No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come-as-You-Are Culture in the Church

How do we live out the message of Jesus in today's ever-changing culture? The church is facing its greatest challenge---and its greatest opportunity---in our postmodern, post-Christian world. God is drawing thousands of spiritually curious 'imperfect people' to become his church---but how are we doing at welcoming them? No Perfect People Allowed shows you how to deconstruct the five main barriers standing between emerging generations and your church by creating the right culture. From inspiring stories of real people once far from God, to practical ideas that can be applied by any local church, this book offers a refreshing vision of the potential and power of the Body of Christ to transform lives today. 'We now are living in a post-Christian America---and that means we must be rethinking ministry through a missionary mindset. What makes this book both unique and extremely helpful is that it is filled with real-life stories of post-Christian people becoming followers of Jesus---not just statistics or data about them.' Dan Kimball, Author, The Emerging Church '. . . John's 'get it' factor with people, lost or found, is something to behold! Reading this book filled me with optimism regarding the next generation of pastors and faith communities . . . ' Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church No Perfect People Allowed is a timely and necessary word for church leaders in a post Christian culture. John Burke serves up quite a tasty meal full of the rich nutrients that will strengthen the Body of Christ. Randy Frazee, Senior Pastor, Pantego Bible Church; Author, The Connecting Church and Making Room for Life

"Am I allowed to take pictures in the lobby?" I asked the lady at the information desk upon entering SFMOMA. "Yes." she said. My family and I worked our way up the floors of the museum, each of us taking in the art at our own pace, eventually losing each other amidst the labyrinth of rooms and stairs. At the very top of the museum there was a walkway enclosed in colorful glass that changed colors depending on the angle you viewed it. If you looked closely at the floor of the walkway, you could see straight down into the lobby (not for those with acrophobia for sure!). As I made my way back down to the lobby I decided to snap a photo or two (or five) of the outside of the walkway. Surely it must be okay if it's visible from the lobby...? As I was taking photos, a man with a Canon passed me on his way up to the top floor. He moved a few yards higher than I was on the curved stairway and began to take photos of his own. "Excuse me sir! There is no photography allowed here!" The accented voice of the small woman guarding the top floor echoed down the stairwell. Because of the shape of the staircase, the security guard was able to see the man higher up on the stairs while I was safely hidden from her view. The man shot me an accusing look as I guiltily fumbled with my lens cap and tucked my camera back into my purse. I then continued on my way down to the first floor where I knew I could snap photos in relative peace.

Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here I don't care what mama don't allow I'll play my guitar anyhow Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here Hey, Mama don't allow no bass in this place Yeah, Mama don't allow no bass in this place I don't care what mama don't allow I'll play my bass anyhow Mama don't allow no bass in this place Yeah, Mama don't allow no drumming going on Yeah, Mama don't allow no drumming going on I don't care what mama don't allow Gonna play my drums anyhow Mama don't allow no drumming going on Yeah, Mama don't allow no piano players in here Mama don't allow no piano players in here I don't care what mama don't allow Gonna play my piano anyhow Mama don't allow no piano players in here Yeah, Mama don't allow no reefer-smoking round about Yeah, Mama don't allow no reefer-smoking round about Yeah, I don't care what mama don't allow I'm gonna smoke my reefer anyhow Mama don't allow no reefer in here Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time I don't care what mama don't allow We're all gonna play all at the same time anyhow Mama don't allow us all playing at the same time

As a half-human, half-Drow private eye, Nyx is the go-to girl for tracking Demons in the night. So when several of New York City’s Werewolves go missing, Alpha Werewolf Dmitri Beketov hires Nyx for the job. But this time, she must leave the dark alleys and bright lights behind…
Nyx’s sixth sense tells her that life in the slow lane is a lot deadlier than it appears. Though she usually prefers to work solo, with this case she’s going to need all the help she can get. Enter Detective Adam Boyd: he’s watching her back, but is this human too sexy for his—and her—own good? Meanwhile, a powerful, malevolent force is exterminating paranorms and “unworthy” humans alike…and Nyx, still trying to get a foothold in her new surroundings, finds herself facing danger at every turn.