52 Churches - (Visiting Churches) Large Print by Peter DeHaan

About the Book

One couple's year visiting 52 different churches reveals the beautiful diversity and practical failures of American Christianity, offering insights to make every congregation more welcoming.

Book Synopsis

When was the last time you visited a church for the first time?

For most Christians, the answer is "not recently." We settle into our comfortable routines, worshiping with familiar faces in familiar ways. But what if you stepped outside your tradition for an entire year? What would you discover about God, his church, and yourself?

Peter DeHaan and his wife, Candy, did exactly that. For a full year, they visited a different Christian church every Sunday-from tiny rural congregations to sprawling megachurches, from centuries-old liturgies to brand-new church plants.

They sang traditional hymns with pipe organs and contemporary choruses with rock bands. They experienced stoic reverence and exuberant celebration. They encountered genuine Christian community and painful isolation-sometimes in the same morning.

With refreshing honesty and gentle humor, Peter shares their journey through America's diverse Christian landscape. Along the way, he offers invaluable insights for church leaders seeking to improve and members wanting to better welcome visitors.

Whether you're a pastor, a worship team member, a longtime churchgoer, or someone who's given up on church altogether, 52 Churches will challenge your assumptions, expand your understanding, and renew your appreciation for the beautiful, messy, magnificent body of Christ.

Get your copy of 52 Churches today!

Review Quotes

"The insights from this book are unique, engaging, and a must read for anyone involved in ministry!" -Pastor Scott

"52 Churches is an eye opening and insightful read as to how we Christians interact with and welcome visitors into our places of worship." -Teri Block

"An interesting and intriguing experiment, I'm glad Peter and his wife invited us along on their journey!" -P Robertson

"DeHaan writes for everyone whether they have a connection with a church or not. I highly recommend this book. It was great read the first time. I plan to read it again." -Justin Bessert

"Loved this book! I was pleasantly surprised with Peter DeHaan's down-to-earth, real-people look at how visitors experience church." -Amazon review

"His observations should cause us to look at how we, as a church body, behave when we think no one is looking." -Lynn McG

"Love the fact that Peter DeHaan notices everything . . . love the uptakes. Positive eye opener." -Penny Goldman