Real

Rewilding the heart of ministry from the inside out

by Earl Buchan

Formats

Softcover

$11.95

Hardcover

$28.95

E-Book

$3.99

Softcover

$11.95

Book Details

Language : English

Publication Date : 8/31/2022

Format : Softcover

Dimensions : 5.5x8.5

Page Count : 130

ISBN : 9781664274532

Format : Hardcover

Dimensions : 5.5x8.5

Page Count : 130

ISBN : 9781664274549

Format : E-Book

Dimensions : N/A

Page Count : 130

ISBN : 9781664274525

About the Book

Earl Buchan, a pastor and church planter, shares encouragement for all those looking around and saying to themselves “there must be more than this.” It all begins with a fearless searching of our hearts to rewild ministry from the inside-out.

He looks to the Bible and over twenty years’ experience in the church to share from his own successes and failures sharing wisdom, warnings, and reminders of why we are meant to be in Christ. Earl shares that it all starts with us, live a life of openness and it will change the atmosphere in our churches and in our homes.

As you read, you’ll get answers to questions such as:

What can you really expect when you enter ministry?

Why is it so important to be your authentic self in all circumstances?

What are the costs to living His will, His way?

How can we overcome ourselves so people see more of Jesus and less of us?

This journey is not for the faint of heart, or those full of themselves. The author has been both, and he shares how the Lord rewilded his own heart in order to reveal the beauty of a called life.

About the Author

Earl Buchan is lead pastor of a Calvary Chapel called Radiant Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

A church planter and adventurer, he has spent a life in various forms of ministry. The calling he has pursued has led him to sidewalk evangelism, missions, soup kitchens, discipling, teaching, and leading his church. He is a husband, father, grandfather, and brother to many.

Customer Reviews

This could be one of the most raw Christian non-fiction books you'll ever read. I'll say something a little controversial here... So many people will be encouraged by this book, but some people will be offended. Those encouraged will likely be in ministry or considering a life in ministry. Those that are offended will be those who likely need a little rewilding! I could imagine a pastor reading this book shaking his head thinking "no, that's not me at all" and I would then wonder; how REAL are you being with yourself? John the Baptist was the first recorded to declare Christ as the Messiah, and he is the first person recorded to doubt the very claim he made. A REAL pastor acknowledges these doubts and knows Who to turn to. This book covers SO MANY topics that there is going to be something in there for everyone. And "Real" covers topics seldom shared regarding ministry in a church. Ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a Pastor? It's not all Scripture and Faith as some may lead you to believe from the pulpit. There's doubt, struggle, rejection, hurt, fear, and so much more and Earl bleeds out his heart onto these pages. He shares his own extensive experiences in ministry all in hopes to encourage you to find your place in ministry, which should ultimately be at the Master's feet. I don't mean to be silly by writing "this book is REAL!" If you're in ministry, you'll enjoy the encouragement this book has for you regarding God's heart for you and your calling. If you're thinking of going into ministry, you'll appreciate the warnings Earl gives you, and you'll find yourself tested, asking yourself "do I really want that kind of life?" but for those truly called, the answer will be "here I am, send me." This is a great book to read over a few times and great to share with friends and family and ask "what did you think?" I don't think anyone will respond the same way which speaks to the diverse, encouraging, and challenging message of this book.

Elijah
“Real” is a book that doesn’t hold back. There’s a refreshing openness to it: from the very first page to the last, Earl is completely candid about his experiences in ministry. In it you’ll find his faults and failures, his regrets, his missed opportunities, and mistakes. But you’ll also find moments of daybreak, where God’s grace has shone through in his life and ministry. If you want a book on robust apologetics to support your ministry, you’re in the wrong place. If you want a book telling you about all the lovely, positive moments in church planting, don’t buy this book. But if you want a book that will be real with you, challenging your precepts on what ministry is and delve into its tough, isolating, and often messy depths, then pick up a copy of “Real.”

Charles Gallagher
In this practical and eminently inspiring work, pastor and church planter Earl Buchan takes readers on a rich and real ride through the ups and downs of Christian ministry, offering down-to-earth insights and advice buoyed by grace and grit. “This book isn’t about tearing into the church,” writes Buchan in the Introduction. “It’s about building up the person, you, me, those of us who know we are called to a kingdom life. This is all about rewilding ministry from he inside out.” Honest and uplifting, there’s no fire-breathing dragons or hellfire and brimstone here. No legalistic list of Dos and Don’ts. Just a heaping helping of “battle-hardened lessons” about “how to do the ministry in which you are called.” Sensitive and sensible, Real is saturated in Scripture and soaked in hard-won sagacity. The tone is warm and winsome. Note that this isn’t a “How to” book on how to build your church, boost church attendance, or implement the latest whiz bang ministry paradigm. It’s not a dry and dusty theological treatise on church planting or a compilation of abstract theory that looks good on paper but fizzles and fades in the real world. Nor is it one of those dot all the Is and cross all the Ts just so recipes. Add water. Stir. And voila! You too can have a “mega-church” and instant ministry “success”! Nope. It’s much deeper than that. More thoughtful. More authentic. More deliberate. There is so much to love about this book. At just over one hundred pages, it’s relatively brief and written in down-to-earth terms that everyone can understand, both lay and clergy. Chapter 5, Broken, may be the stand-out chapter of the book. “Mariella.” (You’ll have to read the book to get that.) Recommended Reading and a FAQ section are also included (Dietrich Bonhoeffer! Miguel de Cervantes!). The material is cogent and crisp. A few choice tidbits include: “Be real, fail, get back up and try again. You are not alone, there are others like you and me.” “Adapt. Improvise. Overcome." “What are you called to pick up or lay down for the sake of sharing the gospel?” “Ministry demands an authentic person with a heart submitted to Jesus Christ… There needs to be a change, a rewilding of the pastoral heart.” “The only thing we carry with us into Heaven is our character, nothing more and nothing less.” “You gotta trust the gear.” And, “We live in a world dying of thirst that only Jesus can satisfy. " Topics include the two pillars of love – patience and kindness. Loving without reward. The daily grind. Disappointment and disenchantment in ministry. What to do when you feel like giving up. Spotting wolves in sheep’s clothing and how to deal with them. Distractions. Fighting behind enemy lines. The difference between “career pastors” and “called pastors.” Flexibility and creativity in ministry. Perils and pitfalls to beware. Balance. “Let’s get real.” Making “Pauls” instead of “Timothys.” He wins. Framily. “Lift up your eyes to Him…” And leaving well. Onward. The text is challenging in places. It’s forthright. Clear eyed. Refreshing. No pre-packaged, cellophane-wrapped sermons or pie in the sky by and by here. Real asks the reader some pretty pointed questions about the condition of their own heart. It also tells it like it is – that sometimes ministry is difficult, thankless, and dull. Meanwhile, page after page offers gentle, practical insights illustrated with personal life experiences and lessons learned. Each chapter glides seamlessly into the next, with smooth transitions that are natural and relaxed. Indeed, reading Real is like sitting down at the kitchen table with a hot cuppa and sharing a conversation with an old friend. Talk about a breath of fresh air. Additionally, a central theme of Real is simple, yet profound. And very much needed in today’s world with its own unique set of ministry challenges: “You are not alone, and God wins.” The text conveys the theme with a strong undercurrent of camaraderie and compassion, offering readers not only practical advice but also glistening gulps of grace. I loved it!

Kristine L.

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