Breaking The Missional Code

I was sent a copy of Breaking The Missional Code by Ed Stetzer and David Putman and asked to do a review on it. Let me say upfront that I know both of these men personally so even if I hated the book, I doubt I would say it.
David is the executive pastor of one of the churches that was very active in helping getting us started. It is a GREAT church, doing great things. David has also started at least one other church that I know of in Newnan, Ga. I think (not sure) he started a few other churches as well.

When we started The Stone, our local association required all the church planters to go to a church planting network meeting once a month that was led by Ed Stetzer. I hadn’t launched yet so therefore I had all the answers and didn’t understand why I had to go to this meeting. So to say I had a pretty rotton attitude would be an understatement. I eventually got booted from the network because I was such a jerk to everyone, including Ed. It was kind of funny our association required every planter to attend this meeting to get their support checks. For me they required me NOT to go if I wanted to get support. The cool thing to me about Ed is as rude as I was to him, he would call about once a month to check on me. Then I kind of hit rock bottom on some personal issues and ego and Ed was there. He told me what a jerk I was and I have appreciated and respected him greatly since.

To be honest, I had no desire to read the book. I did it simply because I knew the two authors. However the book is very good. It convicted me in some areas and confirmed some other things that we have been doing. I kept hearing the buzz word “missional” and to be honest wasn’t totally sure what they meant. Now I do. They said a lot of things I have always said but they put it in a lot better terms. The bottom line is you have to learn your area and learn how God wants you to reach it. God isn’t looking for cookie cutters.

The book is an easy read and Ed throws in some great stories (Great if you haven’t heard them a thousand times like I have. ).

If you run in the circles with guys doing more modern things in their church there is really not going to be anything earth shattering in the book for you. But they are going to put words to what you have been thinking. That was huge for me.

If you don’t run in some of the circles I mentioned then this book is a MUST read. I could see where this should be required reading for all traditional pastors.

If you want to found out more, grab the book.

It is worth the read.