Do you long for God and faith to be real? Stop Playing Church is one pastor's cry for authentic discipleship -- to stop pretending, stop acting like "Christians act" and doing things "Christians do" and be followers of Jesus. Written for anyone looking for something more to life, or anyone who has been turned off or turned away by organized religion. This book is for Christians who are tired of just going through the motions and church leaders who desire to lead people to deeper love and commitment to Christ. It is about spiritual disciplines and discipleship that takes seriously who we are, who God is, and living in relationship with Christ. It challenges us to step out of hiding, to take off our mask, and to be who we are without shame because we are a children of God. Doug Franklin shares from his own personal experience as one who has struggled with playing church and living authentic faith as well as over 20 years of experience as a church leader to illustrate what is meant by playing church and authentic discipleship. Readers are invited to embrace the freedom of vulnerability and live lives empowered by the Holy Spirit connecting to God and others doing life together. Doug and his wife Nicole have been married over 25 years and have four children. Doug graduated from University of Central Missouri, received his MDiv from Saint Paul School of Theology, and is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. He is Lead Pastor of North Star UMC in Kansas City, MO. Doug's desire to live his faith authentically has led him to serve his community as a firefighter/EMT as well as a pastor and teacher. He's an adjunct professor at North Central Missouri College. It is from this experience and perspective that Doug writes and preaches about living authentically as a follower of Jesus.