The gritty account of his movement from the baptist faith to churches of christ has in some ways become a litmus test for where one stands in our fellowship today. This book is backed up by scriptures throughout it. Muscle and a shovel the kitchen of halfbaked thoughts. The book details singing, with out instruments and the bible authority for that. This book is focused around the church of christ, and it will try and convert you to their churchit will make you question your faith, and your soul i did not. The high school bible class has been studying from the muscle and a shovel student workbook. I first want to address the form of the book muscle and a shovel by michael shank that i purchased. Aug 02, 2015 muscle and a shovel places the emphasis for salvation on the sinner and the sinners obligation to god. Before i ever began blogging, i wrote a book on that very subject, do we. The workbook engages the student in a threefold training system which brings about lively group discussions, practical homework assignments, and proven methods of evangelizing that anyone can learn and implement immediately. The muscle and a shovel student workbook is designed to be the premiere companion training tool for anyone who wants to become a randall in effectively sharing christ s gospel message. We in the churches of christ have a very inconsistent position on.
Muscle and a shovel by michael shank church of christ men. The mission of freedhardeman university is to help students develop their godgiven talents for his glory by empowering them with an education that integrates christian faith, scholarship and service. In the process theyre befriended by a man who turns their belief about god, their church, and their faith upside down. Muscle and a shovel author reflects on falling away the. Members at the fort logan church have been reading muscle and a shovel and would encourage you to read it as well. I belong to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The church of christ practices and believes only what is prescribed in the bible. The church of christ on mcdermott road is a church striving to be loving and faithful. How the church is to use its funds, what a elderdeacon is supposed to be, in their roles and qualifications. Cocwa also shares writing advice, publishing tips, and more. Sep 03, 2014 muscle and a shovel places the emphasis for salvation on the sinner and the sinners obligation to god. Jan 29, 2014 the book is full of suspense, he added, even though readers know the outcome when they first pick it up. Aug 20, 2015 shanks previous book, muscle and a shovel, took the churches of christ by storm after its release in 2011.
I admit i have been there and done that i tell my story of redemption in a little book entitled, heavens star however scripture places the emphasis on jesus christ and the provision of salvation through him romans 5. Read an updated message from our elders regarding the covid19 virus worship services will be streamed online sunday at 10. May 31, 2015 i just finished reading when shovels break by michael j. In the book, shank describes his friendship with his church of christ coworker, identified as randall edges, in the context of their daytoday lives working for a communications service company in nashville, tenn. Welcome to chapel grove church of christ in summertown, tennessee. Outline of the book of 1 john introduction to 1, 2, and 3 john author. Muscle and a shovel is one of those rare books that will raise your heartrate, your. It does take a muscle and a shovel to dig through gods word. For those not familiar with the book, it recounts the spiritual journey of the author as he was guided by a coworker with scripture. Apr 02, 2020 a selection from a gathered people by john mark hicks, johnny melton, and bobby valentine just as matthew begins his gospel with the assurance of divine presence in jesus matt 1. The couple moves from rural southern illinois to nashville in pursuit of the american dream. Both books are selfpublished from within the churches of christ.
May 20, 2011 it answered some questions for me that ive had. Bookstores that carry material by brethren cei bookstore. Written in an autobiographical style, its intended to be an apologetic for traditional church of christ beliefs. Muscle, a shovel and thousands of baptisms the christian chronicle. For most members of a church of christ, this sentiment is one that makes us feel comfortable and at home, but is this idea a reality.
In the book, shank describes his friendship with his church of christ coworker, identified as randall edges, in the context of their daytoday lives. Click the picture above to link to our online study of the book muscle and a shovel how can we pray for you today. Muscle and a shovel is the bestselling true story about eighteenyearold newlyweds, michael and jonetta shank. We pray and hope that our worship, spirit, and conduct mirrors the word of god. One baptist preacher described it as one of those rare books that will raise your blood pressure. The book has a 1 out of 12 conversion ratio, in just handing the material out. A story that will take you on a journey to finding christ and help you learn key bible truths, on salvation, bible authority, and the church. Jun 25, 2014 posts about church of christ written by durough. Muscle and a shovel will set exiting beliefs on fire. Michael shanks book the muscle and the shovel is a powerful tool for the church. The church of christ women authors blog is owned and operated by susan elliott.
Am i allowed to say that it is what i thought it was. All inperson worship services, bible classes, and activities are suspended. Muscle and a shovel places the emphasis for salvation on the sinner and the sinners obligation to god. Id encourage you to use johnie edwards book, it is detailed in the name a church should have, reflective of following christ not man. The apostle john is the author of the gospel of john, 1, 2, and 3 john and revelation. If it snowed, the snowshovel squad was out shoveling, sometimes even before breakfast. If you choose to read this book, your beliefs will be challenged in ways you. But, the teaching of this book leads one to put their trust in themselves rather than jesus christ. If youre a member of churches of christ, theres a good chance youve heard about michael shanks muscle and a shovel. After that, nobody had to remind gavin about the ramseys driveway.
Church of christ evangelism free material store page. This book was ed in 2011 and has been a popular read among members of the churches of christ in the last several months. The fact it is nondenominational and each church is independent lead by the elders. If youre looking for a good book, regardless of genre, youve come to the right place. This site is dedicated to sharing works written by women who are members of the church of christ. Muscle, a shovel and thousands of baptisms the christian. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. With the help of the snowshovel squad, the ramseys driveway was snowfree in just a few minutes. In essence, muscle and a shovel is about how to obey the gospel and what constitutes the true church of christ. Sometimes it snowed so much they had to shovel two times in one day.
It is the new testament church because, guided by the new testament alone, it neither adds nor subtracts from what is prescribed there. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading beyond the church of christ. Aug 29, 2014 i recently did a quick read of the book muscle and a shovel by michael shank. Muscle and a shovel official website by michael shank. Serving thousands of churches and individuals since 1938 with biblebased curriculum, teaching materials, books, church supplies, and more. Christian researcher publications, used religious books, church of christ books, foy e. Feb 12, 2015 michael shank in his book muscle and a shovel recounts his biographical experience of learning from a coworker that he should let the bible interpret itself. It is all about a person lining up with the right steps. The book is a good example of what and why of attending the church. I am going into this book skeptical as its written to be promoting the church of christ, from what i understand but i am interested to read the story. Some of our members recently completed a study using this book as a guide, and found its contents very informative. According to shank, one must be immersed in water for the right reason for the remission of sins and be faithful to the right church 25.
Muscle and a shovel was written as a true story of a couples journey to finding the. Only about 21 percent of churches of christ are in that age range, granberg says. Muscle and a shovel is a raw and gritty true story about a pair of young newlyweds who move to the city to chase the american dream. Dionysius noted that john did not name himself in his epistles, not even in the second and third epistles, although they are short. At the chapel grove church of christ, our mission is to model the church found in the new testament. Any church which is not essential to mans salvation is not christ s church, because membership in this church is indispensable to salvation. Church growth church leadership church history and biographies church of christ commentaries communion ware craft books curriculum familyparenting hermeneutics hope and encouragement inspirational books ladies books lords supper and giving marriage marriage and divorce ministers manuals music music in worship new christians offering plates. Here are some helpful links and apps that we recommend using for study and every day use. Review of muscle and a shovel by michael shank part 1. Mcgarvey, restoration reprints, alexander campbell, r. For a church movement to be considered healthy, at least half of its congregations should be below 40 years of age, the age when reproductive capacity and initiative are at their highest. A good over view of the basic structure of the church of christ from the the first century till now the church remains the model set forth by our savior jesus christ. Outline of the book of i john floral heights church of christ. Were a group of believers following the biblical plan for the church, who meet in bridgeview, il.