The Decision to Change
Pam Horton
Xulon Press, 2010, 168 pp., $14.99
In The Decision to Change, Pam Horton addresses some very serious topics by presenting examples of people whom she has encountered. It was encouraging to see that people could see the mistakes in their lives and make a decision to change. However, the power of the stories could have been heightened with improved writing. The last chapter, “Thoughts to Ponder,” was 57 pages of comments from the author’s Facebook page postings. The way these thoughts were presented did not add to the theme of the book and could have been omitted. Some of them could have been intermixed with the earlier chapters to support the subject of the chapter. Chapters 1 though 11 could be used with youth groups as they have have stand-alone subjects that could serve as the basis for a lesson. However, the youth leader will need to be sure the selections are appropriate for the age of their youth and be prepared to augment the book’s material (i.e., Bible references).
–Dalen Keys
Pam Horton wrote a quick and encouraging read, The Decision to Change. The premise of this book is spot on and a needed message to adults and students. While we bear the brokenness of sin and poor choices by us and by others, where we end up is not hopeless. We have the power to change our circumstances. Combined with the grace of God and supportive community, Pam illustrates a wide verity of stories where people’s situations were redeemed. Most of the stories are too dramatic, brief snapshots of gutter to glory situations that I don’t think would be a helpful for use within student ministry. However, as someone who works with students and only gets to see the dramatic turmoil of adolescence, it was an encouragement to see how long life is and all the veriety of ways God uses to redeem people.
–Benjamin Kerns
Pam Horton’s The Decision to Change is not a book I would recommend to anyone. What looks to be a simple and encouraging read instead feels contrived and almost silly. Every story in this book feels the same: Someone has a terrible life, decided to change, then “poof”–life is better. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. At one point in the book, the author shares her story. She also shares that it was her relationship in Christ that enabled her change, but goes on to say her goal was not “to convert you or change you from what you are to anything other than what you want to be.” That’s a deal breaker for me. As a youth worker, my goal is to lead young people toward a relationship with Christ so they can be more than what they want to be and be what God wants them to be.
–Danny Cruz, Youth Coordinator, Truth Exists Youth Group, Living Waters Fellowship, Brooklyn, New York. He is a Brooklyn native with a heart for urban ministry. He lives with his wife and three daughters in the same neighborhood he not only grew up in and continues to serve.
I appreciate Pam’s encouragement and strive to help people overcome their past and present trials. The stories of redemption really show God’s hand of grace that is upon us all, and it’s this point I really wish Pam would have stressed more in her book. For me, I felt the book focused too much on “look what I can do,” rather than “look what God did/can do.” Will I use it in student ministry? Probably not. Will I pass it on to someone who might need an encouraging read? Yes.
—Shawn Harrison, Student and Family Pastor at Wayne Street UMC in Saint Marys, Ohio
###
