Why does true Christian transformation seem fleeting? And why does church often feel lonely, Christian community shallow, and leaders untrustworthy? For many Christians, the delight of encountering Christ eventually dwindles—and disappointment sets in. Is it really possible to experience lasting joy in Christ? Is our character really changing and growing into the image of our Savior? How do we form deep loving attachments with other Christians in a culture where people pay more attention to their screens than they do to each other?

These are some of the questions Michel Hendricks has considered both in his experience as a spiritual formation pastor and in his lifetime as a Christian. He began to find some answers he had never considered when he met Jim Wilder—a neurotheologian. Using his deep understanding of the Bible and his education in Theology combined with his training as a Psychologist in brain science, Wilder identified that there are two halves of the church: the rational half and the relational half. And when Christians only embrace the rational half, churches become unhealthy places where transformation doesn’t last and narcissistic leaders flourish.

In The Other Half of Church, join Michel and Jim’s journey as they couple brain science with the Bible to identify how to overcome spiritual stagnation by living a full-brained faith. You’ll also learn the four ingredients necessary to develop and maintain a vibrant transformational community where spiritual formation occurs, relationships flourish, and the toxic spread of narcissism is eradicated.

We have ordered printed copies of the book that can be purchased for a donation to St. Paul’s of $12 or you may purchase a kindle version online from Amazon or other retailers.

This is a book Fr. Damien & Jolie have read together several times and highly recommend to better understand how God changes our character, how we can each create a larger capacity for joy, and how we strengthen our relationship with Christ and the other people He has brought into our lives!