I honestly thought this was a different book and not a book of stories. After realizing it, I thought some stories were great and some were misses, so a good average score. I would recommend it to people because the good stories really hit home. Great insights. It is not a book though about being spiritual, but not religious. ( )

Lillian Daniel’s newest book, When “Spiritual But Religious” is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church, was recently mentioned in one of Pastor Charlie’s sermons. In an age when so many people want to write off the institution of the church as being lifeless and dead, with great honesty and truth, Daniel offers an alternative, realistic, life-giving approach to the death-of-the-mainline-church crisis. Pastor of a prominent United Church of Christ congregation in the suburbs of Chicago, Daniel challenges those who contentedly and easily “search” for God outside of the church walls by insinuating that it is a lot more difficult to see God in the face of suffering and death, poverty and injustice, and fallible human beings. Daniel’s writing is both humorous and fabulous. Daniels is one of the presenters at the 2014 Wisconsin Council of Churches Washington Island Forum in late June. Her book is currently available in the Covenant Library.
- Jessica Nylund Salt

Adult ed. Nah, ......! dh

Lillian Daniel gets frustrated with those who tell 'they are spiritual and not religious' as though church-going-people don't know that you can connect with God in nature. She rightly observes that in church, people have intentionally thought about and pursued God and therefore may have a little more spiritual substance.

However this book looks at where we encounter God in the world. Her argument for 'church' or 'religion' is an arguement against hyper-individualism. If we are to grow spiritually, we need others.

The stories are funny and Daniel is a great author. This isn't a book exploring the depths of theology though. Progressives and more orthodox believers will appreciate Daniel's writing.



( )

Lillian Daniel is the senior minister of a United Church of Christ church in the Chicago area. I read this book because the minister of my church (a Unitarian Universalist church) told the congregation he was going to give a sermon based on it.

The focus of this book is the importance of religious community. Daniel has a snarky, sarcastic sense of humor but stops short of sounding self-righteous. She uses personal stories to make her points. The book is a serious of thoughtful, sometimes funny, sometimes serious vignettes. The UCC is a liberal Christian denomination, which is apparent in her writing and viewpoint. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all. ( )