Interrupted: for life

If there is only one book you read this fall, it needs to be Interrupted, by Jen Hatmaker.  I’m not kidding.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, it’s a MUST-READ.  (And I Say That With Capital Letters.  Because I Really Mean It.)

And if you aren’t a follower of Jesus – then I would humbly ask you to read it, too.  Because the vision of the Church that Jen paints in this book – the vision that drives the church her husband pastors – is what we were supposed to be all along.  What we long to be, when we’re getting it right.  What we need to be – for so many reasons.  And what we wish you’d think of first when you hear about the Church.

Friends of either persuasion: this book will wreck you.  In the best of all possible ways.

There are two ways  you can read this book: objectively – it’s simply the story behind Austin New Church. A good read, with some great stories, that will make you think: “wow – it seems like God was in that…  That’s cool.”

(That would be the lame way to read it.  In case you were wondering.)

Alternatively – you could read it subjectively.  Listening for the voice of God- speaking directly to you – which may or may not be whispering things like:

• “See?!  I told you there was more to this.”
• “What if…?”
• “No, you’re not crazy.  That counter-cultural thing you thought I might be calling you to – yeah, that’s for real.  Go.  And I’ll tell you where we’re going when we get there.”

At its heart, Interrupted is so much more than the story of one family or one church.  It is the microcosmic story of what God is doing in our time, and of what He wants to do in your life (and mine).

He is bringing us back to the core of the gospel, which is about so much more than programs and spotlights and good music and great sermons.  It is (and is about): living, practical, honest, vulnerable love, that changes – and will change – everything.

If… we will let it.

Interrupted will interrupt your life.  Maybe quite a bit.*

It will change your perception of “the church” (and what she could and should be) forever.

And if you are willing to heed His voice as you read – it may just interrupt your current trajectory, and usher you into the beginning stages of a whole new way of life.

So what do you say?   Are you in?

*Want to know more about Interrupted?  Check out Jen’s own description of her book here.