And the Shofar Blew

When people say they couldn't put a book down, I always wonder... It seems to be an overused cliche, but in the case of this book, it was true for me! This book is the story of a pastor and his family and what happens when he seeks glory for himself rather than drawing people to Christ.
His wife seems almost too perfect, however, putting up with SO much for SO long. As the pastor gets rid of the godly Christian people in the church and brings in his yes-men, the church drifts farther and farther from the Lord. The pastor falls deeper into sin and eventually does repent and turns his life around.
The one major failing of this book, in my opinion, is that Rivers should've spent more time on what happens after the pastor repents and tries to reconnect with his family. It seems that this part is condensed in the interest of space, perhaps. I would've liked to see more detail to this part of the book and wouldn't mind if the book were 100 pages longer to accomplish this. I'd love to see a sequel, but I doubt there will be one.
Despite this criticism, I give this book 5 stars - it is a must-read! Please check out my other reviews and God bless you!

This story is about a pastor who starts out committed wholeheartedly to serving the Lord and then is caught up taking credit and loosing sight as to the purpose he was sent out on. As I read through I was amazed at the various parts of my own personal and professional journey where I may have taken credit for things I had done and not given all the glory and honor to the one who so rightfully deserved it - Our Lord! As a wife and mother I was married to my job and my family suffered a great deal.
I laughed, cried and was amazed at how the story really grabbed me. At first I was concerned after reading a description of a Pastor and his wife. The story is done with incredible reality making you feel like you are there right along with the characters. I was held accountable personally and professionally as to my words, attitude and actions.

Like some of the readers below, I am a huge fan of Francine Rivers. This was a good book, but it lacks credibility in the final chapters. We'd like to think that Paul would turn his life around that quickly, but would it be likely? Otherwise, I loved the book. One thing that Rivers does successfully is portray Christians battling real things, real problems, and the real world. I'll always read her books, but I wished for a more believable ending.

This book is about a minister who takes a dying church and builds it up. Unfortunately, Paul, the minister, gets overly ambitious and tries to follow in the footsteps of his father. As a result, he goes about building the church up in the wrong way, by watering down the Bible and catering to the congregation and what they want to hear, instead of what they should be hearing. He hurts many people along the way, such as Samuel, Stephen, his wife, his son, and his mother, until finally, everything comes crashing down around him.
Francine Rivers does an excellent job of describing what can happen to a church and its people if the person leading is not following God. She goes into great detail describing the pain of Paul's family and friends as a result of his actions. I like how she gives the background of Paul's father and how his father has strongly influenced Paul's actions.
There were a couple of flaws in this book, however, which is the reason I can't give the book 5 stars.
First, where did Eunice grow up: Pennsylvania or Kentucky? I thought she mentioned that Eunice grew up in the hills of Kentucky, but then, later in the book, she mentioned that Eunice grew up in the hills of PA and that she even ran away there towards the end of the book. I know that Samuel and Abby lived in Kentucky, so maybe she got the 2 confused.
Also, how did Paul's father die? There wasn't a lot of explanation there, other than he died traveling to do something that he loved. I think she mentioned an accident, but that didn't come out too clearly in the book.
Like some of the reviewers here, I would have liked to have seen the book expanded another 100 pages to describe the reconciliation process between Paul and Eunice, and all the people he hurt. It seemed that it all happened too quick. It would have been interesting to see Paul and Eunice in marriage counseling, where Eunices gets right down to all the rage she's feeling, and also, for Paul to examine his relationship with his father and how it influenced his decisions.
All in all, this book was well written. I would highly recommend this, especially to all preachers, church leadership, and their families.

I thought this was a very well done book. I loved it for the story line and execution, but it also (as all her books do) made me look at my own life and how I'm guilty of so many of the things her characters do. I'm not a pastor, but you don't have to be a pastor, or in any position of power, to lose sight of the simple truth of the gospel when you start focusing on the wrong things. Riveting stuff... I couldn't put it down. Thanks, Francine... keep 'em coming!

DID anyone else "catch" the parallel between Lois, Eunice and Timothy with scripture?? FOR several chapters I could NOT understand why Miss Rivers chose the "old-fashioned" name EUNICE for such a young character...then I had an "AHA" moment as I thought of Timothy's mother and grandmother in scripture.

I enjoyed the book...it was an easy read...AND UNFORTUNATELY the book is realistic...we often ignore the older, wiser PRAYER WARRIORS in our congregation in order to usher in the "new, better and more palatable".
I too, like some other readers found myself "wanting" EUNICE to ditch Paul and run straight into the arms of Stephen...and then I had a check in my spirit... WHAT is so wrong about a wife who wants to salvage her marriage? THE fact that EUNICE stays shows TRUE strong character NOT a submissive doormat as other reviewers eluded to.In an age of rampant divorce (and I realize sometimes divorce IS necessary) I am glad Miss Rivers had EUNICE stay ...although if I were the author I would have had PAUL groveling a little more and maybe kissing her feet and buying her the Mercedes!!!!

OVERALL: A little unbelieveable in the end, a little cliche, BUT an easy, quick read with some good moral truths...

Unfortunately, this is a pretty realistic look at many of today's "seeker-friendly" mega-churches. Good reading. Captivating. Hard to put down. Francine Rivers pretty much covers it all. She doesn't miss much when it comes to analyzing what happens when a humble man of God (in this case a pastor) with a true God fearing heart let's pride enter in and take over. All serious Christians should read this book and beware of the signs. When man focuses on himself instead of on his Creator, trouble begins. The ending may be a little bit unrealistic probably but it's a good ending anyway. I suspect that in "real life" churches, more of these kinds of pastors turn out to end up more like Paul Hudson's famous preacher father, David Hudson. Their sins are covered up and they go out in a supposed "blaze of glory" with all the trimmings. I enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it to anyone who would like to get an "inside look" at the inner workings going on behind the pulpit. Scary sometimes!

This is a story line that is very true to the condition of the church today. It's time to get back to godliness. There were many times when I would have liked to smack Paul Hudson for being so horrible to his wife. And when he slapped her... well let's just say I wanted to choke him (I know, I know, not very christian). Eunice Hudson annoyed me too. She was too accomodating of her husbands temper tantrums. And Paul's father-Sheesh! What a wolf in sheeps clothing! Well, this was another fascinating story from Francine. Good job!

I loved this book. What shouted at me throughout the whole book was how a parent can wound a child by saying one thing yet communicating another message by the way they live. Actions speak louder than words. Francine Rivers carefully and skillfully develops the painful relationship between Paul's father who is a famous, charismatic and successful pastor and himself and how the things not said to him, as well as the hurtful words said by his father, wounded him and drove him to compete with and strive for his father's approval and acceptance for years. Sure Paul was a pastor and loved the Lord, but if we don't guard the painful areas of our lives and continually take them to the Lord, we will allow them to lead us to do things that are off the path from what God wants. As much as Paul hated what his dad did to him, he unknowingly did the same thing to his son...he drove him away from himself and the God he served. As in real life, God didn't let his son wander far from Him, but through prayer, the love of other Believers and circumstances, God showed him that He was real and worthy of serving.
Another truth that stood out was the power of prayer. His wife, mother and friends prayed for years as they watched him helplessly fall away from the commitment and convictions he held. Sure, people tried to tell him, but the enemy is a deceiver and liar and blinds us to the truth and some won't listen to others. Only God can turn a person back.
This book encouraged me to hold onto the truth of the Scriptures no matter what it costs.... People, today, want to hear a watered down gospel message that makes them feel comfortable. Also, I am encouraged to believe in the power of prayer to change people's lives, no matter how long it takes.

If you love the Church, prepare to squirm as you read this compelling novel. Francine Rivers paints an unforgettable portrait of a multi-generational minister's family beset by familiar conflicts and struggles-- submission vs. conviction; outward quantitative church growth vs. inward spiritual growth; problems of pride, brokenness, authenticity, substance abuse, sexual temptation and moral failure. Despite the almost unrelenting tension and conflict over growing a church, the hope comes as the underlying God-part of the story is revealed. We begin to see that He is the one who prunes and steadies, plucks out the weeds and waters the fledgling plants-- despite the best efforts of church growth gurus.
These characters are not likely to be soon forgotten, but it is the clarity of the light Francine Rivers shines on the potential pitfalls of growing a church that may be the real shofar for us. Highly recommended.