|
|
Winter 2009: Reading Recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
"What shall I read?"
Wondering what books would most inspire and inform you—and other leaders—as
as you enter the coming year?
Congregational Resource Guide staff ask you to consider these top pics. (Click on the title to access the publisher's website and ordering information. Or if you prefer, click on "Amazon" at the end of each annotation to order the item from Amazon.)
We at the Alban Institute and the Indianapolis Center for Congregations wish you and yours the best of the season and peace in the new year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All for God's Glory: Redeeming Church Scutwork (Book)
Louis B. Weeks, Author. Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2008.
Louis Weeks invites readers to consider the importance of administration for preaching, teaching, and pastoral care in the church. In particular, Weeks holds that excellent "scutwork" practices lead directly to pastoral care. All for God's Glory explores the complexity of church administration, the history of administration, best administrative practices, the attitudes and actions that can derail effective administration, and stories of exemplary congregations in areas where administration bears on pastoral care (such as governance, stewardship, and worship). Readers seeking fresh approaches to administrative work in their congregations, and those open to considering "scutwork" in a new perspective, will find information, insight, and helpful examples in this book.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Book, Bath, Table, and Time: Christian Worship as Source and Resource for Youth Ministry (Book)
Fred P. Edie, Author. Cleveland, OH: The Pilgrim Press, 2007.
After examining present-day challenges to Christian youth ministry (individualism, consumerism, and the love of entertainment), Fred Edie asserts that life-giving ministry for youth entails a focus on worship. Edie explores elements of liturgy: "bath (baptism), book (scriptures), table (Holy Communion or Eucharist) and the patterning of temporal rhythms in light of the triune God (Christian timekeeping)." These elements comprise the church's ordo, or order of worship. Specific chapters on each element demonstrate how responding to God's creative work in the world makes possible the renewal of "God-lifeness" as a mark of Christian discipleship. Here is an approach to youth ministry that deepens the process of spiritual formation.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Christmas in the Heart (Recording)
Bob Dylan, Performer. New York, NY: Sony, 2009.
Feeling overwhelmed with preparations for Christmas and the new year? Wanting to relax with some carols—sung by a voice from the 1960s? Especially if you're a Bob Dylan fan, you'll enjoy these old songs in a new key. The voice that once sang "Like a Rolling Stone" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'" now offers unique interpretations of such classics as "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Come All Ye Faithful." Also included are some twentieth-century ditties, such as "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Must Be Santa." But sample the songs before buying; these tunes, from this voice, aren't for everyone.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (Book)
Robert Schnase, Author. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2007.
Grounded in the view that churches are seeking practical approaches to developing Christian disciples, this book explores five significant practices that—taken together—can lead to both congregational vitality and personal spiritual growth. Beginning with radical hospitality (initially drawing people together), Robert Schnase goes on to examine passionate worship (expressing people's longing for God), intentional faith development (shaping people's spiritual maturity), risk-taking mission and service (discerning God's call to share with—and care for—others), and extravagant generosity (becoming agents of grace in the world). Separate chapters describe each practice in detail and conclude with conversation questions as well as a group activity.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully (Book)
Joan Chittister, Author. New York, NY: Blue Bridge, 2008.
The Gift of Years, from Sister Joan Chittister, explores the purpose, potential, and joys of the aging process—as well as the accompanying challenges, struggles, and problems. Chittister examines themes relevant to aging—such as regret, meaning, fulfillment, mystery, relationships, religion, limitations, forgiveness, and faith. We are reminded that there is a difference between doing and being; both are important as we grow older. And we are reminded that a gift of aging "is to become comfortable with the self we are, rather than to mourn what we are not." Those in their later years, and those who care for them, will find wisdom and comfort in these pages.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
The Help: A Novel (Book)
Kathryn Stockett, Author. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam, 2009.
This first novel from Kathryn Stockett, set in Jackson Mississippi, presents Eugenia Phelan ("Skeeter"), who has returned from college with a degree in English and determination to become a writer. It's 1962, and Skeeter focuses on the experiences of African American maids in racist southern society. We learn about Aibileen, who has raised 17 white children—as well as Minny, who has lost numerous jobs because she won't take abuse without talking back. And we learn about the white community that mistreats these women while hypocritically planning fundraisers for the "poor starving children of Africa." This page-turner has become a best seller and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
How We Decide (Book)
Jonah Lehrer, Author. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009.
In How We Decide, Jonah Lehrer applies findings from neuroscience to address two key questions: "How does the human mind make decisions? And how can we make those decisions better?" It has long been thought that decisions are made on the basis of rationality, but Lehrer explains how emotion and intuition are also important factors. In fact, trying to rely exclusively on either reason or emotion can lead to trouble when significant decisions must be made. Lehrer explores the science behind moral decision making, as well as the ways the brain functions as an inner argument. The book concludes with some guidelines for making sound decisions.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
It's Really All About God: Reflections of a Muslim Atheist Jewish Christian (Book)
Samir Selmanovic, Author. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass, 2008.
Samir Selmanovic, Christian co-leader of Faith House Manhattan, was raised in Croatia by culturally Muslim and theologically atheist parents. He later converted to Christianity and is now a pastor. In this book, Selmanovic explores how one might engage in fruitful exchange with those from other faith traditions. As he puts it, "Only when we believe that the other is not there to hurt us—though the other may struggle to understand us—can we begin to share not only the light but also the shadows of our religion." Ultimately, believes Selmanovic, the key focus may not be religious systems, but God's being—for ultimately it really is all about God.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Managing Polarities in Congregations: Eight Keys for Thriving Faith Communities (Book)
Roy M. Oswald, Barry Johnson, Authors. Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2009.
People often struggle over which side of a conflict is right, when they may need not so much to resolve a problem as to manage a polarity. Roy Oswald and Barry Johnson hold that a polarity consists of two poles, each of which must be honored. A classic example is activity and rest: to be healthy, one must attend to needs for both. Likewise, congregations must attend to eight polarities in order to thrive—including the polarities of tradition and innovation, management and leadership, and nurture and transformation. With a chapter devoted to each polarity, this book explains the polarity management process and narrates how it works in community.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Money & Faith: The Search for Enough (Book)
Michael Schut, Editor. New York, NY: Morehouse Publishing, 2009.
Michael Schut assembles the voices of two dozen writers—including his own and those of Walter Brueggemann, Henri Nouwen, and Jean-Bertrand Aristide—to help us examine our lives and faith through the lens of our relationship with money. The book opens by inviting us to consider personal experiences of lack and abundance. The nature of money is then briefly examined and demystified. Several essays follow, exploring compassion's call for redistributive justice. The last sections consider what "enough" truly means, how we can move toward Jubilee economics on a grand scale, and how individuals, organizations, and governments can use money to build communities, protect the earth, and create true abundance.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Stories from the Edge: A Theology of Grief (Book)
Greg Garrett, Author. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008.
Greg Garrett—English professor at Baylor University and Writer-in-Residence at Episcopal Theological Seminary in the Southwest—draws on his experience as a hospital chaplain to explore the deep pain and despair that people encounter when they face tragedy. Garrett believes that answering the "why" of suffering requires us to first examine our understanding of, and relationship with, God. Stories, both from Garrett's clinical experience and from Scripture, illuminate theological issues as Garrett probes deeply into the nature of suffering and the question of God's presence. Throughout, the author's hope is to enable us to make meaning out of pain while learning to help others who suffer.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Wave Rider: Leadership for High Performance in a Self-Organizing World (Book)
Harrison Owen, Author. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2008.
Harrison Owen, the developer of Open Space Technology and an Anglican priest, reviews the history of Open Space and explains why it works. (A key principle is that "All human systems are self-organizing and naturally tend toward high performance provided the essential conditions are present and sustained.") Owen further explores the practices that leaders can apply to foster high performance among those they are leading. Great leaders are wave riders, "curious people possessed of an innate capacity to go with the flow, constantly seizing upon opportunity when others see no possibility, or even disaster…" This book will help leaders reflect upon the images and assumptions that guide their actions.
Amazon
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
