Convergence - by Jon Thompson (Paperback)

About the Book

Convergence by Jon Thompson is a comprehensive resource on understanding the intersection of spiritual gifts (love, word, and power), spiritual practices (or disciplines), and unusual works of the Spirit (revival) in the life of the local church.

Book Synopsis

"Jon Thompson is one of the best living thinkers on church structure for this current secular moment." --John Mark Comer, Pastor of Bridgetown Church and author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

Many Christians and ministry leaders think that much of what Jesus did on earth was because he was God. When we think this, we neglect Scripture where it tells us that Jesus, though always God, deliberately chose to limit his divine attributes and power.

Looking at Jesus's life and ministry Thompson asks, "If Jesus chose to limit his divine attributes and power, how did he do all of this?" Here Thompson finds the convergence of three things that should ultimately shape our own lives:

1. Jesus used spiritual disciplines (or practices) to walk with the Father and to develop and learn as we do.
2. Jesus used spiritual gifts (not his inherent power) to carry out his ministry while on earth.
3. Jesus used the promptings he received from the Father and the Spirit to lead his disciples into moments of revival.

In Convergence: Spiritual Gifts, Practices, and Unusual Works of the Spirit you will come to realize that Jesus as God come in flesh isn't just our Savior and our Lord; he is also our model for understanding what the normal Christian life should look like.

This comprehensive resource aims at understanding the intersection of spiritual gifts (love, word, and power), spiritual disciplines (or practices), and unusual works of the Spirit (revival) in the life of the local church.

"Convergence is a powerful book. It beautifully weaves together the gifts and the power of the Spirit and the disciplines of the Spirit in a fresh, holistic, and transformative way. I highly recommend this to you." --Jon Tyson, Senior Pastor of Church of the City, NY and author of Beautiful Resistance

"When I first heard Pastor Jon Thompson, dots began to connect in a powerful way and when we sat together later, he spoke about Jesus not just being our Saviour and Lord, but our Model. Spiritual gifts, spiritual disciplines, spiritual experiences--he gave me handles that I had been looking for. This was the word we all need right now." --Ann Voskamp, author of four New York Times best-selling books, including The Broken Way

Review Quotes

A church community's practice of the spiritual disciplines alongside an openness to and expression of the diversity of spiritual gifts provides the place of convergence for God's Spirit to bring renewal and revival in his church. This book was incredibly helpful to us as a church as we sought in particular as a community to be open to and express the diversity of gifts the Spirit has given us at Little Trinity.--The Rev. Canon Timothy Haughton, senior pastor of Little Trinity

Among the many reasons I like Jon Thompson and the ministry God has given him is that he 'walks the talk.' That is, he truly seeks to live the theology he preaches. No, really. He actually lives out what he learns as he, with his incredibly keen and quick mind, discovers what the Bible is saying about how we are to function as disciples of Jesus Christ. Affirming the full divinity of Jesus, Jon also brings us into the fuller implications of the humanity of Jesus. In his earthly life, Jesus is living the way we were supposed to live. Jesus is living the way he created us to live. Jesus calls us to exercise spiritual disciplines because that is how he in our humanity lived with his Father. Jesus bestows on us gifts of the Spirit because that is what enabled him in our humanity to minister to people. Jesus breathes on us his Holy Spirit because that is how he himself lived the kingdom life on this earth. Convergence is all about how these three--and shy; spiritual disciplines, spiritual gifts, and the presence and power of the Spirit--and shy;come together to help us thrive as authentic followers of the One True Human. Read this book and find yourself, with Jon, 'walking the talk' of being Jesus's new, Spirit empowered humanity.--Darrell Johnson, teaching fellow for Regent College, scholar in residence for The Way Church and Canadian Church Leaders Network, author of multiple books, including That You May Live and Discipleship on the Edge

Convergence is a powerful book. It beautifully weaves together the gifts and the power of the Spirit and the disciplines of the Spirit in a fresh, holistic, and transformative way. I highly recommend this to you.--Jon Tyson, senior pastor of Church in the City, author of Beautiful Resistance: The Joy of Conviction in a Culture of Compromise

Convergence is an outstanding book that all Christians should read. Learning and using spiritual gifts in the local church for the sake of the kingdom is essential. I have recommended it to colleagues, friends, and family.--Shaila Visser, national director of Alpha Canada, global senior vice--president for Alpha International

I got to know Jon while church planting in Toronto. This book reflects who he is: intensely theological, intensely Spirit-and shy;led, and intensely practical. Jon confronts us with how the Father is actually at work right now through Jesus and the Spirit. This book helps you gain direction from the Source for how to engage your post-and shy; Christian context with the mindset of doing only what the Father is doing.--Daniel Yang, senior director of global mission and church movements at World Relief

I wish I had read it years ago. This deeply helpful book moves seamlessly from theology to application for the local church. Jon's journey in these matters reflects my own, and I believe he is fairly balanced. There has been too much division around the person and work of the Holy Spirit. I hope this book will provide a roadmap for you in your personal life and ministry.--Jon Burns, president of Greater Europe Mission, founder of the "Lionsraw" movement, 2014 CNN Hero of the Year, and recipient of the British Empire Medal

I'm so thankful Jon has written this book. It's a helpful tool for anyone hungry for a more robust and experiential walk with Jesus. Bringing classical spiritual disciplines together with spiritual gifts is an obvious way forward for Jesus's church but so often leads to an undercutting of biblical grounding. Jon has worked hard to thread the needle for us here. Well worth the read.--Matt Menzel, lead pastor of Westside Church

Jon Thompson is one of the best living thinkers on church structure for this current secular moment. His book Convergence is a rally call to return to the vibrancy of a thriving, courageous, growing church!--John Mark Comer, founder of Practicing the Way, teacher in residence at Vintage Church LA, author of Practicing the Way, Live No Lies, and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

Orthodox and empowered--and shy;Convergence helps the church move from being centered on a select few 'professionals' to once again be about the whole people of God experiencing and witnessing to Christ's life in the power of the Spirit. Thompson brings together orthodox teaching on the dual nature of Christ and the work of the Spirit with present day needs in the Western church. If the theology and ideas from this book were lived into by the Western church today, the result would be a more dynamic representation of Christ in the world through a more empowered people.--Justin Lenney, spiritual formation pastor of Peace Portal Church

This book is extraordinary and outlines a way for the church to live into its fullness in the twenty-and shy;first century. I highly recommend this book to pas tors and ministry leaders, and anyone pursuing the way of Jesus today.--Drew Hyun, Executive Director of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, founder and pastor of Hope Church Midtown, founding pastor of Hope Church NYC, cofounder of New City Network, Author of Beautiful, Disappointing, Hopeful

When I first heard Pastor Jon Thompson, dots began to connect in a powerful way, and when we sat together later, he spoke about Jesus not just being our Savior and Lord, but our Model. Spiritual gifts, spiritual disciplines, spiritual experiences--and shy;he gave me handles that I had been looking for. This was the word we all need right now.--Ann Voskamp, author of four New York Times bestselling books, including The Broken Way