Publisher's Synopsis
"The Journey" is good news to anyone who loves Jesus, but not the church.
It affirms various truths from the New Testament; e.g., you can experience deeply committed love and fellowship outside the walls of a building called "church." You can live a radically authentic life that touches and transforms other lives without having to sit in a pew or chair listening to one man or woman every Sunday. You can walk away from religious expectations placed on you, to simply follow Jesus and enjoy his presence. You do not have to attend endless Bible studies to get closer to God, but simply be still and know Him. As a believer you are chosen, anointed and empowered to serve others in love.
Why does the church life of our world look so different from that of the early Christians in the Book of Acts?
This question led us to explore the very foundations of the church and we decided to follow Jesus wherever that will take us. We stepped out of the world of the church, for we began to see that most of what we had invested our lives in had more in common with the world than with the Word of God. Like Paul when he met the risen Lord on the way to Damascus and counted all he had as a religious Pharisee as garbage, we too walked away from religion to pursue Jesus. When we chose not to be purpose-driven, we were set free to be Spirit-led! We stepped off the religious treadmill of the same old, same old year-round unproductive programs and away from the futility of trying to meet people's expectations. We found the one who offered us living water to quench the thirst. It tasted so different than the "holy water" poured from the religious buckets of some big-name leader's anointing which we (and so many others) sought to quench the thirst. We came to the waters, tired and burdened by religion and its load, and he gave us a drink. A river of living water was released from our innermost beings, the burdens lifted and healing flowed through our bodies and souls. His yoke was placed upon our shoulders and was so much lighter than the religious burdens of the world of the church. We learned he was indeed gentle and humble in heart and we found rest for our souls. Our eyes were opened to the simplicity of the church as the body of Jesus and the Spirit helped us to see others and ourselves through his eyes. We were set free to walk in the world and minister to needs and help others find freedom.
"The Journey" is our story walking out of the world of the church to learn to walk in the Way, like the believers in the Book of Acts-a return to the ancient paths of faith in Christ. It an invitation to put down the heavy loads and expectations of the world of the church and enjoy the presence of Jesus. It is an invitation to quit the rat race with purpose-driven leaders and follow the lead of the Spirit. It is an invitation to radically invest your life in the Kingdom of God by learning to walk in "The Way."
