The Book and its Topic
Jim and Casper Go to Church is a different book to what you have become accustomed to. This is a conversation. A conversation between a believer and an atheist.
Jim Henderson (Jim) and Matt Casper (Casper) go on a strange mission. They visit numerous American churches to see how these congregations and their services rate in the eyes of a non-Christian. Casper rates them, and he actually sounds like someone who knows what he is talking about.
Unfortunately, his opinions are the opinions of one person. We have to take the book and the conversation as that. Luckily, the authors never claim that it is anything else, and every book out there (bar the Bible - depending on your beliefs) is someone’s opinion.
I don't want to list here the churches that they visit. That would be taking something away from your reading experience. It also makes you want to go and get the book to soothe your curiosity, doesn’t it? What I can say, is that I thought it was a good all-round mix, and I can’t think of any other churches that I wish they visited, except maybe Rob Bell’s Mars Hill.
The book reaches a priceless conclusion, and it is definitely good reading to pastors and anyone else busy with evangelism, church planting, or trying to reach those “who Jesus misses most” through love. I used the quote in the previous sentence from the book, and Jim explains it nicely in the introduction – so I won't explain it here.
The rest of the Christian readers out there will not really find this book helpful. Let me just say that it really worries me that there are Christians out there who do not fit into the 4 ‘categories’ I listed above...
Makes one think, right?
The conclusion I referred to about three paragraphs ago, is that we will attract lots of people to church if we become more authentic and actually show them very practically how we are making the world a better place. If we let our light shine, and make the kingdom of God happen here on earth.
We need to start practicing what Jesus preached. Even the atheists are familiar with His teachings, and they have reason to doubt the truth behind the church of Jesus if we cannot even do what He told us to.
BookDisciple Power Quote
This is an excerpt from the book, in the very first chapter, where Casper (the atheist) is speaking:
“I don’t mean to be overly critical, but what if instead of asking people to pray a prayer in order to get into heaven, the pastor challenged everyone to go out and serve someone else here on Earth? Could you imagine if he told everyone here today to go out and make a difference today - donate two hours of their time at the local shelter, buy a new set of clothes for a homeless person; can you imagine what a difference that would make in one day alone? Maybe he’ll cover it in another message.” – Jim and Casper Go to Church, p. 8.
So, how does it read?
Jim and Casper Go to Church is any easy read of about 168 pages. A little hard-cover (at least mine is), published by the Barna Group. George Barna also wrote the foreword.
May I be honest with you? At stages I got angry with Casper the friendly atheist (Jim calls him that). Typically, he does not spare us his opinions. I wished that Jim had argued the questions and points they discussed more aggressively...
See, that is the whole point. I am guilty! I am one of those Christians who do not tolerate and form genuine no-strings-attached friendships with non-believers. I need to change, and I will try my best (with the help of the Lord) to do that.
Jim gives a good couple of lessons on how to become a Christian who, like Jesus, befriends sinners and those outside the faith. It is awesome, and I just wish we would all start implementing it. Including me.
What did this book mean to me personally?
I am currently helping with a sort of church plant. We are trying to create a community which caters for those seeking an alternative to institutional church. A movement they can be part of, believe in and where they can be the body of Christ.
Jim and Casper Go to Church helped me tremendously here. We are just starting out, so the principles taught in this book will surely help shape our community.
Conclusion
Jim and Casper Go to Church can help any Christian with a focus on growing the kingdom of God. And, we should all have that focus. It is especially helpful to pastors and those involved with church planting.
Remember, it is a conversation between two people. Two people with opinions. You might not agree with everything that they are saying, but it is helpful to read and learn. We all need to learn how atheists think.
Oh, and one last thing... Whether you read it or not, Jim and Casper Go to Church would make a great gift to your pastor. You book disciple you...
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