"This stuff is pure gold It is potential dynamite to the status quo of church as we know it-exactly the church as we know it that Brenneman urges us to consider 'letting go' of in order to follow Jesus into Church as God desires it." "I had personal experience in planting the Church in absolutely virgin soil in Outer Mongolia in the early 1990s. The entire story is in my book: 'There's a Sheep in my Bathtub: Birth of a Mongolian Church Planting Movement.' Our church planting team worked very hard to leave the 'heavy package' of Westernized institutional church at home and use the New Testament as a filter for practices we introduced among the Mongolians. We were largely successful and were led by the Spirit into a number of the concepts found within Brenneman's book. I would, however, have considered 'I Am Persuaded' an absolute treasure had it been available at the time." -BRIAN HOGAN Missionary and Church Planting Coach with YWAM Author "There's a Sheep in my Bathtub" and "An A to Z of Near Death Adventures" "After the abuses of the Shepherding Movement in the 1970s, many Christian leaders flinch at the topic of authority and submission, and rightly so On the other end of the spectrum, there are leaders still writing and espousing false teachings about being 'Under Cover, ' and the concept of 'Spiritual Authority' is heralded as a hierarchical structure that God ordained. Jonathan Brenneman has added wisdom to this confused realm of pain and abuse. He clears the undergrowth of brush and chaos with his refreshing perspective in his book, 'I Am Persuaded'. As you take the time to digest this book, allow yourself to see Jesus' leadership style through new eyes." -DR. JONATHAN WELTON Best Selling Author and President of Welton Academy "Jonathan Brenneman in his 'I Am Persuaded' provokes, jabs and challenges our sacred cows of church leadership. Yet, the jabs are not hurtful because they come from Scripture. This is not a reactionary book filled with leader bashing but a graceful and excellent presentation of mostly forgotten principles concerning how Jesus and the early church taught and practiced leadership. All the key and at times controversial words are discussed: rule, obey, submission, apostles, authority, and spiritual covering. Excellent exegesis on these words is provided and is foundational to the author's conclusions. If you find yourself disagreeing, then, by all means, do a better exegesis. I think that will be difficult. Jonathan Brenneman has personally made a paradigm shift in his life and shares it with us. Will you? 'I Am Persuaded' is more than a fine Bible study, it is filled with real life stories which illustrate servant leadership. It is well written, fast paced, and provokes fresh thinking. I believe the reader and the church will be healthier when these principles are put into practice. Will you be persuaded? Will you undergo a paradigm shift? Read and find out. This is a good book and its message needs to be heard." DR. STAN NEWTON Missionary in Bulgaria Author of "Glorious Kingdom" and "Glorious Covenant"