Not Joel Osteen but Joel Klampert, music director, worship leader, marketing and design guy for St. Michael’s Charismatic Episcopal Church in Newport, RI.
Joel gives Jim and Casper go to Church just 2 stars out of 5. Here are his comments about the book
In Jim and Casper Go to church we see a Christian retired pastor and an athiest go from church to church talking about their opinions on it. This book has been getting rave reviews so I bet most of you are surprised Ive got 2 stars on it. As a matter of fact Brent sent me a message asking why. My issues with the book… First off this was suppose to be a completely unbiased approach to rating the churches and it wasn’t. The Christian waled in with his matter of fact beliefs on everything and was not very open to anything that didnt fit into his scope. The athiest wasn’t and unchurched one. He went to one churhc and said that it felt like home because he grew up in a church like that. Basically through the whole book you realize they have it in their heads what church should be like and they are weighing everything against that. Basically it came down to a few things for them. Outreach was key almost to the point that they didnt even think you needed “Church†you just needed a church body. I didn’t agree with most of the theology in the book and a few things took me aback. Casper mentions that the churches sing about the blood too much…and it is kinda freaky. Then Jim ends up agreeing with him. I think he needs to read dangerous act of worship. I was floored by this..we sing about the blood because that is what our faith is all about…We cant leave that out just to make people feel comfortable. Im not going to go into the rest of the book…I think you should read it, but understand it may tick you off.
Joel’s assumption the book was unbiased surprised me. I think someone must have misinformed him about the book because I’ve never heard Jim or Casper claim to be unbiased.
Last month, Matt and I had our first road trip since writing Jim & Casper Go to Church.
We flew into Denver Colorado at the invitation of The Refuge, a cutting-edge community of Jesus followers. They set us up with Young Life at Colorado University in Boulder on a Friday night. The room was full. Matt and I were shocked at the turn out and the energy that was in the room.
Next morning, we spoke at Pathways Church in Denver to a group of about 200 bright, young urbanites. We couldn’t figure out why they would show up on a beautiful day at 10:00 in the morning to hear from America’s spiritual odd couple, Jim and Casper.
We wrapped our tour with a tent meeting. The Refuge got bumped from their regular rental spot so they set up a few tent like structures and again it was packed and very energized. Kathy Escobar and Karl Wheeler, co-pastors of The Refuge, are outstanding leaders and a joy to be around. (more…)
My name is Bobby Triplett, I have become over the last couple of months a disciple so to speak of “Jim and Casper Go to Churchâ€. I received the book through the RELEVANT Leadership Network and to my surprise… it changed my life.
Over the past year or so, God has been changing me from the inside out… and giving me a vision and a passion to be the church. To show this 20somethings generation that they are a revolution… that God is worth trusting… and that people are worth loving.
I have been a church planter, as a worship leader/arts pastor, (www.crossingonline.org ) that grew into this mega church giant, and now God is calling me to plant again… but a new kind of church… the kind where less is really more.
Thank you for rocking my world… thank you for being honest… thank you for valuing the opinions of the people we are called to fall in love with…Matt and Jim…you two are a revolution.
I am sure you get this a lot… but if your ever in Tampa Fl… and watch to catch a game, or a great meal and have a conversation… hit me up Guys.
By Jim Henderson 
