Book Review: Minister Rogers' Neighborhood

I jumped when Jordan Raynor offered gratis this short e-book, Minister Rogers' Neighborhood: How Fred Rogers Glorified God in His Work--and How You Can Do the Same. It is an excerpt from his upcoming book of Christian biographies called Five Mere Christians: Binge-Worthy Biographies That Show How to Glorify God in Your Work, written with Kaleigh Cox. I adored the more extensive biography, The Good Neighbor, written by Maxwell King. Mister Rogers was such a powerful example and encourager to children everywhere. He lived out his calling to the best of his ability. His voice still speaks into our current chaotic world. I often see the quote he provided after the 9/11 incident, referring to looking for "the helpers."

One thing I learned from Raynor's brief biography: Fred Rogers was uncomfortable touching his eye, so he had his ophthalmologist/assistant put his contacts in every morning and remove them in the evening. I would probably be too squeamish to wear contacts, but doubt I'd find someone willing to place them and remove them for me, ha! I think the key takeaway from this quick e-book is to find what God has placed on your heart to do and do it with all your might to the glory of the Lord. Mister Rogers didn't just work in children's educational television; he sought to speak into the lives of each viewer, whatever the Holy Spirit wanted them to hear. I loved the lesson Fred learned about how the Holy Spirit can speak into a person's life, even when that same message doesn't reach another individual. Fred said, "I've been able to recognize that the space between someone who is offering the best he can and someone who is in need is holy ground." Here's a short snippet of an interview with Dr. Lee Warren, author of Hope is the First Dose, that highlights this quote.

If you prefer sound-bite biographies or if you're looking for a more Christian spin, this book fits the bill. I, personally, preferred King's biography of Fred Rogers. But I have a master's in history, so I've never viewed biographies as a chore. Raynor's emphasis remains on doing secular work with just as much passion as ministers, missionaries, and clergy. His focus is on the theology of work. If you are working in a secular job and struggling to see how it matters for the Kingdom of God, Raynor's books target you specifically.

If you'd like to read this, click here to download your free copy or you can find it on Amazon.