years "late". I experienced "spiritual awakening", as Brene Brown labels it, at 53 and finally got into the therapy office at 60. I wish I had been less confused and memorized more Scripture when it was easier. It wasn't easy at 60, but easier than now! The great thing about this lateness is all this interest in learning causes your brain to stay very active and open and the old fashion notion of diminished capacity isn't true. Use it or lose it! Dive in. Scot is a fantastic pointer to The Way.
I really like this book. It appears to be very timely. This, and other things have drawn me back to John 3 and Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, as well as other similar stories and lessons. Conversion happened when the apostles dropped what they were doing to follow Jesus and “fish for people.”
Then, each time Jesus had to pause for a teaching moment, there was an adjustment/rebirth/new conversion because, in some way, the view changed, leading to some behavioral change. ?
Having said all that, I recently turned 70(the new 48?🤣) And, I’m still pastoring two United Methodist congregations. Each, sadly, lost the participation of people who couldn’t deal with the big change in the UMC.
So, this book is giving me a lot of good food for life. The 5 points from the Rambo book have given me a cause to pause and think some more! Thank you, Scot, Tommy, and everybody here, for keeping me transforming much “more than meets the eye”!
Your second paragraph, Ortberg is talking today about "the assumptive world". We think we "know", we assume reality is this way or that, Jesus introduces something unthought of before.
The book seems really great! I'm definitely putting on my list to read for the new year.
The one point I'm unclear on is that there is a need for a crisis that precipitates a conversion (I'm thinking religious conversion here). First of all, not everyone has a "conversion" or "conversion experience" - myself included. Secondly, I didn't have a crisis that precipitated anything like a conversion on any front (to my knowledge). I know my experience is my own and others have stories as well. That being said, I'm not sure this is how it always works out. I hope I'm being clear - doing my best here!
"She experiments, goes to websites, and enters conversations searching for resolution to her pain." Oh my yes. Aren't we all trying to figure out how to end our pain?
Oh my gosh, you nailed my past 20 years. I'm impressed. I don't have any affinity for the term deconstruct. Prefer recognize. The really hard thing about the advocate (in this scenario, not Holy Spirit) is to NOT make them God. THAT can really screw up somebody you love intensely.
And the reality is, there is no place to go. I've been experimenting with your notion to go to your closest church and reading bits from your book about Common Life. What I'm sure about is there has to be a earthquake shift in thinking to "made in His image". Your notion about changing Sunday worship to include a listening piece is a CRITICAL part. Seminaries won't catch up for a generation. I do hold out hope for John Mark Comers, Tyler Staton and Tommy Phillips, Beth Allison Barr, Kristen DuMez, Aimee Byrd crowd. THEY will shape the leadership culture.
I just received this book and I am looking forward to diving into it. As a person in my 60s who began following Jesus as a young child, as I got older the scare tactics caused me to fear my own faith decisions and wonder if I really had a true conversion. It wasn’t dramatic, it was simply I wanted to follow Jesus. In my young adult years our church held those Heavens Gates and Hells Flames drama events or the Christian version of Haunted Houses. I found myself desiring to be baptized again when I turned 40 just to make sure. The pastor framed it as nailing my decision down. No wonder so many who were exposed to that kind of theology are questioning, especially in today’s confusing Christian agendas. We are now no longer part of that kind of theology. Thankfully, Jesus has held me close and I continue to grow towards him even in my questions. Thanks for this preview.
One thing I have learned about conversion over the years is that it cannot be canned and that conversion is profoundly, profoundly personal. What happens to one is not identical to others. Thanks for sharing your story.
Hi Janet. I'm 75. I think what has happened is there is a God designed progression, natural system and at around 40-45 what has been labeled midlife crisis was normal. BUT since the 1970's women invested in their gifting and career so their kids caused empty nest closer to 60. And that midlife experience hits 15 years "late". I experienced "spiritual awakening", as Brene Brown labels it, at 53 and finally got into the therapy office at 60. I wish I had been less confused and memorized more Scripture when it was easier. It wasn't easy at 60, but easier than now! The great thing about this lateness is all this interest in learning causes your brain to stay very active and open and the old fashion notion of diminished capacity isn't true. Use it or lose it! Dive in. Scot is a fantastic pointer to The Way.
Ginger I love all of this so much. Thanks for sharing that wisdom with me!!
Thank you For writing this book. 🙏🏼
I really like this book. It appears to be very timely. This, and other things have drawn me back to John 3 and Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, as well as other similar stories and lessons. Conversion happened when the apostles dropped what they were doing to follow Jesus and “fish for people.”
Then, each time Jesus had to pause for a teaching moment, there was an adjustment/rebirth/new conversion because, in some way, the view changed, leading to some behavioral change. ?
Having said all that, I recently turned 70(the new 48?🤣) And, I’m still pastoring two United Methodist congregations. Each, sadly, lost the participation of people who couldn’t deal with the big change in the UMC.
So, this book is giving me a lot of good food for life. The 5 points from the Rambo book have given me a cause to pause and think some more! Thank you, Scot, Tommy, and everybody here, for keeping me transforming much “more than meets the eye”!
Thanks Greg. We appreciate your story.
Your second paragraph, Ortberg is talking today about "the assumptive world". We think we "know", we assume reality is this way or that, Jesus introduces something unthought of before.
The book seems really great! I'm definitely putting on my list to read for the new year.
The one point I'm unclear on is that there is a need for a crisis that precipitates a conversion (I'm thinking religious conversion here). First of all, not everyone has a "conversion" or "conversion experience" - myself included. Secondly, I didn't have a crisis that precipitated anything like a conversion on any front (to my knowledge). I know my experience is my own and others have stories as well. That being said, I'm not sure this is how it always works out. I hope I'm being clear - doing my best here!
Do you really "know" your story? We are formed and shaped a long time before the practical language skills are developed.
"She experiments, goes to websites, and enters conversations searching for resolution to her pain." Oh my yes. Aren't we all trying to figure out how to end our pain?
Oh my gosh, you nailed my past 20 years. I'm impressed. I don't have any affinity for the term deconstruct. Prefer recognize. The really hard thing about the advocate (in this scenario, not Holy Spirit) is to NOT make them God. THAT can really screw up somebody you love intensely.
And the reality is, there is no place to go. I've been experimenting with your notion to go to your closest church and reading bits from your book about Common Life. What I'm sure about is there has to be a earthquake shift in thinking to "made in His image". Your notion about changing Sunday worship to include a listening piece is a CRITICAL part. Seminaries won't catch up for a generation. I do hold out hope for John Mark Comers, Tyler Staton and Tommy Phillips, Beth Allison Barr, Kristen DuMez, Aimee Byrd crowd. THEY will shape the leadership culture.