On impulse a few weeks ago I picked up this 145 page book after Sunday service. I attend a Calvary Chapel, and my interested was piqued by the tag line on the cover; “Gang members, drug addicts, mental patients, society’s rejects…Chuck Smith’s amazing story of Calvary Chapel and the unlikely leaders that God Called.”
I have a basic knowledge of how Calvary Chapels got started, but I didn’t know much, and this book was good in that it provided a cursory look at how God has used some very unlikely men to bring people to Jesus.
When I say cursory, though, it is just that. Chuck shares the stories of nine men whose lives were transformed by the awesome power of God. I read with great interest and was left wanting more of their stories. He does provide names of books that give you more of the story for many of these pastors
The last chapter focuses on Chuck’s own lessons and principles for ministry that I believe are exceptional. If you’ve ever thought of starting a Bible study or church, then these principles are some that you would want to get your hands on. He provides a basic overview, but this overview is simple – exactly what Smith wants them to be. He believes in simply teaching the Bible simply, so that people can understand!
There were a few things that distracted me while I was reading; namely, the presence of more than a few typographical errors. Granted The Word for Today is not a huge publishing house, I was still slightly disappointed considering this was not a first printing. I was also distracted by an aside that Smith took during one of the stories to speak his mind on a particular issue. It wasn’t that I disagreed with the point he was making, it just didn’t seem to fit.
Overall, it was a quick and interesting read. It gives you a glimpse of the great things God has done through the weak and wounded He calls. I learned a lot about the 1960’s hippie and drug culture that I knew nothing about. If you’ve never listened to Chuck Smith, or have heard about Calvary Chapels you might just enjoy and learn something new from this book!
