I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am always challenged by Shannan Martin's perspective on the way our faith intersects with real life in the midst of social issues and ministry - and this book was no exception! Her honesty and candor are refreshing, and a wake up call for Christians to make sure that we are loving others well in our words AND deeds. Our actions are important, and listening is one of them. I think this particular book would make for great discussion in a small group setting.

A deeply challenging, encouraging book. Martin shares the truth of her experiences and then hands her reader a sledgehammer to deal the final blow to the preconceived notions she's rendered unsustainable.

Shannan Martin offers a surprisingly simple answer: uncover the hidden corners of our cities and neighborhoods and invest deeply in the lives of people around us. She walks us through her own discoveries about the vital importance of paying attention, as well as the hard but rewarding truth about showing up and committing for the long haul, despite the inevitable encounters with brokenness and uncertainty. With transparency, humor, heart-tugging storytelling, and more than a little personal confession, Martin shows us that no matter where we live or how much we have, as we learn what it is to be with people as Jesus was, we'll find our very lives. The details will look quiet and ordinary, and the call will both exhaust and exhilarate us. But it will be the most worth-it adventure we will ever take.

If you are looking to serve God, this is a wonderful book. There are so many ministries that are waiting to be found. Shannon Martin helps the readers look to their local neighborhoods to find where they can serve the best.

To be honest, I didn't expect to love this book. I was wrong. I was bowled over by Shannan Martin's heart, her stories, her wisdom, and her writing. This is one of the best Christian Nonfiction titles I've read in recent years. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it. Thank you, Shannan, for showing us what loving our neighbor really means. I am inspired to do better.

This is the story of the author living in a city. She had been living in the country but moved to the city. Within her story of living in the city she weaves some biblical truth.

Some of the book just seems filled with pop culture words and phrases. Like being told "Pay Attention". I am not saying these are all wrong but they need to be grounded in the Word of God.

I found that the book was full of fluff and not much spiritual foundation. I love the concept of the book but would have wanted to see more actions coming from spiritual foundation.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

This is the kind of book that helps you realize life is short and you must be thankful for every day you have. It is difficult to be there for someone, it is difficult to get involved, it is going to take value and courage, and intentionality, but it will be worth it. The way Shannan shares about this topic makes you want to be more involved right where you are. So many lovely quotes to highlight.

Loved the simplicity of the cover art. Well written. Well developed characters. Thought provoking story line. Highly recommended. Five stars.

This book was compelling for the entire concept - doing ministry in ordinary life. You don't have to have a successful blog, or do sunday school teaching, or lead a bible study, just being a friend and meeting people where they are is enough.

Excellent book! Shannan Martin is a gifted storyteller, inviting the reader to come in, sit in her living room, drink some coffee, and live the story with her. The moment she mothers two boys fighting out on the sidewalk was life-giving. This is being the Church. Martin encourages, perhaps while making some uncomfortable, to live - truly, really live - a missional life.

This book is inspiring! It will give you the courage to step out and find your ministry right where you are. It’s so encouraging to see what god can do when you start inward and move outward. Great book b

I'm still chewing on this book, but I recommend it. It's challenging, gritty, honest, and witty. Shannan Martin comes across as a loving mom and wife, a loyal friend, and someone who genuinely cares about her community--a community that is often ignored or overlooked. Her compassion for her neighbors is empowering, and I love reading about her relationships with her adopted children. Everything she does seems to take her outside of her comfort zone, and in doing so it challenges us to do the same. She's inspiring without trying to be, and she's very humble in her attempts to love those around her. Read this book and you too may find yourself chewing on the messages therein for months afterward.

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but it was refreshing and convicting! We may not agree on everything, but she sure reminded me of some things I should be doing more. This was worth reading.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author, Nelson Books and Netgalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Written for the armchair evangelical theologian, The Ministry of Ordinary Places tackles what seems to be a huge problem for people, how to actually live their faith and serve others.

It is well written, simplifying already watered down Christian doctrine into easy bite sized portions. This is not a book for someone truly active in their faith and community, but someone who maybe has just joined a mega church.

2 out of 5 stars.

Two verses Shannan shares summarize this book. Isaiah 58:11-12: “The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.” Jeremiah 29:7 “And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

Shannan Martin has a passion to serve the underprivileged in her neighborhood. But it’s not a charity situation. She and her husband are living on the margins as friends and neighbors with the least likely of people. Not looking down on those who are addicted, incarcerated, and suspended from school, they care for and welcome these people to their table.

They define success in only one way: faithfulness. This book will challenge you to love your neighbors wherever you are.

While I found this book worthwhile and I enjoy Shannan’s writing, I did find it a bit meandering and redundant. The stories told are beautiful, though. Her descriptions are vivid and paint lovely pictures for the reader.

I received a digital ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is an incredible book full of wonderful and beautiful ideas on how to find your ministry right where you're planted; to see God's mission for you. I highly recommend this lovely book.

I felt like this book was incredibly challenging and highlighted several areas of my life. I’m excited to press this book into the hand of several of my friends.

This book...I don't think that anything I can say about it will do it justice. Every single page hit so close to home for me, because Martin taps directly into what I have felt about ministry for so long. It isn't about saying the right words, it isn't about ME convicting people of their sin and "leading" them to Jesus. It's about me, living my life, loving my neighbors (and that definition is WIDE), joining into community with them, and letting that love of Jesus draw those people to Him.
"Rather than clinging to this easy vernacular of 'them' and 'us' let's keep being broken together..."

I took copious notes, and immediately decided to get a print copy so I could underline and highlight and keep returning to this book.
"Joining us at church or praying a prayer doesn't need to factor into the equation at all. In fact, what if we all made a pact to not invite anyone to church if we hadn't already invited them over for a meal?"

This book has challenged me, convicted me, and spurred me on to taking action. I need to get out into my community, meet my neighbors, and join with them to live my life. Too long I've been isolated in my bubble, I need to reach out and do more.

"Prone to wander, Lord we feel it. But you are here, staring back at us in every face and every scar. You keep talking to us when we don't want to listen. You remind us that you came to be with us, and even when it seemed like you left, you didn't. You are here, turning our hearts to endurance, teaching us a love song for the long haul. Help us to endure when we feel dog-tired. Have your way."

Shannan Martin ask on the description of the book, "How do we do it between loads of laundry and reimagining leftovers? The answer is simple: it's about being with people, the ones right next door." I love the entire idea of this book. We so often look at mission work overseas or places that are not right next door. I love the idea of the people that are a part of your daily life need Jesus and His Goodness. In fact, I absolutely love chapter 3 titled "Speech Theapy for the Common Big Mouth (Like Me)." This chapter hit home for me. She stated, "It's impossible to engage in healthy, productive listening while simultaneously building a competing argument." WOW! It makes me stop and think about my witness and how do I affect the people that I see everyday. Am I eager to talk about myself and to sit and listen to their story or help with their needs. Do I see the person in the grocery line that is struggling and turn my head or smile and say hello. "Jesus admonished us to "pay attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given" (Mark 4:24)".

I cannot believe how much I needed this book. Just the reality that our everyday lives matter and the people that we meet at the grocery store, Starbucks, Target, our neighbor, the person next to you at church, etc. can be impacted in a positive or negative way depending on how we act. I also loved the reminder that "trouble comes knocking when I find myself overplanning, plotting, and scheming." Her stories of love, laughter and tears are heart warming and really make you stop and examine what work God wants you to do. We need to rest with the Savior and be ready to do His Will and not our own.

I think this basically sums up Shannan's fabulous book. "We are a garden with a job to do, alive with the possibility of all that waits just outside our line of vision. We're invited to stick around for the good stuff, to rebuild lost cities through the hope of the cross." I received this book for an honest review from NetGalley. However, I loved reading it that I have already purchased a copy for myself!

The message was good but I cannot relate to this author in any way. I find it really grating when we have these books where women have to learn what it is like to love the poor, be around the less fortunate and struggling, and learn to see all God’s children as equally loved. Similar to the rich suburban my-life-is-perfect-except-my-house-is-messy-lol #struggles genre but not as bad. It’s not the author’s fault. This is just a sore spot for me and the “learning to love my neighbors” narrative makes me sad that we have to have it.

The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God’s Goodness Around You

by Shannan Martin

Where is a Christian’s mission field? You know, the ordinary person who has not been called to go to another country? Shannan Martin in The Ministry of Ordinary Places says it is wherever God has placed you. She doesn’t advocate passing out pamphlets, cornering people, or pushing invitations to come to church. Instead, we are to love people, listen to them, invite them into our homes, be available to them and to the opportunities to help them as God presents them to us.

As a rural introvert, Martin has had to change a lot in opening her heart, time, and home to her neighbors in a multicultural setting. She had to “choose the comfort of the past or the struggle of moving forward.” She learned that hospitality is not perfection in entertainment; it is extending invitations willy nilly, throwing together some tacos, and letting God take it from there. She has learned to receive kindness from others, understanding the cost of that kindness from someone who is down and out.

Martin’s story is engaging, and her writing style is excellent from the humorous “Go with God, good middle school bus driver. You are a rose among loud, hormonal, Hot-Cheetos-for-breakfast-eating, lanyard-flipping thorns” to sharp edged descriptions such as “She has known the desolate landscape of struggle. Hunger and wanting blow through her life like gale-force winds through a thin cotton jacket.” There is magic for the reader in words like these.

Martin does not believe in pushing Jesus down anyone’s throat; she makes her own heart accessible and invites others into her life where they not only see, but feel, the impact of Jesus on individual lives.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Thomas Nelson for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Christian

Publication: October 9, 2018—Thomas Nelson

Memorable Lines:

Only as we engage in the hidden practice of listening do we learn about the struggles of others, gaining empathy where we one cast judgement.

It’s so easy to tip into judgment when we view the world through an us-them dichotomy. Sitting face-to-face, the problems loom larger and we have to contend with the sticky fact that there is simply always more to the story.

…we are all longing to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Sometimes we get so hung up on doing something great, we forget the best thing is often the smallest.