Have you ever visited a church and when you walked in, you just felt something? You could feel the electricity, the aliveness…and you just knew that whatever those people had, you wanted it too! I recently had the opportunity to read the book titled It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It
So, what is this it? According to Craig Groeschel “it is what God does through a rare combination of these qualities found in his people; Passion for his presence; A deep craving to reach the lost; Sincere integrity; Spirit-filled faith; Down-to-earth humility; Brokenness.” He does not tell the reader exactly what it is, because there is no all encompassing definition. I am sure you have been to a church and felt it. You know when they have it and you know when they don’t. As founding and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, Craig Groeschel has seen churches with it and without it. His church has many satellite locations and he shares stories of when some of his own churches had it and some did not. It can only come from God. You cannot create it with anything that you possess.
Upon first glance of the title, the reader might think that it will only benefit those that are already in some sort of leadership role within their church. I am not in leadership with my church. This book opened my eyes and helped me discover new things that God is trying to accomplish through anyone who reads this book. You see, this It that Groeschel talks about, starts with you. You have to have it if you ever hope to be a part of a church that has it. When you have it, you want to share it. Other people want it. You become kingdom-minded and that is exactly where God wants you to be. Your life becomes about God and his people and not about you. You don’t care what others think, but only what God thinks and you do everything to glorify Him. You rely completely on Him and you are forever “ruined”.
After reading this book, I have changed my perspective on some things. For one, when I am in a church, I need to be thinking about what I can do to reach the lost and how I can serve. I need to figure out how I can get it and keep it. Being a part of a church is not about what they are doing for me, but I about what I am doing for the kingdom. Can you imagine what your church would look like if everyone had it? I don’t think you would be able to keep people away and you would be seeing more people come to Christ. And really, that is what it is all about. It is not about you, the leadership team, the building, the ministries, or the pastor. It is about God. And when we all put our focus on Him and kingdom, we will see things happen that we never even imagined.
Product Description
Craig Groeschel, founder of LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK), witnessed a powerful presence from God that he calls It at work in many churches. What is this transformational force? How can you and your ministry get—and keep—It? Combining in-your-face honesty with off-the-wall humor, this lively book tells how any believer can obtain It.
From the Back Cover
When Craig Groeschel founded LifeChurch.tv, the congregation met in a borrowed two-car garage, with ratty furnishings and faulty audiovisual equipment. But people were drawn there, sensing a powerful, life-changing force Groeschel calls “It.”
What is It, and how can you and your ministry get—and keep—It? Combining in-your-face honesty with off-the-wall humor, this book tells how any believer can obtain It, get It back, and guard It.
One of today’s most innovative church leaders, Groeschel provides profile interviews with Mark Driscoll, Perry Noble, Tim Stevens, Mark Batterson, Jud Wilhite, and Dino Rizzo.
This lively book will challenge churches and their leaders to maintain the spiritual balance that results in experiencing It in their lives.
About the Author
Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) a pace-setting multicampus church, with dozens of weekly worship experiences in thirteen locations, including an internet campus. Craig, his wife, Amy, and their six children live in the Edmond, Oklahoma, area where LifeChurch.tv began in 1996. Craig is author of Chazown and Confessions of a Pastor.
