Peter Haas - Pharisectomy: How to Joyfully Remove Your Inner Pharisee and other Religiously Transmitted Diseases

In all our efforts to live as committed believers, have we missed the very presence of God? Peter Haass pointed and poignant question is long overdue. Using crafted storytelling and quick wit, he cuts to the heart of what it truly means and looks like to live a grace-centered life. Pharisectomy offers much-needed insight for the church.

Lindy Lowry

Editor of Outreach Magazine

Its hard to see our own hypocrisy in the mirror. Peters book not only helps you identify it but eliminate it. Pharisectomy explores the American church in an intriguing, entertaining, and insightful way.

Craig Groeschel

Senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK)

and author of WEIRD: Because Normal Isnt Working

When trying to live righteously becomes a way to earn Gods acceptance instead of being a response to His love, it can do much more harm than good. The Bible tells us salvation cant be earned its a free gift. Peters life and this book are both compelling evidence of the powerful things God can do with someone who receives His free gift of grace. The book contains truths that can radically change your life!

Robert Morris

Senior pastor of Gateway Church (Southlake, TX)

Pharisectomy is one ectomy that wont leave you in pain and discomfort but in joy, hope, humor, and renewed zest for life. One word of warning: the book is not your best airplane companion. You will disturb your seatmates by the laughter, the nodding of the head and, yes, the squirmingnot to mention the puzzled interrogations about the title.

Leonard Sweet

Best-selling author, chief contributor to sermons.com, and professor

(Drew University and George Fox University)

Truth be told, we all have a Pharisee inside us that were reluctant to find. Through vulnerable stories, quick wit, bite-sized chapters, and challenging applications, Peter Haas helps usfrom seasoned Christians to new oneshop up on the operating table to have our inner Pharisee removed.

Warren Bird

Research Director for Leadership Network

and author of Multisite Roadtrip,

Viral Churches, and The Other 80%

God has given Peter Haas the ability to slap you in the face and hug you all at the same time! He is a voice of the new generation in the church world today. And he has something to say! Peters humor and ultra practical insights make this book a must read.

Matt Keller

Lead pastor of Next Level Church (Ft. Myers, FL)

and founder of Next Level Coaching (www.MyNextLevel.me)

Peter Haas doesnt try to be relevanthe just is! Refreshingly authentic, his whimsical character should not be mistaken for shallowness. Pharisectomy can help cut out the legalism and religiosity without abandoning biblical righteousness and abiding spirituality.

Rob Hoskins

President of OneHope, Inc.

Peters observations of the weird things churches do are hilarious yet painfully true. I actually found a few characters he described in my own church, and I hope they read this book too.

Craig Altman

Senior pastor of Grace Family Church (Lutz, FL)

Peter Haas is a fresh voice for the church and todays generation. I believe this book will be well received by some, a real challenge for others, and a two-by-four between the eyes for others. Read it, enjoy it, and see what God says to you while you listen to the stories Peter shares!

Rob Ketterling

Senior pastor of River Valley Church (Apple Valley, MN)

Pharisectomy is seriously funny storytelling mixed with deep biblical insights. This is a great response to a generation thats quitting on church.

Joe Champion

Lead pastor of Celebration Church (Georgetown, TX)

In a church world thats filled with cynicism and critique, Peter Haas offers a fresh way to stay connected to Gods life-giving Spirit.

Chris Hodges

Lead pastor of Church of the Highlands (Birmingham, AL)

www.InfluencesResources.com

Copyright 2012 by Peter Haas
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Published by Influence Resources
1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65802

Published in association with The Quadrivium GroupOrlando, FL
Developmental EditingBen Stroup, BenStroup.comGreenbrier, TN
Copy Editing and ProofreadingKyle Olund, KLO Publishing
Hendersonville, TN

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission of the publisher, except brief quotations used in connection with reviews in magazines or newspapers.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-93669-944-5
First printing 2012
Printed in United States of America

To my friend and mentor

Billy Hornsby (19492011)

You showed me that treating people with grace and

respect is one of the highest forms of worship.

L ET ME START BY SAYING THAT I love Peter Haas. I love his wit, I love his insight, I love his transparency. My life is better for having met him. I loved the title of this book when he first shared it with me. I had one of those Why didnt I think of that? moments.

So, why should you read it?

Have you ever run into someone who was totally cynical about church? They were fed up with the hypocrisy, the fighting, the legalism, and everything else in between. Maybe they were hurt by believers when they were young. Or maybe they tried to give church a chance at one point in their lives, only to find out that there was little love or acceptance to be found. The truth is, I think that anyone who has grown up in church can relate to those sorts of feelings. I can remember a time when I wondered if I wanted to be a part of the church any longer. I had been so turned off by fighting and ugliness that I wasnt sure it was worth it. Fortunately, God brought some good people into my life who reminded me that the church can also be a place of love and healing. Cynicism isnt just a problem for outsidersthose of us who have the most experience with church are sometimes the most cynical and bitter of all.

That is why I am excited about the book you are now reading. Peter knows all about those cynical feelings and what they can do to a person. Growing up, Peter experienced many different church denominations and styles, but came away with one basic assumption: church is a place you endure to keep God happy. Peter left the church with no intention of going back. Fortunately, God had other plans! A remarkable encounter with God in a nightclub convinced Peter to give religion (and church) a second chance, and he has never looked back. Like me, Peter is passionate to reach those who are unchurched or have left the church. Young people are leaving the church in droves, and I cannot think of a better person to bring them back than Peter.