Renovate: Changing Who You Are by Loving Where You Are

Crump, lead pastor of Renovation Church in Atlanta, Ga., believes that modern "transient" society has eroded Christians' sense of place. Only by reconnecting with their communities can they "reflect the glory of God." He begins the book by explaining concepts of rejuvenation found throughout Christian scripture, unpacking the opening of Genesis and concluding with the resurrection of Jesus and his promise of earthly renewal in Revelation. Seeing many believers as distant from the problems of the world, content to concentrate inwardly, Crump advocates an active approach to God's word: "We have to be scripturally reprogrammed to see every day and every act as one that holds redemptive potential." To make his ideas more personal, Crump concentrates on Atlanta, with all of its benefits and scars, as his example of how to serve the needs of community. He details his own journey playing for the Atlanta Falcons, realizing his calling as a church planter, and bringing spiritual renovation to the city through the example of Christ. He explains that ministry requires taking ownership of both the congregation and the place of worship. For Crump, individuals can achieve a do-over no matter where they reside, no matter how many failures they have experienced, and no matter how far they've fallen. (Feb.)