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Preface
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HOW TO READ THIS BOOK
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I'm sure that you have already noticed, that this
book is not arranged in a standard format. This being
a possible deterrent to reading the material, I have
included this page to help facilitate your enjoyment
of this unique learning experience. So, here are a
few things, which should help you get the most out
of this small volume:
1) Remember, this was written over a three and a half
year period. This is good to keep in mind because,
you will notice dated items, such as a changing reference
to my son's age. More importantly, as you read these
articles in the order in which they appeared in The
Good News, Etc. you will note that there is a growth
(an "evolution", for a lack of a better word) of thought.
Had I attempted to gather this information into manageable
chapters of related ideas, the sense of walking with
me in this process of growth would have been lost.
This is indeed, one of my objectives in these articles:
That you might grow with me in this journey.
2) I wrote these meditations as a matter of survival.
This is devotional survival guide, as the subtitle
states. In the first copies which I sent out to friends,
for correction and critique, I subtitled this book
"Essays on the Small Church: the struggle for a pattern
of simpler, more intimate Christianity." Perhaps somewhere
between the original subtitle, and the current one
lies the best definition of this book. Although, I
desire to share my insights on the nature of the church,
and a pattern for better Christian fellowship, I ultimately
desire to see you encouraged in your labors for the
Lord.
3) There is no planned order of thought in these articles.
They were developed in the seasons in which they were
written. As such, you may find this book a little
jumpy. You may even find this book a little redundant.
After countless readings, and revisions I have done
my best to reduce the redundancy, which naturally
occurs in monthly articles to a general Christian
audience, without changing the original thought, or
flow of each article. Although, you will notice a
few sections which are in series, for the most part
these articles are independent of one another. A basic
pattern of thought does emerge as you read through
the essays. (My brother, Rob, discovered this.) It
looks basically like this:
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1. Basic views on church life (Part 1)
2. My journey into smallness (Part 2)
3. Overcoming discouragement (Part 3)
4. Lessons learned through the years (Part 4)
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These are by no means absolute, nor obvious divisions,
but it is a general direction in which my writings
flowed.
4) Read this book however you like. You can read straight
through it, or you can read a little bit at a time,
as you would a devotional. Perhaps you want to follow
certain themes - for this I have included an index
of themes in the back of the book. For those of you
who open books to the middle, or read the end before
you get there, this book will be very forgiving to
you - you can open up to any article and not feel
like you missed something.
My only hope is that this will stick to your ribs,
and fill you with hope, and encouragement.
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