The Externally Focused Church

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested is getting a better understanding of our roles as Christians in the world. It is both practical and inspiring. Since the 19th century when reason and faith separated, Christians have separated over good works and good deeds and now Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson call us back to apply both faith and works together. They creatively share their own experiences in trusting God for the results in ways that much of the Christian world has long since forgotten. They challenge us to service, where good deeds and good works intersect, where mercy and justice meet. God does have a role for cities in His economy. This book not only gives hope as we see some results unfold, but it gives practical ideas on how any individual may play a part. I recommended the Externally Focused Church to anyone who is serious about impacting their community with the hope also of having God produce a movement of spiritual multiplication.

I wanted to pass on my thanks for this great book, The Externally Focused Church. I read it from start to finish on New Year's Day 2005. I have to admit that my interests (as a layman) have seldom gotten into the community, aside from the belief that the church is about the Great Commission and little else. Your book helped me get past some of my "blindness" about the need and purpose of the church reaching beyond itself in more than evangelistic ways; in fact, to reach into the community is to be evangelistic in the best form. As you said (page 108), LifeBridge's goals (and others like them) is "to get people into the community, into the church, and into heaven"...thereby, "building the kingdom throughout the world." I can say that your book is the best book I will have read in 2005 [and I have 364 days yet to go]. I plan to buy copies for my pastor, an associate pastor, and a ministry leader and urge them to read it and take it to heart. Thanks for a very readable, thorough, challenging and sensible book, and the charge to every reader to look beyond ourselves. No better way than to start 2005 with the challenge you bring to us.

I can't say enough about this book. It radically changed my thinking of how to reach the world. Before this book, I saw 'Good Works' and 'Good News' as two opposing strategies divided by liberal and fundamental camps of the church. It was as if we came to a fork in the road in church history and one went down one path and one the other. In my pride, I felt that 'Good News' was the road less traveled because 'Good Works' was and didn't get to the root of the problem. After reading Swanson and Rusaw's book, I see that instead of two roads that they are one and that the avenue to the 'Good News' being heard among the nations is paved with 'Good Works'. 'Good Works' and 'Good News' are not two strategies that should divide the body but are to have a symbiotic relationship to transform the heart of man and a community. The authors point out that while'Good Works' can not change a man's heart they prepare him to hear the 'Good News'. 'Works' gives the 'News' credibility to be heard. Not only do the authors present a biblical basis for this theology, they present a myriad of practical examples of how to get your church involved. I highly recommend this book to anyone in the ministry who wants to see their church get out of the pew and help see their community transformed.

This book is a strategy for faith in action. Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw provide the formula for the rocket fuel to lift off. Packed with practical examples of how believers can take their faith out of the sanctuary onto the streets of their communities, this book promotes an inspirational paradigm shift. The authors provide the theology behind the call to action as disciples, as well as hands-on recommendations on what has worked elsewhere. The church in America is a slumbering giant, with remarkable capacity that is untapped. If even a third of our churches were truly externally focused, they would lead a revolution of transformation. Barbara J. Elliott, author of "Street Saints: Renewing America's Cities," President of the Center for Renewal, Houston, TX.

After I finished The Externally Focused Church, I fell to my knees and asked God to give me the grace to live up to the clear, compelling challenge the authors have so brilliantly presented. Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw have "dusted off" a vital, ancient truth that is indispensible to the health and relevance of the church in an age of political activism and partisan rancor. Through Biblical analysis, church history and numerous, very readable, modern examples, they show the transcedant power of "good works" as both the platform for and the ultimate apologetic of a vital church. So, rather than shout at the "darkness," as we are so prone to do, the authors have shown us just how powerful a church community can be when it shifts the focus from self-preservation to community involvement. I heartily recommend this book. It is on my all time best list! Geoff Gorsuch, Executive Director of Men's Ministry for the Navigators.