Deeper, More Challenging and More Inspiring
Max Lucado says that writing a book is like giving birth to barbwire. His words as a prolific author encouraged me through the pangs of writing Church Unique.
But as hard as it is to write a book, the hardest thing to do afterwards is reading a poorly written one. Writing forces you to think differently about how you read. Recently, I have been excited about a few books, only to put them down, discouraged by a lack of coherent thought and skilled writing.
That observation sets the stage for why I am posting a Church Unique endorsement from a particular pastor who is a great writer himself- Bruce Miller. Bruce pastors McKinney Fellowship and has written The Leadership Baton and Your Life in Rythm. Bruce leads with great thoughtfulness and discipline. As a long-time protege of Gene Getz, he launched from Fellowship Bible Church in Dallas years ago to plant McKinney Fellowship- a church that grew to 2,000 in weekend attendance in 10 years.
Today Bruce shot over an endorsement for which I am grateful:
Having read many books on church life, mission and strategy, I wondered if Mancini would offer anything new. He surprised me. Church Unique is outstanding. Frankly, at first, after a quick scan, I wrongly dismissed it as one more lightweight marketing/branding book. In fact I was not sold on the need to focus on being a unique local church.
However, chapter after chapter took me deeper than I anticipated, challenged me more than I expected and inspired me more than I expected. Well done. I am convinced that we need to discover our uniqueness, clarify it and magnify it. Mancini’s Church Unique deserves a wide reading by thoughtful church leaders passionate for the cause of Christ.
great endorsement, Will. This is wonderful!
This is a great endorsement of a great book. Isn’t it interesting that at first Bruce was going to dismiss the book and then he took the time to begin reading it with an open heart and mind. I think it is also called humility! Don’t let this book get past you.
As you’ve said…we’re not trained to think that our church or ministry is somehow distinct from every other church.
Bruce’s honest expression, regarding his journey from skeptic to endorser, should inspire many more to considering “Church Unique.”
When God expands your borders to more than you imagined, we can say, “we knew him when.”
–Member Houston Vision co::Lab
Will, it is an excellent book! I’ll put my stack of reads up to most anyone and I have found your book thought povoking, and inspiring. Searching and praying for a clear Kingdom concept!! Then on to the mission mandate-thanks Brother!