Jesus Inc. (The Divine Tragedy)

By Stephen Maddox

Book Overview

Jesus Inc. - A Divine Comedy Tragedy of Faith, Power, and the Business of Belief Behind the dazzling lights, powerful sermons, and awe-inspiring worship of Old Rugged Cross Church lies something far more complex--a system. One that lifts people up, but also lets them down. That inspires, but sometimes exploits. That seeks to serve, but struggles with its own soul. Jack thought he was answering the call to ministry. Instead, he stepped into the inner workings of a multimillion-dollar megachurch--where faith meets franchise, leadership is performance art, and success is measured in metrics. As he climbs the ranks, he experiences both the beauty and the brokenness of the modern church: the moments of genuine faith and community, alongside power struggles, financial pressures, and the fine line between vision and vanity. But when one brave voice challenges the system from the pews, everything is put to the test. More than just a church story, Jesus Inc. is a modern Divine Comedy , offering sharp wit and deep insight into the way large organizations--religious or corporate--function. Like Dante critiquing the leadership and church of his time including references of pop culture, this novel blends humor and heart to reveal both the good and challenges of the modern megachurch model. It's a must-read for anyone interested in leadership, organizational culture, and the sometimes messy, always meaningful, pursuit of faith. Prepare to laugh, cry, and rethink everything you thought you knew about church, leadership, and ambition. Whether you love the megachurch model or have been disillusioned by it, this story invites you to see both its promise and its pitfalls. Wickedly sharp, darkly funny, and painfully real, Jesus Inc. is a must-read for fans of The Righteous Gemstones , The Wolf of Wall Street , and The Handmaid's Tale . Get your copy today and step inside the machine. But be warned--you may never see leadership, success, or corporate culture the same way again. People are saying: "...this book is a poor representation of the true beauty in the US megachurch..." ~ Satan "To the US Church, where do I even begin ... this book is a good start...' ~ Apostle Paul "The things done in my name were not with my approval..." ~ Jesus Christ "There is no better practical example of my books Good to Great, How the Mighty Fall, Built to Last, and Great by Choice" ~ Jim Collins (he never said this, but if he read this book, he would ... maybe) "An unfortunate story about my wonderful son..." ~ Jack's mom JESUS INC. the screenplay received the following accolades: Semi-finalist, Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards Spring 2023 Quarterfinalist, ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship 2023 Readers of the script said: Review 1: The script's subject matter is unique and nicely specific, and the script explores the facets of its world well. It clearly shows how the takedown campaigns it presents can gradually develop and how exploitation can occur behind the scenes of an organization. The flashbacks do efficient work of showing how working at the megachurch changed each character (especially Jack), and there are nice moments of contrast here. Review 2: The world of the church staff is very well developed and imagined. This is highlighted by the fact that we're still meeting more employees and relevant characters well into the second act. The time taken to introduce everyone surrounding Jack really elevates the distinction between their voices, allowing for natural interpersonal conflict that's well-fitting of any type of workplace comedy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DXDTV44V
• ISBN13: 9798309999866
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 404 Pages
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 1.0" x 5.1"