Comments on: How about ‘Ordinary Heroes’?

By: Chuck Land

Chuck Land — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:13:22 +0000

Gospel Intentionality would be great. The title “Ordinary Heroes” is a little man-centered for me.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:48:31 +0000

I can see both weaknesses and strengths in the ordinary heroes title – as highlighted in the above comments.
I would love to see this title:
Gospel Intentionality: Living the Cross and Resurrection.
Gospel Intentionality is one of the most helpful, thought-provoking phrases you use in Total Church. Making it the title of your latest book would help give it the prominence it deserves in our thinking. From what you’ve told us, it also seems to be a good summary of your books main emphasis.

By: Goblin

Goblin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:28:24 +0000

hi Tim
‘Ordinary Heroes’ sounds fantastic and I can only echo the comments made above, especially those by Jason Reid and by Levi. For me ordinary people living ordinary lives but in an extraordinary way is exactly what living in Christ is all about, drawing attention away from ourselves and our egocentric, ‘prima donna’, sinful ways and instead pointing towards our humble and loving Saviour. Can’t wait to read the book!

By: John

John — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:07:45 +0000

This is the best of the lot. The others a bit too cerebral and well boring for me… I like this one

By: Lyssa

Lyssa — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:34:15 +0000

“Ordinary Heroes” sounds very American to me :)
I like it! Now we will all read the conclusion first!

By: Saint Jonny

Saint Jonny — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:10:31 +0000

Like it!

By: Levi

Levi — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:00:24 +0000

I was also a bit sceptical at first, probably because I always get a bit antsy when folk seem to be down-playing the importance of cross-cultural mission. I would rather say that all Christians should be missionaries and thus potential martyrs, just that for many they do that within the context of ‘ordinary’ lives, but that’s probably just arguing over semantics. Thinking about it I do quite like it, it reminds me of something I heard yesterday about ‘unnoticed excellence’ (or something similar) where those who are the greatest asset to a church are those whom people don’t even notice, because all they do points away from themselves towards Jesus Christ.

So, in summary, I like it!

By: Geoff Ziegler

Geoff Ziegler — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:49:06 +0000

If I only saw the title, I’d think the book was a group of short stories about normal people doing good deeds–kind of a Guideposts/inspirational kind of genre. That’s just my subjective reaction–I may be the only one.

By: John

John — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:23:49 +0000

Tim,
I was a bit sceptical about ‘Ordinary Heroes…’ but on reflection I reckon it might be a goer. I was reading some stuff on Kierkegaard and ‘ordinary hero’ would be a good summary of his idea of the Knight of Faith. I don’t know if you see that as a positive or negative. Anyway, whatever it is called – I’ll read it.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:14:51 +0000

I too am a background lurker like Jeff L.

I love this title – there are a few extraordinary and well known men and women who have impacted me and my walk with Jesus but those who have had the greatest purchase are known to family and friends, they are the ordinary heroes who have walked well, spoken well and lived well at extraordinary cost to themselves for ordinary ‘gain’ for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom.

I have no doubt that the tears shed at the conclusion of the book are those of hope, repentance, gratitude. I’m looking forward to reading it and crying over it (when it eventually crosses the oceans to the antipodes!). Thanks.