About the Book
Book: Are You in the Game or in the Way?
Author: Ross Holtz
Genre: RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Pastoral Resources
Release Date: March 10, 2017
Are You in the Game or in the Way?
A men’s ministry reality check: What is standing in the way of a vital men’s ministry in your church?
The guy who should be at the forefront is often in the way of the program getting off the ground.
· Are you, as pastor, the main obstacle to the growth of a vital men’s ministry?
· Are you the guy who wants to start a men’s ministry in your church but don’t know how?
· Is fear or a sense of inadequacy keeping you from starting such a ministry?
Pastor Ross Holtz tells his personal story of how he became a catalyst for growth, instead of an impediment will inspire pastors and men’s ministry leaders.
What works, what doesn’t, and what is required in forming a vital men’s ministry. Practical and honest teaching filled with relevant and tested examples from recognizing the problem to finding the fix.
Pastor Ross Holtz is a man who has earned the right to speak on ministering to and through men . . . One man’s journey from being a sceptic to a fully-engaged pastor who sees the power of a clear ministry to and through men . . . Pastor Ross bares his heart, and is, at times, brutally honest in a way that will resonate.
—Chuck Stecker, president, A Chosen Generation
Click here to get your copy.
Guest Review from James Barela
Are You in the Game or in the Way? was written by pastor Ross Holtz to other pastors and men who are either already in or aspire to men’s ministry. The book is intended to be a source of teaching on how to get men’s ministry up and running as a successful church ministry: focusing on the role of the pastor. Holtz’s passion about this topic is apparent and his motive appears to be a love of men’s ministry. The flow of his writing and thoughts were easy to follow, even for a layperson (such as myself). In addition to the author’s passion and clarity he provides an honesty in relating some of his own struggles in ministry over the years and asks some questions that are important and difficult for those in Christian men’s ministry leadership.
Are You in the Game or in the Way? does not come without some concerns. Passion, clarity, honesty, and asking good questions does not automatically make a resource like this adequate for the job it seeks to fulfill. My first concern is that though it was written to pastors and men’s ministry leaders about ministry to men it lacked an adequate reliance upon scripture. The book is 153 pages long and my first encounter with any reference or usage of scripture was not until page 105. Rather than scripture being the standard for understanding the problem of a failing or struggling men’s ministry the reader will encounter numerous quotes from about 2-3 men’s ministry leaders he admires or respects. There is an assumption that the reader must make if they are not familiar with these men quoted – the assumption being that these men relied upon the scriptures for their work.
Another large concern for me was the apparent and seemingly reliance upon pragmatism for the sake of pragmatism. This comes in many forms throughout this book. One example is at the end of the chapter entitled Men’s Men and Me where the author indicates he was the problem in that the men he was attempting to minister to “evidenced no real attraction to what (he) was offering” (24). Well, what was he offering you ask? He says, “My passion was the Scriptures and the stuff of books.” He rightly points out that he wanted these men to become part of the life of the church as he saw it (love of the scriptures and doctrine which we find in books) but that he was “inadvertently, attempting to draw them away from their own lifestyles and community to participate in mine.” First, the author was honest enough to recognize and admit he wasn’t willing to like the things they liked outside of the church such as fishing and hunting. But, secondly, he also uses words that lead the reader to think he was wrong for having a love of doctrine and scripture and that he was wrong for wanting that for these men only because he was not more of an outdoorsman than he was. I don’t know for sure that he wanted to convey this, but it is a reasonable question based upon his words.
A couple other examples of this concerning pragmatism come in comments like the following:
- “Most pastors and men’s leaders know the truth that doing something is men’s dominant form of spiritual expression, not religious talking and listening” (131). Before Jesus turned the disciples loose to preach, teach, and heal there was quite a bit of Jesus talking and them listening and there is no indication in scripture they complained.
- After demonstrating several times that the men in his church, some saved some not, were not interesting in the things of church life, much less God, he states, “We didn’t know what most men wanted, but we thought we did.” In the book there is neither any discussion that he/church leadership considered what these men needed nor any reference to their need. The reader is left to assume it is all about what men want. Far too often than not this type of thinking leads to programs for the sake of programs in which in order to keep them in the doors you keep having to think about what gimmick you need to keep the men’s attention.
The number of concerns was far too long to include all of them here, but I believe it noteworthy to mention, in this review, there a few times the author chose to retell a story referencing in greater detail than necessary the use of unedifying language. In one story he refers to a Pentecostal who uses the “s- “word; though we read “he doesn’t always use the word stuff.” Is this necessary? In another section of the book he tells his readers he must use restraint from using a scatological term in reference to hearing that American men are not emotional. He also makes a comment about the disciples and flatulence. While these are not great sins in and of themselves, I must ask, “are they really becoming a pastor in a pastoral work to other pastors?”
As I bring this review to a close please keep in mind that I know that it is difficult to put your work out there for others to review and provide feedback. The heart and intent of my feedback is constructive. I would ask the author if he took the time think some of the comments through to their logical end. For this reader, I gained more insight from the last few paragraphs of the book where he briefly exposits a pastoral epistle written to Timothy – from a pastor to a pastor. This is what this book desperately needs to be a valuable tool to other pastors. Yes, it was honest, passionate, clear, easy to read, and asks good questions, but it fails to fully and biblically answer those questions adequately and for that reason I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Redemption Press via Celebrate Lit Tours. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
Geoffrey Ross Holtz, DD, is founding and senior pastor of The Summit (ECFA) in Enumclaw. He was awarded “Pastor of the Year” in 2014 by the National Coalition of Ministries for Men. Ross and his wife, Athena, the founder and publisher of Redemption Press, have a blended family of eight adult children and seventeen grandchildren and enjoy time spent sailing.
More from Ross
I’ve been asked to tell something about myself or tell a personal story. I’m not adverse to talking about myself, but I’d rather tell you a very personal story.
There was a show on television, maybe still is I guess, called Overhaulin’. The plot of the show was that each week they would sneak a person’s car away from them, with family help, and overhaul it to make it really cool. It was every car-guy’s dream; to have someone restore a vehicle for you, that was special to you. And to restore it at their expense; Wow, doesn’t get cooler than that.
I never was on that show, but I have a story that I want to tell you. It was late summer in 2014. I had just remarried after having lost my wife of 49 years awhile before. The church that I pastor was having a car show as a community outreach on this particular Sunday. The day had started out rather weird. Several people seemed to be inordinately interested in my movements and where I was going to be as we set up the show.
“Oh, Ross, you need to go into the church, someone is looking for you.” Or, “Hey Ross, would you run get this for us across town?” Yeah, weird things. But I obliged and made myself scarce for the time leading up to the church service before the car show officially started.
So, we do the obligatory service; it ends, and my new wife and I start walking through the grassy field looking at the custom and restored vehicles that had come to the show. I, as is my style, was meandering along the cars talking to people I knew and folks with their fancy cars. Athena, my wife, seemed to be hurrying me along which was not like her at all. And, which was like me, I was just strolling along enjoying the cars.
Then, down the row a few cars, I spot the open hood of a 1961 Chev pickup. That year had a very distinct hood which was used only one year. “Oh, look at that. I had a truck like that years ago. Wow, and look at that, it’s yellow. Isn’t that gorgeous.” Funny, I failed to see the horde of people and cameras set up in front of that vehicle, all looking towards me.
Anyway, I hurriedly moved towards it and recognized it as a limited addition of that year’s Chevy truck. I said, “Hey look at that. It’s the same model that I had. That’s not your normal ’61.” I wondered if someone had restored my old truck.
I must give a bit of back story on my old truck. It had been purchased new in Los Gatos, California by my dad. He had needed someone to drive it home so he pulled my out of school to do that. I was 14. My father was not a stickler for legal technicalities. So I was the first to drive his new truck. It was new, but it was ugly. It was painted an ugly shade of puce. I mean it was really an awful color. My mother called it “Rosebud” because it reminded her of some kind of flower.
In 1975 my dad gave me the truck because he had no further use for it. So I drove it until about 1988 when it was totally worn out. So I sold Rosebud to a friend named Randy who had plans to restore it eventually. I sold it with the understanding that if he should he ever sell it, I’d get first right of refusal.
Fast forward Twenty-five years. A bunch of guys were sitting around a campfire talking and Randy announces that he’s moving to another state and getting rid of everything he owns.
“What about my truck? Are you taking it with you?” “Oh,” he said, “I gave that truck away a while back.” Those who were there said I looked disappointed, or something. I don’t remember feeling that, but it was said.
Now, back to the story. I was looking at this beautiful truck, wondering if it was the same truck, when I saw Randy on the other side of it. “Randy, you son of a gun, you restored my truck.” He said, “It’s your truck.” “Yes, I can see that. You’ve done a beautiful job with her. But why didn’t you tell me?” He said once more with strong emphasis, “It is your truck.” “Are we playing games?” I wondered out loud. And, to make it more cruel, someone had entered the truck in the show under my name. That wasn’t nice.
I was not very situationally aware at that moment. I didn’t see all the cameras and people that were focused on me. People were laughing and cheering. I didn’t notice. I was focused on the pickup that had been my dad’s. It took them four or five time to finally get across to me that this beautiful bright yellow, completely restored truck was a gift from the men of the church to me. Randy had given it to the men’s ministry of The Summit with the request that they make it new for me as a gift for nearly 30 years of ministry to the church. Dozens of men had spent 18 months completely disassembling and rebuilding it from the ground up. It now had a fresh corvette motor, disc brakes, power steering, and a custom paint job. I had been Overhauled. Not by Chip Fouse, but by a group of men, and boys, who cared enough for me to invest months of blood sweat and tears. Not to mention the thousands of dollars it took. I wept. I still weep when I think about it.
One final part of the story that needs telling. I remarried after Cathy died, as her instructions (another story). I guess I didn’t wait long enough for some people, or something. People, about 100 people, abandoned me and left the church. They might not call it abandonment, but I do. I asked some of the more prominent people, “Is there a sin issue here?” “No,” They said, “We just don’t think it’s good for the church for you to remarry.” As you might imagine, it was an extremely painful time for this 67-year-old guy. I had found another person to finish off my life with, which I didn’t think possible, and some people considered it wrong for me to do. They didn’t consider my feelings, and needs, only thinking of theirs. Or so it seemed.
But all the while this tragedy was taking place, a whole bunch of good and committed friends, were investing their time and efforts, in secret, to rebuild my dad’s old Chevy truck. All the time I was in such pain, these good men were giving up evenings and weekends to do this wonderful thing for me. Isn’t that like God? Sometimes while we are in the dregs of misery, He is working, unseen, to bless us, to encourage us, and to show His love for us.
Blog Stops
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 11
Vicky Sluiter, November 12
Artistic Nobody, November 13 (Author Interview)
Just the Write Escape, November 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 15
A Baker’s Perspective, November 16 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, November 17
janicesbookreviews, November 18
Christian Bookshelf Reviews, November 19 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain, November 20
Inklings and notions, November 21
My Devotional Thoughts, November 22 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, November 23 (Guest Review from James Barela)
Lukewarm Tea, November 24 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, Ross if giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of his book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/f0bb/are-you-in-the-game-or-in-the-way-celebration-tour-giveaway
From the testimony viewed over 100 million times on the internet:
Alyssa Galios is a writer, speaker, social media influencer, and coach. Founder of the #MadeforBrave movement and CEO of the Made for Brave Company, Alyssa is known for helping countless people create better lives through faith, family, and fitness. Her life story has been featured on sites like Yahoo News, Christian Post, Fox News, HuffPost, and Viralized. Alyssa and her husband Jay run their business out of their home north of Seattle, where they happily raise their daughters. For more information, visit alyssagalios.com.
Brought to the palace as a newborn, the royal life bestowed upon Mackenna Sparrow was never meant to last forever. With Princess Alina engaged to be married, Mackenna’s presence as companion is no longer required and, like it or not, she must return to the birthright which should have been hers – that of a commoner. But not everyone at the palace wants her gone. When the truths she’s based her life on start crumbling as fast as her future, will she find the courage to trust, both herself and the prince she’s fallen in love with?
Aussie author, Hannah Currie, loves God, family, people (in small numbers, let’s not go crazy here!) and writing. She and her husband live with their three adorable kids in sunny Queensland, where it really is beautiful one day and perfect the next. Except, maybe, during heatwaves. They’re not so fun. She loves to connect with readers at www.hannahcurrie.com.
Sleep often eludes. We try this and we try that. Still, the night gives a wake up call we’d rather not answer. “Having Tried Everything” is the story of a terminally lonely insomniac who does answer. Stepping from the rut of routines and rituals, moving from the known to the unknown, she discovers not only mercy and abundance but who she is and the travesty and redemption of what it means to be human. “Having Tried Everything” is at once actual, metaphorical, providential and inexplicably true. The “YOU” in the story is both the reader and the writer. The very act of embracing this narrative provides the first step toward the wonderland of connection, acceptance and gratitude. Where words abbreviate the astonishment of God’s signature on creature and creatures, the illustrations enhance and annotate. Suitable for all dreamers and courageous pragmatists.
The String Theory Beginning With Me is an illustrated prose poem tracing the journey to freedom from an internal landscape of chaos and fear. Using specific images from the natural world, this story condenses and simplifies a very slow, methodical transformation indicative of those who consistently seek the larger experience of living both in and beyond the here and now. Because of its metaphorical language and its delicate presentation, The String Theory Beginning with Me, has a universal appeal and is an ideal gift for both contemplatives and the spirited.
While I was still feeble in my selfness and narrow in my horizons, I became a collector of words. Words often come and go all on their own. I do my best to arrange them in beautiful order. This particular arrangement is called Having Tried Everything: An exploration of redemption, hope and possibility through the eyes of a terminally lonely insomniac. It is at once actual, metaphorical, providential and inexplicable. The “YOU” in the story is both the reader and myself as the writer/artist. Thank You for stepping into this with me. The weight of this truth is surprisingly heavy and less accessible than I would like it to be. Divine Love and His intervention is the hope I often forget to cling. The Lie: You are alone and will end alone, has subtly confused me without my knowledge or consent for a very long time. My ability to escape its debilitating effects is in direct proportion to name it as a lie. The miracle of being designed for relationship with the living God despite my frailties continues to astound me. My value as a human being is not predicated on my good behaviors or bright countenance, but rather by God’s compassion and mercy. The unshakeable truth of my wealth given freely to me by nature of my design and God’s generosity is not mine alone. Thus, the You in the story is ours together. God bless you as you consider with me the miracle of God’s unmerited favor towards us based on nothing we’ve worked for or earned.
A lost letter, a new love, and old secrets beckon this summer at the Bluebell Inn.
Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest. To learn more about Denise, visit her website DeniseHunterBooks.com; Facebook: AuthorDeniseHunter; Twitter: @DeniseAHunter; Instagram: deniseahunter.