Miracle in Darien

Rating:
Summary: Concise and Relevant in the Church Today
Review: Bob Slosser's "Miracle in Darien", a story about a small church in Connecticut coming alive in the Holy Spirit is a must read for anyone interested in church development and empowerment in the Spirit. The tale of Fr. Terry Fullam's own spiritual journey and how he empowers the people of a typical Episcopal parish to come to the Spirit is not just enthralling storytelling, but could be used as a guide for small parish development. Slosser makes the process of surrendering control of the church to Jesus seem to be the only way to engage in the church. He also outlines the pitfalls and failures that will happen. The way in which we all try to control our lives and churches for our own ends, rather than letting God control both is brought vividly to life in this book. Every vestry or lay council in every Christian church, regardless of denomination should be embrace this book as essential to their mission and discovery.

Rating:
Summary: Concise and Relevant in the Church Today
Review: Bob Slosser's "Miracle in Darien", a story about a small church in Connecticut coming alive in the Holy Spirit is a must read for anyone interested in church development and empowerment in the Spirit. The tale of Fr. Terry Fullam's own spiritual journey and how he empowers the people of a typical Episcopal parish to come to the Spirit is not just enthralling storytelling, but could be used as a guide for small parish development. Slosser makes the process of surrendering control of the church to Jesus seem to be the only way to engage in the church. He also outlines the pitfalls and failures that will happen. The way in which we all try to control our lives and churches for our own ends, rather than letting God control both is brought vividly to life in this book. Every vestry or lay council in every Christian church, regardless of denomination should be embrace this book as essential to their mission and discovery.

Rating:
Summary: Congregation prayed for Christ to be head of their church
Review: St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Darien, Conneticut prayed for a miracle and Praise the Lord they got more than one! This is an account of the churches revival and how in praying their way back to Jesus they reached far beyond their expectations in reaching the world literally. The churches membership grew, the congregation began to be discipled from within as well as learn the meaning of fellowship, then the doors burst open into the surrounding community touching lives. The community was set on fire for Jesus and their message about what they had learned spread around the world from tapes to books to seminars. Phillippians 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. The reason I liked the book so much is that it inspired me and I felt joy as I read each page. The author Bob Slosser wrote in an easy to read and enjoyable style with 268 pages. I just couldn't put the book down and finished is just a couple days.

Rating:
Summary: Vital for Church Renewal
Review: This is a must read for anyone active in church renewal. The work is most likely prophetic as it outlines the ministry of Rev. Terry Fullam at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Darien, Connecticut (around 1970). The prose is beautiful and captivating. Readers should keep in mind that the work was completed in the middle of Reverend Fullam's career. Interestingly, he left St. Paul's and the church fell back to several hundred members (from 1,000+). At one point I am told that tour buses pulled up at the Darien High School where St. Paul's held services to handle the overflow. Clearly we are hungry for Jesus Christ and His Truth. Also, for all involved in church decisions, note that St. Paul's apparently could not agree on whether or not to expand their facility. This and presumed difficulty with fostering community and discipleship most likely led to something of a cult of personality, laity-shallowness and to the church's retraction. Also, read carefully and you will detect the intrusion of evil into the picture by way of tempting narcissism and worldliness. None-the-less, Rev Fullam possessed the powerful combination of anointing, education, Bible-centeredness, charismatic sensitivity, strong leadership and genuine Spirit lead vision. He surrendered, really listened to God and allowed Christ to speak to His people and move His Spirit, big time. The church thrived. Many came to salvation and the whole region is still feeling God's blessing through Reverend Fullam some thirty years later. In fact, St. Paul's in once again on the verge of being in the vangard. Read this work for both the inspiration and the lessons learned. Until the end of the church age, it will be forever timely.