The Weak Church - by Peter Ahn (Paperback)

About the Book

Flips the script: Shows how congregations fixated on strength and toxic masculinity inadvertently exclude not only their own members but also those outside their walls. Pastor Peter Ahn offers an alternative path: acknowledging vulnerability and weakness, infusing every facet of ministry with a transformative spirit of God.

Book Synopsis

Within the heart of the modern church, a quiet crisis brews: the steady decline in church attendance-a trend acutely visible among the Gen Z cohort, who holds a deep-seated yearning for authentic connection and an aspiration to thrive within a transparent community. Enter the world of The Weak Church-a groundbreaking narrative that shuns the conventional pursuit of mega-sized congregations and toxic masculinity, inviting instead a resurgence of vibrant, genuine communities through a ministry philosophy of weakness. The essence of this book reaches far beyond the realm of numerical growth. It is grounded by a singular objective-to unravel the threads connecting our culture's obsession with strength, while arming church leaders with a radical philosophy of weakness. This philosophy holds the profound potential to redefine every facet of the church. As the pages unfold, you'll encounter the resounding proclamation, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9), echoing through the corridors of transformation.

Review Quotes

"In the eyes of the world, the current iteration of the American Church performs a dysfunctional version of the gospel of Jesus Christ that is rooted in a twisted narrative of power and privilege. Peter Ahn offers a prophetic and clarion call for the emergence of The Weak Church, which counters the false narratives of a false gospel and embraces the call for the full expression of the authentic gospel. May the church heed this call." --Soong-Chan Rah, Robert B. Munger Professor of Evangelism and Church Renewal, Fuller Theological Seminary

"Peter is an innovative leader and a great thinker. The Christian church in America has been in decline for several decades. He goes after the root causes and some great solutions to restore the church in America to health and strength." --Ray Johnston, Senior Pastor of Bayside Church, President of Thriving Church International

"The Weak Church is a timely word for Christ-followers in a world where power is glorified and self-reliance is celebrated as strength. Within these pages, you'll find a compelling invitation to shed our obsession with strength and to embrace our own brokenness-so that we might experience a ministry rooted not in ourselves, but in God's transformative power." --Tammy Swanson-Draheim, President of the Evangelical Covenant Church

"Peter boldly challenges the illusion of success built on hype and numbers, reminding us that true strength is found in humility, justice, compassion, and love for the outsider. What makes this book powerful is Peter's lived experience-he doesn't just preach it, he lives it." --Dave Gibbons, author of The Shape of My Eyes, Founder of NEWSONG.COM

"In Weak Church, Peter Ahn confronts the human desire to lead with impressive strategy and up and to the right goals. It's a refreshing and challenging invitation to the church to reflect on what we care about and how we need to live and lead in order to reflect those values. Truthfully, I'm grateful for this book even though it made me bristle at times forcing the question: if he's right, and I think he is, am I willing to follow this wisdom? It's not fashionable to admit vulnerability, weakness, and dependence on God and others but it is exactly what our world and emerging generations need in this moment." --Tim Meier, Vice President at The Christian and Missionary Alliance

"The Weak Church is one of the most courageous and soul-stirring books on church leadership I have encountered in years. Dr. Peter Ahn calls us into a vision of the Church that does not cover its scars but cherishes them as sacred testimonies. Through rich theology, lived experience, moving stories, and tender pastoral insight, he challenges the exhausting culture of perfectionism and performance that has wearied so many leaders. More than merely challenging, he offers a hopeful, liberating vision for a future Church rooted in authenticity, resilience, and grace. Every pastor, every leadership team-every weary soul called to serve-needs to encounter the healing vision found in these pages." --Rev. Dr. Alex Gee, Sr. Pastor of Fountain of Life Church

"Jesus led through weakness and whispered to Paul, 'My power is made perfect through weakness.' Yet, as his under-shepherds, we all too often sacrifice all on the altar of strength, performance, and success. Peter Ahn, a brother I both love and respect, invites us to courageously embrace a pathway of surrendered vulnerability that not only invites our Christ to pour his power through us-but also invites wounded sons and daughters of God . . . to come home. I only wish I had The Weak Church 40 years ago!!" --J. Kevin Butcher, Founder CEO of Rooted Pastors and author of Free: Rescued from Shame Based Religion, Released into the Life-Giving Love of Jesus

"True strength is found in weakness. Peter Ahn makes a powerful case for how it is in our weakness that we are made strong-and made strong because we create space for the Holy Spirit to move and create space for bonds of fellowship to form. Ahn models and maps out the power of a weak church, a church that makes room for God's strength to surface and shine. Ahn draws from his own experiences and the experiences of Metro Community Church to show that these aren't mere platitudes, but truly possible-and in so doing, allows God to be glorified in our vulnerability, humility, and authenticity. If you've ever wondered what Paul meant when he said, 'When I am weak, I am strong, ' The Weak Church paints a profound picture and provides practical steps towards it." --Rev. Raymond Chang, President of Asian American Christian Collaborative

"As the strength of a chain is measured by its weakest link, the strength of a person or community is also measured by how it engages its weakness. The Weak Church critiques the hubris of modern church life, challenging its basis in performative boasting, rather than in demonstrating the power of God that transforms weakness into humble strength." --Howard K. Burgoyne, East Coast Superintendent of the Evangelical Covenant Church

About the Author

Peter Ahn is the founder and lead pastor of Metro Community Church in Englewood, NJ. Metro's philosophy centers around the concept of embracing weakness, through which Peter mentors staff, pastors, and church leaders in adopting this approach. Peter is also the co-host of Weak Pastor, a podcast that challenges conventional leadership by exploring the power of humility and vulnerability in the Christian faith. He resides in New Jersey with his wife, Jenny, and their three children Christina, Kayla, and Christian.