The Irresistible Community: An Invitation to Life Together

Publisher: Donahue Bill
ISBN: 9780801017094
Type: Paperback

Build community the way Jesus did

We all want a place where our stories matter, our voices are heard, our uniqueness is celebrated, our failures are embraced, and our hopes are unleashed. That kind of deep, life-changing community is found in fellowship with Jesus and was modeled perfectly by him and the ragged bunch of disciples with whom he chose to spend his time. But how can we create it in our lives?

Using the relationship of Jesus to his disciples in the upper room, Bill Donahue presents a simple but compelling approach to community life. Using a table, a towel, and the truth, Jesus created an "irresistible community" where everyone found a place to belong, lived fully in the truth, and served others with joy. Donahue shows you just how to apply Jesus's lessons to your own community--with life-changing results.

"Bill has helped people all over the world create greater relational connectedness--and he will help you."--John Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church; author of Who Is This Man?

"Donahue brilliantly weaves the story of the Last Supper with important table manners for building genuine community. If you want to lead others beyond believing into true belonging, read The Irresistible Community."--Dave Ferguson, lead pastor of Community Christian Church; lead visionary for NewThing; author of Finding Your Way Back to God

"If you want to pursue a healthy life, pursue it in community. Regardless of where you find yourself in life, Bill's work will shape your thinking."--Steve Gladen, global small group pastor of Saddleback Church; author of Small Groups with Purpose and Leading Small Groups with Purpose

"Pull up to the table, pass the bread, and dig into the meat of what being the body of Christ is really about. You won't settle for the scraps of mediocre community ever again."--Heather Zempel, discipleship pastor of National Community Church; author of Community Is Messy


Bill Donahue is an associate professor at Trinity International University and a popular conference speaker. The author of more than a dozen books, he is former director of leadership development and group life for the Willow Creek Community Church and Association. He lives in Illinois.

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Endorsements

"I worked with Bill for many years and got to see up close his passion and expertise for helping churches roll up their sleeves and create community. He has helped people all over the world create greater relational connectedness--and he will help you."

John Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church; author of Who Is This Man?

"The Irresistible Community describes for us the kind of community we all long to be a part of and how to open it up to the rest of our world. My friend Bill Donahue brilliantly weaves the story of Jesus and his disciples at the Last Supper with important table manners for building genuine community. If you want to lead others beyond believing into true belonging, read The Irresistible Community."

Dave Ferguson, lead pastor of Community Christian Church; lead visionary for NewThing; author of Finding Your Way Back to God

"We all long for community with others. Sometimes we look for it in the right places. Sometimes we're far off base. But few of us know why we so desperately long for connection and belonging. Bill helps us see that those roots start, and find their water, in and through Jesus. As you see Jesus speaking to the disciples in the upper room, you'll hear him speaking to you too. As you hear him speaking to you, you'll hear truth, grace, and love. If you want to pursue a healthy life, pursue it in community. Regardless of where you find yourself in life, Bill's work will shape your thinking."

Steve Gladen, global small group pastor of Saddleback Church; author of Small Groups with Purpose and Leading Small Groups with Purpose

"Once again Bill Donahue brings his vast experience and extensive knowledge of relational dynamics, transformational community, and disciple-making environments to a resource that can change the way we experience church. Anyone who has met Bill knows that his passion for transformational community is irresistible, and this book will make you thirst even more for relationships that matter. Pull up to the table, pass the bread, and dig into the meat of what being the body of Christ is really about. You won't settle for the scraps of mediocre community ever again."

Heather Zempel, discipleship pastor of National Community Church; author of Community Is Messy

"Bill played a big role in helping our church build a thriving group ministry. In one of the training sessions he conducted with our leaders, he walked us through Jesus's vision for community in the upper room discourse. Our leaders caught that vision, and they in turn spread a passion within our church for authentic community comprised of 'table, towel, and truth.' Read this, and you'll find that same passion."

Dr. Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship; president of The Urban Alternative

"As much as anyone, Bill Donahue has helped equip the church to make community and small groups values that are able to be replicated anywhere. In The Irresistible Community: An Invitation to Life Together, he has served us well again. I read anything and everything I can by Bill Donahue."

Bill Willits, coauthor with Andy Stanley of Creating Community

"The term 'community' has become more of a cliché than a way of life. After reading The Irresistible Community, I believe deeply that the small group community will recapture what Christian community really is."

Rick Howerton, discipleship and small group specialist at LifeWay