James Henry Rutz

Obituary Jim Rutz Memorials JIM RUTZ, age 76, well-known Colorado Springs author of The Open Church and MegaShift, went home to his Lord, Jesus Christ, on December 10th. Memorial Service is 11 AM Saturday December 20th at Cappadona Funeral Home, 1020 East Fillmore Street. JIM RUTZ, age 76, Colorado Springs Author and Ministry Leader, passed to glory on December 10, 2014. Jim was born in Aruba on September 21, 1938. He studied in California at Cal State Fullerton and UCLA, eventually earning his Masters Degree in Semantics from San Francisco State. For many years Jim worked with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. When their Campus by the Sea on Catalina Island fell into a financial pinch, Jim organized an effort that saved it. Jim then embarked on a career in sales, which included writing humorous spots for radio. He then developed his writing skills to become one of the most successful copywriters in America, writing for such notables as Boardroom Reports, Louis Rukeyser of Wall Street Week, and more. Eventually Jim began to search for better, more meaningful ways for experiencing church. Out of this passion Jim went on to write at least five books including Better than Church (1990), written with Gene Edwards, which morphed into The Open Church (1992). His later books included MegaShift (2005), and The Meaning of Life. THE OPEN CHURCH sold 230,000 copies and stirred discussion about the Church worldwide. It marked Jims effort to make the church experience more meaningful by advocating more participation during church meetings. Jim never saw the sense of members sitting passively in pews and looking at the backs of other peoples heads. He advocated a more interactive style with more Body Life between members where each could contribute as Holy Spirit might lead, and often in homes. From the interest generated by the book, Jim started Open Church Ministries and brought together a staff in Colorado Springs which published materials, promoted complementary ministries, and sponsored seminars and conferences which were held all over the United States. Jim has appeared on more than 80 TV and radio stations, including TBN, CBN (Pat Robertson on The 700 Club) and with Sid Roth: http://tinyurl.com/n84hott Jim wrote at: http://jimrutz.wordpress.com/ Jim was known for his generous giving. He gave most into Gods Kingdom purposeshe knew where to invest. He enjoyed exalting and helping others into greater ministry, which he did for many. Instead of flowers, contributions can be made to www.arsenalbooks.com to pay for more of Jims books to be given and mailed, or to request a copy of Jims books, as a gift from Jim and his family. Others have written: 'Jim was a brilliant thinkeryears ahead of his time and is even more relevant today.' 'Jim had the courage to open the door and begin to ask questions of the institutional church. He was one of the clearest voices for a more Biblical approach, and had the writing style to engage a wide and varied audience. I and many others owe much to his courage and vision.' 'One of those out-of-the-box thinkers.' More complete comments from others: Keith W. Smith Jim was brilliant thinker who had an amazing heart for God and His Church. Jim personally impacted many with his book, the Open Church and later through his ministry of the same name. Jim's material was years ahead of its time and is even more relevant today. You were a great guy, and a great friend Jim, and we will miss you. Sean Steckbeck He impacted me at the beginning to make the final decision to cut ties with the traditional church and dedicate myself to house churches in 2005. My wife met him on the set of Sid Roth also in 2005 and helped her make the decision together with me. Talked with him often and he was the first person I knew in house church. He will be missed. Dave Kahle from Michigan Jim had the courage to open the door and begin to ask questions of the institutional church. He was one of the clearest voices for a more Biblical approach, and had the writing style to engage a wide and varied audience. I, and a whole slew of people who came after him, owe much to his courage and vision. (Through Jim and Open Church Ministries Dave Kahle was inspired to write a new book on church entitled, Is the Institutional Church Really the Church, released in 2014. Jim did receive a copy just days before his passing so he got to see one more fruit from his life.) Brad R Herman Jim was a brilliant thinker who had an amazing heart for God and His Church. Jim personally impacted me first through his book, the Open Church and later through his ministry of the same name. Jim's material was years ahead of its time and is even more relevant today. You were a great guy, Jim, and we will miss you. Roger Bullard Amen! Jim's book 'Megashift' did the same for me. Only in the last few years, are we beginning to see the principles he saw happening in other nations, taking places in neighborhoods across America. I wish I could have met him. Butch Biendara I just saw your Facebook post on Jim. Thanks for keeping us informed. May we see him again doing his great connecting with the rest of us angels. Helen Peterson We met Jim in 1994 at a 'world wide' house church conference held at Lake Arrowhead. His book, The Open Church, had really encouraged us. God had not given up on His Body! Jim was amazed to learn the second half of that book had brought us to tears. Over the years we have hosted conferences, met the Dunns, the Reddicks, Dean Cozzens, Butch and Faye, and many, many more of the saints seeking whatever it is The Lord wants for them. We treasure the connections we have had with Jim and the vision he had for God's children. Had to chuckle once when traveling and sharing in India, we got to say hello and fellowship with Jim in Hyderabad! Harry Stevenson I grew up and live now in the very traditional Bible Belt South. I am learning that we who are free must sometimes labor among those who don't understand that system isn't just broken and just needs a revival. I attend a charismatic type of church with my wife who feels more comfortable there. They have made process in allowing a freedom to minister to one another in their services. I may be sitting down for now but I'm standing up in my spirit:-) John Guedry Jim was as profound an influence in my life as anyone. It was his hallmark book that the Lord used to ruin us and set us on the glorious path of the koinonia life. It was my honor to ultimately meet him and to have him introduce me to others like Donald Dunn, you, David Bradshaw, and even his brother, Bob Rutz. Of course, as koinonia would have it, those relationships have led to many layers of others. I'm sad to hear of his death, but thrilled to think of his sudden glory! The day he's longed for, the majesty he could only imagine, is now face-to-face reality! Praise the name of Jesus. I'm remembering a body life meeting we were in with Jim when Beth began to sing during a time of open sharing. He listened intently with joy and awe. When she was finished, he immediately interjected, 'That's the most beautiful and polished spontaneous song of the Lord I've ever heard. I'm amazed! How did you do that?' It was a song she already knew and had sung a number of times before, but a song he'd never heard before and so presumed to be a 'new song' from the Lord. . We all had a good chuckle, followed by a slightly embarrassed Jim graciously saying to Beth, 'Then we must admit that sometimes the prophetic song of the Lord can be one already written - that was just perfect and what we needed in this moment.' Sweet memories of one of God's more unusual, unique brothers. Edie Thomas Hugo I met Jim 48 years ago. He was continually part of my journey here. Now I will look forward to seeing him in God's presence. Link Hudson Jim's book, 'The Open Church' had an impact on me and how I understand the Bible. I had the honor of being in a discussion group with him and meeting him at a house church conference back around 2001 or 2002. I had a chance to talk with him on the phone many months ago. I wish I could have gotten to know him better. I am sorry to hear of his passing. Tim Miller A man who affected my life and will always be considered a part of who I am to this day. The ministry I have been leading has one simple statement. ~ 'Empowering Individual Believers to do Works of Faith.' Thank you Jim! Barclay Tait My heart is sad....Jim has always been a special friend to my family. Blessings to all Cornell Haan Jim is one of those out-of-the-box thinkers. He will be missed. May our Lord bless his memory. Terri White: A few decades ago, when my husband and I began to understand more about the body of Christ's fuller expression, Jim Rutz's 'Open Church' fell into our laps. It was a confirmation of what God was already revealing to us. We are grateful for his voice that nudged us along in our journey to discover truth unencumbered by religious dogma. To this day, we journey on - shedding religion and embracing truth. Jims (apparently self-written) Bio under MegaShift on Amazon: Jim Rutz is the leading U.S. spokesman for open Christianity, a startling innovation on the traditional church that is laying a whole new basis for civilization. His megashift to a new, responsible society is attracting thousands in North America who want a lot more from their faith than a warm pew, a commercial-grade sermon, Nashville-level music, and a Brownie-point religion that may or may not get you into Heaven, depending on whether God grades on a curve. Rutz's open Christianity solves the three biggest problems of the church, he says: We've gotten rid of all the expensive buildings and paid pastors. Plus, you never have to listen to another sermon. This is the next step up from Protestantism. As the author of the 1992 best-seller The Open Church (230,000 sold, counting all editions), Rutz appeared on more than 80 TV and radio stations, up to and including TBN and CBN (Pat Robertson on The 700 Club). He is chairman of Open Church Ministries and has been a full-time writer for 31 years. Sales of his newest book, MEGASHIFT: Igniting Spiritual Power, could pass half a million and create demand for well over a hundred interviews. It's a shocker. Among other things, Rutz's research has found 51 countries where God has raised people from the dead, mostly in the last 15 years (all footnoted, some with photos). These are not near-death experiences, but bona fide resurrections of corpses. Rutz (rhymes with klutz, he says) has an endless stream of astounding but documented reports of varied miracles from around the world. Your audience will be spellbound. But far more important, Rutz and his house-church friends are offering your fans a doable new 24/7 lifestyle where lives get straightened out, long-standing problems get solved, wimps turn into world-changers, and everyone experiences the strong presence of God. The miracles are being done by ordinary people worldwide, millions of them. For example, China already has over 110 million Christians who are authorized to take power roles in the church. And since 2001, Rutz has taught former Hindus across India who have now planted perhaps over 10,000 house churches. The revolution is headed this way, and he is ready to tell your audience how they can change their lives by starting or joining a family-like, interactive, highly participatory team. Services Cappadona Funeral Home 1020 E Fillmore St Colorado Springs, CO 80907