Book Review: Off Road Disciplines by Earl Creps
Book Review: Off Road Disciplines by Earl Creps
The full title of the book is “OFF ROAD DISCIPLINES – SPIRITUAL Adventures of Missional LEADERS. Since I am someone who likes to keep the rubber on the pavement and the shiny side up, I found the title of this book quite intriguing. “Off Road Disciplines” is written much in the same style as Donald Miller’s “Blue Like Jazz” or Peter Greig and Dave Roberts’ “Red Moon Rising.” His message is something that many of us in the same age bracket as the author can relate to, but way to many are afraid to step out and follow.
The book is broken down into two self declared sections, one about personal disciplines and the other about organizational disciplines. Both written from the perspective of the author based on his own self discovery of the need for these disciplines. I would lean toward application of all of these principles to both personal and organizational disciplines. The principles of death, truth, perspective, learning, witness, and humility should be equally applied to our organizations as well as to each of us personally. The principles of assessment, harmony, reflection, opportunity, sacrifice, and legacy should also be practiced on an individual level if they are to ever be real on the organizational level
In going “off road”, the author has much bigger goals than just returning the church to being missional, but also being unified in mission across cultural and generational barriers. I particularly, found his emphasis on assessment in chapter seven to be a critical portion of this text. His question of “If we worked for a missions agency, would we still have jobs?” is one that many ministry leaders need to be asking. “Missional” is the key to Earl’s writing like “purpose” is to the PDL folks. In seizing opportunity he sees the need to not only love, but to like others to be effective in the mission when he says, “Like catalyzes love, and love grows the capacity for mission in every form.” He speaks again of the importance of focusing on the mission when he speaks of sacrificing personal preferences for the sake of the mission. “Grace is free, mission is not.”
I would recommend this book to any and all. Both young and old should read this book, especially since it offers good solutions to reconciling the differences between the two. I would however note that some of the more traditional practitioners among us may need an interpreter for some of the sections of this book. The legacy of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ must be passed on, along with the traditions of the Word of God, but it may not include all of the traditions of men. It never has before and it will most likely not happen this time. As Earl, himself, responded about passing the baton to the next generation, “…no one else is coming.” So I am not asking any to abandon their spiritual disciplines for a new set, but rather to add these off road disciplines to those that they already practice.
About the author: Earl Creps is the director of the Doctor of Ministry program and associate professor at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) in Springfield, Missouri. He has been a pastor, ministries consultant, and university professor. He earned a PhD from Northwestern University and a doctor of ministry degree in leadership at AGTS.
R. Duane Gryder
Motorcycle Chaplain
AG US Missions
www.deserthighway.org