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The new book by Rick Paynter

Forward by Rev Tim Costello, AO

Reimagining the role of the Church in Jesus' mission

Do you think church is dull or irrelevant?

Jesus' plan is for his church to embody God's love and hope in everyday life. More Than Just Church tells the story of how one local church reimagined itself to follow Jesus into contemporary culture and invites you on the same adventure.

"This book expresses very well the character and giftedness required for effective local church leadership."

"‘More Than Just Church’ is a compelling read and a powerful resource for every church leader and Jesus follower. It celebrates 40 years of God's unwavering faithfulness and reveals what God can do in and through us when we seek more of Him."

"This book expresses very well the character and giftedness required for effective local church leadership."

Dr. Keith Farmer, Principal Emeritus of Australian College of Ministries

"The impact of the strategies through which God did 'immeasurably more' at Gateway is astounding."

"‘More Than Just Church’ is a compelling read and a powerful resource for every church leader and Jesus follower. It celebrates 40 years of God's unwavering faithfulness and reveals what God can do in and through us when we seek more of Him."

"This book expresses very well the character and giftedness required for effective local church leadership."

Timothy O'Neill, National Leader of Exponential Australia

"‘More Than Just Church’ is a compelling read and a powerful resource for every church leader and Jesus follower. It celebrates 40 years of God's unwavering faithfulness and reveals what God can do in and through us when we seek more of Him."

"‘More Than Just Church’ is a compelling read and a powerful resource for every church leader and Jesus follower. It celebrates 40 years of God's unwavering faithfulness and reveals what God can do in and through us when we seek more of Him."

"This book challenges us that ‘Real Life’ in Christ begins now, spilling into schoolyards, job sites, footy fields, theatre stages, cafés, and the houses of power. It is a potent reminder that ‘church is not the ceiling of God’s activity, but the floor’. Highly recommended."

Coral Vass, Award Winning Australian Author

"This book challenges us that ‘Real Life’ in Christ begins now, spilling into schoolyards, job sites, footy fields, theatre stages, cafés, and the houses of power. It is a potent reminder that ‘church is not the ceiling of God’s activity, but the floor’. Highly recommended."

"Many churches today are preparing leaders for a world that no longer exists. For 40 years, Gateway Church has trained leaders to understand the world and represent Jesus to it. Rick encourages us all to imagine what God could do in us and through us if we applied His principles."

"This book challenges us that ‘Real Life’ in Christ begins now, spilling into schoolyards, job sites, footy fields, theatre stages, cafés, and the houses of power. It is a potent reminder that ‘church is not the ceiling of God’s activity, but the floor’. Highly recommended."

Annie Layton, Victorian State Director, Partners in Ministry

"Many churches today are preparing leaders for a world that no longer exists. For 40 years, Gateway Church has trained leaders to understand the world and represent Jesus to it. Rick encourages us all to imagine what God could do in us and through us if we applied His principles."

"Many churches today are preparing leaders for a world that no longer exists. For 40 years, Gateway Church has trained leaders to understand the world and represent Jesus to it. Rick encourages us all to imagine what God could do in us and through us if we applied His principles."

"Many churches today are preparing leaders for a world that no longer exists. For 40 years, Gateway Church has trained leaders to understand the world and represent Jesus to it. Rick encourages us all to imagine what God could do in us and through us if we applied His principles."

Dr Michael Grechko, Lead Pastor, CityLife Knox

Book Review

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Buy the book

Now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions

Buy here

Rick Paynter, OAM

is a pastor and social entrepreneur. He and wife, Marcy, lead Gateway Church, Melbourne. They also direct a local theatre company and an international child development agency. He loves sports, the arts and reading. A former bank manager, he is educated in economics, sociology and theology.

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