Guder, Darrell L.The Continuing Conversion of the Church

( Grand Rapids, MI, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000) 222 pages, paperback, $20.00. Obtain from Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 255 Jefferson Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4570.

Following in the steps of two of his previous books, Be My Witness and The Missional Church, Guder explores the “reductionism” of the first century Gospel to the present day and calls for nothing less than the conversion of the Church. Present day Christianity is guilty of reducing Christianity from a movement whose mission was to equip God’s people to be a daily and living witness of the life and death of Jesus Christ to an institution whose mission is to save and prepare individuals to go to heaven has literally gutted Christendom’s ability to understand the meaning of mission. This book is an excellent resources for the serious pastor, student, or layperson.