IN VISIBLE FELLOWSHIP

Monday, November 14, 2011

IN VISIBLE FELLOWSHIP

A Contemporary View of Bonhoeffer's Classic Work

LIFE TOGETHER
by Jon Walker

OVERVIEW: Jon Walker engages Bonhoeffer's classic work on Christian life in community, presenting its rich and vital themes for Christians in the twenty-first century. Christians were never meant to live life alone. Only "in visible fellowship" do we learn to love one another and to live like Jesus is real.

Walker brings a clear voice and powerful teaching to Bonhoeffer's classic work on the church enabling you to understand the great importance of the Body of Christ. Through life together we grow into authentic spiritual maturity. As we live out the life of faith together, the love, forgiveness, and power of Christ literally and visibly comes alive for the world.

AUTHOR: Jon Walker has worked closely with Rick Warren for many years, first as a writer/editor at Pastors.com. later as vice president of communications at Purpose Driven Ministries, and then as a pastor at Saddleback Church. He's also served as editor-in-chief of LifeWay's HomeLife magazine and founding editor of Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox. he is the author of Costly Grace: A Contemporary View of Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship. His articles have appeared in publications and websites around the world. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Learn more about his ministry at www.gracecreates.com.

MY REVIEW: When I picked up Jon Walker's first book, Costly Grace I did so not because I knew Jon Walker, but because the book was about Bonhoeffer and his book, The Cost of Discipleship. Costly Grace is a wonderful book. One of my favorites! 

I wanted to read more from Walker and subscribed to his daily devotions on the internet. When I heard that he had written this new book--In Visible Fellowship, I was excited. Now that I have read it I can report that I was not disappointed. I agree with Harold Harper who wrote: "In Visible Fellowship will help you understand the necessity of staying focused on Jesus throughout the day and compel  you to make a deep commitment to the people in your small group."

This book shows how Christian community is not a theory or an ideal, but an everyday practical reality. It is a practical, biblical treatment of the church as the Body of Christ. It includes discussion questions which makes it excellent for small group discussions.There are thirty-six chapters and the thing I like best about the book is that every chapter is brief and to the point. I recommend this little book to all Christians.

(Thanks to Leafwood Publishers for providing this book for review.)