The Other Half of Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation
Written by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks
Narrated by Brian Conover
5/5
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About this audiobook
Could brain science be the key to spiritual formation?
Why does true Christian transformation seem fleeting? And why does church often feel lonely, Christian community shallow, and leaders untrustworthy? For many Christians, the delight of encountering Christ eventually dwindles—and disappointment sets in. Is lasting joy possible?
These are some of the questions Michel Hendricks has considered both in his experience as a spiritual formation pastor and in his lifetime as a Christian. He began to find answers when he met Jim Wilder—a neurotheologian. Using brain science, Wilder identified that there are two halves of the church: the rational half and the relational half. And when Christians only embrace the rational half, churches become unhealthy places where transformation doesn’t last and narcissistic leaders flourish.
In The Other Half of Church, join Michel and Jim's journey as they couple brain science with the Bible to identify how to overcome spiritual stagnation by living a full-brained faith. You'll also learn the four ingredients necessary to develop and maintain a vibrant transformational community where spiritual formation occurs, relationships flourish, and the toxic spread of narcissism is eradicated.
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Reviews for The Other Half of Church
84 ratings10 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a thought-provoking and helpful book that addresses the importance of community and connection within the church. It offers solid teaching on the power of joy in discipleship and relationships. While some readers found it revolutionary and highly recommend it, others were disappointed and felt that it didn't bring forth new ideas. Overall, this book is deserving of continued examination and is recommended for every Christian.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5After losing our 2 year old daughter, I quickly learned there was a very large deficit in the church on how to care for people in pain. This addressed everything I've been feeling and gone through. It completely answered the question I asked so frequently while surrounded by 4-500 people every week, "where is everybody?!" I felt so alone. We are a very well known family, quickly to be forgotten when no one knew how to help so they ALL "Gave us our space". Pastors nowhere to be found in our grief, pastors that were described perfectly in this book. I love them and I love our church but every chapter I was left saying with all there is within me, I wish our whole church body would read this book.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It presents challenging cognitive theory and relational community living that is thought provoking for both the individual, in self evaluation, and ones local body of Christ to determine and address whether we are "doing church right"; the way Christ intends for His church to exist in this world? This book is deserving of continued examination. I plan to reread it many times over. I am also eager to pursue deeper understanding into Dr. Jim Wilder's position on neurological disorders, as I am believed to have High Functioning Autism.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a great book, with solid teaching about the power of community and connection within the church. The power of joy being a cornerstone in discipleship to Jesus and within relationships with one another. Learning to work with the Spirit and how he made us as humans is key to spiritual formation and growth.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book helped me to understand that I need to engage also my emotions to grow in my relationship with God and others. It also showed how important it is to experience things with people from church in order to bond. We need to experience life, mission, fun, and service together.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A must listen for all Christians...get the rest of your brain engaged
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent read challenging today’s church to become whole brained. Highly recommended!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Love this book. Very helpful. Recommend highly for every Christian.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An amazing collaboration between a pastor of spiritual formation and a psychologist. May be a major contribution to work I'm intending to do through the nonprofit Christian Community Experiments.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The authors remind us that following Jesus is more than what we know but also rooted in how we are matured through who with are with.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I didn’t find it revolutionary. I was a bit disappointed because I thought it would bring forth new ideas. Nothing new here.