Sifted: Pursuing Growth through Trials, Challenges, and Disappointments (Exponential Series)

This book is a welcome part of the help for church planters and ministry in general. Cordeiro gives the main thrust of the book staring, "the core message of this book: sifting happens, but God is still in control, and in fact God uses this season for your good because he wants to do something in you before he does something through you" (60). What the authors want us to see is that "growth happens best in sifted soil" (87).And the authors do challenge each church planter to think through their heart motivation (part one), their home as priority in ministry (part two), and the importance of working hard in being a servant (part three).This book truly impacts the reader in a new way about the fact that: "church leadership is as much about being as it is about doing" (39)In major sections throughout the book the reader is asked to take a moment to answer questions about what has been read. It is better to do this than to put questions at the end of each chapter.It has been a challenge to me personally to think through the importance of caring properly for my heart, my home, and hard work (meaning effectiveness rather than busyness). Each of the three parts of this book has help in understanding what is happening.First, in terms of the heart, "Why do so many leaders [and for us this means church planters] lose heart and want to quit? The heart, metaphorically speaking, can be a tricky organ" (25). How true this is for church planters.Second, in terms of the home, the problem is explained, "Church work was all-encompassing for me, and, I hate to admit it, in many senses I viewed my family as a necessary evil" (97). Then a priority list is given putting the priority as God, self, spouse, family, and ministry (97). However, the book carefully explains that it is not always a question of priority but rather of priorities at any given more--a much more balanced approach.Third, in terms of hard work, Cordeiro explains the importance of really working effectively rather than busily and a servant spirit.It is impossible to truly review all the help that this book gives to those in ministry and particularly to church planters I intend to rebalance my own life better as well as the training given to church planters. I also want to get this book into the hands of new church planters as well as other involved in ministryHow I wish I would have had this help when I first started in the ministry of starting new churches. Thank you¸ three musketeers of church planting, for solid help to those with a vision of doing the great work of church planting even when (and even thanks to) the sifting that takes place.

Sifted sits comfortably in Wayne Cordeiro comfort spot, dealing with burnout in Pastoral Ministry. While his book "Leading on Empty" was his opus, sifted takes some nice strides in dealing with a similar issue within Pastoral Ministry.Wayne defines the process of sifting as...1. Accelerated spiritual growth in times of trouble, 2. Increased trust in God and surrender to His sovereignty, 3. Refined and cultivated seed for increased fruitfulness and multiplication, 4. The seemingly painful process through which every child of God has or will face trials that result in being broken and refined, strengthened and restored, and grown and empowered for God's glory and Kingdom expansion.Much of the book deals with this difficult process and the process of growth through the difficult process of sifting. Wayne draws heavily on his own personal experience through this and centers much of this process on individual refinement. This book is an honest assessment of one's self, marriage and family. Essentially Wayne is looking to get our relationship right with God so that we might better lead amidst others. Francis Chan and Larry Osborne share some stories throughout this book, but they are sparse and far between, much of which you have either read or seen if you are fans of either of them.The book is a good read if solely for the probing questions that it asks. You need your pencil handy because throughout this book you will be asked some confronting personal questions that you will have to deal with. The website also makes a great companion to this book, where you will find more stories from Francis on the process of sifting. Wayne writes well and the book makes for an easy read, although it is a challenging self-assessment. Don't expect an even writing dialogue between the three authors, this is a Cordeiro book with the occasional story from the other two writers.Perhaps a little light on biblical exposition, and a little heavy on personal experience. Still a challenging read for personal self-assessment.Tis a timely read for myself over this holiday season as I prep for another phase of ministry.

I will be putting this book into the hands of every church leader that I ever work with again! I honestly have to say it is the most helpful book I have ever read! It made me fall on my knees over and over and get back to "True North." I felt that this book was a gift from God to me! Thank you so much Wayne Cordeiro, Larry Osborne and Francis Chan for your wisdom! I regularly enjoy your mentoring in my life and ministry through your penned words of wisdom and experience. My husband and I are about to plant a Foursquare Church in the Newport Beach, CA area and I cannot tell you how perfect this book was as we prepare for this. As Ps. Wayne says, "you can learn through wisdom or consequences" and this book had definitely given me so many gems of wisdom that will help us in our church plant both personally and practically! I see now how the last 13 years as youth pastors and the challenges we have gone through in so many areas of our life has prepared us for what lies ahead! Thank you, Thank You, Thank You, for this book!

I am ordering a copy of this book for every pastor in my church. If I had read this book a few years back, my ministry today would look very different and I could have avoided a lot of unneeded pain for myself and others. What makes this book so valuable, and why I am giving it to my pastors, is that it is incredibly practical. Wayne Cordeiro explains valuable life lessons and gives tools for you to use to help you evaluate where you are and what is important in your life. In Part Two - Home Work, he has four chapters that could be a best seller on their own. These chapters contained some of the lessons that I needed the most and they are lessons I see many pastors needing today. Because I love the leaders in my church, I want to share the wisdom in this book. If you are a leader, this is a must read.

Another great book by Wayne Cordeiro. Sifted. if you've been there you know the pain, doubts and hurts. If you haven't, read this book in preparation.