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A Church Called Tov

Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing

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A Church Called Tov

By: Scot McKnight, Laura Barringer
Narrated by: Michael Beck
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About this listen

Christian Book Award - Finalist 2021 (print)!!

What is the way forward for the church?

Tragically, in recent years, Christians have gotten used to revelations of abuses of many kinds in our most respected churches―from Willow Creek to Harvest, from Southern Baptist pastors to Sovereign Grace churches. Respected author and theologian Scot McKnight and former Willow Creek member Laura Barringer wrote this book to paint a pathway forward for the church.

We need a better way. The sad truth is that churches of all shapes and sizes are susceptible to abuses of power, sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse. Abuses occur most frequently when Christians neglect to create a culture that resists abuse and promotes healing, safety, and spiritual growth.

How do we keep these devastating events from repeating themselves? We need a map to get us from where we are today to where we ought to be as the body of Christ. That map is in a mysterious and beautiful little Hebrew word in Scripture that we translate “good,” the word tov.

In this book, McKnight and Barringer explore the concept of tov―unpacking its richness and how it can help Christians and churches rise up to fulfill their true calling as imitators of Jesus.

©2020 Scot McKnight and Laura McKnight Barringer (P)2020 Tyndale House Publishers Christian Living Christianity House Church
All stars
Most relevant
Very confronting but incredibly important issues that need to be addressed in many church cultures. A great encouragement to return to the true purpose of the church and its pastors to “pastor” the people and grow people into the likeness of Christ.

A great challenge to today’s church

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Finally, a book that doesn't dance around toxic church culture but meets it head on and provides answers. Thank you!

Powerful and uncompromising

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Thank you for the courage to write a book such as this. Deeply confronting and at times alarming…but a necessary course correction for the church as a whole. Thank you.

Timely warning

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Fascinating case studies and timeless wisdom every church leader needs to hear. Highly recommend this brilliantly crafted expose on kingdom culture and leadership. Know the warning signs and put into place accountability practices to help create a goodness culture in your church, family and community.

Required Reading for All Leaders

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This book came to me at a most difficult time in my life. Being mistreated and shunned by church leadership, this book was part of my healing journey and encouraging others damaged by the Church to seek God for wholeness and for His grace, mercy and power to become the new creation that He intended us to be.
Thank you.

Life changing

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This is a topic that deserves much more focus and discussion. Church abuse is rife and centralised power that results in church leaders lording it over one another is more the rule than the exception.

This was true in the times of the prophets of the Old Testament, it was true in the disciples in the night before Jesus was crucified and it is true in churches today.

There are some really, really good ideas in the book. There is also more than a hint of socialistic ideas, demonisation of any leaders with legitimate power and authority.

Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords, which would indicate that there are legitimate expressions of kingship and lordship for those under His rule.

My guess is that by being enmeshed in American style corruption of the church has lead them to believe that any church that has high attendance is abusive and un-Christlike?

It neglects the very biblical concepts that with wisdom comes riches and honour. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, meaning that the wise person will not abuse or exploit or cut corners on integrity. Wisdom also understands God's judgement on such violations of integrity.

These are topics that must be faced and worked through, but for my money Wade Mullen's "Something's Not Right" does a much better job of exploring the topic at hand.

Important discussion

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.