The Other Half of Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation - Paperback

by Jim Wilder (Author), Michel Hendricks (Author)

Could brain science be the key to spiritual formation?

Why does true Christian transformation seem fleeting? And why does church often feel lonely, Christian community shallow, and leaders untrustworthy? For many Christians, the delight of encountering Christ eventually dwindles--and disappointment sets in. Is lasting joy possible?

These are some of the questions Michel Hendricks has considered both in his experience as a spiritual formation pastor and in his lifetime as a Christian. He began to find answers when he met Jim Wilder--a neurotheologian. Using brain science, Wilder identified that there are two halves of the church: the rational half and the relational half. And when Christians only embrace the rational half, churches become unhealthy places where transformation doesn't last and narcissistic leaders flourish.

In The Other Half of Church, join Michel and Jim's journey as they couple brain science with the Bible to identify how to overcome spiritual stagnation by living a full-brained faith. You'll also learn the four ingredients necessary to develop and maintain a vibrant transformational community where spiritual formation occurs, relationships flourish, and the toxic spread of narcissism is eradicated.

Back Jacket

What does brain science have to do with spiritual growth?

After a lifetime following Christ and a career as a spiritual formation pastor, Michel Hendricks was disappointed: Why does spiritual transformation seem fleeting? And why do Christian communities often seem shallow? That's when he met neurotheologian Jim Wilder and discovered what's been missing from his church community and spiritual life.

The Other Half of Church invites you to join Michel and revolutionize your spiritual growth by understanding how the brain works. Learn the roles of the brain's left and right sides and how they're both critical to experience lasting, full-brain transformation. You'll then learn the four ingredients necessary to develop and maintain a vibrant, transformational community:

• True joy found through connection and relationships
• Hesed love of securely attached communities
• Well-developed group identity based on the character of Christ
• A culture of uplifting, healthy correction
  

Author Biography

JIM WILDER (PhD, Clinical Psychology, and M.A. Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary) has been training leaders and counselors for over 27 years on five continents. He is the author of nine books with a strong focus on maturing and relationship skills for leaders. His coauthored book Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You has sold over 100,000 copies in eleven languages. Wilder has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership training called THRIVE. He is currently executive director of Shepherd's House Inc., a nonprofit working at the intersection of brain science and theology, and founder of Life Model Works that is building contagiously healthy Christian communities through equipping existing networks with the skills to thrive. Dr. Wilder has extensive clinical counseling experience and has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, Point Loma University, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary and elsewhere.

MICHEL HENDRICKS (MDiv, Denver Seminary; BS, University of Colorado) has been a teacher and trainer for more than twenty-five years. He is the former pastor of spiritual formation at Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette, CO. He has also served and trained people in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda. He is the author of Basic Training for Walking With Jesus and Intentional Apprenticeship. He and his wife, Claudia, have three adult children.