Whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in-between, Rusty’s book will have something that speaks to your heart.
Rusty George is the Lead Pastor of RLC-Real Life Church in Valencia California. The church, founded 15 years ago, has now grown to 6000 attendees over three campuses.
Drawing on his personal experience as an introvert, husband, and father to two daughters, as well as his experience as a youth pastor and then lead pastor, he makes a case for living, worshipping, and serving in community; we cannot make it alone he teaches. In a non-threatening, easy going style, he encourages us to abandon a “selfie” existence to instead partnering with others.
Rusty outlines three major benefits of community life to -connect with God, overcome weaknesses, and leave a legacy by drawing from The Bible ,especially the books Psalms, Hebrews, James, Revelation, Rusty outlines three major benefits of community life
He explains how major Bible characters-Nehemiah, John, Esther, David, and especially Jesus-lived by these principles.
Rusty admits his mistakes trying to do life apart from community and shares the times where his attempts to overcome his introversion were successful.
“In every instance where I wanted to run from, I decided to run toward community. “
Throughout the book he sprinkles quotes from noted Christian authors-C.S. Lewis, Eugene Peterson, Tony Campolo, Max Lucado, and Dallas Willard.
At the end of each of the twelve chapter are discussion questions suitable for a class or small group study. Notes and references for each chapter appear at the book’s end.
In Better Together, Rusty George hopes you will learn to
“Let people in on your “impossible” dream. They just might help you achieve it. “

This book was incredible. Growing up in the individualistic culture of American society, it can be easy to fight for our independence, isolate ourselves, and just not actively pursue community. In the book, George tells the story of Roseto, Pennsylvania, a small town of Italian immigrants. During a study, doctors found that the people in this town had incredibly low occurrences of heart disease. While they were researching this, they found that they also had abnormally low occurrences of ulcers, suicide, alcoholism, drug addictions, and crime. After researching every potential cause or reason behind this, they were unable to find anything that would remotely produce these links. The only outstanding thing about this town was its community. Here is what they eventually found: “These people lived in such a close-knit community with one another that their ‘togetherness’ literally overcame their poor diets and lack of exercise,” (pg. 57). If living in community can result in such positive health benefits, imagine what it can do for the rest of you.

This book addresses the attitude of “I don’t need anyone” in such a wonderful way – the author is so humble and honest, and he comes alongside of you in a ‘let’s do this together’ way instead of the ‘you need to do this’ way that so many other books do. It talks about how community is beneficial for you and your relationship with God, and how healing happens together. There was a whole chapter on perfectionism and how it relates to relationships, and I literally spent the entire chapter going, “Oh my goodness. That is me.” And I loved the last chapter on leaving a legacy, especially regarding the balance between protecting you and your family from the world and yet growing your community so that you are a blessing to the world.

Overall, this book was phenomenal. It was short, to the point, and relatable, and in my opinion would be beneficial for everyone to read.

What I got to read of this book was great, I think I need to order a copy for future reference. Learning a lot about community is very helpful in ministry, and this book was a helpful read. Rusy writes in a conversational tone that is easy to read. I am sorry I didn't get to finish the complete book.

I did not get to finish this book, but would like to. :)

I was provided a free copy of Better Together by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Better Together is such a unique book on the foundations of community and why God's design for humanity was always for us to be together. Rusty George is an introvert who is annoyed by people more than he is amazed by them. And I can relate to that kind of community engagement. Most community books are written from a cheery perspective that never engages with the fact that people are messy and hard to love.

I think that George wrestles with that perspective beautifully. We are called into community if we choose to follow Jesus and it is for our good and for our growth. But that doesn't mean it isn't complicated, messy, and sometimes hurtful. After reading this book, I think I can walk into community being a better friend. I can enter relationships with more focus not on our mess but on the perfect Father who called us into relationship to begin with.

I would suggest Better Together! Such a unique perspective on the importance of community.

Better Together Is a book of community. It is a good book for introverts - like the author - to bring you out of your shell. It helps you ID your inability to connect to others and helps you to do just that period wouldn't you like to get out of that shell and have relationships with others? GOD can help you do just that. GOD wants us all to be a community a community of his children. We are all brothers and sisters and we are all to be here for each other. Wouldn't you like to be part of that? If so, this is the book for you.

We certainly live in an era of self focus. Yet we know from Scripture that we should be connecting with others. How do we do that if we are an introvert? What if we're cautious because we've been hurt in the past?

George has written this book to help us connect better. He is an introvert himself and tells lots of good stories. The style of the book is to identify a concern about connecting with others and then offer suggestions to overcome that and form positive relationships. I could really identify with his concerns. Who hasn't been hurt by one supposed to be a good friend? Who hasn't come to the conclusion that so many others are unthinking and uncaring, or as George puts it, idiots?

George does a good job of answering all the objections. I was impressed with George using the example of Jesus. He had to deal with so many difficult people. I am to be Christlike and follow Jesus in dealing with others. Certainly I can tolerate a few objectionable traits in others to be able to connect with them and support them.

There are many good suggestions in this book. I liked the one for hospital visitation. George shares the story of being an inexperienced pastor and not knowing what to do when visiting the hospitalized. An experienced pastor suggested presence and prayer. People want to know they are not alone and that someone is praying for them.

George is really transparent in the telling of his own stories. Readers will be able to identify with his experiences, I think. Reading this book reminded me we need each other in our Christian walk and gave me good ideas on how to connect with others. There are discussion questions provided at the end of each chapter so this book could be used in a small group.

Food for thought: “There truly is happiness in being alone, but joy in being together.” (Loc 979/2307)

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.