Will The Real Church Please Stand Up

In this challenging and thought-provoking book, author James David Montgomery points out that although churches dot almost every street corner in America, many have strayed from God's original design. He believes too many churches today stand in stark contrast to the first century church that turned the world upside down. Rev. Montgomery calls on Christians of every denomination to return to their roots and rediscover what made the early church great. He reminds us of the building-shaking, great-grace, fear-of-God-preaching, Pharisee-defying, souls-added-to-the-church-daily explosions of God's glory in the book of Acts.

In our culture of personalization, where everything is customizable, Jesus is often reworked into what each individual wants Him to be. Jesus is aligned to a person's agendas and dreams, making it easier for him or her to agree with Him.

What does living for Jesus look like in the everyday stuff of life? Many Christians have unwittingly embraced the idea that “church” is a once-a-week event rather than a community of Spirit-empowered people; that “ministry” is what pastors do on Sundays rather than the 24/7 calling of all believers; and that “discipleship” is a program rather than the normal state of every follower of Jesus. Drawing on his experience as a pastor and church planter, Jeff Vanderstelt wants us to see that there’s more—much more—to the Christian life than sitting in a pew once a week. God has called his people to something bigger: a view of the Christian life that encompasses the ordinary, the extraordinary, and everything in between. Packed full of biblical teaching, compelling stories, and real-world advice, this book will remind you that Jesus is filling the world with his presence through the everyday lives of everyday people... People just like you.

America has never really been about Americans. It has always been about the "tired," the "poor," the "huddled masses" and the "wretched refuse" of the rest of the world who yearn to be free. For four centuries, people have moved here to escape oppressive tyranny, to worship without compulsion, and to flee the bondage of poverty. America is about those people - the refugees from every culture and nation on earth. It is about the world and it is about freedom. But with these rights come responsibility: The right to choose implies the responsibility to choose wisely. The right to an education implies the responsibility to think. The right to religious freedom implies the responsibility to pray. The right to life implies the responsibility to value life. The right to liberty implies the responsibility of tolerance. The right to pursue happiness implies the responsibility to work. The right to vote implies the responsibility to know the issues. It is not small think to be a citizen of the greatest nation on earth. It means adherence to the principles upon which this nation is founded. The principles, so often illustrated in the lives of our Founding Fathers and in the history of the nation, are as valid today as ever. But living in the freedom and the individual rights that we have also means that we live with the responsibilities of those freedoms. This book is an expression of Dr. Anderson's concern for the future of America and his desire to maintain the godly heritage that has made America great.

Stand on the shoulders of giants!Have you ever wished you could have a mentor like the Apostle Paul—someone trustworthy to guide your spiritual development and ministry? Tony Cooke, author, teacher, and student of church history, has assembled a panel of the greatest Christian spiritual leaders of all time, curating a profound, yet...

“Will the real Church please stand” is a call for the Church to recognize what is happening because of its complacency. Social, economic, spiritual and especially moral standards are falling to an all time low. Only God and the Church can reverse this regression. Jesus said He would build His Church. With Jesus as its head, the Church is the most powerful force on earth and can turn this downward spiral around. This book is written to inspire you with confidence and compassion to be one who will choose to cause positive change.