Not in It to Win It

Why Choosing Sides Sidelines the Church

By: Andy Stanley

Narrated by: Andy Stanley

Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Read by the author.

Is it possible to disagree politically and love unconditionally? The reaction of evangelicals to political and cultural shifts in recent years revealed what they value most. Lurking beneath our Bible-laced rhetoric, faith claims, books, and sermons is a relentless drive to WIN!

But the church is not here to win. By every human measure, our Savior lost. On purpose. With a purpose. And we are his body. We are not in it to win anything. We are in it for something else entirely. That something else is what this book is about.

You'll discover:

• How to take a stand the right way. You'll learn how to make your case with a posture of humility and understanding, rather than being fueled by the fear of losing something.
• How to view politics through the lens of faith. Learn curiously, listen intentionally, and love unconditionally.
• How the life of Jesus and his teaching applies to modern-day challenges in a fresh way. The "biblical" stand may not be what we've been taught.

Jesus never asked his followers to agree on everything. But he did call his followers to obey a new command: to love others in the same way he has loved us. Instead of asserting our rights or fighting for power, we need to begin asking ourselves: what does love require of me?

©2022 Andy Stanley (P)2022 Zondervan

Perhaps the most important book to read this year.

Amazing! Andy Stanley pulls back the curtain on the American Church and shines a light on all the flaws, actions, and activities that are dividing the American Church. This is an exceptional read!

This should be required reading for all Christians.

In this time where we are more polarized than ever, this book explains exactly where he would want his followers - in the middle, bringing people together, not fighting and victimizing one another.

A "follower" of Jesus?

Actions speak louder than words or beliefs. The author calls calls anyone out who claims to be a Christian without proof. It will ruffle some feathers, that need to be ruffled. A great read long overdue. ✝️🙏

Stunning

The most important book of our time. Not really a religious book. But a book that sets the standard Jesus made clear that is not followed by many people today. It is not only what you believe, but what you do.

This resonated with me big-time.

I'm serious, this book changed my outlook on life, and actually helped me love my neighbors.

Not the ones who agree with me, but you know. The other ones. ;)

It made me not worry about it and am able to release some of that hate, that anxiety, and just love those on the other side of the isle and not take it personally when people disagree with me. It was such a relief to read, and it's brought me closer to Christ by loving my enemies. I couldn't be more thankful that he wrote this.

I've read it twice since the summer. My pastor quotes it all the time, and I bought the physical book to give out whenever anyone I know tells me how hard it is being Christian and keeping an eye on politics. And it's helped everyone. It's easy to understand and digest this really hard commandment and put it into practice and really come to terms with it. 5/5 for sure.

The law of Christ, the way of love.

Stanley captures, with personal conviction, the challenge of bringing a pastor in the last few years. While he shares some of the struggle and pain he and his family have had to endure, he focuses more on calling the church to lean into the law of Christ. This doesn’t focus on a party, rather a person. For long enough we have let kingdoms and practices of this world and culture divide us and define us.

I first found this book toward the end of 2022 when I was taking a short reading vacation. As a fellow pastor, albeit of no near caliber as Stanley, it resonated as he shared the struggles of attempting to lead a congregation during 2020-2022. I believe he has captured in this book some clear and deep truths of what the church is called to based on Jesus and the early church. Thank you Andy for being willing to write this book!

Thoughtfully Informing, Inspiring, And Clarifying

Whenever I hear Andy Stanley speak and read what he writes, I feel informed, inspired, and clarified. I appreciate especially how he expresses his convictions as the author- with varying articulation, inflection, and passion. I liked it so much that I immediately bought the Kindle Edition and quoted from it in a large public gathering within days of finishing the Audible version. It’s THAT good.

Letter to the American Church

When reading/listening to this book I can’t help but think of the New Testament - a collection of letters to churches in different regions by church leaders. It is a plea to the American church very similar to those NT epistles. Could not recommend more for any follower of Jesus of Nazareth.

Must Read / Listen for Anyone Professing to be a Christian

Andy has done a nice job mapping what we must do as Christians in today’s broken society. He reminds us of Jesus’ law and how to live it by Jesus’ example. Thank you Andy!

Got it right!

Thanks for saying what needs to be said to the church. The voice of reason and truth.