Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire

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Summary: I was so encouraged to press in and pray
Review: Our pastor gave each one of us in leadership this book to read. Wow, so encouraged! It built faith in my heart in the God that we really do serve.

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Summary: Every pastor/layman should read this book & grow.
Review: I heard the of an interview with Jim on the 700 Club. I read the book in less than one week. As a layman, it benefitted me immensely. Any church pastor who wants to grow a church should read this book. It will show you no gimmicks; but, will point you back to some simple truths. First and foremost PRAY! Second do everything in LOVE. Third: Don't be afraid to preach the Blood & don't be afraid to preach against sin.

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Summary: Prayer is the key
Review: This book should be required reading for all christains everywhere. How well we've been told to pray without ceasing, but do we? Jim Cymbala's church did and look what God has done. The church growth is not what is so impressive, but how God took obedient, ordinary people and used them to accomplish the extraordinary. This matter of prayer, is not a 'now I lay me down to sleep' thing, it's an attitude, it's all day, it's powerful! I've been challenged to 'test' my God; to pray only according to His will and not mine; to pray fervently, in secret and outloud; to tap this resource that was given so graciously to us, an undeserving people. I'm looking forward to seeing the hand of God at work right here because I'm going to obey. Thank you, Jim Cymbala, for listening to God from the start. Your ministry has just expanded.

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Summary: This book gave me hope.
Review: I was given this book by an elder in our Church. I have read many books on church growth or on how to have a successful church and was not thrilled about receiving another one. I have found that these books just make me feel guilty and totally inadequate. This book was different. I really appreciated the authors humility. He is not writing as an "I now know how you should do it" Pastor. When I finished the book I was full of hope. It was simple but not simplistic. It was inspirational but not trite. There were enough stories mixed with good Biblical interpretation to give me confidence in the author and assurance that there was Biblical balance in his thinking. This book should be read by every Pastor who wants his church to grow God's way. I have already ordered books for all the leaders in the church and we will be making the change in our service that Pastor Jim suggested in the last page of the book. I have been personally revived. Thank you for a great book.

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Summary: Jim Cymbala points out the way to real revival in the church
Review: After hearing pastors say over and over that the way to be a successful church is to offer people what they are looking for (i. e. youth ministry, women's classes, upbeat contemporary music, etc.) and spending time worrying about numbers that are staying the same or even shrinking, it is so refreshing to hear a pastor admit that success in the church isn't demonstrated by numbers and that numbers aren't increased by "selling" your church. Success, he says, can be demonstrated by the strength of your prayer meetings. Numbers will be increased by offering one thing... God! People are not really looking for a youth minstry or a musical church. They are looking for the power of God, and that comes only through prayer. Cymbala uses quotes from various past religious greats and stories found in the lives of his own congregation to make his point. Revival only comes through prayer. Right on, Brother Cymbala!

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Summary: A Clarion Call to the Christian Church in North America!
Review: Speaking from a heart full of love, compassion and experience, and not giving us a "how-to", Pastor Jim Cymbala tells the profound story of how a small struggling congregation in the heart of Brooklyn has become a leading church in the Big Apple....Doing what the church is supposed to do, being salt and light to the world. Cymbala's treatment of the "novelties" and "marketing strategies" of the American church is a prophetic and profitable wake-up to all who would be involved in meaningful and eternally-measured ministry.

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Summary: A great book with an even greater message!
Review: Several people in my church, including my Sunday School teachers and my Mom encouraged me to read this book. It's exactly what its title says, "fresh." Pastor Cymbala is right on target with his comments regarding churches and prayer. No matter what condition you're in spiritually this book will be a wake-up call and will encourage you to place your relationship with God priority number one! The sequel "Fresh Faith" is even better!

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Summary: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
Review: A powerful book on the real power of prayer. When I was given this title by a friend to read, I told him I'd put on my reading list of which there are >40 other books. He said "Put it at the top, I'm reading it for the 7th time"! If you want to know how Christ would have done things in the 20th century, read this book. Cymbala, relies on prayer to bring a multiracial church of just over 20 members to a church of over 6,000. He is not a seminary trained pastor with a slick message. His church does outreach as Christ did, they go where the people most in need live and work. He has great sadness for those pastors rate their value in "attendance, building and cash, the new holy trinity." This book is a great testimony as to how God wants us to be, loving, forgiving and merciful, with the people in most need of God. A tremendous book.

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Summary: Fresh indeed
Review: What a refreshing book indeed. This book is a powerful call back to the boldness to seek God at His throne of grace. It is a call to prayer, boldness, and a deeper walk with God. Cymbala shows us that it's not about clever church-growth strategies or psuedo spiritual warfare techniques that causes the the Church to thrive. Rather, the Church thrives only when it only truly makes its business to seek God, and be satisfied with nothing less than God. Prepare to be challanged and awakened to a deeper hunger for God after you read this book.

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Summary: Prayer works!!! Awesome testimony!!!
Review: I have heard the positive testimony of several church friends who have either experienced Brooklyn Tabernacle (BT) or been members (of which the book chronicles). There are some valid points to be gleaned in this work. However, I was uncomfortable with the first chapter, which casts a shadow on the rest of the book. The author and (unseminary trained/nonordained) self-proclaimed pastor of BT reports confronting members from the fledgling church, suggesting that they leave. I'll stand corrected, but this seems unChristian. The practice doesn't fit Paul's letter to the Ephesians. I suggest that those interested in church renewal read Miracle in Darien by Bob Slosser where Spirit lead and Spirit filled leadership along with sound Biblical scholarship and ordination were seen to all come together. If one reads this work, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, do so with discernment.