Steeple Envy: Losing My Religion and Rediscovering Jesus

Victor,

You have a winning book here! I hope it makes it to the top! Well done!

Thanks so much for the comment and the encouragement. I have actually published the book and it is now available on Amazon. I am hoping that more people are encouraged to be a part of the necessary change in the church today.

vic

Great book so far. I've come to a lot of these same conclusions myself, and due to recent events in my personal life, it has really been burdening me. When a church budget has more in it annually for flowers to decorate the sanctuary than for the benevolence fund, something should change. Pastors are given housing allowances that pay all their bills, and then additionally another $40K to spend as they see fit, while church members are struggling.
The Bible says a very unpopular thing: we're supposed to use our excess to help those in need. In a capitalism society, that's a big no-no. People say it too Socialistic, and that's from members of the church. Any excesses people have nowadays got to the church building, so we can have a better paint job, better signs, and more TV commercials. Helping those in need has become passe'. It's easier to give to the church and expect them to help those in need. That way, you don't have to look these people in the eye yourself and see their needs. That's too uncomfortable for most.
I agree that the church (the building and all it entails) has replaced the importance of the Church (the body of Christ). We need smaller groups meeting in homes again. I've been going to the same church for almost 14 years, and I can't even place most of the people by face, much less name. There's no fellowship. We just meet at the same place and at the same time. We should go back to the way it was in the days of Paul, when one letter (or sermon) would make its way around to smaller groups. That could be accomplished today through the internet. Let small groups meet up, know each other, fellowship, and worship together. You'll get much more effective worship than a bunch of people who have no fellowship meeting together.
All in all, a great book so far, with themes that have been going through my mind a lot lately. I'm glad to see this on here. Good luck.

Thanks Tom,

I will try to read at least the chapters that you suggested, real soon.

God bless

vic

Hello Pastor Victor--

book- ~Steeple envy; losing my religion and re-discovering Jesus-

This a book that all good people who have strayed away from the flock, to ponder on.
Quite a serious read about the truths about the church that abounds to-day, in particular in the northern regions. Using as a guide- a line from America across through Europe.
Recreating a vivid and depressing picture of how the church as dropped to an all time low in the eyes of many and in particular total loss of interest in the young adult population.
Book points out very well the cause of this fall, and some solutions as to how to rectify; however perhaps only a miracle might help at this time; dare i say a third world war and the fear of it-
Interesting book indeed and worth reading. recommended/

tom bye Dublin Ireland
book- from hugs to kisses;
pleas read some of mine and comment if time. your might like chapters-16-23-19-thanks

George,

I have actually already created a small publishing company and self published the book. It is available on Amazon in paperback an kindle versions. Thanks so much for the offer and the encouragement though. Much appreciated.

vic

Hey Victor,
I just stumbled upon this book. Excellent, excellent thrust. The old is passing away and he is making all things new.

I have a crazy, crazy proposition. Are you looking to self-publish this? Would you consider self-publishing through some sort of collective effort? I don't have any sort of details for you, but I've been thinking about this. I want to contribute to the postmodern Christian conversation, because I think God is moving in hearts and minds in a new way. I want to do this through my own writing (which is primarily fiction), but I don't want to form my publishing name, set up with Lightning Source, etc., all for my own work. It just seems selfish. I want to form a publishing community that is looking to love those inside and outside the church through new messages.

Are you at all interested in something like this? Am I out of my mind?!

Hello Pastor Victor--

book- ~Steeple envy; losing my religion and re-discovering Jesus-

This a book that all good people who have strayed away from the flock, to ponder on.
Quite a serious read about the truths about the church that abounds to-day, in particular in the northern regions. Using as a guide- a line from America across through Europe.
Recreating a vivid and depressing picture of how the church as dropped to an all time low in the eyes of many and in particular total loss of interest in the young adult population.
Book points out very well the cause of this fall, and some solutions as to how to rectify; however perhaps only a miracle might help at this time; dare i say a third world war and the fear of it-
Interesting book indeed and worth reading. recommended/

tom bye Dublin Ireland
book- from hugs to kisses;
pleas read some of mine and comment if time. your might like chapters-16-23-19-thanks

Great book so far. I've come to a lot of these same conclusions myself, and due to recent events in my personal life, it has really been burdening me. When a church budget has more in it annually for flowers to decorate the sanctuary than for the benevolence fund, something should change. Pastors are given housing allowances that pay all their bills, and then additionally another $40K to spend as they see fit, while church members are struggling.
The Bible says a very unpopular thing: we're supposed to use our excess to help those in need. In a capitalism society, that's a big no-no. People say it too Socialistic, and that's from members of the church. Any excesses people have nowadays got to the church building, so we can have a better paint job, better signs, and more TV commercials. Helping those in need has become passe'. It's easier to give to the church and expect them to help those in need. That way, you don't have to look these people in the eye yourself and see their needs. That's too uncomfortable for most.
I agree that the church (the building and all it entails) has replaced the importance of the Church (the body of Christ). We need smaller groups meeting in homes again. I've been going to the same church for almost 14 years, and I can't even place most of the people by face, much less name. There's no fellowship. We just meet at the same place and at the same time. We should go back to the way it was in the days of Paul, when one letter (or sermon) would make its way around to smaller groups. That could be accomplished today through the internet. Let small groups meet up, know each other, fellowship, and worship together. You'll get much more effective worship than a bunch of people who have no fellowship meeting together.
All in all, a great book so far, with themes that have been going through my mind a lot lately. I'm glad to see this on here. Good luck.

Hey Victor,
I just stumbled upon this book. Excellent, excellent thrust. The old is passing away and he is making all things new.

I have a crazy, crazy proposition. Are you looking to self-publish this? Would you consider self-publishing through some sort of collective effort? I don't have any sort of details for you, but I've been thinking about this. I want to contribute to the postmodern Christian conversation, because I think God is moving in hearts and minds in a new way. I want to do this through my own writing (which is primarily fiction), but I don't want to form my publishing name, set up with Lightning Source, etc., all for my own work. It just seems selfish. I want to form a publishing community that is looking to love those inside and outside the church through new messages.

Are you at all interested in something like this? Am I out of my mind?!

I love everything about this book! I didn't become a Believer until I was taken away from all my "crutches" in the good ol' U.S. and stationed in Aviano, Italy.:)
Your book reminds me of another good book I read this summer on the same line of thinking,Awake O' Sleeper. The author refers to Christians in America as being asleep. Yours is similar but follows a unique thread. It is well written and to the point. I hope that it can get published soon! :)
Blessings and best wishes to you,
Laura A. Diaz
"They Call Me Blanca"

Thanks Laura! It is my hope that God uses this book to encourage people and to bring about some much needed change. It would be nice for it to get published but I have actually just finished self publishing the book and it is at the printer now. It will be available on Amazon in all forms, including audio book, in case you want to recommend it to someone.

God bless

vic

I love everything about this book! I didn't become a Believer until I was taken away from all my "crutches" in the good ol' U.S. and stationed in Aviano, Italy.:)
Your book reminds me of another good book I read this summer on the same line of thinking,Awake O' Sleeper. The author refers to Christians in America as being asleep. Yours is similar but follows a unique thread. It is well written and to the point. I hope that it can get published soon! :)
Blessings and best wishes to you,
Laura A. Diaz
"They Call Me Blanca"

Hello Victor:

I have been a believer for 25 years and I agree with much of what you are saying. I have seen it all and I, too, have an MDiv-which, while increasing my head knowledge of theology, really did not do much to bring me into greater relationship with God; thankfully, He led me into an amazing, small, but passionate fellowship of believers who, by their lives, have compelled me to want to know Him more than ever. It is easy to get discouraged because so much of what you say is so true-but I am also relieved that you qualified your message by saying that there are wonderful fellowships out there. Too often they may be challenging to find, but God is faithful to bring us where He wants us to be by His grand, sovereign design.

Blessings to you as you call His church back to the love and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

James

Hello, Victor.
I'm in your Christian critique group and stopped by to read your first chapter. It is very true that many so -called religious groups focus more on pleasing themselves than on pleasing their Creator. God told us exactly how He wants to be worshiped, yet instead of focusing on glorifying Him, some focus on making themselves comfortable and making sure that church services are exactly how they want them to be. The Bible teaches about the one true church, Christ's church. People seeking to be Christians must follow the plan of salvation outlined in the Bible, and everything that we do in the church must be backed by Biblical authority, not whatever we want or feel like ourselves.
If you have time, please check out my Christian fiction novel, Leave Me Asking. I hope you will enjoy it.
Jonie

Victor, I really felt the impact in chapter 6 when you asked whose church it was ... the pastor's church or Jesus' church. (RE: Personal story of how the elders of one church I pastored stole the church from Jesus and just couldn't figure out why "their" church was dying!)

Anyway, very good book - well written and very good topic. It needed to be talked about.

Hello, Victor. I love your analogy with the boiling water surrounding you while you are the frog. But smarter than the frog, because you are about to make your great escape. You can apply this to many situations but I haven't seen it applied so deftly. Your writing style is beautiful, without a hint of arrogance or pretentious attitude. It was easy for the non-believer like me to read and grasp.

I am not an atheist, but not religious either. My Papa was a minister and my Nana may have been the most faithful person I have ever met. I love people with faith, they have peace about them, and I find it comforting. My papa was an evangelical minister who never really led the life he insisted his congregation lead, and he took a lot of money from them. It was one of the things which led to my fall from the church. It is the church, not the faith, which caused me to leave. Also, I would rather think for myself and I am a scientist by heart. But I do love religion, in general. I love studying theology and how it has shaped the world.

I tip my hat to you, for taking this bold step, choosing to think for yourself instead of falling in line with the masses. It's a wonderful read so far.

Rebecca
~Askival

Hi Rebecca. Thanks so much for at least beginning my book. Also, thanks for your honesty when it comes to your journey. You are certainly not alone in your experience. I would simply encourage you to keep your heart open and search for truth. Seek and you will find ;)

I really appreciate your feedback. Please let me know if you continue reading, I would like to hear your thoughts.

Vic

Hello, Victor. I love your analogy with the boiling water surrounding you while you are the frog. But smarter than the frog, because you are about to make your great escape. You can apply this to many situations but I haven't seen it applied so deftly. Your writing style is beautiful, without a hint of arrogance or pretentious attitude. It was easy for the non-believer like me to read and grasp.

I am not an atheist, but not religious either. My Papa was a minister and my Nana may have been the most faithful person I have ever met. I love people with faith, they have peace about them, and I find it comforting. My papa was an evangelical minister who never really led the life he insisted his congregation lead, and he took a lot of money from them. It was one of the things which led to my fall from the church. It is the church, not the faith, which caused me to leave. Also, I would rather think for myself and I am a scientist by heart. But I do love religion, in general. I love studying theology and how it has shaped the world.

I tip my hat to you, for taking this bold step, choosing to think for yourself instead of falling in line with the masses. It's a wonderful read so far.

Rebecca
~Askival

Love it, Victor! The personal experience enlightens the insights you have. I favorably compare this to a long line of excellent challenging works on the same theme: Howard Snyder's "The Problem of Wineskins"; Reggie McNeal's "The Present Future: Six Tough Questions..."; Wayne Jacobsen's "The Naked Church" (related to the tale of the Emperor's New Clothes). As part of my church leadership class, I've been thinking that we the church fall into patterns of complacency (as you say in the first chapter), enslavement (either literally as in Egypt or Babylon or figuratively with a focus on the institution instead of the mission) and then God intervenes with an Exodus (or Reformation or...). If God's leaders don't read the other books, hopefully many will pick up yours because of the title.

Scott, "Servant Leadership Practice: 40 Days..."

Scott, I really appreciate the feedback. It is my hope that the book encourages people and encourages change at the same time. As you noted, there are some other leaders who seem to be on the same path and have written about it. Let's hope we can turn the tide.

vic

Love it, Victor! The personal experience enlightens the insights you have. I favorably compare this to a long line of excellent challenging works on the same theme: Howard Snyder's "The Problem of Wineskins"; Reggie McNeal's "The Present Future: Six Tough Questions..."; Wayne Jacobsen's "The Naked Church" (related to the tale of the Emperor's New Clothes). As part of my church leadership class, I've been thinking that we the church fall into patterns of complacency (as you say in the first chapter), enslavement (either literally as in Egypt or Babylon or figuratively with a focus on the institution instead of the mission) and then God intervenes with an Exodus (or Reformation or...). If God's leaders don't read the other books, hopefully many will pick up yours because of the title.

Scott, "Servant Leadership Practice: 40 Days..."

Hi,
Welcome to Autonomy! Just read your first chapter...interesting, easy to follow, and makes a lot of sense! I will come back later to read more. I share similiar feelings and look forward to diving in deeper to your subject matter asap! Blessings, Ruby

Thanks Ruby! From reading about you, it sounds like it might be something that you can relate to. I look forward to hearing your feedback. God bless, Vic

Hi,
Welcome to Autonomy! Just read your first chapter...interesting, easy to follow, and makes a lot of sense! I will come back later to read more. I share similiar feelings and look forward to diving in deeper to your subject matter asap! Blessings, Ruby