Let the Church Say Amen

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Book Overview

Award-winning author ReShonda Tate Billingsley delivers a bold and heartwarming story of family and faith about a man who has succeeded as a reverend and failed as a father.

Reverend Simon Jackson has always felt destined to lead and he's done a good job of it, transforming his small Houston church into one of the most respected and renowned in the region. But while the good Reverend's been busy tending his flock, his family's gone astray...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743477146
• ISBN13: 9780743477147
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 277 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A page turner of continuing drama

Chruch drama and family that just don't stop. A shocking twist at the end but i knew it was going to happen when that announcement was made. I cant wait to see what happens in the 3rd book.

"DRAAAAMA"

This book is packed with drama, I'm talking about church drama, which surrounds the preachers family. There are also a lot of life lessons when it comes to raising your kids and the amount of time you spend with them. Letting you know that your kids should not come second to your job. I thought Rachel was very obsessed with Bobby, but it also had a lot to do with her father not being around much to show her how she should be loved.

No one sin is greater than the next.........................

Simon Jackson, pastor of Zion Hill located in Houston, Texas is a regal and revered man. Well that is at church at least. His home life is complicated. He can't seem to understand his oldest son, and only daughter. He's turned them over to God. His concern now is his middle child. The one he refers to as his prodigal child. His wife has been the only woman he's been with. It wasn't like he didn't have opportunities, but he honored God. He just wished that Loretta could see that there grown children needed to sink or swim. Loretta Jackson, first lady and school teacher. She's been called a many names. Mainly she was devoted to her husband and her family. Though she didn't have much to say Loretta is the glue that holds her dysfunctional family together. She didn't dare argue with Simon about the children. Instead she tries to make up for him. It is Loretta's hope that her family eventually realize that they need one another. And no matter how they may feel they are all the others have. David the oldest child had always been a problem child. Nothing major, he was a C student fun loving kid. Only problem David couldn't seem to adjust to, was not having his father's acceptance. Once he had a college scholarship and played football. Now things were so different. His family at times tried to help him. Jonathan the middle child has always done precisely what it was his father wanted. A college graduate with a Divinity degree. Jonathan is struggling with the weight of the world on his shoulders. There is no easy way for Jon to divulge his secrets to his father. Not if he wants to maintain Daddy's love. Rachel this baby girl gives new meaning to what it is to be a preacher's kid, as well as a drama filled baby mama. She doesn't have just one child out of wedlock, but two children, with two different men. Sister girl is still a partier! Yet she wonders why she can't make it to praise God on time! This is a VERY BOLD story. It promises to keep you perched on the edge of your seat trying to read what is going to happen next. I tell you at times I was like this is some crap. At other times I was laughing aloud. It's filled with a family struggling with demons and as they bond the burden appears to get lighter. Those of you who haven't opened this book from fear that it's "religion" TRUST this book has a lot to offer. God is an awesome God! AMEN... We may not understand God's motives, but He knows what's best for us!

Wow!

This was a fantastic read. It was definitely an eye opener. There were a number of scenarios that depicted life in the baptist church as I know it today. I feel that she developed the characters quite well. Also, the book flowed well. This book had everything.

Life's Lessons

Being called to preach the word of God is not something that should be taken lightly. Understanding this, Reverend Simon Jackson has devoted his life to the charge of leading the congregation of Zion Hill Baptist Church. Not only is Simon a Godly man but he is a family man also. Unfortunately because of the demands that the church has placed on him his family life has been the area of his life that has always received the proverbial short end of the stick. David, Simon's eldest son, is losing an ongoing battle with drug addiction. Ever since a knee injury prematurely brought his professional sports career to a halt he hasn't been able to get back on the right track. Jonathan, his middle child, is his pride and joy. With a new degree under his belt and an interest in the seminary, he is following in his father's footsteps. At least this is what he wants Simon to believe. His only daughter, Rachel gives a whole new meaning to Baby Momma Drama. So busy trying to ruin her son's father's life she doesn't realize that she is only hurting herself. Loretta, David's wife, is the epitome of what a First Lady should be. Faithful, loving and subservient to her husband, through the years she has sat by and watched her husband give his all to the church while her family suffered. Life has taken a major turn for Simon. Tragedy strikes him at home as well as work. Realizing that the things he has put so much into aren't garnering a return he finds solace in the one place that he never thought possible. Is it too late for Simon or will he have a chance at righting his wrongs. Let The Church Say Amen is a story of love and forgiveness. Reshonda Tate Billingsley is a mesmerizing wordsmith. Having the uncanny ability to paint a picture with the stroke of her pen, Reshonda will draw you into her story and keep you captivated. Angie

interesting family drama

In Houston, the congregation appreciates the hard work of their dynamic Reverend Simon Jackson. Since he took over Zion Hill his strong efforts has turned the small congregation into one of the most respected place of worship in the city. His faithful wife Loretta has always supported Simon in his work while raising their three children mostly by herself. However, she realizes that while Simon has done terrific work for God, he has failed his family; their three adult children have personal crisis that their father blithely ignores. Nineteen-year-old Rachel stalks her former lover, the father of her child, though he is ready to marry someone else. Twenty-seven years old bitter David is a thieving junkie with no hope for future since he had blown out his knee. Twenty-three-year-old Jonathan is the heir apparent as he has his act together, but he does not want to become his father's associate pastor. Loretta wonders how to reach Simon that his own house is in trouble when he spends every moment receiving adulations for tending to his flock. LET THE CHURCH SAY AMEN is an interesting family drama that focuses on the need to maintain a healthy balance between work, religion, and family. The fabulous Jackson Five are well drawn individualists with each having their own needs something the patriarch fails to grasp though his wife now sees the negative impact of his divine work on the three lost souls in their household. Reshonda Tate Billingsley provides a deep powerful character study with a strong message to do the Lord's work, but to remember that includes keeping one's house in order too. Harriet Klausner