The Hollywood Book Reviews commends “How? How? How?: Jesus Can We Have Your Church Fired Up?” by Arthur J. Besler

The Hollywood Book Reviews commended Arthur J. Besler, saying that “with an abundance of Biblical content, Besler’s book can be considered a reference guide, something you could turn to when trying to fire up the members of your church.”

Chances are if you have stumbled upon (or been led to) Arthur J. Besler’s book, you are somebody who cares deeply about your church. It might be that the congregation is dwindling. There may be a sense of apathy amongst the leadership team. Or, it might be that your drive and passion for God have taken a knock in recent years. All of this might be true. Or none of it! Regardless, something has pulled you to Besler’s book, and the question of the book’s title arises: Jesus, Can We Have Your Church Fired Up?

Author Arthur J. Besler was born from parents born in Russia; they came to America in 1907, got married in South Dakota, and became part of the Homestead Act, with a total of fifteen sons and daughters. 

By the time Arthur left home at the age of seventeen, the homestead cows and sheep ranch were approximately five thousand acres or more. As he was growing up, his father read the Bible almost every morning, for Jesus became very real to him; he remembered a man who looked at him: he definitely knew it was Jesus.

At nine years old, he began to experience the Holy Spirit’s presence, and then at eleven years old, Jesus filled him with His Holy Spirit—that is when he began to speak in an unknown language—and there, he has never been the same since.

As he got involved in many different and various churches, he was not satisfied, for he knew Jesus wanted us as Christians to be more intimate with the commission; for then, he did not realize of Jesus’ goal.

And as for our achievement, to reach the world with the Gospel of salvation, of having one of the fivefold ministries being involved called an evangelist. So, when he was in his thirties, he had a dream one night; a giant Bible was brought before him, and the pages flipped open to the Old Testament book, as to the Prophet Jeremiah.

Before I [Jesus] formed thee in the belly I [Jesus] knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I [Jesus] sanctified [a believer, which is consecrated to Jesus; that is, set apart to sacred duties or uses of ministry] thee, and I [Jesus] ordained thee a prophet unto the nation.

Besler tackles this question in great detail. His writing is akin to a powerful church sermon, inundated with passages from the Bible that illustrate the points he makes. At the core of his teaching is the Holy Spirit. He argues that without the Holy Spirit at the center of our lives and the life of the church, we are lukewarm.

Or, to put it another way, we are like ‘dry bones’—cut off from the power that God can give us. To bring these dry bones to life, he says, we need an infilling of the Holy Spirit to bring about a spiritual awakening that will stir us and the churches we inhabit into action.

Within the book, Besler discusses the gifts of the Holy Spirit and their importance in our Christian lives. He also talks about the importance of evangelism and how it shouldn’t be excluded in favor of meaningless church activities.

To experience revival, Besler says, we need to repent as individuals and as a church, invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, and turn our faces outward to the needs of God’s flock. We must do all of this and more if we want to fire up the church. Besler argues that if we don’t—if our church is a place “just to assemble” and that is structured around “singing a few songs, with a little prayer time: of hearing sermons from the preacher, and then of leaving,” we won’t experience the spiritual fire that can lift ourselves and our churches from slumber.

Here’s an excerpt from the review written by Hollywood Book Reviews that highlights:

“With an abundance of Biblical content, Besler’s book can be considered a reference guide, something you could turn to when trying to fire up the members of your church. He underlines and writes in bold those words that he considers of utmost importance. He has a passionate and engaging writing style, exploring the ways in which the modern church can reignite its fervor and dedication to its core mission.

So, consider the needs of your church and your own spiritual needs. If God’s power isn’t fully present, then Besler’s book can be recommended. It’s born of his own faith, his own spiritual awakening, and of the teachings that God has inspired him to deliver. Once you have understood his message, you’ll be in a much better position to improve your own walk with God and the walk your church takes with you. As a consequence, you might experience the fire that Besler raises in his book’s title. Whether you’re a pastor, a church leader, or a committed member, this book offers insights and inspiration to help you and your church thrive.”