Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

Feb 14 2008

Book Review-JOURNEYS: Transitioning Churches To Relevance

Published by Kevin Bussey at 6:00 pm under book review

Todd Wright and my friend Marty Duren just finished a book called JOURNEYS: Transitioning Churches To Relevance. (Missional Press) This is a great book by two pastors that are in the middle of transitioning the churches they serve. Todd is the pastor of a church in West Georgia near Alabama. Marty is the pastor of a church in a booming part of NE Atlanta (near the Mall of Georgia)

This was a hard book for me to read because I recently realized that the changes I was bringing to former church I served were too much. Both of these pastors talked openly and candidly about their struggles, mistakes, heartaches, and victories along the path of transitioning a church.

This book is well worth reading if you are a pastor or lay person. I have not had the privilege of meeting Todd but he seems like a great guy. Marty has been a great friend of mine for the last 3 years. I’ve read many books on ministry and most of the authors don’t have time to correspond and I understand they are busy. Marty took many times to call me and allowed me to hang out with him in Buford on several occasions. So I’m a little biased when it comes to this book. You won’t find a better person who is Kingdom minded and cares about people like Marty.

I think this book should be required reading for those who desire to see God transform their churches. I give JOURNEYS: Transitioning Churches To Relevance
4.5 hockey sticks out of 5.

4 responses so far

4 Responses to “Book Review-JOURNEYS: Transitioning Churches To Relevance”

# David Phillipson 14 Feb 2008 at 6:57 pm

Kevin,

I have felt your pain, of trying to change things too quickly, or to try to do too much. I honor the fact that you are learning and healing and honoring God in what you are doing, and for your zeal for him.

I believe one day you will stand before the Father, who will have a great smile on his face and will say to you, “Bussey – you’re crazy, but good job. You did it son…now let’s party!”
# Marty Durenon 14 Feb 2008 at 8:04 pm

Thanks, Kevin!
# ie:missional » Reviews Available for JOURNEYSon 14 Feb 2008 at 8:08 pm

[...] Kevin Bussey @ Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee [...]
# Leland Nelsonon 16 Mar 2008 at 11:08 pm

I received the book on order from Amazon this past Thursday. I have almost completed it and have found it to be thoroughly absorbing. God has been showing me many of the things Marty and Todd discuss/reveal in their book. God has used the book to continue to speak and affirm to me his intent for the church (and me). Buy it and read it.