Jonathan and Jennifer Campbell, The Way of Jesus: A Journey of Freedom for Pilgrims and Wanderers. Jossey-Bass / Leadership Network, 2005.
Referenced in: Missional Lifestyle, Discipleship, Spirituality
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
The authors adopt the spirit found in much of the material on the “organic” church, believing that the church’s vitality in the current age may be restored only by dismantling the institutional model with its hierarchical, organizational, and commercial trappings and focus on a more grass-roots following of Jesus.
This is a dense book, such that the theologically trained will value it more, but not too technical for the average reader. It conveys its message with the intelligence and gentleness one would expect of an academic work. But it also reads like an honest journal of the authors own frustrations and longings, and how they and others have engaged the pilgrimage of rediscovering Jesus. The authors describe their purpose:
We wrote the book as a sort of navigational guide to help you chart a course for experiencing a deep and fulfilling spirituality in the life and Way of Jesus. We hope you will be encouraged on your spiritual pilgrimage to:
- Experience the love and reality of Jesus
- Gain courage to journey and not to settle for anything less than fullness in Jesus
- Be on guard against pitfalls that will hinder your freedom in Jesus
- Experience the love, power, and truth of Jesus in community
- Join with others to experience and embody the Way of Jesus in and across cultures
Our goal is to rediscover the “ancient paths” that will enable us to experience Jesus in a way that is indigenous to both our culture and our hearts. So the important thing is not what is on these pages, but the Life lived out through us in our friendships, families, communities, and world. (xxi-xxii)
It is more of a manifesto than a guidebook. Nonetheless, it is especially helpful for those who have become very disenchanted with the traditional church, but still have a deep attraction to Jesus. It will give them hope that it is possible to come to know and reflect him in profound ways. One does not have to agree with all of their conclusions and suggestions to benefit. It is a good read for its purpose.
From the Publisher
Are you attracted to the way of life and spirituality that Jesus promised? Have you wondered why there’s such a gap between the life of Jesus and today’s church?
Do you hunger for a deeper spiritual experience with others?
The Way of Jesus is written for those on a journey—from spiritual sojourners to religious refugees. With a focus on our yearning for the Spirit and spirituality, this book opens pathways for experiencing the powerful simplicity in the life and Way of Jesus.
All journeys are spiritual by nature, even if we can’t always see the full picture of where God is leading us or why He is leading us there. In their own twenty-year journey, Jonathan and Jennifer Campbell have joined with others to rediscover and embody the life of Jesus. They share a way of living out our spirituality from the core of our being to the very connections that define our humanity. The Way of Jesus weaves their poignant story with a thoughtful exploration of the intersection of culture, community, and spiritual identity. Their adventure is a journey with Jesus toward freedom and a life filled with his love, truth, and power.
About the Authors
Jonathan and Jennifer Campbell have been pioneering spiritual communities together over their twenty years of friendship and marriage. They and their four children are part of local and international teams that exist to encourage and equip new movements of Christ-centered spiritual communities in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. During his twelve years of professional ministry, Jonathan served as pastor, church planter, trainer, and professor at several graduate schools. He earned his Ph.D. from Fuller School of Intercultural Studies. Jonathan has extensive experience in coaching and consulting with leaders of churches, organizations, and corporations throughout North America and parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
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