Book Review: Sifted by Wayne Cordeiro

Sifted: Pursuing Growth through Trials, Challenges, and Disappointments

ISBN: 9780310494478

By: Wayne Cordeiro

Zondervan, 2012

Guest Review By: Meridith Johnson

Difficulties, seasons of change and challenges mark the lives of nearly every pastor or church worker, yet often the topic seems least discussed in Bible colleges and seminaries. Present and future church leaders will find new insight to trials or simply seasons of change in Sifted. Author Wayne Cordeiro offers great advice and perspective for those in church ministry undergoing difficulty or change, as a pastor who has confronted many challenges. With the help of experienced pastors Francis Chan and Larry Osborn, each share personal testimonies of how God worked in their ministries and families through times of trial and challenge.

As a seasoned pastor, church planter, and active board member of a Christian college in Oregon, Cordeiro has seen God work in difficult seasons of his own life and ministry. Some examples from his own experiences include: challenges of meeting needs of congregants, facing turbulent financial situations, as well as balancing family and ministry. His wide variety of experiences make this book an encouraging read.

Based on Jesus’ warning in Luke 22 that Peter would soon face a trial, Cordeiro compares Peter’s experience to ministers today. Peter’s trial or “sifting” tested his faith and exposed his weakness. Jesus, however, encouraged Peter that through this testing, his growth in dependence on Christ would enable him to minister more effectively to others.  The same encouragement Jesus presented to Peter, Cordeiro offers to church leaders today in Sifted. Trials offer an opportunity for faith to grow. As personal faith grows and stretches, ministers can empathize in a deeper way and encourage those in their congregations more effectively.

Sifted unfolds in three sections: Heart Work, Home Work, and Hard Work. Cordeiro begins with the individual and the heart. He then discusses how to have a balanced family life and the importance of family involvement in ministry. The final portion of the book asks the reader to assess his or her own character, and calls for an honest evaluation of his or her heart and life.

Summary statements at the end of each chapter give readers a take-away principle to ponder. Portions of the book also provide question-and-answer sections intended to take the individual reader deeper to understanding how God works in ministry difficulties.

The book offers great insight and new perspective with Cordeiro’s personal stories and experiences. However, the book unlikely provides new information for the average minister. The title of the book, Sifted: Pursuing Growth Through Trials, Challenges and Disappointments seems somewhat misleading as well. Written for a specific audience: ministers and church planters, the title should better reflect and target its intended audience.

Book Review: A Grief Observed

A Grief Observed
9780060652388
By: C.S. Lewis
Harper Collins

Review By: Cliff Watkins

Most know author Clive Staples Lewis for his Chronicles of Narnia series that has had great success on the big screen after being converted to a motion picture. Lewis has written more than 30 books including Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity, but amongst such great works, it is hard to believe that a man as accomplished and intelligent as Lewis would struggle with grief. One would definitely not expect the author of Mere Christianity, which has encouraged many in the faith —and even aided in the conversion of some —to falter in his faith or struggle with doubt. However, Lewis’ brutally honest reflection on the death of his wife, Joy Gresham, exposes readers to the fact that man is vulnerable and fragile when attempting to understand the goodness of God in the midst of extreme pain.

Lewis’ four-part reflection brings readers face to face with the cruel reality of the damage that sin has done to our world. His writing demonstrates utter despair as a result of acknowledging that death is a natural and unavoidable destiny for all. He writes expressing the sentiment that his wife was so beautiful and beloved that her death, though natural, was undeserved. Lewis compares the feeling of grief to fear stating that it gives him the same restlessness, yawning and fluttering of the stomach. It is not hard for the reader to recognize that Lewis feels that damage has been done to his world. He writes, “At other times it feels like being mildly drunk, or concussed. There is a sort of invisible blanket between the world and me. I find it hard to take in what anyone says. Or perhaps, to want to take it in. It is so unentertaining.”

In the midst of such detachment from the world around him, Lewis makes it clear that he is still very attached to God. “Not that I am (I think) in much danger of ceasing to believe in God. The real danger is of coming to believe such dreadful things about Him. The conclusion I dread is not ’So there is no God after all,’ but, ‘So this is what God is really like after all.’” Revealing statements like this permeate this book as C.S. Lewis doesn’t leave his love for God behind nor his incredible intellect, but allows himself to step away from pretense and wrestle with the issue at hand; his present grief and lack of understanding.

Throughout his discourse, Lewis never denies the fact that God exists, contrarily, he refuses to settle for the easy answer provided by those around him concerning acceptable display of his grief. “What grounds has it given me to doubt all that I believe? I knew already that these things, and worse happen daily. We were even told ’blessed are those that mourn,’ and I accepted it. Of course it is different when the thing happens to oneself, and not to others, and in reality, not in imagination.”  Lewis’ writings show similarity to Job in that he seems to recognize that God’s will can include acts which are meant to humble those who believe.

While Lewis paints a vivid picture of why he loved his wife Joy, throughout his reflection she remains a faint figure in the background while the author focuses on grief itself. A Grief Observed leaves readers with a real sense of the frailty of the human experience.  This writing serves as a meaningful reminder of the cycle of life in that it demonstrates that while lives will naturally end, life as well as love goes on. Conversations between Lewis and his wife were intimate displays of unity and dependence, but also convey that both of them understood that they would not be permitted to live in wedded bliss forever. Ultimately, this writing was a reflection on love and the grief that must be endured when a loved one passes away. It is also an observation of the perseverance of God’s love through turmoil and an illustration of how Lewis as a man overcame his grief with understanding that while his wife’s life ended, his relationship with God would not be damaged and could in fact, be strengthened.

The book of James warns us that our faith will be tested. In this wonderful work Lewis allows us to walk with him through the testing of his. He writes, “You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life or death to you. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But, suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn’t you then first discover how much you really trusted it?” In the end, Lewis learned to trust in God’s love and share his story of love and grief with others who may benefit from his experience.

Title of Interest: Why, O God?

Why, O God?: Suffering and Disability in the Bible and the Church
9781433525803
Editors: Larry Waters & Roy Zuck
Crossway Books (2011)

Including articles by many of Dallas Theological Seminary’s professors, Why, O God? is a book that Christians should read if they want to become better equipped to minister to the hurting and disabled or if they are struggling with hurt or disability themselves.

Publisher Marketing:

Uniquely combines a firsthand theological perspective on suffering with real-world application to guide the body of Christ in ministering to the millions who suffer with disabilities.

With two in seven American families affected by disability, the body of Christ has a great opportunity for ministry. This new anthology uniquely points the way, training churches, caregivers, pastors, and counselors to compassionately respond.

The book’s contributors–ranging from Joni Eareckson Tada and others living with disabilities, to seminary professors, ministry leaders, and medical professionals–do more than offer a biblical perspective on suffering and disability; they draw from very personal experiences to explore Christians’ responsibility toward those who suffer. The volume addresses various disabilities and age-related challenges, end-of-life issues, global suffering, and other concerns–all the while reminding readers that as they seek to help the hurting, they will be ministered to in return.

This unprecedented work, which includes a foreword by Randy Alcorn, belongs in the hands of every Christian worker and caring individual who is seeking a real-world, biblical perspective on suffering.

Book Review

Spiritual Abuse Recovery: Dynamic Research on Finding a Place of Wholeness
9781606089675
By Barbara M. Orlowski
Wipf & Stock, 2010

Review By: Kelly Stern

Spiritual abuse by the clergy happens in churches. It shouldn’t. But it does. And people leave their home church in grief and anger over it. What happens to these Christians? Where do they go, and why should church leaders care?

Barbara M. Orlowski’s doctoral research into the problem of disenfranchised believers is presented in her book, Spiritual Abuse Recovery. She defines spiritual abuse as “the misuse of spiritual authority to maltreat followers in the Christian Church.” Orlowski focuses on dedicated Christians who have served in their churches for years before making the difficult decision to leave after experiencing spiritual abuse. She follows them on their journey to find healing and wholeness.

Some victims of clergy abuse are reluctant to return to church—any church. They ask, “Why can’t I just be a Christian and not bother to go church?” Most do return, according to Orlowski, after a process of healing and a cautious exploration of other churches. Even some good comes out of these experiences: a greater appreciation of God’s work in their lives; forgiveness; more gentleness and humility when serving others.

The strength of Spiritual Abuse Recovery lies in the positive outcomes Orlowski presents. Rather than dwelling on the tragic abuse perpetuated by a narcissistic pastor, she shines light on the path to wholeness. Her four steps to healing: allowing sufficient time to grieve; forgiving and releasing the situation to God; finding a healthy faith community; and moving forward in Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit, provides hope.

Church leadership must address this issue, so the abuse will stop and those who have come to their church for healing will be understood. The abusive patterns such as hierarchical leadership style focused on power and control, insincerity, hypocrisy, kingdom building, heavy handedness, and an inability to handle criticism must be recognized and avoided.

The author also provides an excellent bibliography of literature and websites for further interaction on this topic. I recommend this title for church leaders and for those who have suffered spiritual injury in the Church.

Spiritual abuse by the clergy happens in churches. It shouldn’t. But it does. And people leave their home church in grief and anger over it. What happens to these Christians? Where do they go, and why should church leaders care?

Barbara M. Orlowski’s doctoral research into the problem of disenfranchised believers is presented in her book, Spiritual Abuse Recovery. She defines spiritual abuse as “the misuse of spiritual authority to maltreat followers in the Christian Church.” Orlowski focuses on dedicated Christians who have served in their churches for years before making the difficult decision to leave after experiencing spiritual abuse. She follows them on their journey to find healing and wholeness.

Some victims of clergy abuse are reluctant to return to church—any church. They ask, “Why can’t I just be a Christian and not bother to go church?” Most do return, according to Orlowski, after a process of healing and a cautious exploration of other churches. Even some good comes out of these experiences: a greater appreciation of God’s work in their lives; forgiveness; more gentleness and humility when serving others.

The strength of Spiritual Abuse Recovery lies in the positive outcomes Orlowski presents. Rather than dwelling on the tragic abuse perpetuated by a narcissistic pastor, she shines light on the path to wholeness. Her four steps to healing: allowing sufficient time to grieve; forgiving and releasing the situation to God; finding a healthy faith community; and moving forward in Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit, provides hope.

Church leadership must address this issue, so the abuse will stop and those who have come to their church for healing will be understood. The abusive patterns such as hierarchical leadership style focused on power and control,

Spiritual abuse by the clergy happens in churches. It shouldn’t. But it does. And people leave their home church in grief and anger over it. What happens to these Christians? Where do they go, and why should church leaders care?

Barbara M. Orlowski’s doctoral research into the problem of disenfranchised believers is presented in her book, Spiritual Abuse Recovery. She defines spiritual abuse as “the misuse of spiritual authority to maltreat followers in the Christian Church.” Orlowski focuses on dedicated Christians who have served in their churches for years before making the difficult decision to leave after experiencing spiritual abuse. She follows them on their journey to find healing and wholeness.

Some victims of clergy abuse are reluctant to return to church—any church. They ask, “Why can’t I just be a Christian and not bother to go church?” Most do return, according to Orlowski, after a process of healing and a cautious exploration of other churches. Even some good comes out of these experiences: a greater appreciation of God’s work in their lives; forgiveness; more gentleness and humility when serving others.

The strength of Spiritual Abuse Recovery lies in the positive outcomes Orlowski presents. Rather than dwelling on the tragic abuse perpetuated by a narcissistic pastor, she shines light on the path to wholeness. Her four steps to healing: allowing sufficient time to grieve; forgiving and releasing the situation to God; finding a healthy faith community; and moving forward in Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit, provides hope.

Church leadership must address this issue, so the abuse will stop and those who have come to their church for healing will be understood. The abusive patterns such as hierarchical leadership style focused on power and control, insincerity, hypocrisy, kingdom building, heavy handedness, and an inability to handle criticism must be recognized and avoided.

The author also provides an excellent bibliography of literature and websites for further interaction on this topic. I recommend this title for church leaders and for those who have suffered spiritual injury in the Church.

insincerity, hypocrisy, kingdom building, heavy handedness, and an inability to handle criticism must be recognized and avoided.

The author also provides an excellent bibliography of literature and websites for further interaction on this topic. I recommend this title for church leaders and for those who have suffered spiritual injury in the Church.