About "Pop Goes the Church"

So, here's the bad news... the book is not ground-breaking, earth-shattering, or any other planet-destroying descriptive. The fact is, if your church is even thinking about how to reach this generation, there isn't a whole lot of "new" here. Tim Stevens, if you're reading this, I'm sorry to have to say that.

Now, here's the rest. I'm ate up with the ideas in here. The book is both inspired and inspiring. It is a great defense of why churches need to use pop culture (are we really still having THAT conversation? Yes, I'm afraid we are). It is also a heroic compilation of what churches are doing- not just to be "relevant"- but to go to where the people are. Why use pop culture? That's where the people are! Jesus didn't teach inside a fortress. His messages weren't given to invitation-only audiences. Instead, he met people right where they were (as Stevens deftly points out). As a church, we need to do the same, and it is INCREDIBLY helpful to see other churches that are either on the bleeding edge (to motivate us) or other churches that are pretty traditional taking the first steps (to encourage us).

Stevens manages to take the best of what churches are doing to meet people where they are and stuff it into a single, 200-page volume that pastors, lay leaders, and seekers alike will appreciate. Progressive pastors can use this book to help bring along their more timid elders or ministry leaders. Did I mention that I'm ate up with it?

I recommend that elders and pastors read this book together, and use it to imagine the possibilities if they reach out into their community. After all, that's where the people are.

Enjoy!