theCommune-ity | Youth Division United Pentecostal Church International

Book: Catalyst Groupzine, Volume 2
Reviewer: Russ Cripps
Book Review - Catalyst Groupzine, Volume 2
Catalyst Groupzine, Volume 2 is a compilation work that has several contributing authors including, but not limited to, Gabe Lyons, Donald Miller, Leonard Sweet, Tim Sanders and others. Published by Nelson Publishers in 2006, this work contains 203 pages. Volume 2 is actually designed to be similar to a small-group study, where a group of people read sections and then sit around to address the questions given. The book is best described by its subtitle: A study for next generation leaders. Its focus is on how the modern church (that's you and me) is to know, adapt to, and learn from today's culture. For the past two years, Catalyst Conference has produced this book and this year's Groupzine is a better book than its predecessor.

The organization of the writings in this work is both unique and user-friendly. Session 1 begins with Engaging Culture, and then the following sessions deal with Authentic In Influence, Uncompromising In Integrity, Passionate About God, Intentional About Community, and Session 6 wraps up with Courageous In Calling. Each Session is further broken down and has a Catalyst Study, Writings and Stories, and Catalyst Features.

Rick McKinley recently said that if you are not actively engaged in your culture, then you will not have a voice in your culture. That spoke loudly to me because I am real good at getting comfortable behind my desk and forgetting about the real-life trenches that are out there. In Volume 2 Ben Ortlip wrote of how brilliantly we speak "church" as a language and that language is completely incomprehensible to most of humanity. We'll speak of the joy of being "washed in the blood" while people who hear that think we've gone mad! Who would want to get washed in any kind of blood?!?! Catalyst Groupzine, Volume 2 has recalled my mind to the responsibility I have to see my culture as God wants me to see it, not as I want to see it (or not see it).

This reading has renewed my desire to wrap my mind around unique narrative contexts and allow them to become a part of me, or have a full understanding of why they will be a part of me. C.T. Studd (great name, right?) said, and this just puts me on the floor, "some want to serve within the sound of the church bells, but I want to run a rescue shop one yard from hell." THAT, my friends, is in-your-face writing about accurately engaging today's culture! The book was a fascinating read and I would (without hesitation) recommend it to anyone interested in reading tough words about tough people in today's tough world. The book was more than worth reading, but if not, it would have been worth my time for the one thought written by Mother Teresa where she was quoted as saying, "I am just a little pencil in the hand of a big God who is writing a love letter to the world."

The authors achieved their agenda with this work. Bravo!! You'll be left with a new appreciation for everyday, ordinary people who live regular lives in need of an extraordinary Savior. Happy reading. Happy thinking.

Russ Cripps is a creative writer, thinker and Associate Pastor from Austin, Texas. He's married to Stephanie and has two daughters, Ragen and Rylee, and an English Mastiff named Nebo. Russ enjoys the God-life, family, cycling, sweet (literally) coffee, and challenging books. To subscribe to his free monthly LEADERSHIP NUGGET, send him an email Russ@ChristianLifeAustin.com.

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	Book Review Book: Catalyst Groupzine, Volume 2 Reviewer: Russ Cripps Book Review - Catalyst Groupzine, Volume 2 Catalyst Groupzine, Volume 2 is a compilation work that has several contributing authors including, but not limited to, Gabe Lyons, Donald Miller, Leonard Sweet, Tim Sanders and others. Published by Nelson Publishers in 2006, this work contains 203 pages. Volume 2 is actually designed to be similar to a small-group study, where a group of people read sections and then sit around to address the questions given. The book is best described by its subtitle: A study for next generation leaders. Its focus is on how the modern church (that's you and me) is to know, adapt to, and learn from today's culture. For the past two years, Catalyst Conference has produced this book and this year's Groupzine is a better book than its predecessor. The organization of the writings in this work is both unique and user-friendly. Session 1 begins with Engaging Culture, and then the following sessions deal with Authentic In Influence, Uncompromising In Integrity, Passionate About God, Intentional About Community, and Session 6 wraps up with Courageous In Calling. Each Session is further broken down and has a Catalyst Study, Writings and Stories, and Catalyst Features. Rick McKinley recently said that if you are not actively engaged in your culture, then you will not have a voice in your culture. That spoke loudly to me because I am real good at getting comfortable behind my desk and forgetting about the real-life trenches that are out there. In Volume 2 Ben Ortlip wrote of how brilliantly we speak "church" as a language and that language is completely incomprehensible to most of humanity. We'll speak of the joy of being "washed in the blood" while people who hear that think we've gone mad! Who would want to get washed in any kind of blood?!?! Catalyst Groupzine, Volume 2 has recalled my mind to the responsibility I have to see my culture as God wants me to see it, not as I want to see it (or not see it). This reading has renewed my desire to wrap my mind around unique narrative contexts and allow them to become a part of me, or have a full understanding of why they will be a part of me. C.T. Studd (great name, right?) said, and this just puts me on the floor, "some want to serve within the sound of the church bells, but I want to run a rescue shop one yard from hell." THAT, my friends, is in-your-face writing about accurately engaging today's culture! The book was a fascinating read and I would (without hesitation) recommend it to anyone interested in reading tough words about tough people in today's tough world. The book was more than worth reading, but if not, it would have been worth my time for the one thought written by Mother Teresa where she was quoted as saying, "I am just a little pencil in the hand of a big God who is writing a love letter to the world." The authors achieved their agenda with this work. Bravo!! You'll be left with a new appreciation for everyday, ordinary people who live regular lives in need of an extraordinary Savior. Happy reading. Happy thinking. Russ Cripps is a creative writer, thinker and Associate Pastor from Austin, Texas. He's married to Stephanie and has two daughters, Ragen and Rylee, and an English Mastiff named Nebo. Russ enjoys the God-life, family, cycling, sweet (literally) coffee, and challenging books. To subscribe to his free monthly LEADERSHIP NUGGET, send him an email Russ@ChristianLifeAustin.com.