Sunday Book Review #13
Church in Hard Places
Church in Hard Places
By Mez McConnell and Mike McKinley
How much do I like this book? I buy it in bulk and give it away.
Mez McConnell and Mike McKinley come from opposite backgrounds. McConnell had a hard and troubled upbringing. He was raised in an environment of drugs and crime, in a neighborhood so dangerous that he eventually ended up in prison. McKinley, by contrast, is a pastor serving in an affluent area. His ministry focuses on helping local churches plant new churches. Despite coming from such different cultures, both men agree on one vital truth: the local church is the key to reaching the lost in every community. It is God’s ordained means for proclaiming the gospel. Both men are strong family leaders who love their wives. Though they pastor churches in very different socioeconomic contexts, they share a deep passion for seeing people saved and discipled in the local church. McConnell serves among the poor, pastoring Niddrie Community Church in a government housing scheme, while McKinley pastors Sterling Park Baptist Church in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Summary
The book is divided into three distinct sections—The Gospel, The Church, and Works—and how each relates to ministry in hard places.
McConnell highlights the centrality of the gospel with this powerful statement:
“The only thing a local church has to offer to people mired in poverty is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is not a solution to poverty—at least not in the sense of solving or removing all the countless problems poor people face in this life. But the word of the gospel is God’s message to people who are trapped in the complex patterns of personal sin and the systemic challenges that make up poverty.”
Those patterns of personal sin are common to all people. The authors explain that the world comes to understand the wisdom of God through the teaching ministry of the local church. The book presents the gospel framework of God, Man, Christ, and Response. McConnell asserts that the issue is not that people don’t believe in God—it’s the kind of god they believe in that is the real problem.
After emphasizing the clarity and importance of the gospel, McConnell and McKinley guide the reader through the essential role of sound doctrine before transitioning to the section on the church. Here, they address the limitations and problems of parachurch ministries, contrasting them with the lasting impact of the local church. They stress the importance of sermon preparation, evangelism, and church discipline. Concerning the preaching of God’s Word, they write:
“The Bible is God’s appointed means for bringing spiritual life to people. From the fact that God spoke the universe into being, to His calling of Abraham, to the prophets' 'Thus says the Lord,' it is the Word of God that creates, shapes, and gives life to His people. It is no accident that Jesus comes as the Word made flesh, the final communication of God to His people (Hebrews 1:1–2).” (p. 127)
Following their explanation of the church’s role, the final section deals with the work to be done. It includes substantial instruction on the importance—and dangers—of mercy ministries. This section also underscores the importance of family unity in ministry decisions. The authors acknowledge that the work is hard and will place strain on the family, but everyone must be united in the vision for sacrificial service.
Critical Evaluation
*Church in Hard Places* is a book that edifies the body of Christ. It serves as a helpful guide for church planters and encourages healthy, gospel-centered work to flow from those efforts. Across its three sections, the reader will find solid guidance for planting churches in areas marked by poverty or marginalization. It is because of the love these two pastors have for their Savior that the reader is blessed by this labor of love.
The section on the gospel is particularly strong in explaining the importance of presenting the good news in a biblically sound and clear way. This is crucial when ministering to the poor. Many in impoverished communities have a view of God that is irrelevant, detached, or permissive—a god of their own making, not the God of the Bible. A clear understanding of who God is brings clarity to who we are and why we need Christ. McConnell explains that we must present a God who can be known, and who has been perfectly revealed to sinners in Christ.
The strongest chapters are 4 and 5, where the authors explain how harmful social work can be when it operates apart from the local church. Even more crucial is a local church that is focused on the gospel and evangelism. Too often, parachurch workers cause more harm than good in contexts they do not fully understand. Bypassing the local church leads only to destruction. The church is God’s ordained institution to carry the gospel to all people. It is the church that trains and sends laborers. When we remove the local church, we remove God’s chosen method of reaching and discipling the lost.
If we’re honest, many churches today lack both a plan and the resources to reach the poor at their doorstep—even if their hearts are in the right place. Few churches know how to effectively evangelize in poor communities, and perhaps even fewer have a plan to disciple those who might come to Christ.
The final section on works is encouraging. It reminds us that we often lean so hard into gospel proclamation that we neglect mercy ministry. Acts of mercy are important in any community—but the motivation behind them matters even more. They must be done for the glory of God. When mercy is carried out through the local church for God’s glory, it finds its proper place—strengthening believers and giving hope to the lost.
Conclusion
This book served to reinforce biblical truths about the church and its role, while also bringing conviction by exposing ministry errors. Such conviction should be welcomed. If our true desire is to glorify God, this book is a clear call to preach a clear gospel, understand the essential role of the local church, and rightly practice mercy ministries in a way that honors Christ. The book is written in an accessible and practical way. McKinley and McConnell do an excellent job encouraging churches to pursue planting in communities that are difficult due to their socioeconomic challenges.