I’m a pastor first and foremost, and I’m trying to offer a solution or a model of what church should look like. It comes across as someone who doesn’t love the church. In a recent interview, when asked about the emergent church, he said this: “As a pastor I hear a lot of emergent leaders talk about what is wrong with the church. Chan is committed to critiquing the church as an act of love. We can critique out of love or out of disgust. There are two ways of critiquing the church. It is for those who don’t want to plateau, who would rather die before their convictions do.” It is a book that is meant to change the way Christians live their lives.

It is for those who are bored with what American Christianity offers.

“This book,” he says, “is written for those who want more Jesus. In his new book Crazy Love, first-time author Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, regular speaker at Passion conferences and other events, and the guy who recorded that “Just Stop and Think” evangelistic video where he walks for miles holding a surfboard, takes his opportunity to challenge the church. But what? In many cases the prescription is the same while the cure varies widely. We all know that there is something wrong. The voices come from both within and without from those who love the church and those who hate it.

Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.There are many voices critiquing the North American church today. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts-it's falling in love with God. Whether you've verbalized it yet or not, we all know something's wrong.ĭoes something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. The God of the universe-the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor-loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?

Crazy Love by Francis Chan