An exhortation/critique written in the context of the African-American Wesleyan tradition about current prevailing attitudes in light of the experience of the post civil-rights generation and their alienation from existing church systems.

The authors encourage the reader to consider 10 commandments "not safe for church" as is being presently done: to let go of how things were done in the past (tradition not doctrine), a willingness to be authentic, to be bold in dealing with the big issues in the church, to disrupt conventional thinking, to find additional entry points beyond the assembly, recognizing the present generation's plans by God are resilient, to go out and not expect them to come to you, to listen to younger generations, to include them, and to be a bit more innovative in how they seek to reach people.

I am neither African-American nor of the Wesleyan tradition but found that much of what they were saying resonates in general about Millennials. Many of the prevailing attitudes as described would need changing if there will be a vibrant future for such congregations. As with all such books there is the concern that some of the ideas for change themselves go a bit too far, and the "post civil rights generation" does have specks in its eyes, even if it is true that the "log" is in the eye of older generations.

For me the book was insightful inasmuch as it showed that churches across the spectrum are experiencing similar challenges in terms of reaching and retaining younger generations.

*-- galley received as part of early review program ( )