Why You Should Get Churched (and get it here for free!)
My friend Matthew Paul Turner released Churched: One Kid's Journey Towards God Despite a Holy Mess, his newest book a few weeks ago. You've got to read it. Turner and his publisher have given me a free copy to give to one to a lucky reader of this blog. If you're interested in getting a copy, (and the only reason you wouldn't be is...well there isn't a reason because even if you own it you'll want to share it), please leave a comment below and I'll randomly pick one person after 5:00 on Friday to award the book to.
First a few disclaimers:
- Matthew is a good friend of mine. That means I feel more liberty than usual to really critique his book.
- I am listed in the book as endorsing it. That's because despite #1 above, I really, really liked it. In fact, I still remember where I was sitting when he read the first excerpt to me over the phone and how I laughed out loud and thought about it for days. I also fondly remember getting a copy of the manuscript via email and staying up much later than I should have to read it and then resisting every urge I had to email it to all of my friends. (I didn't.)
- In reciprocity for being able to give away a free copy of Matthew's book Churched I am supposed to review it (good or bad) on my blog. But I am not going to. So many people have already reviewed it that frankly, I am not sure I have anything original to say in review. In fact, I'd rather encourage you to go to his blog and read the reviews that have been done by others or go to Amazon and read the reviews there. (And while you're there, why not just buy a copy?)
Instead of adding to the extensive list of positive reviews, I am going to tell you why I think this book is important, not only for Christians to read, but also for Christians and non-Christians to read together.
Top Ten Reasons Why Churched is an Important Book:
10) While on one hand this book could be considered a critique of fundamentalism, it doesn't read that way. It is told from the voice of Matthew as a child, his fears and his fantasies, and so instead of a tone it draws you into the world he experienced and allows you to make your own judgment. Why can't all critiques do that?
9) We are all characters in his story. Somewhere in this book you will find yourself at your worst and at your best. The book holds a mirror up to our actions and as we see ourself in it forces us to decide who we really want to be.
8) The book will encourages examination and discussion about how our religious upbringing influences our current spiritual life. Sometimes it is good, sometimes, not so good.
7) Matthew has lots of great stories that lend themselves to questions like, "Has that ever happened to you?" or "What would you have done in that situation." This makes it perfect for use in a book club or reading group where there are mixed religious backgrounds.
6) Since the voice is that of a child I found myself not arguing about what was right and wrong, rather stepping back and going, "Oh, so that's how that's perceived." This easily opens up dialog for what works and what doesn't work inside the church. Imagine if we could do that with our political beliefs?
5) The book is a study on how humor—real laugh out loud humor—can be combined with a tenderness that makes you hurt. As someone who can easily put up defenses, Turner uses his humor like a spear, penetrating past the outside layers to make me feel something on the inside.
4) Despite Turner's obvious wounds, inflicted not only by well-meaning pastor and teachers, but also his parents, Turner isn't bitter. Matthew's writing resonates with hope that gives other wounded spirits a way to love and forgive those who've hurt them in the name of God.
3) Churched gives you permission to not only look at your past, but to share it with others. That's why I think this book is especially helpful when read with a group. (Rumor has it Turner is developing a study guide to help with this, check his blog for more information.)
2) While you may not have experienced the Barbie burnings or Satan boxing matches at your church, his outlandish (but true) stories help you to examine your own outlandish (but true) church experiences and perhaps even make sense of them.
And the number one reason why I think this book is important,
1) Turner models a safe way of talking about the good and bad of his own story, what it means to be Churched, and what needs to change. There is no finger-pointing and no recipe of easy answers. Only an invitation to think about your own journey.
With a list of how important I think a book like this is, I run the risk of making it sound boring, I promise you it isn't. It is a collection of stories that once you start reading you enjoy in just a few hours. But since so many others have commented on how funny the book is and quoted excerpts, I didn't want you to overlook the potential for a book like this to start a conversation with someone who had a different upbringing than you.
Leave a comment below telling me why you deserve to win Churched, but in the meantime just go ahead and buy a copybecause after you read it, I promise you'll want to share it with someone you know.
~Jennifer
Trackbacks
-
10/31/2008 9:24 PM
Notes from Jennifer wrote:
Last night at 10:30 on the way home from the middle school dance my son said, "Can you wake me up five minutes early so that I can find a costume to wear to school?"My thought: Five minutes? Are you kidding me? That just begs for a tardy slip. What I said: "Let's think of some ideas tonight so we can have a plan for the morning.""So what do you think I should be?"At this moment every mom of a young teen boy knows that whatever you say is going to be wrong. This is just a conversation starter ... -
10/31/2008 5:00 PM
Notes from Jennifer wrote:
Last night at 10:30 on the way home from the middle school dance my son said, "Can you wake me up five minutes early so that I can find a costume to wear to school?"My thought: Five minutes? Are you kidding me? That just begs for a tardy slip. What I said: "Let's think of some ideas tonight so we can have a plan for the morning.""So what do you think I should be?"At this moment every mom of a young teen boy knows that whatever you say is going to be wrong. This is just a conversation starter ...
I am always looking for God in unusual places - and it sounds like I may get a few tips on where to look. Plus, I like the idea of using this book to stimulate discussion in my very diverse and strongly opinionated book club. Can the book serve as a protective shield for those who hold a minority opinion or thought?
Reply to this
@Susan, not sure that this will tell you new and unusual places to look for God (though there is a scene where Turner looks for God in the floor boards and the choir loft). But I think it's a great book to discuss because most of what happened to Turner seems so absurd, the rest of us can point fingers and laugh at the book instead of each other which is just what the minority opinion needs--someone else to take the heat. Looks like you have a fan club voting for you to get the book. Good luck!
Reply to this
Give it to Susan! The book club thing sounds fun.
But, if I do buy a copy, can I just say that there are two people in my home who need to learn how to look back at things ... together? If the tone of this book really is as approachable and humorous as you say, I'm hoping it could be helpful in demonstrating the kind of openness I'm wishing for in our relationship but having a lot of trouble establishing at times.
Reply to this
@Chris I think what the book does is give such outlandish examples of crazy things that people do in the name of God (my favorite is the woman who jumps off the toilet and sprints into the room where her kids are watching Ben-Hur just in time to put her fingers in front of the "bad" part so they aren't scarred for life).
Reply to this
Hi,
I agree with Chris - Susan sounds like a good candidate for the book.
I just wanted to comment that I in doing "church" I try to balance listening and learning from others with searching for light and truth. I am holding out that Jesus is the perfect combination of grace and truth. What does that look like in everyday life - I wish someone could tell me - I have no idea...
Reply to this
@Amber: It's all a tension isn't it?
Reply to this
Sign me up- I want a book. And if I don't win, I'll just borrow your copy anyway...
Reply to this
@Teisha: Mine is autographed, you're not getting it. I'll get you one for Christmas.
Reply to this
Jennifer,
I would love a copy of the book! I have finished reading your book on prayer and loved it. I wrote some thoughts on the inside cover and have passed it on. It is a thing I do with friends and peeps in the church... read a book, make comments and then pass it along with the understanding that they will do the same.
Anyway, thank you so much for the joy hearing your heart in your books and for allowing me to pass that along.
Blessings!
Brian
Reply to this
I would love to be registered in the book drawing. Thank you so much!
Reply to this
Randomly pick me, Jen (wait, isn't asking you to pick me "randomly" a contradiction in terms?)
Hope you're doing well...
Chris H.
Reply to this
I have bought and read all of Matt's books. It'd be great to get one for free.
Reply to this
I also am an old friend of Matt. but because I am planting a church in Grand Rapids, MI I don't have the extra money to purchase it currently. Though I have asked for it for Christmas.
Reply to this
I would be interested in receiving a copy of the book.
thanks for sharing.
Reply to this
A friend lent me her copy. It's been sitting in my bedside table for a month. Might as well start reading it.
Reply to this
I would love a copy of Churched! I keep signing up for free give-aways, but nothing so far.
Reply to this
I would love a copy of Churched; and if I am lucky enough to obtain a copy, I will swiftly pass it onto another after I have read it so that more and more individuals can enjoy!
Reply to this
1. I'm in college, so I'm way too broke to buy a copy. No, seriously. I'm talking rice-cooker in the dorm room, freshman 20 means you lost 20, can't even pay to wash my clothes broke. Bonus: After I read it, I can soak the pages in warm water and have a passable substitute for oatmeal. Who else do you know that will be spiritually AND physically nourished by Churched? Hmmm?
2. I grew up in a fundie family and still have no idea what to think about that whole ...subculture? I read MPT's blog and actually respect his views and especially the honesty with which he expresses them, so I can't help but think his book might help a sista' out when it comes to figuring all this Xtianity stuff out.
3. Midterms are coming up. If I don't have something to laugh at I may get in the shower with my rice cooker, if you know what I mean. (What? You actually think I can afford a toaster? Psh. And go with me on this, our dorms don't even have bathtubs.)
4. I said please: Please?
5. I left this comment instead of printing out my pre-lab for Chemistry, and I'm totally going to be penalized points. It has to be worth it, somehow.
Reply to this