The story of the author's work in ministry in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, described in terms of Jeremiah's letter to the exiles in Jeremiah 29.

The author sets forth his story in a compelling way: a child of the area who moved out and yet came back and found himself the pastor of a local church, and how he has grown and developed to understand the area better, to love the people, to work effectively with and among the people, and to produce meaningful change in the community.

The author's goal is to encourage Christians, wherever they are, to be present in their communities. He encourages them to participate in community efforts, to not consider themselves as better than or greater than the community, but to seek their community's welfare, just like Jeremiah encouraged the Israelites to do while in Babylonian exile. He encourages cooperation with local organizations doing good work, and does not expect the church to do all that work itself, which was refreshing and valuable. He demonstrates through his own example how one can come to love an area generally unloved and considered unlovable by many, and how important it is to get past the pretense and prejudice and find and love people where they are.

While there are many, many books in this "X Church" or "Church X" genre, and it's easy to just gloss over them or think they're all just variations on a theme, this one has a lot of power and value and is worth consideration. Highly recommended.

I was meant to read this book, it was definitely placed in my lap, or Kindle, by God. I have never read a book about the church that I found instantly relatable and could be immediately to practice. Jonathan not only points out the problems, but gives proven solutions.

This entire book was so easy and wonderful to read. It should be read by everyone, not just those in ministry, but believers and unbelievers alike. So much can be gained by a mutual understanding of the situations addressed in this book.

I cannot sufficiently express how much I learned from this book. I look forward to seeing what more Jonathan writes and how much more he improves his community and the church as a whole.

They say you always come home. Well this pastor left when he got the chance and went as far as he could and then because of different events in life he ended up back in his home town and also the pastor of said town! In this book Jonathan Brooks challenges local churches means to rediscover that loving our neighborhoods.

Church Forsaken
Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods
by Jonathan Brooks
InterVarsity Press
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 06 Nov 2018
I am reviewing a copy of The Church Forsaken through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:
The author of this book was raised in the Englewood Neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. When he was able to he left and moved as far away as he was able. But through a remarkable turn of events he found himself not only back in Englewood but also serving as a Pastor as well as a community leader.
In this book Jonathan Brooks challenges local churches means to rediscover that loving our neighborhoods.
Using the themes of Jeremiah 29, he shows how Christians can be completely present in local communities including doing things like building homes and planting community gardens.
I give The Church Forsaken five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!

There always seemed to be a false belief in the world that God has forsaken some areas and left them to their own desires/failings. I have to admit I have heard people in the church say this of entire cities at times. Certainly I have heard this about specific locations in some cities.

In this light I was so encouraged by this offering from Jonathan Brooks.

Church Forsaken is a book, maybe not intended just for leaders to delve into, but certainly should be considered by any who live in an area where it may appear God has not been active. The shocking truth is, and it shouldn't really shock us, the church has forgotten or ignored areas of their own communities. If not areas, perhaps a specific part of the population.

I found myself agreeing with this book more than I am happy to admit, and yes it is because there are moments as a pastor I have seen this 'forsaken' attitude in my life. I have to apply the truths with this book to my own leadership and see the people who maybe are hard to connect with, as ones we begin to ignore. I have to see that each person, every soul, needs to hear the gospel and the church is responsible to make this possible for their own community.

If you are checking out this book, I encourage you to pick it up and read it with an open mind. You may see the areas this church has forsaken their own community.

*I received this book as an advance review from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. These are my personal thoughts.