The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher…a great read.

Three days ago I received “The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher” by Rob Stennett. I really knew nothing about the book…but the back sounded fascinating:

“Ryan Fisher is a 28-year-old real estate agent who doesn’t believe in God, but lists himself in the Christian Business Directory (along with a Jesus fish symbol) to beef up sales. He and his wife, Katherine, attend church to validate his new religious image, where he sees the possibilities of utilizing business principles to create his own megachurch. They move to Bartlesville, Okla., and create “The People’s Church” where Ryan preaches a feel-good, do-good gospel (”I’m not encumbered by things like the Bible and Jesus”). As church numbers swell, Oprah calls, local pastors are on the warpath, a religious fanatic plots Ryan’s assassination, and Katherine is smitten with Cowboy Jack, a karaoke singer-turned-worship leader who pens Christian lyrics to popular radio tunes. Is Ryan in over his head?”

From the first page, I was hooked. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m a 28 year old semi-part time real estate agent…maybe it’s the fact that all the images that Stennett fidels with are all too familiar to me (the Alec Baldwin styled worship leader, the professionally happy greeters, the moment where Ryan–who still doesn’t believe in Jesus but wants to be a Christian to engender more business deals ticks off his wife who calls him a phony; his response to her was priceless: “I’m a brave new kind of Christian…one who doesn’t have to believe in Jesus.”…classic). I don’t know but this book is hilarious and thought provoking.

In the end, I wish I could say that the book was just a bit of silliness…but something in me says that this book is all true…and some of it really happens too.

Check it out.