In the last few weeks, I have received several requests for summaries of Church Unique, from Ed Stetzer to the denominational leadership of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. At the same time, my recent post on knowing the one sentence summary of what you are reading, started some interesting conversations. So, on my flight to Utah for spring break, after my MacBook Air batteries died, I opened my Moleskin and wrote down my most important summary ever. It is a snapshot of Church Unique in 111 words. It is built with 37,  three words phrases, that may be linked to form a line of thought. 

Why did I write this? Three reasons: First, to help people see the full stream of content and catch the vibe of the book in less than 60 seconds. Second, to have fun with my own enjoyment of simplicity and clarity. Third, to outline a Visual Summary eBook that I want to provide for the book in the near future. 

PART ONE: RECASTING VISION



  • God is big [and] 

  • You are called [so] 

  • Churches are unique [but] 

  • Pastors are copycats [therefore]

  • Vision is caged [because]

  • Imagination is buried [and]

  • Talk is cheap [so]

  • People are stuck. 



PART TWO: CLARIFYING VISION 



  • Clarity changes everything [but]

  • Chaos is required [yet]

  • Simplicity is beautiful [and]

  • Focus is amazing [because]

  • Movement is waiting.

  • Jesus is clear [and]

  • Legacy is speaking [so]

  • Get clear now.

  • Clarity starts singular [while]

  • Glory is ultimate [and]

  • Discipleship is given [so]

  • What's your part?



PART THREE: ARTICULATING VISION



  • Clarity expresses fivefold [so]

  • Solve a puzzle [and]

  • Use a compass [and]

  • Light a fire [and]

  • Show the way [and]

  • Hit the bulls-eye [then]

  • Dream a little [and]

  • Paint a lot [and]

  • Mark your steps.



PART FOUR: ADVANCING VISION



  • Movement is made [as]

  • Soft stuff attunes [and]

  • Hard stuff aligns.

  • "Positive no's" work [to]

  • Bring people aboard.

  • Don't stop talking [until]

  • Everything is integrated.

  • Don't stop believing [that]

  • God dreams big.