Rob Ketterling. The Speed of Unity. Riverview Valley Publishing. 165 pages. ISBN 9780986332067
Reviewed by Deborah E Gordon
Short Review – 250 words
Rob Ketterling is one of the top pastors of modern times. His success with unification is demonstrated within his congregation of over ten thousand people within eight locations across Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ketterling states that Jesus warned us that “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed, a town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart (Matthew 12:25).” Ketterling honors Christ by implementing and understanding the ramifications of Galatians 3:28 and John 3:18-19. Today’s division within the church is unprecedented, and unification is essential to stop the declining numbers of Christianity.
Presented are the solid biblical doctrine of why unity is essential and proceeds with actions that church leaders and individuals can follow and understand. Although this book reads like a motivational self-help book, it merits uniting those within the Christian faith to achieve grander levels of unity. Unification is an investment, and we need to pray for each person, celebrate each person, and love each person as this is how we protect unity. We do not always have to agree with each other, but we can concentrate on the things we can agree on, our love for Christ. Ketterling does not settle for less, and he tells his readers that they should not settle as well.
This dynamic read matches the energetic personality of the author that is demonstrated through the book. The book is mainstream; however, church leaders, academics, and individuals will benefit immensely. Ketterling makes it easy to put forward the mindset and actions needed to unite.
Extended Review – 510 words
Dr. John C. Maxwell, a New York Times bestselling author and leadership expert, wrote the foreword to Ketterling’s title and stated that division is a roadblock to both success and significance. Unity is what moves us forward towards a better future (11).”
Rob Ketterling, the author of Speed of Unity, starts by providing the biblical justification of why we must unite. He points to Matthew 12:25, Romans 5:5, 8, 10, Galatians 3:28, John 3:18-19 as the groundwork for his book. Ketterling chose to start with biblical justification in the preface and penned the remaining chapters to concentrate on actions and results. Although most of his book, written in layman’s terms, is beneficial to all secular and Christian faith adherents, all Christian faith members should heed Ketterling’s words and adhere for the sake of unification.
This book contains ten chapters, and each chapter motivates the church leader and the individual to reach within to benefit from being one with each other. The author presses throughout that “unity is contagious, and it is transferable (19).” He tells us we should not settle for less and only associate ourselves with those who share our same goals to achieve greatness. Examples demonstrate how noteworthy corporations have reached high success levels based on unification and how church leaders can duplicate those actions. As the energy builds, people are excited and motivated by seeing something grow, attitudes are positive and joyous, and people are healthier, physically and mentally.
Each chapter concludes with five or six things to think about that bring enlightenment to identifying unity and disunity. Some significant examples of unity with a negative outcome demonstrate that some unity is not a good thing and that goals need to be for the betterment. The Tower of Babel, and as of late, the horrors that came from Hitler and the Nazis are negative examples of unity. Today we also see a clear division within the United States as both political parties are causing a stark division among all citizens. Having a political divide is one thing; however, that divide is prevalent within the church.
Speed of Unity reads like a motivational self-help book but with merit in uniting those within the Christian faith to achieve grander levels of unity. Ketterling tells us that it is an investment, and we need to pray for each person, celebrate each person, and love each person as this is how we protect unity. We do not always have to agree with each other, but we can concentrate on the things we can agree on, our love for Christ.
Beautiful stories of Jesus are woven throughout to remind us what Jesus would do in certain situations, and unity is not an option; it is a requirement. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them, and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me, (John 17:22-23).”