What People Are Saying
“Equal parts theologian, pastor and historian, Jack Reese has written a personal and prophetic book, a reflection on what has happened among Churches of Christ and a description of what must be changed. I consider Jack to be a good friend, careful student, and reliable counsel. I’m thrilled to read this book and privileged to encourage you to do likewise.”
— Max Lucado
pastor and bestselling author
“It takes courage to offer a way forward, courage to name some of the failures of the past, courage to offer a diagnosis and prognosis that require actual change in lifestyle. That's what Jack Reese offers in these pages, and I pray many readers take this positive, honest, and challenging book to heart.”
— Brian D. McLaren
author of Faith after Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It“Part spiritual autobiography, part history of the Churches of Christ, and part missional epistle for a denomination that like so many others is in steep decline, At the Blue Hole is Jack Reese’s prophetic call to his people to come back to Jesus. This book should be read by anyone who longs for renewal in the church.”
— Elaine A. Heath, PhD
author of God Unbound: Wisdom from Galatians for the Anxious Church“With a humility that acknowledges the present and owns the past, Jack Reese is pointing Churches of Christ to a better future. It will require death, but it can also mean resurrection!”
— Rick Atchley
senior minister at The Hills Church, Richland Hills, Texas“In a book as wise and refreshing as it is compelling, Jack Reese grapples with the certain demise of Churches of Christ as we know them today. In this riveting account, Reese shows that the very virtues that shaped Churches of Christ might give them life again if they have the courage to claim them.”
— Richard T. Hughes, PhD
author of Myths America Lives By: White Supremacy and the Stories That Give Us Meaning“Some White ministers speak about the Black experience from a distance. Jack Reese has lived it—in the neighborhoods of South Dallas and within the church I lead. At the Blue Hole is a witness to that experience. In this moving, personal account, Jack expresses the struggle of all Christians to tell the truth about themselves, to see the pain of others, and to both receive and extend God’s extravagant outpouring of grace.”
— Dr. Kenneth R. Greene
senior pastor at Metro Christ’s Church, Dallas County, Texas“Few in the church write with such penetrating insight and courageous honesty. The lessons in this compelling book should flow far beyond Churches of Christ with an ecumenical significance that echoes the founding impulse of the Stone-Campbell movement.”
— Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson
General Secretary Emeritus, Reformed Church in America
author of Without Oars: Casting Off into a Life of Pilgrimage“By skillful narrative filled with theological insight, At the Blue Hole looks to possibilities that believers from all backgrounds would do well to consider. A masterful piece of work!”
— Rubel Shelly, PhD
recently retired as Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Bible from Lipscomb University and author of I Knew Jesus Before He Was a Christian… And I Liked Him Better Then“Jack Reese draws readers into this compelling narrative like a good mystery. Only in this case the story moves relentlessly toward the sources of new life—to the wellsprings that originally quickened Churches of Christ. In these recent years of accelerating decline, this journey is especially urgent.”
— C. Leonard Allen, PhD
dean of the College of Bible and Ministry, Lipscomb University
author of Distant Voices: Discovering a Forgotten Past for a Changing Church“Jack Reese weaves a series of engaging tales to identify resources in the Stone-Campbell story for the rebirth of dying congregations. Anyone who cares about the future of any of these churches would do well to read this book.”
— D. Newell Williams, PhD
president of Brite Divinity School
author of Barton Stone: A Spiritual Autobiography“At a time when the tectonic plates are shifting beneath us as a church and as a culture, Reese's diagnosis and prescriptions are spot on. The timing is critical. Jack is right. We are standing at a crossroads. Decisions churches make now will profoundly shape their future.”
— Monte Cox, PhD
dean at Harding University’s College of Bible and Ministry“In this eloquent account, Jack Reese weaves a tapestry of inspiring and frustrating characters, showing how Churches of Christ have been formed and how they might be formed now. Readers from all streams of the faith will find in this beautifully crafted narrative a stirring call to faithfulness.”
— Douglas A. Foster, PhD
author of A Life of Alexander Campbell“Jack Reese uses vivid historical narrative and spiritual and theological reflection to create a unique and innovative story. As an outsider to the Stone-Campbell tradition who has walked with different strains of that heritage, I believe At the Blue Hole will be of great interest to a wide readership and to scholars.”
— Patrick R. Keifert, PhD
founder and president of Church Innovations
author of We Are Here Now: A New Missional Era“At the Blue Hole will orient the reader in the valuable lessons of the history of Churches of Christ. More importantly, it will help all of us to see our present bearings in a clearer way and enable us to chart a solid future for the church.”
— Royce L. Money, PhD
chancellor of Abilene Christian University“With masterful storytelling that uniquely weaves past and present, Jack Reese implores all churches to explore the rich resources of their heritage, not just for inspiration but in the forming of their very identity. A treasure trove of resources.”
— James Gorman, PhD
professor of history, Johnson University
author of Among the Early Evangelicals: The Transatlantic Origins of the Stone-Campbell Movement“For decades I wished there was a resource I could give church leaders so they could know the grit and glory of how Churches of Christ came to be. I wanted a word about the past that could shape a preferred future. Jack Reese’s At the Blue Hole is the work I needed. If you want your church to blossom in our changing world, this is the book you and your church need.”
— Sean Palmer
teaching pastor at Ecclesia Houston
author of Unarmed Empire: In Search of Beloved Community“Writing as both minister and scholar, Jack Reese has given us an engaging and thoughtful book. Easy to read and hard to put down, this book will richly reward any reader interested in the impact of history upon current church life and practice.”
— Rick R Marrs, PhD
provost and professor of religion at Pepperdine University“With impeccable scholarship and vivid storytelling, this book is a kind of wistful love song to a heritage that the author plainly loves and a call to a future fashioned by our better angels.”
— Randy Harris
spiritual director at the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry, Abilene Christian University
author of Life Work: Confessions of an Everyday Disciple“With striking discernment, Jack Reese offers a guide both to the setbacks and successes of Churches of Christ. But there is much hope here. With great insight and extraordinary creativity, Reese reveals surprising resources and gives practical advice for the future. I was glued to every page.”
— Thomas H. Olbricht, PhD
author of Staying the Course: Fifteen Leaders Survey Their Past and Envision the Future of Churches of Christ“With his gift for creative storytelling, Jack leads us on an enlightening journey through the past history of Churches of Christ. On this road, he discovers life-giving sources of renewal and hope for the future.”
— Jerry Rushford, PhD
Director of the Churches of Christ Heritage Center at Pepperdine University“With the voice of a prophet, the mind of a historian, and the heart of a pastor, Jack Reese leads readers on a compelling journey, calling the church to face its death and seize its future. For those looking for a theologically grounded yet practical proposal to address the current brokenness in churches, this is the book to read.”
— Ken Cukrowski, PhD
dean at Abilene Christian University’s College of Biblical Studies and Graduate School of Theology“Jack Reese’s vivid storytelling coupled with candid and, at times, painful critique is refreshing and challenging, a clear and essential call to a forgotten history wherein lie the resources for renewal and a future.”
— Grady D. King
vice president of Hope Network“Because of Reese’s captivating—and at times chilling—storytelling that only comes through compassion and the fire of experience, At the Blue Hole is a must read for all those seeking a hopeful future.”
— Charles M. Rix, PhD
dean and professor of Bible and preaching at Oklahoma Christian University“With the skill of a master storyteller and the bluntness of an Old Testament prophet, Jack Reese walks with members of his own church family to the place where their story began. He shines a light on the daunting challenges facing Churches of Christ in the twenty-first century and offers a hopeful and redeeming path forward.”
— Wes Crawford, PhD
director of the Center for Restoration Studies, Abilene Christian University
author of Shattering the Illusion: How African American Churches of Christ Moved from Segregation to Independence“A masterful storyteller, Jack Reese has rendered a great blessing for his fellowship of churches as well as other faith traditions.”
— Edward J. Robinson, PhD
professor of history at Texas College
author of Hard-Fighting Soldiers: A History of African American Churches of Christ“At the Blue Hole contains rich stories and anecdotes about Churches of Christ in America. If we are silent about our story, we may well miss some of these incredible riches that could help us step into a future of hope.”
— Jim Martin
vice president and professor at the Harding School of Theology“With the touch of an artist, the ear of a poet, the mind of a professor, the heart of a pastor, and the eye of a prophet, Jack Reese provides a hopeful prescription for Churches of Christ. Anyone can benefit from his careful diagnosis and compassionate remedies.”
— Stan Reid
President emeritus of the Austin Graduate School of Theology“With a historian’s insight and a storyteller’s imagination, Jack Reese offers a marvelous invitation to consider the current decline in congregational life and an openness to see God’s desired future. Anyone who seeks renewal in Churches of Christ or any church will find resources to fuel the imaginative work needed for new beginnings.”
— Carson Reed
executive director at the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry, Abilene Christian University“There are no easy answers here. But Jack Reese wrestles with hard questions honestly, out of a lifetime of service that blends scholarship and ministry toward practical wisdom for helping churches become healthy. This is a major contribution to a community of churches in need of direction and a future.”
— Dan Bouchelle
President of Mission Resource Network“While the whole work is masterful, the ‘Reflections’ interspersed among the chapters are worth the price of this book.”
—David Allen
Minister of the Word, Northside Church of Christ, San Antonio“Jack Reese assesses both the crises and opportunities Churches of Christ now face, shared with clarity and passion—a clear and loving call for renewal.”
— John Mark Hicks, PhD
author of Anchors for the Soul: Trusting God in the Storms of Life