And the Shofar Blew

APPLICATION WRITTEN BY

Meticulously plotted, Francine Rivers’s classic, And the Shofar Blew, brims with unforgettable characters. It is the story of a perfect pastor, a perfect pastor’s wife, steadfast saints, and the disaster that so often accompanies ministry.

When Paul Hudson accepted the call to pastor the struggling church, he had no idea what to expect. But it didn’t take long for Paul to turn Centerville Christian Church around. Attendance was up – way up. Everything was going so well. If only his wife could see it that way. Still, he tried not to let her quiet presence disturb him. She knew something wasn’t right, and it hadn’t been for a long time.

And the Shofar Blew is a timeless tale of leadership, zeal, immaturity, and the temptations of leadership, power, and success in ministry. Anne Graham-Lotz calls it, “A powerful and almost-prophetic statement of the church in America…a must read.”

Key Topics or Truths

Leadership
Power
Narcissism in Ministry
Staying Strong
Forgiveness in Ministry

This Book is Good For...

This book is powerful for anyone leading in any capacity in ministry.

How I Use this Book to make disciples

I have disciples read this novel between heavier books because it is fiction. Stories are easier to read and process. But this story is a tough one, big to process and full of life-protecting revelations as the characters succeed and fail in ministry. I leverage the truths of this book along the way, reviewing weekly each week’s reading. If you have disciples read this book cover-to-cover and then discuss, you will miss great conversation and “aha” moments for your group.

I ALWAYS use this book in Discipleship Two. ALWAYS. In our church, this is mandatory reading and review before anyone takes on any role in leadership. A troubling story, an inspiring story, this book is so protective for those heading into God’s work.

I love this book because of its power to expose the great saints, the overlooked saints, the temptations of leadership, and the ability for us to get lost in ministry.

Real Life Story

Bill dropped to his knees in the middle of an elders’ meeting, “I’ll do anything. You know I love God. Please don’t make me go and please don’t tell my wife. It will destroy the kids.” True story. Bill had fallen getting too close because of long hours working in worship with a beautiful young lady. “Dude, you know I love you. I am so sorry. I just couldn’t tell you,” Bob said, head in his hands, eyes full of tears. True story. Again and again, great men and women fall into dumb stuff because of the power they wield, the positions they hold, and the choices they make. Worst of all, most of them were surrounded by steadfast saints who would have loved and carried them through, most likely keeping them from falling. Isolation is one of the enemy’s greatest weapons.

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Francine Rivers
Book Details
Reading Time
Three to Four Weeks
Related Reads

The Pursuit of Holiness pairs well with this book to provide instruction. Letters to Timothy is also a good compliment.

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