February Release Review
Kevin Gerald is a second generation pastor. His church experience growing up was in a smaller church that was part of a small denomination. He founded and now pastors Champions Centre, a non-denominational church and one of the largest churches in the Northwest. Over the past few years, Kevin has grown in fellowship and partnership with a broad range of church leaders from various doctrinal and denominational backgrounds. He oversees and sits on leadership boards of several large, influential churches in America, is a long time member and has served as President of Integrity Leadership Ministries, and his speaking platforms include some of the major conferences, events and church platforms around the world. Kevin grew up in the Midwest but has spent his life as a pastor in one of the least churched regions in America. He and his wife, Sheila, minister together and live in the Seattle area.
Playing it safe is not always the best course of action! In fact,when we play it safe, we may be passing up valuable opportunities. In his new book, “Naked And Unafraid,” Kevin Gerald uses the Bible story of King David dancing naked in the streets while his critical wife watches safely from a window, as a means for us to complete a self examination; therefore causing us to discover some truths that we may have never otherwise examined. This book examines a decision that we all face. A decision that is made so many times but yet remains below our level of acknowledgment. Our life decisions are born out of it. Pastor Gerald takes a hard look at “the window” or “the dance” decision. He defines vulnerability and uses probing questions at the end of each chapter by which the reader may examine if he or she is a window watcher or a street dancer.
Playing it safe will get you stuck. You retreat to your seat in the window where wrong assumptions are often arrived at. After all that's where the smart people are right? The “no guarantee” realization is the very basis for vulnerability and is a big cause of opportunities being passed up. The street dance is avoided and the more secure position of window watcher is chosen. Vulnerability causes us to be uncomfortable! By way of a personal experience Pastor Gerald tells how it was by prayer that he realized that God offers opportunities to make choices that will determine the possibilities. Choices that if embraced would have God standing with him through the process. Remember! Fear is the underlying basis for “window logic.” This book encourages the reader to take the plunge from window watching into the better option of street dancing.
Playing it safe is dangerous, and avoiding risk is not a less dangerous approach to life than taking risk. Pushing your vulnerability by putting yourself in uncomfortable places where there are no guarantees, at risk without control of the outcome, may seem difficult. This is why we wear “robes” (metaphorically speaking), robes hide things, removing them is scary. Robes, however, should serve us not rule us. David removed his literal robe! He set aside his status. In this book the reader learns that a robe should be worn loosely and it should always be ready to be removed when it gets in the way. Don't confuse who you are with the robe you wear. Sometimes the robes must come off and there are many great examples that the author cites in this book. Staying in the window is not safe; it only feels safe. The best life is the street life.
This is a book about being open not guarded, about being vulnerable and risking exposure. It demonstrates that we should not be limited by our own self-concept. This book is about the boundaries of our heart. This easy to read and understand tool for discovery may take you to a place where you really need to be if you have the courage to go. I enjoyed the path to discovery and examination that it provided and recommend it highly.
Our audio review of this book is available on our podcast which is available on numerous outlets and platforms.You may view your free subscription options in the "Audio Podcasts" section at the bottom of this page
