The almost true story of Ryan Fisher

A novel that defies pigeon-holing - what a pleasant surprise, especially from the usually predictable "Inspirational" publishing industry! The almost true story of Ryan Fisher is a sarcastically funny look at churches as industry. It is not a story for Inspirational readers only. In fact, some Inspirational readers will find this book upsetting.

Ryan Fisher is a run-of-the-mill real estate salesman who desperately wants to boost his career. A scan through late-night TV offerings prompts him to try marketing to Christians who, in Ryan's eyes, appear wealthy, naive, and nice - any salesman's preferred customer group. While networking his new church contacts, Ryan decides that the real power position is that of pastor so he decides to start his own church. The fact that he has not gone to seminary or even read the Bible doesn't dissuade him. Ryan doesn't even believe in God, but he wants to lead a mega-church.

If you saw the movie "Catch me if you can," you probably remember Frank Abagnale Jr. watching TV to learn what he could about the professionals he was impersonating. That would be Ryan Fisher's strategy as he works to build his empire.

Author, Rob Stennett, raises many questions about church leadership and North American consumer-Christian culture. The cynics among us will welcome the story, saying, "I knew it - they're all frauds!" Traditionalists will see it as a warning against the dangers of confusing religion with entertainment and loosing theological underpinnings in the process. I found it made me think about what we do and why we do it, and in my books, any novel that makes me think is worth reading.

The almost true story of Ryan Fisher by Rob Stennett. Published in 2008 by Zondervan. ISBN: 978-0-310-27706-4.