Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical

Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical
by John M. Perkins, Shane Claiborne

Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical
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Book Summary Information

Author: John M. Perkins, Shane Claiborne
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-09-15
ISBN: 0830751203
Number of pages: 224
Publisher: Regal
Product features:
  • ISBN13: 9780830751204
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!

Book Reviews of Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical

Book Review: How to be a social-justice leader
Summary: 5 Stars

John Perkins and Shane Claiborne are two of my heroes. Well-known social activists, they are also modern-day prophets. John is an African-American Christian who was active in the civil-rights movement, later founding the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). Shane has been described as a contemporary John the Baptist--right down to the scraggly hair, home-made clothes, and radical lifestyle. Both men, following the great Biblical prophets, call people to repent, love the poor, and embrace a life of simplicity. Their faith isn't merely an interior piety, but is embodied through compassionate, radical lifestyles.

John and Shane have dialogued about leadership and social justice over the years, and this eventually led to the publication of "Follow Me to Freedom" (Regal Books, 214 pages, paperback). Social justice and leadership are the book's main themes, but the content isn't somber as those subjects may seem. Reading John and Shane's dialogues is like sitting on the front porch with two close friends, rather than listening to a lecture in a sterile classroom. The tone is informal, as jokes are cracked throughout the pages.

This light tone helps balance the book's difficult message. Encouragement to "love as Jesus loves" often leads to guilt, but Shane and John avoid condemnation. Instead of decrying your current lifestyle, they present an alluring vision for what it could be. In their discussions they guide you toward a radical lifestyle through fascination.

The dialogue in "Follow Me to Freedom" is mainly practical, although there is some theology and history scattered throughout. John and Shane don't just tell you how to live; they show you through their stories. Like any good conversation, this book is filled with anecdotes describing the ups and downs of each man's journey. From arrests for civil disobedience, to living in intentional community, John and Shane describe many wild tales.

"Follow Me to Freedom" is split into eighteen conversations, each conversation revolving around a particular topic. Two of my favorite discussions revolve around the lure of power and the necessity of humility. Even a leader pursuing a good cause can succumb to power's allure, so humility is a necessity. John and Shane explain how leading and following as an ordinary radical aren't the means toward glory, but the result of humble obedience toward God.

I also appreciated the book's advice aimed at younger social justice leaders. A half-century after the civil-rights struggles of the 1960's, John notes the need for "new Moses's" to rise up from within the young-adult generation to lead a "new Exodus".

While this particular advice resonated within me, I think it may also contain my one misgiving with the book. "Follow Me to Freedom" seems aimed at such a small, distinct audience. I think 20-and-30-something Christians already passionate about social justice will love this book, but I question whether others will find it as rich. The book seems written as encouragement to someone who has already taken a few steps down this road. If the pursuit of Christian justice is new to you--or something that you don't feel particularly drawn to--I don't think "Follow Me to Freedom" would be a good introduction. For a more introductory guide to a justice-filled life, I would recommend any of Shane's earlier books, especially "Irresistible Revolution".

If you want to lead in the battles against modern injustice, pick up this book and join in the conversation. May "Follow Me to Freedom" ignite the prophet within.

Summary of Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical

Re-imagine Leading and Following in a World Longing for True Justice, Compassion and Freedom Followers of Christ yearn to see the world changed in compassionate, positive, effective ways. As prophetic voices, Shane Claiborne and John Perkins lead the way in this move to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus. One is young, a self proclaimed reformed redneck who grew up in the hills of Tennessee and now lives in inner city Philadelphia and the other is decades older, an African-American civil rights leader who was almost beaten to death by police in Mississippi, and went on to found a reconciliation movement and counsel three American presidents. Claiborne and Perkins draw on more than a century of combined following and learning, activating and leading. Together they craft a timely message for ordinary people willing to take radical steps to see real change happen. In Follow Me to Freedom, Claiborne and Perkins lead the way toward justice for all, unfolding a proven strategy as ancient as the patriarchs of faith and as fresh as the needs of every human heart. Starting with Moses as a model, they re-imagine leading and following in a world desperate for true social justice, compassion and freedom. They offer practical ways to internalize and live out God?s promise of freedom in the twenty-first century. Followers of Christ will not only be inspired but also catalyzed into action, and the world will never be the same.

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