Willing to Walk on Water, by Caroline Barnett

It goes without saying that most American Christians tend to live pretty safe, risk-free lives.  In her new book Willing to Walk on Water, Caroline Barnett challenges the reader to take some risks, to be willing to step out in faith and obedience, even when it doesn't make sense.  As the wife of Matthew Barnett, pastor and founder of the Dream Center in Los Angeles, she has seen and done her share of walking on water.

Willing to Walk is strongest when Barnett tells stories of her and Matthew's experiences of stepping out on faith, but she liberally sprinkles in powerful stories from other staff members and lay people from the Dream Center, and the miracles that have been worked in their lives.  It's so encouraging to hear stories from a church and ministry that does great Jesus-centered, life-changing, practical work in people's lives.  Willing to Walk was my introduction to the Dream Center, a church that can (and has) provide inspiration and a model for churches around the world.

The Dream Center bought this huge hospital in the heart of LA for  its ministry.

Where the book fell short was in practical application.  She did not write this to be a manual for ministry, but, in my experience, stepping out on faith does not exclude careful planning and hard work.  Mrs. Barnett sometimes left me with the feeling that the ministries she started and is involved in sprung up with a little prayer.  Similarly, she sometimes alludes to the enormous financial needs of the Dream Center but gives little indication where the money comes from.  When your congregation is made up of former addicts, people living in hovels, and street people, you know the budget doesn't get a huge boost from the Sunday morning offering.  I know there has been a lot of relying on faith and miraculous provision, but surely they were getting out and raising money from donors, writing grants, sending fund-raising letters, too.  Again, her purpose in writing is more inspirational than instructional; maybe the instructional will come in another book, or in one of Matthew's books.

All criticism aside, Barnett makes us think about our faith, the way we live our lives, and the expectations and aspirations we have for our churches.  Does outreach really mean new signs in the parking lot?  Or does it mean providing health care and food to the poor around us?  And when we think, I can't really do more to reach or serve people, she and Matthew would say, Find a need and fill it.  It may seem as impossible as walking on water, but we serve a mighty God.

Learn more about the Dream Center at http://www.dreamcenter.org/

Read an interview with Caroline Barnett here.

Still interested?  Read Chapter One.

Thanks to the Tyndale Blog Network and Tyndale House Publishers for my complimentary review copy!