Unbinding Your Soul, Your Experiment in Prayer and Community, by Martha Grace Reese

Reviewed by Evan Gel

So here you are, pastor in a church content with things as they are, or a brand new church, or a good church that could be a great church and you want to get them off first base and moving toward what’s next.  Where do you start, what do you do, how do you do it, and what do you use to get there?  If it were I (I’m retired after four decades of ministry in four congregations in four states and a dozen years as my denomination’s minister of evangelism) I’d start with this book.  The author provides all kinds of helps on how and what to do, and all the materials you’ll need to begin to move your faith community from here to there gradually, spiritually, and thoroughly!

Now this isn’t just theory, but comes out of the author’s experience with a Lilly sponsored study of seven mainline denominations, and follow-up in 12,000 congregations in 50 states from 49 denominations in eight countries.  In this the fourth book in the series we have the application of proven ways of genuinely spiritually energizing churches and the people within them, including the pastor.  Martha Grace Reese patiently takes us step-by-step through a process of personal spiritual growth and small group sharing that not only has the potential for energizing a church, but actually has the track record of three years running to prove and improve on tested ideas.

Read this book, pray, share it with the leaders of your church and they’ll have to tie you down in your chair to keep you from leading them through one of the greatest experiences in their church’s life, and their own spiritual journey as well.  Guaranteed!  Still skeptical?  Go to www.gracenet.info and see for yourself.