Losing Your Religion

Moving from Superficial Routine to Authentic Faith

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About

Many Christians feel as if something is missing in their relationship with God. They long to find an in-depth, authentic relationship with God. Instead, many believers find themselves living out a results-oriented "behavior management system" of spiritual growth. Unfortunately, rather than leading to an intimate relationship with God, this behavior-based system does just the opposite. It produces an unsatisfying life full of inner turmoil and doubt as Christians wonder whether or not they will ever experience the deeply satisfying life Jesus promised. Chuck Bomar calls this the "elephant in the room" that nobody seems to talk about but everyone struggles with. As the pastor of a church embraced by millennials and young families, and a long-time leader of seminars that help pastors reach this "lost" generation, Chuck is uniquely qualified to write this book.

Endorsements

"If you have ever dug through trash to find beauty, then you'll understand what Chuck Bomar is doing in Losing Your Religion. Dig with him through the trash of your pharisaism and you will experience the pain of discovering how much religion runs your life. Keep digging and you will experience the joyous freedom of becoming who God has already made us to be."

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant stuff. The phrase 'paradigm-shift' comes to mind. In Losing Your Religion, Bomar offers us an exit ramp from the tired, worn out, inauthentic, anticreative freeway of religion. But he doesn't stop here. He pushes and pulls us back to the way of Jesus - the life-giving, healing, kingdom way of life that we're all craving. It's not always an easy road,  but Bomar's voice is there to guide us one paragraph at a time."
- John Mark Comer, author of Loveology; Pastor for Teaching & Vision, Solid Rock Church, Bridgetown: a Jesus Church, Portland, OR

A convicting book full of invitation, Chuck is writing about what he has personally been living and helps us trade in our religion for the genuine article of life changing faith that God has created for us to live in, with and by.
- Rick McKinley, Lead Pastor, Imago Dei Commmunity Portland Oregon, Author of This Beautiful Mess

Chuck Bomar gives practical guidance on how to make sure we have not subtly missed the joy and vibrant life of what it means to follow Jesus.  If anyone wonders if they might be following Christianity but not following Christ, this book can change everything for you.
- Dan Kimball, Teaching Pastor, Vintage Faith Church, Santa Cruz, CA; author of They Like Jesus But Not The Church

This book grabbed me by the chin and made me look deep into its eyes as if Jesus were trying to get my attention.  It worked.  From beginning to end, Losing Your Religion made me desire again a real, honest relationship with Christ - for me, my kids, and my church!  It provides a bold and practical roadmap for deconstructing faith grown old and rebuilding it into a thing of freedom and beauty. I'll come back to the biblical truths here over and over again.
- Ron Merrell, Teaching Pastor, Heights Church, Prescott, AZ

Gerry Breshears, professor of theology, Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon

"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant stuff. The phrase 'paradigm-shift' comes to mind. In Losing Your Religion, Bomar offers us an exit ramp from the tired, worn out, inauthentic, anticreative freeway of religion. But he doesn't stop here. He pushes and pulls us back to the way of Jesus--the life-giving, healing, kingdom way of life that we're all craving. It's not always an easy road, but Bomar's voice is there to guide us one paragraph at a time."

John Mark Comer, author, Loveology; pastor for teaching and vision, Solid Rock Church, Bridgetown: a Jesus Church, Portland, Oregon

"A convicting book full of invitation, Chuck is writing about what he has personally been living and helps us trade in our religion for the genuine article of life-changing faith that God has created for us to live in, with, and by."

Chuck Bomar gives practical guidance on how to make sure we have not subtly missed the joy and vibrant life of what it means to follow Jesus.  If anyone wonders if they might be following Christianity but not following Christ, this book can change everything for you.
- Dan Kimball, Teaching Pastor, Vintage Faith Church, Santa Cruz, CA; author of They Like Jesus But Not The Church

This book grabbed me by the chin and made me look deep into its eyes as if Jesus were trying to get my attention.  It worked.  From beginning to end, Losing Your Religion made me desire again a real, honest relationship with Christ - for me, my kids, and my church!  It provides a bold and practical roadmap for deconstructing faith grown old and rebuilding it into a thing of freedom and beauty. I'll come back to the biblical truths here over and over again.
- Ron Merrell, Teaching Pastor, Heights Church, Prescott, AZ

Rick McKinley, lead pastor, Imago Dei Commmunity, Portland, Oregon; author, This Beautiful Mess

"Chuck Bomar gives practical guidance on how to make sure we have not subtly missed the joy and vibrant life of what it means to follow Jesus. If anyone wonders if they might be following Christianity but not following Christ, this book can change everything for you."

Dan Kimball, teaching pastor, Vintage Faith Church, Santa Cruz, CA; author, They Like Jesus But Not The Church

"This book grabbed me by the chin and made me look deep into its eyes as if Jesus were trying to get my attention. It worked. From beginning to end, Losing Your Religion made me desire again a real, honest relationship with Christ--for me, my kids, and my church!  It provides a bold and practical roadmap for deconstructing faith grown old and rebuilding it into a thing of freedom and beauty. I'll come back to the biblical truths here over and over again."

Ron Merrell, teaching pastor, Heights Church, Prescott, Arizona

The Author

  1. Chuck Bomar

    Chuck Bomar

    Chuck Bomar is the pastor of Colossae Church in Portland, Oregon, and he is the founder of iampeople (www.iampeople.org) and CollegeLeader. He is the author of over a dozen resources and six books, including Better Off Without Jesus. Chuck and his wife,...

    Continue reading about Chuck Bomar

Reviews

"As a pastor and church planter, Bomar (Better Off Without Jesus) digs deep into the contemporary Christian church and modern culture to discover meaning in the spiritual experience. He established a church in Portland from the ground up, and has a 'mustard seed' view of religion that emphasizes starting small. He urges Christians to build relationships in the world that go beyond behaving like a stereotypical 'good Christian' and instead practice that faith, hope, and love that empower everyday living. 'Freedom is always found beyond ourselves, which is the beauty of the life Jesus invites us into,' he writes. Bomar also tackles legalism, which he defines as 'upholding a strict religious code of behavior.' He wants the reader to do than memorize Scripture and attend church. . . . This book will appeal to seeker Christians in growing churches who are interested in insights from a young pastor who is developing a vibrant church."