Saturday, October 3, 1998

People should be 'Just Like Jesus'

By LORETTA FULTON

Senior Staff Writer

The members of Max Lucado's congregation may be the only readers of religion bestsellers in the country who aren't rushing out to buy his latest book.

The reason is simple.

"Everybody who goes to worship has already heard the material," said Karen Hill, Lucado's editorial assistant.

Lucado, who holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Abilene Christian University, has made quite a name for himself since his first publication in 1985 by turning his sermons into books.

His latest collection is titled Just Like Jesus and tells readers that they "aren't stuck with today's personality."

No matter what personality flaws we may possess, we have the God-given ability to change, Lucado says.

"God will change you. And he will change you to be just like Jesus," is Lucado's promise.

Since 1985, Lucado has won several Gold Medallion Awards from the Christian Booksellers Association. In 1995, his When God Whispers Your Name was named the Christian Book of the Year by the association.

Lucado, 43, has been minister of Oak Hills Church of Christ in San Antonio since 1988, and from the beginning he has reminded his congregation that "You don't have to go out and buy these books," Hill said.

If they don't, they'll be in a minority. Lucado has more than 11 million copies of his books in print, including 7.3 million with his current publisher Word Publishing of Nashville.

Between March and April of 1997 alone, seven different Lucado titles appeared on the Christian Booksellers Association hardcover bestseller list.

Readers don't have to get too far into Lucado's books to understand their popularity. His easy, personable style and down-to-earth stories used to illustrate his points make reading his works a simple pleasure.

People who know him best say that what you see is what you get with Lucado.

"He's just a wonderful person who really lives his Christianity," Hill said.

Loyal readers frequently write him notes with messages such as "I feel like I know you -- I feel like you're my friend," Hill said.

Like many of Lucado's books, Just Like Jesus includes a study guide for each chapter. The thesis of the book is that everyone can change, and Lucado challenges such statements as "I can't help the way I react -- it's just my nature."

He asks if we would make similar statements about our bodies. Would anyone say, "It's just my nature to have a broken leg"? he wonders.

"Of course not. If our bodies malfunction, we seek help. Shouldn't we do the same with our hearts?"

In addition to his national awards, Lucado has been honored by his alma mater on several occasions. In 1987 ACU's communication department named him Alumnus of the Year and in 1991 the university gave him its Young Alumnus Award during Homecoming ceremonies.

In 1995 the university awarded Lucado its Excellence in Mass Media Ministry Award. In presenting the award, ACU President Dr. Royce Money commented that Lucado's ministry "is truly a mass ministry because of the vast number of lives God has touched through him."

With his latest book, destined to be another bestseller, those words are even more true today than three years ago.