My new book, Ir-rev-rend: Christianity without the pretense, faith without the facade releases today.
I thought I’d take a minute and tell you why I wrote it and maybe give you some reasons why you should buy the book.
If you want to skip the explanation and get right to the ordering, you can do so by clicking here: Ir-rev-rend: Christianity Without the Pretense. Faith Without the Façade
WHY I WROTE THE BOOK
One of my early preaching mentors told me that a good sermon will “make em laugh, make em cry and give em Jesus”. That’s essentially what I’ve tried to do with this book. It’s a collection of real life stories (including mine) that will hopefully make the readers laugh, cry and push them toward Jesus. The stories deal with faith, hope, doubt, love, sex, money, politics and a bunch of other real life issues that we all wrestle with. (You can read a preview chapter HERE) I’ve written it to believers, hoping that the writing will be engaging enough that, after reading it, they will want to give it to their friends who may be struggling with their faith.
I tried to keep it real.
One of my kids saw a preview copy and thought it might be a little too real.
“Dad, some thoughts are probably best kept in your head”.
He’s probably right, but I left them on the pages anyway. What do kids know?
TOP TEN REASONS YOU SHOULD BUY A COPY
- The writing style is kind of like Ann LaMotte meets Donald Miller in a Shack
- It cost about the same as three Starbucks coffees but it lasts longer and has greater eternal value
- The chapter on Sex is worth the price of the book
- My wife and children will love you forever
- You may recognize yourself in one of the chapters
- It’s written for people who have a hard time finishing an entire book
- You can start on any chapter you want and create your own adventure
- You are having trouble coming up with the perfect Christmas gift for that special somebody
- You think a lot of Christians take themselves a tad too seriously
- God just might use it to change your life, stranger things have happened you know
Purchase your copy: Ir-rev-rend: Christianity Without the Pretense. Faith Without the Façade
[...] I’m glad Greg chose to write the book, and I know he wants you to buy a copy. He even gave you ten reasons to do so on his own blog post about its release: [...]
Pingback by Ir-rev-rend: Christianity Without the Pretense — September 27, 2011 @ 6:00 pm
Greg’s passion for raising up a new generation of leaders is something we don’t talk about that much. I think it’s long been his thing, we just haven’t been on the sly about how he does it. He does it by cutting the bull, by being real. So real that he doesn’t veil the ‘Hey buy my book.’ He doesn’t veil the real thoughts ministers have. This being my first year as one of those “ministers” he’s been mentoring me from long distance without even knowing my name. Looking at his life in this memoir… I think it can give you the same benefit.
Comment by Russell Cushman — September 28, 2011 @ 3:41 pm
I can’t wait to read it! We’re ordering it tomorrow!!!
Comment by Valarie — September 29, 2011 @ 8:27 am
Previewed the chapter & I loved it! Every bit. Thanks to Lisa Bevere for posting this web address to her fb!!!!
Comment by Amber — September 29, 2011 @ 1:16 pm
Sounds interesting! I’ll have to check it out.
Comment by Bob Hofmann — September 29, 2011 @ 3:16 pm
I bought your book because of reason #5. I cannot wait to read it. Thanks for being real and the investment you have made in my life and other pastors.
Comment by Jonathan Howes — September 29, 2011 @ 3:43 pm
I meant reason #4, but oh well. I guess I’m Ir-rev-rend
Comment by Jonathan Howes — September 29, 2011 @ 3:45 pm
I love it. It is sooooo funny. I would love it if Debbie wrote a sequel to the book from her perspective too.
Doses and doses of The Natural Medicine,LOL,is most effective reading the book and then telling others about some of your experiences/stories!
I especially loved the chapter about Christmas:)
The book is GREAT and I will share the site with others so they too can order the book and recieve some natural doses of medicine.
It would also be interesting reading blogs directly from the people who you spoke of in the stories and there perspectives of the story told about them!
Like when John on the airplane read his story in your book and wrote about his side of the story! That was also interesting!
Thanks again for writing the book, sharing your unique experiences, and I look forward to more to come!
Comment by Melissa Fort — September 29, 2011 @ 4:37 pm
Thx all!
Melissa – I think Debbie could do a good job! It was interesting to hear Dr. John’s perspective. Lots of names and circumstances were changed to protect privacy.
Comment by Gregsur — September 29, 2011 @ 5:31 pm
Awesome book. Just one chapter in and love it!
Comment by Seth Harrison — September 30, 2011 @ 2:04 pm
Bought it from Amazon UK last week and read it over three days; and just like you said Greg, I recognised myself in one of the chapters, well most of the chapters, if truth be told.
Great book Greg, open, honest and so powerful.
God bless you real good.
Comment by Peter Smith — October 1, 2011 @ 9:05 am
[...] Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary (J.D. Greear) Ir-rev-rend: Christianity without the pretense, faith without the facade (Greg Surratt) More Than Matter? Is More to Life Than Molecules (Keith Ward) Unbroken by Laura [...]
Pingback by Surviving Sharks; Exposing Humility; Developing Leaders and the Doctrine of the Trinity | ChosenRebel's Blog — October 1, 2011 @ 11:15 am
I purchased the Kindle edition early this AM and finished it. It was really a great read. As a pastor, it spoke to my heart. Thanks for sharing who you are with all of us.
Comment by Larry Speir — October 4, 2011 @ 12:49 pm
Have been attending Seacoast for a couple of years. (Have gone to church my entire life.) After reading this book, I
NOW have a better understanding of what happens during a Seacoast worship service.
This book is FANTASTIC! I purchased two copies. I read it in one day and have passed it on to my husband to read. The other copy is being read by my daughter who will pass it on to her Aunt. Recommend this book to everyone. It is interesting, easy ready and will grow YOU in your faith and love of God!
Comment by Pat Beier — October 20, 2011 @ 5:36 pm
Thanks for coming to Bayside
Comment by tim — October 23, 2011 @ 11:46 am
I have to say, Mr. Surratt, that after 4 years at Seacoast, I’m still up in the air about the whole thing.
Having gotten that out of the way, let me also say that I read your book. It delivers exactly what you suggest in your section above on why you wrote it.
I found it useful and somewhat encouraging as a window into the mind of a solidly middle class guy who happens to lead a megachurch. I appreciate that you apparently take your job much more seriously than you take yourself.
You do in your book what you do in your sermons: tell stories as a backdrop for explaining how to live life practically, but without apology for the timeless and perfect truth of God’s word. Ir-rev-rend revealed your heart in a way that I needed to hear, and I applaud that vulnerability.
Other than the two or three typographical errors you might correct for a second printing, only two things of your book didn’t seem natural: the blog-like typesetting, and the title.
The typesetting smacked too much of Rob Bell’s Love Wins. Like Bell’s book, the typesetting raises suspicions that you either didn’t have enough to say but needed to cover a certain number of printed pages to justify the $20 admission fee, or the publisher didn’t trust the attention span or intelligence of your target readers to read one paragraph after another, over and over, with only traditional indentations to clue them in. Personally, I thought your copy was better than either suggestion.
It’s ok to have a small book if that’s what it really is. The Little Prince, The Prayer Of Jabez, The One Minute Manager, and The Elements of Style come to mind. Having to read your book in this typesetting style, though, was distracting.
Also, the title tries a little too hard to be clever, and just doesn’t completely work. I would say you’re candid in the book, but not really irreverent. And I’ve never thought of you as a reverend, but rather as a teacher. “Reverend” is a little high-church for you or Seacoast, don’t you think?It’s just the word-ish “Ir-rev-rend” that bothers me, really. The rest of the title is fine.
I know these things sound picky, and they might not all be your doing. But they’re the first things that hit me when I saw the book. And first things matter. On the other hand, if sales turn out to have paid you more than $10/hour, forget I exist. I know it would be easy.
Thanks for listening, and especially, thanks for sharing.
Comment by Brian Howell — November 21, 2011 @ 5:54 pm
Addendum: I do intend to buy a few copies to pass around to a few unbelieving friends and family.
Comment by Brian Howell — November 21, 2011 @ 5:59 pm
The book is written with a very fresh perspective. I found the chapter Proximity especially mind-opening and challenging, with a perfect dose of humility. I plan to share it with family members who struggle with giving grace to those not seeming to walk in their idea of obedience.
Comment by Lisa Kelly — December 12, 2011 @ 7:13 am
[...] I’m glad Greg chose to write the book, and I know he wants you to buy a copy. He even gave you ten reasons to do so on his own blog post about its release: [...]
Pingback by Ir-rev-rend: Christianity Without the Pretense — January 27, 2012 @ 4:23 pm
Thanks for your passion to be genuine in your faith and to detail the dangers of facades.
Comment by Mark — March 10, 2012 @ 10:57 am
Gregg,my former Pastor when I lived in Chas. I was the first to like this site on Facebook. Will that get me a copy of your book?
Comment by Dan Belson — April 1, 2012 @ 8:58 am
I received the book as a gift from a special friend from your church. I savored each and every chapter. I truly your unassuming, relaxed style. It is a great piece of work!!!
Comment by Denise — June 10, 2012 @ 7:11 pm