Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge,from Westminster John Knox Press, via Netgalley, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it
We usually have a religious book review on Tuesdays, and this is it!
Synopsis:
"I had a vision of a faith community where people could have a wider understanding of God and our relationship to him/her. I wanted to create a place where people could state what they believe and what they struggle with--freely. I wanted a community of people who know we don't all have to agree on everything."
Jerry Herships, former altar boy who had dreamed of making it big in show biz, tended bar to make ends meet as he worked gigs in comedy and game shows, looking for his big break. After giving up the dream and leaving Los Angeles, he found his way back to the church and discovered God calling him to ministry--but not just any ministry. Now he leads AfterHours Denver, a bar church where people worship with a whiskey in their hand and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to serve Denver's homeless. Last Call is a story of having and giving up on dreams, finding yourself, and finding how God can use you in unexpected ways.
Check out a video about Jerry's ministry, AfterHours Denver, from UMC before I give you my review:
Review:
This new book releases this Friday, the 6th.
This is one of those books that instantly grabs you from chapter one, and doesn't let go! The tagline, From Serving Drinks to Serving Jesus, really grabs you and makes you want to start reading the book, but Jerry's easy going style brings you along for a very interesting ride as he works his way thru the LA comedy scene and then into theology. Jerry pulls no punches, as he shares what he discovered was wrong with traditional faith based churches and why he felt called to do more. At its heart this is a book that asks the reader what THEY feel was Jesus' true message, and how to they feel it is best placed in modern life.
Traditional church isn't for everyone, and Jerry soon found a way to minister and reach out to a different flock, that needed to hear God's word, to seek God's grace and forgiveness. His story may lead you to question how your faith sees ministry, but Jerry is not preaching for a total disillusionment of traditional faith, rather a search to find God's word in our bringing of faith to others, to spread Jesus' message and bring more to our Christian faith by reaching out to them, in ways they can understand, This is a must read for pastors looking to find an awakening in their own congregations, to seek a different approach. I can't recommend it enough.
About the Author:
Jerry's story is a familiar one. Former bartender/stand-up comic and mall Santa hear God's call to leave the bright lights of show biz and dedicate his life to doing the Lord's work. You've heard it a million times...
Jerry was born in Detroit, and lived in both L.A. and Orlando working in Radio, T.V., film. During Jerry's stand-up career he worked with Dick Clark, Jay Leno and Olympia Dukakis, and was a contract writer for Jay Leno. Jerry got his Masters of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology and was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 2009. Jerry was appointed to plant a new church, AfterHours Denver, in the downtown metro area focusing on the poor and spiritually independent. He is Chief Love Monger and Lead Spiritual Entrepreneur of that faith & action community. AfterHours Denver currently hands out food, water and communion to 700+ people a week in Civic Center Park.
Jerry speaks all over the country on a variety of topics including; new models of church, entrepreneur leadership, innovation in ministry and working with the poor outside the walls of the church. Jerry has been married to his wife Laura for more than 20 years and their son Hudson Just recently graduted high school. Their dog Rocky is slow-witted but enthusiastic.
Jerry was born in Detroit, and lived in both L.A. and Orlando working in Radio, T.V., film. During Jerry's stand-up career he worked with Dick Clark, Jay Leno and Olympia Dukakis, and was a contract writer for Jay Leno. Jerry got his Masters of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology and was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 2009. Jerry was appointed to plant a new church, AfterHours Denver, in the downtown metro area focusing on the poor and spiritually independent. He is Chief Love Monger and Lead Spiritual Entrepreneur of that faith & action community. AfterHours Denver currently hands out food, water and communion to 700+ people a week in Civic Center Park.
Jerry speaks all over the country on a variety of topics including; new models of church, entrepreneur leadership, innovation in ministry and working with the poor outside the walls of the church. Jerry has been married to his wife Laura for more than 20 years and their son Hudson Just recently graduted high school. Their dog Rocky is slow-witted but enthusiastic.
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