No Longer Self-Evident: Are We More American Than Christian?

By Drew Anderson

"The discrepancy between what we think God wants from us as opposed to who God wants us to be has ultimately become the defining struggle of American Christianity.We are far too easily pleased with what we can accomplish for God and not nearly broken enough by the lack of time we spend being with God and becoming like Him." This book looks to provide the reader the opportunity to ask the question of themselves and their own local church: "Do we look more American than Christian?" It is set up to be used as a personal or group discipleship resources, with each chapter starting with a prayer (and a Scripture or quote), then providing the reading, and then challenging the reader to think deeper through observation questions and discussion questions to be used in conversation with others. At the end of the book, you are also provided some on-going discipleship resources that you are free to use as models and guides for continued discipleship in your own life. As you journey thru this book, feel free to reach out to the author and ask questions or share comments to keep the conversation going! You can find him at drewanderson.blog.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716744518

Book preview

Author

No Longer

Self-Evident

Drew Anderson

© 2020 Drew Anderson

ISBN-13: 978-1-942221-14-2 (pb)

Scripture quotations taken from New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015, by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

An imprint of Scott Publishing Services

Columbus, Georgia

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permissions requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Request, at the email address provided:

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my family: my beautifully supportive wife, Sarah, and my lovingly energetic boys, Camden and Jaxon.

I also dedicate it to my extended spiritual family, those around me right now and those who go back throughout my life who have helped shape me: Sumter Chapel, Cordele First UMC, Unite Cordele, Heart of Georgia Chrysalis, Relevant Church, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Charlotte, Statesboro First Baptist College Ministry, Georgia Southern’s Baptist Collegiate Ministries & Wesley Foundation, Highland Park Baptist Church, First Baptist of Plant City, and so many people from other faith communities that have surrounded me throughout my faith journey and ministry development.

Foreword

I am humbled and thankful to write this foreword. Drew Anderson is a dear friend and colleague. We have a few years of history together and I can say I am so proud of the work the Lord has put his hands to.

You will find yourself drawn into the content of the book, but I hope you will not miss the layout. The layout is not like most books. Rather the book provides you an opportunity to pause and reflect at the end of each chapter, so read slowly meditating on the information you are presented. Interact with the text and digest it in your soul.

I leave you with this quote from one of my favorite authors. Alan Hirsch said, If you plant the gospel the church will rise out of it. We long need to hear these words. The truth is we need people who are not in this for flash in the pan success but for lasting fruit. This takes time. Drew has done an exceptional job of helping us see where we are and where we need to go. Thank you Drew for reminding me that it is not about quick results but slow steady discipleship that matters. Take your time, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy the journey.

Dr. Stewart Moody, D.Min.

Statesboro, Georgia

May 2020

Acknowledgments

I want to thank:

My parents - William and Andrea - who have always taught me to think for myself, to be a change agent if necessary, and to lead by example.

My brothers - Jonathan, Mark, and Ross - who have challenged me by their own academic and professional pursuits, and to always think on my feet and compete to win.

My lifelong friends and friends in ministry - Andrew Basinger, Dustin Belue, Gerald Hovator, David Johnson, Jeremy Williamson, Justin Milliken, Tracer & Lauren-Summers Gramm, Ethan Rountree, Blake Fine, Chad Waller, Joe Buck, Dorrie Garner, Josh & Jordan Echols - who have pushed me to be genuine, to listen first, and to confidently live out that the church is the people and never what those people do.

My How’s Your Soul? guys - Steve Tench, Nate Faircloth, Marcus Hudson, Derrick Bessix, Rob Simmons, Jorge Gonzalez, Billy Rogers, Marcel & Tim Prater, Christian Abercrombie, John Eidenire, Kody Franks, Jeremy Copeland, RT Beverly - who have given me the space to be completely transparent and who have fought for my soul so I wouldn’t lose it in the midst of professional ministry.

My pastor-mentors - Stewart Moody, Jay Tucker, Matt McGarity, David Thompson - who have believed in me and what God wants to do in & thru me.

My college professors & mentors - Chris Geyerman, Patrick Wheaton, Susan Davies - who helped me value the power of words, clarity of thought and concise communication.