In their most recent newsletter XXX Church had this interesting letter from a guy…..  

The Buzz:
The book isn’t even out yet, the tour is a few weeks away, and yet Starving Jesus is already drawing attention all over the country. From pastors getting fired, to people giving away beds, to bikes being fixed in Texas. Starving Jesus is leaving its mark. Pastor Brian McDaniel dropped us this letter last week…  

Hello,

I thought you might find it interesting, even humorous, to know that I preached a sermon last Sunday in which I quoted the introduction of your book, all the way to “Welcome to the conversation.” The part about committing “spiritual suicide” and saying “Church sucks” struck a chord, apparently. Two  days later I was told to leave the church by my Pastor and the deacons. I was literally asked, “not to come back.” 

I was the full time Worship Pastor for 5-1/2 years and a bit controversial the entire time, because I consistently told people that worship was not for them, as the church has trained them to think, but that it’s for the heart of God. Of course, newer believers and teachable followers of Jesus passionately embraced this truth, but the larger majority has been struggling with me the entire time. My Pastor (and friend), however, supported and defended me throughout. Until now. 

I was already in the process of leaving the church to pursue a vision God has given my wife and I for a ministry that involves simply meeting people where they are, being Jesus instead of a church where we expect people looking for God to come. I can’t find that anywhere in the teachings of Jesus or the rest of the Bible. 

So after 15 years in full-time ministry we are finally doing what we believe Jesus intended for His bride to be. The only problem was that I wasn’t going to leave until the end of July. Last Sunday’s sermon was going to be my farewell address. I guess it really was! One of the ironies is that the Pastor loved the message and said it was the truth! But certain people were so upset and very vocal about their anger, so he felt it was best that he remove the one that “instigated” it. Hopefully he won’t do the same to the first revolutionary - Jesus Christ. 

Brian McDaniel Former Worship Pastor First Baptist Church of Vacaville, CA 

I thought that this is something that might be of interest to some of our more church radical readers! It certainly sounds like this book could be an interesting read….. I shall have a read and perhaps follow up with a review, if anyone feels like joining me in this reading adventure then grab yourself a copy here and let’s have a debate! Â