Todd and Erin Stevens. How to Pick Up a Stripper, and Other Acts of Kindness: Serving People Just as They Are. Thomas Nelson, 2014.
Todd Stevens is pastor of Friendship Community Church, which is known
for its outreach to the community. His wife Erin is founder of the
Nashville Strip Church, which brings food to employees at strip clubs
and offers to pray for them, with the permission of the strip club
owners. Todd and Erin show people the love of God, no strings attached,
and they encourage other Christians to do the same.
This is an excellent book about the importance of proactively giving
to others. Many of the stories in the book are inspiring. Some are
funny. A few are pretty ironic: some seminary students were about to
preach about the Good Samaritan, and they ignored someone on the street
who was in need! It’s easier to preach something than it is to put it
into practice!
The book also contained valuable insights about different stages of
the spiritual journey, and encouraging people to take the next step
rather than pushing them into a stage for which they are not ready.
In reading this book, I can find myself saying a lot of “Yes,
but…”s. I’d like to help, but I am too introverted and shy. I’d like
to help, but I don’t have much money for myself, let alone others. Todd
and Erin Stevens address these concerns. Whether or not you find what
they say to be adequate, they are definitely worth hearing out.
Moreover, Todd does not present himself as one who is superior to
anyone. He acknowledges his flaws, often with humor. He is a work in
progress, just like the rest of us.
Note: I received a complimentary review copy of this book (as an e-book) through the BookLook Bloggers (http://booklookbloggers.com/)
book review bloggers program. The program does not require for my
review to be positive, and my review reflects my honest reaction to the
book.