Trolls & Truth: 14 Realities About Today's Church That We Don't Want to See

By Jimmy Dorrell

Trolls & Truth is the story of a local church of homeless people, college students, middle-class Christians, some poor and some rich, black, white, and brown, drunks, materialists, mentally ill, and former inmates who meet beneath the noise of 18-wheelers and rushing traffic under an interstate bridge in Waco, Texas. As they live out biblical mandates across racial and cultural barriers and institutional baggage, they remind us that the gospel cannot be shaped by socially accepted values and remain "good news."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596690100
• ISBN13: 9781596690103
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: New Hope Publishers (AL)
• Length: 215 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

It's real...

I'm not sure where I first heard about church under the bridge, but I needed to go check it out for myself. I drove down there with a friend to go to church a few months ago. I can honestly say I never thought I would drive 4 hours to go to church. If you haven't been, it's amazing and worth an even longer drive than that one. When I met Jimmy, I had no idea he was the one that started church under the bridge. He was so welcoming and not one of those "untouchable people" that you can't find or talk to. I immediately bought his book as soon as I got back from my visit. He talks a lot in here about bringing church to the people. I've seen so many models of this lately, and it works! Talk about some radical Kingdom work. Jimmy communicates some much needed change in the church world as a whole, but does it in a thought provoking way. I don't see how anyone could read this and not make some positive changes for God's Kingdom. And if you go to his church, you're going to just fall in love with Dedrick.

The Poor helping us to see the condition of the local church

Jimmy Dorrell, pastor of Church under the Bridge (CUB) and director of Mission Waco in Waco, Texas has written a very passionate book concerning ministry to poor in the big state of Texas. Over the course of 14 chapters which profile 14 different testimonies of individuals who attend (CUB), Mr. Dorrell uses their experiences to expose many of the inadequacies that have grown in the American local church. In affect he uses those we commonly don't see and their stories to help the church see itself and reform. The testimonies of individuals are emotionally moving and the critiques of many of the traditions existing in the local church today are pastorally exposed with love. The manner in which the book is written will be easy for anyone to read. The chapters while not long, provide enough substance to provoke thought and examination in many of our practices concerning the local church. Trolls and Truth will be a valuable resource for those who are deeply involved in ministering to the poor. The text provides a much needed perspective on how it is important to not only serve those who exist in a low income status because of unemployment, homeless or incarceration but involve them in the life of the church. Mr. Dorrell is very intentional in demonstrating that Christians should move beyond just meeting a need but also involve those in need as well. Trolls and Truth is also a valuable resource for pastors who are struggling to convey to their congregations the importance of ministering to the poor and reminding them that service to the poor is a Gospel imperative. "Become a New Hope Book Review Blogger. Visit [...] for more information."

joe's review

This is a really straight forward presentation of realities of today's church and the issues that we need to address to move forward in seeing real change. Even though the focus might seem to be on the poor, the truths presented here are valid in any context and every community. I wish every pastor, ministry leader, christian would read this book.

Excellent book abou problems in the church - and the plight of the homeless

This is an excellent book. Jimmy's focus on those who the church often ignores is great. It's a real eye opener to realities that we ignore on our side of the tracks. I with Jimmy would have footnoted some of the statistics that he gives.

A book that is needed and should be read by all

This book was recommended to my church's theology reading group that meets each week. While not a deeply theological book, it has a poignant practical theology that I believe churches need to be reminded of. Trolls and Truth is both an easy read and a difficult read. It is easy because I was captivated by the writing, and the simple text speaks deep truths. It is a difficult read because I saw so much of it that was true and in need of change in many churches. Dorrell speaks of several items taught in my church growth classes, such as the socio-economic barrier, and how we struggle with trying to bring different members or levels of people in society together to worship. As a pastor of a church under a highway overpass in Waco, Texas, Dorrell draws on examples from his congregation to point out basic Scriptural, but often overlooked, under-emphasized, ignored examples or teachings simply not acted upon. He points out that we should include everyone in church, teaching them what is right and not compromising the teachings of Scripture to soften the blow of Truth, while trying to regerate all types of sinners with profound love. The first half of the book is on overcoming barriers we find creeping into the church from society. The second half deals with social actions we, as Christians, should perform. These social actions are to be conducted while adhering strictly to Scripture, and should not be confused with church social actions that often accompany syncretism. The writer points to the fact that we often get so wrapped around the axel of theology regarding works and grace that we often deny our calling to works and that regeneration and works are present in those saved. We often get so wrapped around the axel of production in the service that we leave out the important aspects such as inclusion of those less fortunate. Often people know what is right, yet fail to do it- fail to help those in need- fail to include in worship those that don't meet the social standard- fail to follow the examples given in Scripture. This is not a Christian social-action text that minimizes conservative Scriptural truths while attempting to motivate. This is a superb read that I would recommend to all Christians, as it is a fresh look at the big picture of how we should act as Christians.