BOOK REVIEW: “Average Joe” is the same old story told well

How many versions of your favorite movie would you watch?

Three? Five? Maybe even seven?

How about 71?

Since Chapman & Hall first published “A Christmas Carol” in 1843 by English writer Charles Dickens, this story about Ebenezer Scrooge has been told in some kind of movie or television format at least 71 times. It’s an old story that people seem to never tire of, although some versions are better than others.

Troy Meeder’s new book, “Average Joe: God’s Extraordinary Calling to Ordinary Men” (published by WaterBrook Multnomah) reminds me of the constant telling of a popular story, but this time it’s the usual stuff men’s ministries are made up of, just a different version told fairly well.

Therein lies the value of “Average Joe.”

If you’ve been in — or even near — a men’s ministry, you won’t find the overall content of Meeder’s book to be anything new. From the focus of God doing extraordinary things through ordinary men, to a chapter making the classic pitch for men to be involved in a mentoring relationship, the message comprising “Average Joe” isn’t anything original or different. But the stories Meeder tells in crafting his message are new and often captivating.

From the first five chapters of the book, I thought Meeder may have been unfolding a larger, overarching message for his readers. Then chapter six happened. That chapter was an odd break from the preceding chapters inserted simply to “tip his hat” to the men who serve in a branch of our country’s military. Chapter seven was also a little odd as Meeder turned to the image of a cowboy to draw out his example for the “average Joe.”

But Meeder’s skills at story-telling, coupled with his fluid writing, brings out a strong message about friendship in chapter 10, an intensely personal story in chapter 11, and chapter 12 tells a story powerful enough to make a grown man cry.

“Average Joe” has common messages for men, being told once again here by Meeder. But the messages are well crafted, and the stories they are composed of are worth the read.

Scotty

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”