Church Shouldn't Suck the Life Out of You

Using humor and frank honesty, Pastor Jim Minor describes how his own street outreach organization transformed from a vibrant, God-infused ministry into a conventional, “safe” church that almost sucked all the passion for ministry right out of him. Then, Jim explains how he got his passion back again. Who is this book for?Pastors and ministry leaders who have lost their focus and have grown to resent the ministries to which they have been calledThose in the pews who have lost the spark of their passion for God and find themselves merely going through the motions and “playing church”Non-churchgoers who stay away because they don’t want any part of a dry, lifeless religion that doesn’t make any difference in the worldIf you identify with any of those categories, this book is for you! Let Jim Minor cast a vision for what church can be. Discover that it’s possible to venture beyond the church walls, to interact with the lost and hurting, and to watch God do miracles in people’s lives. And in the process, church might even become fun and fulfilling once again. Review Jim Minor and his wife, Peggy, are dear friends. Rolland and I love their huge hearts for Jesus and for the poor. Through the years, we have had the privilege of witnessing their extraordinary generosity. They move in the power and the glory of God. In this book, with great humor, wit, and wisdom, Jim shares his many unique experiences as a pastor. Above all else, it is his passionate love for Jesus that shines through these pages. The affection that Jim and his church family have for our Savior enables them to feed the poor, heal the broken, and cherish the hurting. This book will energize you to recall the power of your first encounter with Jesus and fall in love with Him all over again.-Heidi Baker, Ph.D., Cofounder, Iris Global Ministries, Author, Always Enough, Compelled by Love, and Birthing the MiraculousThis is the most helpful book for pastors that I have read in a long time. I can hardly recommend it enough! It is so well written, so fun, so practical, and so full of sensitivity, love, and joy in the Holy Spirit, that I believe it will help transform churches wherever it is read. No, churches shouldn’t suck! They should be the very epitome of what Paul considered the only thing that counts: “faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6). Leading a church is no longer work for the pastor who is joined to Jesus and is one with Him. It is a family, full of believers overjoyed to bear fruit by actually doing the works of Jesus because they love Him so completely and are so energized by His Spirit. This book shows how a church can truly be good news to the poor, desperate, and lost, wherever they are to be found-whether inside the church, on the city streets, or throughout the world. Be encouraged and excited by this store of wisdom and experience written in complete humility for the sake of those hungry for the kingdom!-Dr. Rolland Baker, Director and co-founder, Iris Global MinistriesI have had the honor of ministering at Pastor Minor’s church and have witnessed for myself his contagious love for the broken. It is so refreshing to partner with a church that is so real and honest and that has such a heart to see the captive set free. I’m so excited for Church Shouldn’t Suck…the Life Out of You-it won’t disappoint! This book will refresh you, encourage you, make you laugh, and turn your heart toward loving God’s people more.-Kim Walker-Smith, Worship leader and recording artist, Director, Jesus Culture MusicWhile reading Church Shouldn’t Suck…the Life Out of You, I smiled, laughed out loud, and nodded my head in agreement. I recommend this book for three reasons. First, I have been a member of The Harvest Church in Sarasota, Florida, for several years. I have seen the life lessons from this book at work each and every week. The lessons written here are not theory but proven truths that anyone can follow. Second, you will enjoy read