Could brain science be the key to spiritual formation?
Why does true Christian transformation seem fleeting? And why does church often feel lonely, Christian community shallow, and leaders untrustworthy? For many Christians, the delight of encountering Christ eventually dwindles--and disappointment sets in. Is lasting joy possible?
These are some of the questions Michel Hendricks has considered both in his experience as a spiritual formation pastor and in his lifetime as a Christian. He began to find answers when he met Jim Wilder--a neurotheologian. Using brain science, Wilder identified that there are two halves of the church: the rational half and the relational half. And when Christians only embrace the rational half, churches become unhealthy places where transformation doesn't last and narcissistic leaders flourish.
In The Other Half of Church, join Michel and Jim's journey as they couple brain science with the Bible to identify how to overcome spiritual stagnation by living a full-brained faith. You'll also learn the four ingredients necessary to develop and maintain a vibrant transformational community where spiritual formation occurs, relationships flourish, and the toxic spread of narcissism is eradicated.
The Other Half of Church invites you to join Michel and revolutionize your spiritual growth by understanding how the brain works. Learn the roles of the brain's left and right sides and how they're both critical to experience lasting, full-brain transformation. You'll then learn the four ingredients necessary to develop and maintain a vibrant, transformational community:
- True joy found through connection and relationships
- Hesed love of securely attached communities
- Well-developed group identity based on the character of Christ
- A culture of uplifting, healthy correction
Praise for The Other Half of Church
"This book is genius. It will soon be a standard among discipleship experts. If you have ever been frustrated at the hit-or-miss success of the church's ability to guide people into real life change, this book is for you. It not only explains why traditional discipleship has struggled; it offers practical advice for creating a truly transformational discipleship culture. Jim's expertise along with Michel's experience and easy reading style make this book a game changer in discipleship ministry."
--MARCUS WARNER, President, Deeper Walk International
"This masterfully crafted book about God's design for our brains and how it influences spiritual growth unmasks left-brain dominance in the church and skillfully shows that the right brain is the primary driver of character change and spiritual formation. Biblical teaching, measurable strategies, and practical exercises unfold how to nurture right-brain graces of covenant love, joy, gratitude, and group identity, resulting in the goals of personal and congregational transformation. In decades of ministry, I haven't engaged a book with such spiritual potential and power. Enthusiastically recommended."
--BRUCE DEMAREST, Author and Senior Professor of Christian Formation at Denver Seminary
"Jim Wilder's years of work in brain science are now paying off for all of us who have struggled with how to renew the mind for lasting transformation. I am grateful for this gigantic step in grasping the even better news of the gospel."
--DUDLEY HALL, author of Grace Works, Orphans No More, and other books targeting spiritual growth and Christian discipleship; founder of Kerygma Ventures
"Few men have seen the church as has Jim Wilder as both a theologian and psychologist. This book is a treasury offered to you.Regardless of your age you will find food for thought that you can taste and see that God is good. goodness of God shared with us so we can pass the basket of bread on to others."
--JIM HYLTON, pastor, author, and conference speaker from Fort Worth, TX
JIM WILDER (PhD, Clinical Psychology, and M.A. Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary) has been training leaders and counselors for over 27 years on five continents. He is the author of nine books with a strong focus on maturing and relationship skills for leaders. His coauthored book Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You has sold over 100,000 copies in eleven languages. Wilder has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership training called THRIVE. He is currently executive director of Shepherd's House Inc., a nonprofit working at the intersection of brain science and theology, and founder of Life Model Works that is building contagiously healthy Christian communities through equipping existing networks with the skills to thrive. Dr. Wilder has extensive clinical counseling experience and has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, Point Loma University, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary and elsewhere.
MICHEL HENDRICKS (MDiv, Denver Seminary; BS, University of Colorado) has been a teacher and trainer for more than twenty-five years. He is the former pastor of spiritual formation at Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette, CO. He has also served and trained people in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda. He is the author of Basic Training for Walking With Jesus and Intentional Apprenticeship. He and his wife, Claudia, have three adult children.
Pub Date: August 04, 2020
0.6" H x 8.5" L x 5.6" W
240 pages
paperback