Jim And Casper Go To Church by George Barna

Jim And Casper Go To Church by George Barna

Is this what Jesus told you guys to do?

Light shows, fog machines, worship bands, and offering plates-is this what Jesus intended? Atheist Matt Casper wants to know.

In 2006, Jim Henderson, veteran Christian and director of Off The Map, hired Casper to join him in visiting twelve of America's best- and least-known churches, including Rick Warren's Saddleback and Joel Osteen's Lakewood. Week after week, this spiritual odd couple attended services at churches all over the country and documented their experiences at and reactions to each one. Along the way, they found the real value of their journey in the open and authentic friendship that developed as they talked, questioned, joked, and-most importantly-listened.

Follow along with Jim and Casper on their visits, and eavesdrop as they discuss what they found. Jim and Casper's articulate, sometimes humorous, and always insightful dialogue offers Christians a new view of an environment in which we've become overly comfortable: the church. And it models an important transition from defending the faith to defending the space-relational space for authentic, respectful dialogue and friendship with nonbelievers.