Being Church, Doing Life by Michael Moynagh

Being Church, Doing Life: Creating gospel communities where life happens

By Matt Roper

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Nonfiction

Published by- Monarch Books

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 252

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $18.99, ISBN 978-0-85721-493-5

There is a movement in the UK called Fresh Expressions and Being Church, Doing Life, by Michael Moynagh, describes what that organization is doing to build gospel communities around the UK.  These communities are happening in schools, cafes, homes, parks, and more. 

This book contains over 120 examples along with different ways you can begin a community, help it succeed, and gently step away so it can grow on its own and multiply.  There is also a section on how church leaders can help members of their congregations with their communities.

Excerpt from the book!

About the Author-

Revd. Dr. Michael Moynagh currently conducts research for Fresh Expressions UK at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.  He has written or helped to write more than fifteen books.  Link for: www.freshexpressionsus.org/

My thoughts-

Lately I have been thinking about what I would like to do when my children are older or even perhaps at the age they are now.  I keep thinking about community and trying to reach those who have left the church or have never believed.  Those are the people I would like to help and reach.  I keep getting nudges, like a day planner where I needed to write my purpose in life and Michael Moynagh’s book, Being Church, Doing Life.

I live in the United States and this book is based on the organization, Fresh Expressions, in the UK, but there were examples from the United States, which showed me that it can be done here as well.  When I was reading the book, I read the statics and stories that showed how well gospel communities are working in the UK.  I’m really glad that they are.  Those types of communities are needed all over the world. 

Moynagh has given me hope that it can be done here and he has written this wonderful book that I can use to help guide me in the correct direction.  The book is divided into three section: “Why Communities in life?,” Tools for developing witnessing communities,” and “Tools for the wider church.”  It talked about why to do it, how to do it and how to teach people to be disciples, so they can do it themselves, and what the church can do to help those who want to develop their own communities.

Each chapter has its own conclusion and there is an awesome bibliography in the back of the book.  It lists many websites and books to help people reach their goals.  Moynagh did an interview for the BBC which is on YouTube.  It was very good and well worth watching. 

This book was excellent and should be read by everyone.  There are many people in this world who need to come to Jesus and we need to disciple in the way Jesus did.  This book will show you how.  Please find a copy and read it today!

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Being Church, Doing Life, by Michael Moynagh, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.