In his latest book, Larry Crabb opens up and gets honest as he looks at his current feelings about the contemporary church. He starts out with the confession that though he has been a devoted Christian for most of his life, he finds most modern expressions of church to be uninspiring and unexciting.

The first part of the book is spent dissecting what he sees as the shortcomings of the modern church. The second is spent setting a foundation of the church that Larry says he would go to. This kind of church is built on 4 things: Spiritual Theology, Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Community, and Spiritual Mission.

Though this is a tough topic to write on, Crabb, who is known for his blatant honesty, does well. At times, it can seem like he is just complaining, but if you continue to read, you’ll find that he also offers ideas and possible solutions. You may get upset, or may get encouraged, but hopefully you’ll come out at the end with some ideas on how to build and restore the Church that Jesus envisions.

From the description:

What’s happening to the Church? Why are so many people who for decades have been faithful, steady churchgoers (and others who want to start going to church but can’t seem to find one that meets their needs) losing interest in even attending church, let alone getting involved? What is fundamentally wrong with the “types” of churches (Seeker, Bible, Emergent, Liberal, Evangelical) that dot the religious landscape? Larry Crabb believes it is time to rethink the entire foundation and focus of what we know today as church — everything we’re doing and are wanting to see happen. In his most honest and vulnerable book to date, the author reveals his own struggles in this area and then offers a compelling vision of why God designed us to live in community with Him and others, and what the church he wants to be a part of looks like.