Messy Spirituality

Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli is accurately described by the subtitle – God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People.

 Yaconelli presents an approach to discipleship that is not about clear next steps and unquestionable outcomes. Instead, the path of discipleship that he presents is full of changes, turns and a never failing trust in God. Yaconelli refutes some assumptions of discipleship in a way that I found to be at first unnerving, but finally satisfactory.

I do not feel that it would be appropriate to base the path of discipleship for an entire church on the ideas that Yaconelli presents. However, I recognize that this may be because it is far different than my current setting for ministry and from many other settings of which I am most familiar.

I found Messy Spirituality to be a refreshing understanding of God’s work in the world and my own path of discipleship. I will return again to this book in the future and expect that it will catch me off guard again in ways that are needed and helpful.