Let the Church Say Amen

Rating:
Summary: Family Conflict- Family Resolution
Review: Even the pastor's family isn't perfect. Ministers are human after all, and I'm glad this fictional account of a pastor's family has been written in a humorously entertaining way. Let the Church Say Amen chronicles the life of Rev. Simon Jackson and his esteemed pastorate at Zion Hill. He's proud of his accomplishments; growing his small congregation into a larger well-respected praise edifice. Zion Hill has appeared in the newspaper over 27 times and Rev. Jackson has been largely responsible since his total devotion is to his church. Unfortunately his dedication isn't to his family, which is running amok without his leadership at home. I'm not quite sure how to take the docile wife and mother Loretta. In some instances she seems to be the glue that holds the family together but her children David, Jonathan and Regina disrespect her just as much as they do their father. By the time the story takes place, the children are grown and have issues of their own. David a promising football star is injured and resorts to drugs and stealing from the Sunday morning collection plate to feed his habit. Regina, 19 and has two children out of wedlock, is so hung up on a man, I cringed to read what tactic she was going to employ next in an attempt to win him back. Jonathan, the apple of his father's eye, has graduated from college and is considering theological school, but his father's dreams aren't what he wants for his life. Through the perils of a life at home and the stellar work of the church, Rev. Jackson doesn't have it as well put together as he imagines. His wife is ill, and since he's always taken advantage of her Christian duty to be submissive to him, he pays her condition no attention. He's written off David--no longer allowing him in the house or access to any of their funds and he's thoroughly disgusted with Regina. He doesn't think his congregation knows about life at home or that they are conspiring to put him out. As Let the Church Say Amen progresses, there are some very poignant moments. I couldn't put the book down and read it in less than 4 hours. Its good to know pastors and their families are like yours and mine.

Rating:
Summary: Behind the Scenes
Review: Even though I enjoyed reading this, it could have been a terrific novel if the storyline had not been so typical. To sum it all up: Big time preacher who is on the edge of expulsion from his church has sisters that has the hots for him and his sweet, adorable, yet sickly wife is tolerant; oldest son strung out on drugs; daughter has two illegitimate children with different baby daddies who is derangely in-love with the last child's father who is about to marry someone else; younger college graduate son is expected to follow in father's footsteps but turns out to get "turned out" on the down low; pastor-father faces expulsion from his church; sisters in the church has eyes for pastor. The confrontation scenes at the weddings of the daughter's baby daddy and the perpetuating marriage of the younger son are farfetched, outrageous and unbelievable.

Since there are only a handful of AA authors who writes in this new genre of church drama novels or Christian Drama as it's called (Bowen, Monroe, Roby, Rolyat, Tate-Billingsley, Weber), this novel is a welcoming addition, and if you enjoy reading church/family drama as much as I do, then I'd say read this one. You'll enjoy it. A 3.5 on the SmithScale.

Rating:
Summary: SOOOO GOOOD!!
Review: Okay, first of all. THIS IS NOT CHRISTIAN FICTION! It's a regular fiction book about a church. I dont know if its the bookstores putting it in the Christian fiction section or what, but this book is like Casting the First Stone. Its just about the church. I talked with a bookstore owner who explained it to me and after reading, I totally agree. Even still, I just dont understand what's wrong with having a few curse words. Its not excessive and it only comes from people who you would expect to use foul language (ie, drug addicts and baby mamas). Its not like the minister is cussing. Plus, Church Folks (which I loved by the way) had ministers saying much worse stuff. This book is soo good and I highly suggest it. Miss Billingsly, don't let the 'holier than thou' people steal your joy because your book is off the chain!

Rating:
Summary: No one sin is greater than the next.........................
Review: Simon Jackson, pastor of Zion Hill located in Houston, Texas is a regal and revered man. Well that is at church at least. His home life is complicated. He can't seem to understand his oldest son, and only daughter. He's turned them over to God. His concern now is his middle child. The one he refers to as his prodigal child. His wife has been the only woman he's been with. It wasn't like he didn't have opportunities, but he honored God. He just wished that Loretta could see that there grown children needed to sink or swim.

Loretta Jackson, first lady and school teacher. She's been called a many names. Mainly she was devoted to her husband and her family. Though she didn't have much to say Loretta is the glue that holds her dysfunctional family together. She didn't dare argue with Simon about the children. Instead she tries to make up for him. It is Loretta's hope that her family eventually realize that they need one another. And no matter how they may feel they are all the others have.

David the oldest child had always been a problem child. Nothing major, he was a C student fun loving kid. Only problem David couldn't seem to adjust to, was not having his father's acceptance. Once he had a college scholarship and played football. Now things were so different. His family at times tried to help him.

Jonathan the middle child has always done precisely what it was his father wanted. A college graduate with a Divinity degree. Jonathan is struggling with the weight of the world on his shoulders. There is no easy way for Jon to divulge his secrets to his father. Not if he wants to maintain Daddy's love.

Rachel this baby girl gives new meaning to what it is to be a preacher's kid, as well as a drama filled baby mama. She doesn't have just one child out of wedlock, but two children, with two different men. Sister girl is still a partier! Yet she wonders why she can't make it to praise God on time!

This is a VERY BOLD story. It promises to keep you perched on the edge of your seat trying to read what is going to happen next. I tell you at times I was like this is some crap. At other times I was laughing aloud. It's filled with a family struggling with demons and as they bond the burden appears to get lighter. Those of you who haven't opened this book from fear that it's "religion" TRUST this book has a lot to offer.

God is an awesome God! AMEN...

We may not understand God's motives, but He knows what's best for us!


Rating:
Summary: Be Careful
Review: This book is listed under 'Christian' fiction, but the language gave cause for pause. I could have really enjoyed this book if the language was not so offensive. As an African American Christian woman, I enjoy a good novel. I could not recommend this one to fellow Christians.


Rating:
Summary: Christian Fiction?
Review: This book was pitched to me by the book store owner as Christian fiction, but upon reading it, I concluded that it was more so a fiction novel that just addressed some church issues. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. It was my very first ReShonda Tate Billingsley book but I'm sure I'll be reading more of her in the future. Christian fiction is my favorite genre, but every now and again, I welcome other good reads. Let The Church Say Amen was funny and entertaining, yet there was a certain realness to it. That's what captured me most about this book.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!!! Can I get an amen!
Review: This book was soooo good. I love stories that send a message while entertaining at the same time and that's just what this book did. It was anything but typical (Typical would've been for Simon to be a womanizer). It's so funny to read other reviewers saying some of the stuff Rachel did was unbeleivable, because I know some Rachels, and some much worse than Rachel (and in fact, know one girl who tried to have sex with her ex--in the church before his wedding). I think people who think its beyond belief for people to act like Rachel are blind. Rachel was young, selfish and dumb. And there are plenty of women out there who did some stupid stuff in their past they're ashamed of. And you only have to look at statistics to see how many gay men marry women trying to change. To me (and everyone else in my book club), this book was the best! You will laugh, cry and shake your head at some of the antics. Reshonda, you've earned a fan for life. I'm going out to buy My Brother's Keeper today!

Rating:
Summary: AMEN!!!
Review: This Book was very interesting & full of drama. I could not put this book down even when I should have been asleep or working (I was reading this book instead).. A Must Read!!!!

Member of Go On Girl TX1 Chapter Book Club

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This was a fantastic read. It was definitely an eye opener. There were a number of scenarios that depicted life in the baptist church as I know it today. I feel that she developed the characters quite well. Also, the book flowed well. This book had everything.

Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: This was a wonderful novel with a beautiful message. The author weaves a story of a Pastor who seems to have it all together a wife that he is very faithful to even when other so called church members try to throw themselves on him. A church that he puts all his blood,sweat and tears in. But what he doesn't have is his children, for whatever reason he shuns them for his church. This book is funny,sad and just plain old good. The author also makes you the reader realize how important family is regardless of the many issues that one goes through in everyday life. This is a novel that you won't be able to put down. It is one of those reads that you have to put down in order to save some for later.