Book Review: The Line and The Dot- Alternative Thoughts On Vision

We are indebted to the visionaries and pioneers of society. Daily, we live off the fruit of their labor; often unaware of backache it takes to plow new ground. In a culture that's constantly coming up with the “next best thing,” could it be we have lost importance of being visionaries in youth ministry?

In The Line and the Dot- Alternative Thoughts On Vision, Paul Clayton Gibbs, founder of the youth ministry Pais Project, speaks to anyone who has felt the stirring of a God-given dream inside of them. While there may be a star-struck view of visionaries, Gibbs is refreshingly down to earth, returning to the teachings of history’s greatest pioneer- Jesus.

Pioneers tend to be seen as radicals...they usually think of the crazy maverick extremists...however, what is truly radical about pioneers is going back to the basics. Pioneers are people who are seeking to return to origins, the original meaning, the original intention and original concept.

In a style reminiscent of Rob Bell, Gibbs writes in a way that is concise and thought-provoking, zooming in to the detail found from studying the Hebrew root of scripture, yet expanding out to see the overall picture. He tells the story of his big ideas, Pais Project, a free apprenticeship created to train students to be missionaries within schools and leaders in their churches. The story of Pais’ beginning is both exciting and stunningly honest at points, eroding the idea that being at the forefront of a movement is glamourous.

Gibbs challenges his readers to drop the facade of perfection and get real with God. He makes the profound statement that, “revelation is a conversation of awkward questions.” He addresses the idea that many leaders have a vision of vision itself, instead of a vision of God. Going through the steps that generally take place when God places a vision on your heart, the book tells of the hardship and the joy that will come in pushing through to the end.

Paul Gibbs challenges people to think outside the majority mentality and not waver from what they feel God is saying- no matter how “crazy.”

No longer can we dream dreams that are simply a cut and paste version of what is safe and familiar. Nor can we hope for that one-off event that provides us with a magic wand to life's issues. We must see vision as a certain process that goes beyond the system in which we presently live.

The Line and The Dot is a necessary read for any youth leader who has caught a glimpse of a dream from God. It's for anyone that wants to be challenged and encouraged to push through the hard times, and see God's dream come true for their ministry and their life.

To order The Line and The Dot, go to htttp:///www.paisproject.com