Brian C. Stiller

2.5 stars

I loved the cover of this one (props to David Fassett) and really wanted to like the actual book, too, but it was just okay.

It seemed unfocused in the beginning. The examples given were not personal anecdotes or even very specific in nature - very big-picture, which I didn't connect with. There was a lot of jargon and "big words" that interrupted the flow of the text for me. (Exceptions to these complaints are chapters 6 and 7.)

I did like some of it, but it wasn't my favorite on the whole.

"Listening to a text of biblical promise in a village void of clean water, and having no seed for spring sowing, will trigger prayer with different intensity and expectation than in a place where our greatest need is finding a new music minister." (p 167)

" 'God has no grandchildren.' Each generation must make its choice." (p 20)… (altro)

Stiller guides readers through various countries that he has actually visited himself via his work with the World Evangelical Alliance. He shares stories of people that he or his colleagues have met, and gives practical advice on what Christians can be praying for, even including a written prayer.

While I liked the book and it did help to center my prayer life a bit, I found that after awhile, each chapter seemed to be too similar to the last - there were several different entries dedicated to prison ministry, for example, and it would have been nice to see a broader range of ministries - since there are so many around the world!

"It matters that we continue to grow a public-square presence of Christian initiatives, seeding our society with the leaven of Christian personnel, language, ideas, and leadership. The more we are silent about who we are, the less we speak out about what drives us and who provides support, the more we become like government aid. And when we do, a gospel presence is camoflauged and witness muted." p 37… (altro)

A remarkable book which gives a valuable snapshot of the state of Christianity today. Dr. Stiller has an eagle's eye view of Christianity globally in his role as global ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). He also is well able to discuss the issues that influence evangelicalism and pentecostalism. In the day when some are decrying the term "evangelical" as out of date and even pejorative, Stiller depicts 5 avenues through which the impact of this movement (pentecostalism is a subset of evangelicalism) have modified, and will continue to modify, Christian witness. He speaks as an insider and thus there are no false notes of pseudo-elitism with egregious errors of fact or inference. As a scholar, he is able to give a positive description that does not err by being too glowing, that is, partial due to his position on the inside. Evangelicals will want to carefully consider his words both to check on the current status as well as to strategize for the future, and those wanting to study this movement will be given a well-rounded picture of what it stands for and what these christians embody and intend. An exceptional work deserving of careful reading.… (altro)