I’ve just written a new book that tells the story of “Bethany” and what it means to the Lord and to us. It’s told through the eyes of Lazarus . . . one of the precious people who lived in the humble village of Bethany.
It’s called God’s Favorite Place on Earth.
Why I Left the Institutional Church: Continuing the Dialogue
When I first read ‘Bethany,’ I was blown away and sent the link to everyone I knew.
I began praying that the Lord would make us a Bethany. That He would have a home in my town.
I was especially taken with the picture of us as cleansed lepers and resurrection people. And the point about the perfume– the Lord is worth our all.
I am so glad your wrote it, because it really puts in a nut shell everything we should be about as a church. It makes a short, sweet conteraction to the tendency to focus on some ‘thing’ that is other than Jesus Christ.
Your e-book paints a captivating picture of the church using the biblical imagery of Bethany which I’ve never connected to the church before.
The parts that spoke to me the most:
– Receiving the whole Christ and all those whom he sends (a needed message for today’s fractured church)
– Wasting our time on Christ and giving Him our highest and best.
– Allowing Christ to put us to death when He takes four days too long, but waiting for Him to give us resurrection life!
Thank you for this precious portrayal of the church.
Chris
Frank,
I’m involved in leading a small Christian community in rough housing estate in Wales. Your book ‘Pagan Christianity’ has had a radical effect on my life, thoughts, ministry etc. It is going to be key in helping our community move forward into a deeper understanding of what it is to be ‘church’ in the 21st C.
Our church is part of a network within the Salvation Army called NEO (www.salvationarmy.org.uk/ALOVE). We’re exploring so much of what you are writing about. You and others are helping us to express what we are feeling and thinking.
I’ve only started Reimagining Church and am enjoying it. Gotta stop every few pages to digest it for our context! God grant you continued wisdom and the grace to share it, and protection from being corrupted by wealth and popularity.
Tim
It was all good! The things that spoke most strongly to me were:
Jesus wants love and friendship, not servants.
It’s okay to respond according to our individual characters, as long as it is without complaint and the need to be exonerated and noticed.
How the warmth of the fellowship in that Bethany home is a prototype of being the church.
The fragrance of Jesus…
Frank, what fellowship I had with the Father while reading Bethany! It took me back many, many years of coming into a place of abiding with Him through submitting to the suffering first. He always asked me who would be His resting place. As I learned the joy and the value of becoming this for the Father, I have led others to this place. We cherish His Presence so much so that three years ago while enjoying His Presence, He spoke prophetic words through a ten year old in our gathering to several people, and every word has been fulfilled. Yes, He includes all who will receive Him. I simply adore the rendering! I write a blog on SimpleChurch.com.
Thank You,
Marion Clark Ingram/author
“HIS DAUGHTERS DO PROPHESY”
(With A Word For You)
BarnesandNoble.com
I’m writting you from Argentina. I just want to thank You, Brother, for sharing Jesus Christ so generouslly with us all thru your website. The Lord knows that my life has never been the same ever since I came across with them. Apart of you, there have been only two people whom I’ve known dealing with God’s Eternal Purpose, in books that have never been sold here (nor even translated into spanish). Therefore, I consider these writtings and audios of yours real treasures! Thank You, Frank, so much!
Hey Frank, a dear brother of me translated the book in Albanian and we had this book read in our group here in Athens. (At that time we all were Albanians)
I just wanted to say that there were a lot of discussion on the passages we read and the Lord showed us much of Him during those days. What I want to say is that, when something comes out of church life, it is difficult to be reproduced again. It is something spontanious, as the Spirit leads.
Anyway, I will find some time to read again and comment on the what I will read.
konti
I don’t attend a house church, but I agree that every fellowship needs to be a “Bethany.” Regarding being “radically inclusive” in a fairly intimate gathering, how do you do that practically? How can you make your church open to visitors without falling into the seeker-friendly obsession?