Broken but Beautiful
Why Church is Still Worth It
- Christian Living
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2020
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Publisher's Description
American church participation has plummeted in recent decades. Abuse scandals and hypocrisy hang in the air. Weekly, I talk to friends and neighbors who have left church, even as many still identify as Christians. I get what they're saying. When I consider the pain that so many have experienced in church life, the body of Christ sure seems broken. It's no wonder many don't find church to be worth it. But maybe there's more to the story. As a child, my family experienced deep crisis. I felt alone and vulnerable. Into that void, the church stepped in. I discovered a family, a people that have my back and forever changed my life. Even now, I see tangible ways the church works for the common good. The church possesses a resilient beauty that continually pushes through the brokenness. If we love Jesus, we have to eventually ask what Jesus loves. Surprising to me at times, Jesus loves the church, despite her brokenness. If we learn to see what Jesus sees, we'll discover a powerful, often untapped means towards human flourishing. No other social group offers what the church offers. Yes, the church is broken, but there's more. She's beautiful.
Endorsements (5)
“J. P. Conway raises a challenging question—can I be a member of the Christian community that is not always honest about the pain it perpetuates? Conway’s response is an honest confession of the hurt the church causes, but also an unwavering hope of what the church can be when community is celebrated. He makes a compelling case that life in the church is worth it.”
“I love remodeling houses. Tearing down walls and busting up bricks is pretty easy. Building walls back and pouring new cement is hard. In Broken But Beautiful, J. P. Conway reminds us that ‘religious deconstruction is easy—reconstruction of the church demands sacrifice.’ This book is very timely as we watch the church decline in numbers in our country.”
“One reason I love this book is that it is full of vivid stories that tell the truth about church—true-to-life, heart-breaking, push-through-the-pain, uplifting stories. Another reason I love this book is the author’s winning portrayal of the intentionally intergenerational church that binds up the wounded while providing a hothouse for spiritual formation for all ages. The third reason I love this book is that it is hopeful—a book of encouragement for ministry leaders struggling in churches that are broken and reminding them that churches are also beautiful. It is simply the most winning, hopeful book about church that I’ve read; it is J. P. Conway’s love letter to the body of Christ.”
“Burnt by the church? Apathetic toward the church? Bored by the church? This book is for you. Against the background of his narrative, J. P. extends an invitation to all, to learn from the brokenness of the church, to be warmed by her beauty, and to establish her worth as life-giving for self, family, and community.”
“I have found Broken but Beautiful to be a truly beautiful book for a too often tragically broken church in today’s world. J. P. honestly addresses the flaws and brokenness of the church and empathizes with those who are disappointed by and have left the church. J. P., however, calls them to come back to church by seeing the church as Jesus sees, ‘beautiful’ enough to give his life for.”
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