Lest We Drift: Five Departure Dangers from the One True Gospel

(Paperback)

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"If you are in ministry, this book is a must-read for you and your ministry teamnot just once, but once a year." Paul David Tripp

How do we keep from drifting away from what makes us who we are How do we even know we're drifting

In this provocative new book, Jared C. Wilson discusses the potentials and problems with evangelical departures from gospel-centrality. In a variety of ways, on both "the left" and "the right," Wilson outlines these threats from angles sometimes imperceptible at first glance.

As you read Lest We Drift, you will recognize the signs of drift in the faith and teaching, and learn to navigate the five particular dangers prevalent in the church today:

• victimhood mentality
• spiritual dryness
• superficial faith
• attractional pragmatism
• cultural legalism

With biblical wisdom and cultural insight, this book will help you identify these potential hazards in your own Christian life and church; becoming better alert to the need to "pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it" (Heb. 2:1).

Reviews

'As an enthusiastic participant in the gospel-centered movement and beneficiary of all Jared's books, I found this one the most direct and helpful. Jared clearly understands the dangers we face of drifting to the right or the left and calls us to the gospel, not just to a gospel-centered movement. How refreshing it is to apply the perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection of Christ to the life of the church and the church leader. What a labor of love and genuine gift this book is to the larger church!' * Clint Pressley, president of the Southern Baptist Convention and senior pastor at Hickory Grove Baptist Church *
'From the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down; Lest We Drift is a timely and prophetic call back to the real Jesus and real Christianity. In one sense, Jared Wilson's latest book is unique in that it maps the story of the 'gospel-centered' movement over the past couple of decades--celebrating its fruitfulness while critiquing key areas where some have drifted from the message that is of 'first importance' (1 Corinthians 15:3). But in another way, it is exactly what readers of Jared have come to expect of any book he writes: it is insightful, helpful, full of wit, yet most of all, unmistakably about Jesus. I needed this book, and I highly recommend it to you!' * Adam Ramsey, lead pastor at Liberti Church, Gold Coast, Australia; director for Acts 29 Asia Pacific; author of a number of books, including Faithfully Present and Truth on Fire *
'Gospel centrality in life and ministry is the Christianity of the apostles. Every generation of church leaders since New Testament times has had to fight to keep from the ever-present danger of drifting from gospel centrality into the many competing versions of the gospel that would carry us away. Lest We Drift is a timely reminder of the dangers of drifting, as well as a clear call to remain firmly anchored in the gospel of grace.' * Brian Brodersen, pastor, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California *
'In this practical book, Jared C. Wilson looks under the hood of the 'gospel-centered' movement, celebrating its successes while also reflecting honestly and soberly about how it has subtly been impacted by 'drift.' Lovers of the good news will both be reminded of the beauty of Christ and him crucified and urged to not reduce the good news to occasional cameo appearances.' * Philip Brown, pastor at Redeemer Church Tauranga and coauthor of Church and State *
'Jared C. Wilson provides a sobering and timely assessment of how Christians subtly--but significantly--move away from the gospel at a heart level. Wilson wisely avoids taking sides in the typical political or cultural battles that often distract us, instead choosing to focus on the deeper fears and desires that shape our attitudes and behaviors. With pastoral insight and a keen theological mind, Wilson guides us through these dangers, offering a diagnosis and a compelling case for returning to the beauty and sufficiency of Christ's good news. Lest We Drift is a clear and sound call to recenter our lives on the One who is our only hope--Jesus Christ.' * Dr. Doug Logan Jr., president of Grimke Seminary, coauthor of The Soul Winning Church *
'Jared Wilson understands the temptations and pressures that have shaped the evangelical church. Not only does he help us understand what's happened within modern evangelicalism; he helps us understand the ways we're prone to drift. Even better, he calls us back to the beauty and power of Jesus and his gospel. Want to understand the state of the evangelical church Read this book. Want to rivet your life and ministry on the only thing that matters Let this book lead you past the distractions to a steadfast focus on Jesus.' * Darryl Dash, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church East Toronto; author of 8 Habits for Growth *
'Jared Wilson's new book, Lest We Drift, is easily the most helpful, timely, and important book I've read this year, maybe reaching back through last year as well. Always a careful expositor of the Scriptures, Jared is equally gifted as exegeting our cultural moment. If the church is prone to wander away from the gospel--and she is--Jared has given us an updated GPS reading on the direction and destination of our dangerous drift. What's my one sentence summary of my friend's new book As soon as we start thinking of the gospel as a something instead of a Someone, it becomes a word easy to hyphenate, and Jesus becomes a Savior easy to forget.' * Scotty Smith, founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee *
'This sobering book is a much-needed reminder that 'deconstruction,' heresy, and disqualifying public sins don't ordinarily happen without warning. They typically begin with what Hebrews 2 calls 'drift.' I am grateful for Jared Wilson's experienced, wise counsel on these perplexing issues.' * Thomas S. Kidd, research professor of church history, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary *

Author Bio

Jared C. Wilson is assistant professor of pastoral ministry and author in residence at Midwestern Seminary, pastor for preaching and director of the Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church, and author of numerous books, including The Gospel-Driven Church, Gospel-Driven Ministry, and The Prodigal Church. He hosts the For the Church podcast and cohosts The Heart of Pastoring podcast.