The Connecting Church struck a chord with many pastors and significant lay champion of small groups and community. The book also gained attention with academics, sociologists, architects, and urban planners. The Connecting Life is a timely sequel. In author Randy Frazee's journey to install a more redeeming and authentic structure of community in place for the congregation he serves, her ran into one overarching obstacle--the dysfunctional family and the dysfunctional lifestyle. A common phrase among the leadership of his church is this: "It is difficult to build functional community on the foundation of dysfunctional families and dysfunctional lifestyles." The Connecting Life deals with this issue head on in a biblical and very practical way. It starts with a compelling picture of the disconnected life that most people experience today. It addresses the primary cause of our discontinuity and fragmentation, namely, the management of too many relational worlds that are disassociated with each other. It helps dispel the notion that the solution to our dilemma is more purchases, new gadgets, bigger vacations, or more relationships. There must be a radical reinventing of our lives built on a simple and profound principle that reduces stress and creates more time for deeper relationships with a few people. It is not only a nice companion to The Connecting Church, it is an absolutely essential tool for the leader to use in discipling the people he or she serves in making room for community and for life.
