Take Heart

"Unless you want to place your head in the sand and leave it there, there’s no denying the fact that fewer and fewer people are claiming to be Christians throughout the West, and that Christians are losing social status and favor more and more, almost by the day."So what should we as followers of Christ do? Chandler has written a great book to answer this question, not so much with practical steps, but with a call for a valiant attitude of the heart. No spoilers here (it's in the title, and there's a lion on the cover), what he calls for is courage in the shifting sands of of the West, as Christianity begins to be pushed more and more to the margins.When confronted with cultural shifts like we're facing, Christians have demonstrated throughout history to respond in a number of different ways:They could play the game with the aim of converting the culture (i.e. Schaeffer), fearing that if they don't make small concessions, the church will run the risk of losing it's relevancy.They could play the condemnation card (i.e. live like a monk), fearing that any contact with the culture inevitably creates a polution of the church.Or, they could simple consume the culture (i.e. Rob Bell), insisting that the church and its teachings have become outdate and passe and needs to get with the program.Chandler plays a fourth card, that of courage. Here's his thesis:So this book is about where to find real courage and how to live by it. I’m convinced that if we have a God-sized, God-given courage, then we will be freed up to be the people of God, living out the mission of God, marked by the joy of God.If courage is to be found anywhere, he writes, it's found in the understanding of the greatness of our God. God is playing the "long-game," Chandler says, and we need to focus attention on the place that God has put us, not in the world that we long for and think we've lost. With this perspective in God renewed daily, the Christ-follower walks with courage to pursue holiness, devotion to the Church, and a radical evangelism with our lives, and with our homes.In sum, a very helpful read for those of us on the seas of change. It brings perspective, it brings hope, it brings urgency, and yes, it certainly brings courage. After all, if history has taught us anything, Christianity rarely thrives in the center and often sees its greatest gains on the persecuted fringes."Take heart. You were, quite literally, made for this moment. This is a great time to be a Christian. Take heart."

The Wind of Gods Spirit coursed through my heart and faith as I finished reading the last 2 chapters. His clear and decisive way in which he shows that evangelism can and ought to take the form of hospitality, was very compelling. And, He’s right.I’ve been shown hospitality more times than I can remember as a young Christian guy growing up from age 17-30. Sometimes a Christian family would open their home for a week at a time while I was in transition in moving in between jobs), and it certainly makes an impression. Something I’ll always remember.Hospitality is self denying and sacrificial. It really proves to others in a visible way, that Christ (really is) “our life” Colossians 3:4 and that it’s more satisfying to honor and obey Christ (John 14:15) than to live comfortably as we pass the time of our sojourn in this world (1 Peter 1).Pastor Matt’s loving exhortations (especially towards the end) will stir your faith and cause you to feel excited to be alive at a pivotal and unique time as this.I will note that he does not speak in a polished / professional / eloquent way. His content is very “down to earth.” Some will appreciate this, others may not.I was edified, and will recommend the book to other brethren.Though I’ve read books with plenty more substance before, this will nonetheless be a refreshing and faith strengthening read, I have no doubt of that.

Take Heart is a great stage setter for the current circumstance. Matt Chandler does a wonderful job of addressing the state of Christendom and it's history. This is a zoom out nationwide approach of obstacles and steps to take in the coming years, and it's from that perspective Take Heart could be read. Very short and could have been a lot longer, so there's a little lack of zeroing in on things, such as deep diving with fine comb into the going ons of Christendom. It's mentioned that the it's end is a good thing but didn't get a tone that it was an enthusiastic 'good' thing. Instead of celebrating that the party's over, it's written as a time that will be missed. There was a great opportunity to dig into 20th century Christianity, however, describing himself as an optimism, it's understandable that he wouldn't and couldn't possibly consider the long term treacherous effects of Christendom, one being the fear of man.

This book was incredibly encouraging! As a pastor I often feel the creeping fear that the church is losing it's relevancy and therefore it's potency. Chandler and Roark do an amazing job here encouraging the Christian and reminding us that the church becomes more potent as we are pressed into the margins. Then they wrap it up with a healthy dose of practical advice that was very convicting to me, but in a good way. The book challenged me to wake up with a renewed sense of mission. I'm a part of the church that is lead by the sovereign God who fights for us and also against us when needed, thankfully.The book is a short read which makes it pack full of useful content. There's no fluff here as the authors pepper their call to action with history and scripture. This is a book that any Christian could read. And it's one that every Christian should read!

Matt Chandler is so great at making tough, deep concepts and conversations relatable and candid. I love the way he thinks and voices what is on his mind. It’s on our minds too so hearing that a pastor/ someone who you may think “has it all figured out” has similar questions or doubts is refreshing. Matt always comes across with enough understanding of grace from a loving Father but also wrath of a righteous God who hates sin and who is actively saving His creation.

Reading this short book both met my expectations and was also not what I was expecting. I was expecting a good read, because the author is a trustworthy communicator of Bible truth. I was not expecting it to be as plain and simple. Both this expectation and lack of it are good things. I wasn’t disappointed with the contents plainness and simplicity. While unexpected, it will ensure that this small book is passed around and the message talked about by ordinary thinkers.So rather than a full book review, here are 3 takeaways that I hope will remain with me when I think about Matt Chandlers “Take Heart”.1. If we are going to really “Take Heart”, we need the heart of Jesus. In a world gone crazy and getting crazier, it is no surprise that the church is increasingly becoming marginalized. Chandler forcefully says this is not such a bad thing, for this is where the church has always been at its best and most potent. Things do seemingly look impossible, but the heart of Jesus is one where nothing is impossible. Possibility is starker in amongst the impossible. Light shines brighter in the darkness.2. Get your thinking in line with the bible. “Take Heart” is a perspective check. Chandler calls us to look at who Jesus is now and who he was in the Old and New Testament. Chandler calls us to remember that Jesus is a warrior. He is the Captain, my Captain. If I feel overwhelmed by the world I’m living in, it’s because I’m not overwhelmed by what I should be. When I fix my eyes on my captain, Warrior Jesus, I become overwhelmed in a way that puts courage in my heart. Courage we all need, if we’ll only see Jesus clearly in His revealed word and let it change us.3. If we are going to continue live faith filled lives while continually being pushed further to the edges of our culture, we need to be courageous. The temptation is to retreat in disappointment or alternatively become a combative “moral majority”. The heart of Jesus is different. It loves and loves fiercely. Every worst part of the world we’re living in, Jesus bore upon himself. He really is Captain Jesus, because He won the victory over everything I see which frustrates me, disappoints me and grieves me. When I take this heart, I think differently. I look at my world differently. I act differently. I’m not afraid. Come what may, I’m following my Warrior Captain Jesus.

Pastor Matt has written an important and highly relevant book for our times. Written in a straight forward way this is easy to read but with challenging implications for all of us.Soundly biblically based but accessible to all.If in doubt pick this book up and have a read. More importantly pick this book up and take heart and take action.

Fantastic book. Arrived quickly