Let me say upfront that I was asked to review Interrupted ... the latest book by Christian speaker/author Jen Hatmaker. So this is a shameless plug. Let me also say that this book is one you don’t want to miss!
For quite some time now, I have felt “Spiritually
unsettled”. I became disillusioned with
the contemporary-style worship service we were attending, even though I served
on it’s “Praise Team” for eight years and found it to be the perfect fit at
that time in my life. This “season”
passed...and with it went my passion for this style of worship. As we became congregants, the music seemed to
get louder...those attending worship became almost hyperactive - with this one
getting up for a cup of coffee and that one going to the bathroom - and it happened all
throughout the service, including during the sermon. To say I was distracted would be an
understatement. More times than we could
count, Greg and I came away asking each other, “What just happened?” We certainly could not recall much of the
message...and I began to carry a “tension” about church, as Jen Hatmaker
describes it.
I’ve read countless books by “Spirit-filled motivators” and pastors...and I know that many say that we are not to attend a worship service expecting to “feel” something – or get something out of it. These people maintain that this is not the true purpose of worship. But I felt plenty...tension, angst, emptiness...and a deep longing to truly reconnect with God...on Sunday...in.His.house.
I’ve read countless books by “Spirit-filled motivators” and pastors...and I know that many say that we are not to attend a worship service expecting to “feel” something – or get something out of it. These people maintain that this is not the true purpose of worship. But I felt plenty...tension, angst, emptiness...and a deep longing to truly reconnect with God...on Sunday...in.His.house.
About the same time, our nephew Timothy
reached an age where I felt he should be attending church. The primary children’s Sunday School program at
our church was taught during the 11:00 a.m. hour, which coincided with our
traditional worship service (a service I lovingly referred to as “High Church”
because of the rituals and traditions).
So Greg and I made the decision to begin attending worship at this hour
while Timothy and his little sister Zola attended Sunday School (Zola goes to
the nursery, but she is loved and nurtured there and wouldn’t miss it!).
This has been great...we sing the old hymns. We hear beautiful anthems sung by the choir.. and incredible piano offertories presented by my former piano teacher touch our hearts. The sermons are delivered in peace and quiet...we can actually internalize what the pastor says. Everything is perfect...right?
Actually, it’s not. There is still this deep “tension” within my heart and soul. Don’t misunderstand me...I’m very attuned to God. I study His word daily as I read devotionals and write my own. I keep a running dialog with God about prayer concerns and praises. I listen for His voice...and I truly believe I am following His lead and serving as He directs. So why the struggle? What am I missing?
Enter Interrupted...the latest offering from Jen Hatmaker. As she puts it, “If you are plagued with tension or discontent or a nagging sense that there must be more – that there has to be a faith somewhere that rings true and hopeful and gracious, a faith other than this mean, ugly, partisan, judgmental, self-indulgent version of Christianity, which has to be total bunk – then get down on your knees and thank your lucky stars. God has blessed you with this inner conflict. He isn’t leaving you in complacency and boredom to check boxes and do church. He has enlisted you in the cause of your generation and is calling you forward. You lucky thing. You will not be left and lost, wondering what all the fuss is about, wishing things would never change.”
This has been great...we sing the old hymns. We hear beautiful anthems sung by the choir.. and incredible piano offertories presented by my former piano teacher touch our hearts. The sermons are delivered in peace and quiet...we can actually internalize what the pastor says. Everything is perfect...right?
Actually, it’s not. There is still this deep “tension” within my heart and soul. Don’t misunderstand me...I’m very attuned to God. I study His word daily as I read devotionals and write my own. I keep a running dialog with God about prayer concerns and praises. I listen for His voice...and I truly believe I am following His lead and serving as He directs. So why the struggle? What am I missing?
Enter Interrupted...the latest offering from Jen Hatmaker. As she puts it, “If you are plagued with tension or discontent or a nagging sense that there must be more – that there has to be a faith somewhere that rings true and hopeful and gracious, a faith other than this mean, ugly, partisan, judgmental, self-indulgent version of Christianity, which has to be total bunk – then get down on your knees and thank your lucky stars. God has blessed you with this inner conflict. He isn’t leaving you in complacency and boredom to check boxes and do church. He has enlisted you in the cause of your generation and is calling you forward. You lucky thing. You will not be left and lost, wondering what all the fuss is about, wishing things would never change.”
A little further, she writes, “The
interruption did not make us saintly or infallible or extra-incredible or above
reproach. It just made us raw. It made us hungry for justice, healing, God’s
loving-kindness released to the nations.
It made us humble, uber-aware of our selfishness – which wasn’t cured by
said awareness, by the way. You can
bring all your confusion, confliction, and hypocrisy to this conversation; I
will hold it all with careful hands as one who struggles with the same
tensions.”
I was hooked. I had to know what Jen Hatmaker was talking
about, because she was describing ME! As
I read through her book and studied what she outlined...as I read the inserts
written by her husband, Brandon, and contemplated their comments and ideas...I
began to get the picture. Here’s how Jen Hatmaker describes it...”The
world is increasingly uninterested in our Christian story. Our current presentation is just not
compelling. We launch public shame
grenades with abandon and claim to ‘love the sinner but hate the sin,’ which
translates to ‘we are enormous pompous jerks’.
Remarkably, most outsiders are not anti-church (our gospel isn’t
provocative enough to incite backlash anymore); they simply dismiss the church as
irrelevant to their real lives since it seems mostly irrelevant to the people
who go there.”
Have I struck a chord with anyone yet? Hatmaker maintains that Sunday “church” is not the be-all, end-all. This is not true “church”. Our gathering on Sundays to worship together has purpose and meaning...but it’s not what you think! REAL “church” takes place in our everyday lives. It is missional. Jesus has given us a mission...and we are to fulfill it. And Hatmaker says that this mission is clearly outlined in Matthew 25, where Jesus talks about ministering to the least...and in Isaiah 58, where verse 2 says, “For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways,
Have I struck a chord with anyone yet? Hatmaker maintains that Sunday “church” is not the be-all, end-all. This is not true “church”. Our gathering on Sundays to worship together has purpose and meaning...but it’s not what you think! REAL “church” takes place in our everyday lives. It is missional. Jesus has given us a mission...and we are to fulfill it. And Hatmaker says that this mission is clearly outlined in Matthew 25, where Jesus talks about ministering to the least...and in Isaiah 58, where verse 2 says, “For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what
is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just
decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.” Hatmaker says, “There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’
anymore.”
I’m on my second pass through this book of some 240 pages. I’m marking and highlighting...and studying the scripture references Hatmaker provides. I am seeking God’s guidance and asking Him to show me how and where to be “the church” to His people. And in discovering my “mission”...I am hopeful, and I feel the tension leaving. My “church” won’t necessarily look like yours...and it most certainly will not be the same as Brandon and Jen Hatmaker’s. God has a distinct and detailed mission plan for each of us...and collectively, we create His church.
Interrupted will not give you all of the answers. You will have to dig deeply and do your homework. But this book might be the catalyst to propel you to the next level...to alleviate your inner tension and stimulate a more profound relationship with Jesus...and with those you encounter on a daily basis. This might be just the tool you need to spark a change in yourself...your family...your neighborhood or community...or even the world at large. You can still attend worship on Sundays (or whatever days/nights your group gathers). This is not a substitute for corporate worship, Bible studies or prayer groups. This book is designed to make you think about what Jesus has called you to do for Him...and how you are accomplishing His goals.
I’m on my second pass through this book of some 240 pages. I’m marking and highlighting...and studying the scripture references Hatmaker provides. I am seeking God’s guidance and asking Him to show me how and where to be “the church” to His people. And in discovering my “mission”...I am hopeful, and I feel the tension leaving. My “church” won’t necessarily look like yours...and it most certainly will not be the same as Brandon and Jen Hatmaker’s. God has a distinct and detailed mission plan for each of us...and collectively, we create His church.
Interrupted will not give you all of the answers. You will have to dig deeply and do your homework. But this book might be the catalyst to propel you to the next level...to alleviate your inner tension and stimulate a more profound relationship with Jesus...and with those you encounter on a daily basis. This might be just the tool you need to spark a change in yourself...your family...your neighborhood or community...or even the world at large. You can still attend worship on Sundays (or whatever days/nights your group gathers). This is not a substitute for corporate worship, Bible studies or prayer groups. This book is designed to make you think about what Jesus has called you to do for Him...and how you are accomplishing His goals.
Are you ready to interrupt your life and
shake things up a little? Are you ready
to radically serve “the least” in Jesus’ name?
Click here to order your copy of Interrupted and get started. Order from NavPress through July 31, 2014,
and receive a 20% discount.
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