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The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church

Reggie McNeal

The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church Reggie McNeal Amazon Price: $16.47
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Asking The Hard Questions 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic book. Really makes you reflect on your ministry and the questions the book asks gives a structure for evaluating the overall focus of your church. I would highly recommened this book for someone seeking to bring about revitalization within their congregation and personal ministry.

Editorial Review:

In this provocative book, author, consultant, and church leadership
developer Reggie McNeal debunks these and other old assumptions and provides an overall strategy to help church leaders move forward in an entirely different and much more effective way. In The Present Future, McNeal identifies the six most important realities that church leaders must address including: recapturing the spirit of Christianity and replacing "church growth" with a wider vision of kingdom growth; developing disciples instead of church members; fostering the rise of a new apostolic leadership; focusing on spiritual formation rather than church programs; and shift, from prediction and planning to preparation for the challenges in an uncertain world. McNeal contends that by changing the questions church leaders ask themselves about their congregations and their plans, they can frame the core issues and approach the future with new eyes, new purpose, and new ideas.


Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives)

Paul David Tripp

Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives) Paul David Tripp Amazon Price: $11.55
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Real Ministry 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I was given this book by a mentor of mine and told that it would be extremely helpful. The problem is that I saw it was deemed a "counseling" book on the back, so I moved on for a while before I picked it up and read it. I continued to see the book on the "Best Seller's" list at many sites that I admire, so I finally picked the book up and started to read. I have to be honest, if I were to try and write all that I learned this review would turn into a novel itself.

Paul David Tripp really unpacks a three part effort.

One: To show me who I am
Two: Who others are
Three: How to practically minister to them, and accept their ministering to me

This book gets to the root of the issues and he even starts with the theological impact of understanding who God is and then who we are, namely: we aren't perfect, we need change, and we need help in that changing process from Christ and others.

This book not only unfolds what we are to do in daily ministering opportunities, but he unpacks the practical ways to do them. One of my favorite quotes in the book is that:

"We often say we need to preach the Word, but we also need to counsel the Word."

That is what this book is all about. It is how to counsel the Word of God to those in everyday life that need change just like you and I. What will hinder this book is that some will think it is only for the pastor or counselor, but it's intention is for all believers and it is written that way and is desperately needed for today's church.

I have already used the book and will continue to go back to it to try and unpack my shortcomings and also to help others do the same when they are in need of ministering. I know this is not the "hot topic" of discussion around the water cooler, but this book is much more needed in today's world that wants to only deal with actions instead of the root of those actions, namely, our darkened heart in need of the power of Christ. You will learn how to effectively and biblically (synonymous terms) counsel another as they ask a simple question or are having everyday life problems, instead of giving a "pat" answer or reciting Scripture and telling them to pray about it. I cannot recommend this book more highly.

Editorial Review:

In many ways, the church today has more consumers than committed participants. We see church merely as an event we attend or an organization we belong to, rather than as a calling that shapes our entire life.

Many of us would be relieved if God had place dour sanctification in the hands of trained professionals, but that simply is not the biblical model. GodÂ’s plan is that through the faithful ministry of every part, the whole body will grow to maturity in Christ.

Tripp explains how his work follows an "all of my people, all of the time" model. If you followed the Lord for a thousand years, you would still need the ministry of the body of Christ as much as you did the day you first believed. This need will remain until our sanctification is complete in Glory.

This is a comprehensive treatment of how God uses people as tools of change in the lives of others, people who themselves are in need of change.

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations

Robert Schnase

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations Robert Schnase Amazon Price: $12.24
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

CPR for Stagnant congregations; or Caffeine for the already strong! 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Author Robert Schnase offers one compelling perspective of "best practices" in congregational settings.

The five best practices (my terminology, not Schnase's) are:

* Radical hospitality
* Passionate worship
* Intentional faith development
* Risk-taking mission and service
* Extravagant generosity

Not a cookbook, but an effective blueprint for how churches can grow and thrive. This was the reading for a small 5-week study group I joined at church and it made for terrific discussion.

One problem might be if congregations take this book and turn it into an extensive checklist for congregational success. The idea is that these practices flow out of Christian love and faithfulness, not that this is a template for every church to ape; that at least is my perspective on "Five Practices." This, however, is no criticism of Schnase but rather how some churches might take and try to use the book.

To get some great ideas on applying CPR to stagnant congregations - or to take a strong congregation to "the next level" - I'd highly recommend "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations,"

Editorial Review:

Schnase contends that sucessful congregations often have certain characteristics in common. These fundamental practices demonstrate congregational health, vitality, and fruitfulness. They also help churches fulfill their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the tranformation of the world.

The five practices of fruitful congregations:
-Radical Hospitality
-Passionate Worship
-Intentional Faith Development
-Risk-Taking Mission and Service
-Estravagant Generosity

Hymns for a Kid's Heart (Focus on Family) (Focus on Family)

Bobbie Wolgemuth, Joni Eareckson Tada

Hymns for a Kid's Heart (Focus on Family) (Focus on Family) Bobbie Wolgemuth, Joni Eareckson Tada Amazon Price: $14.95
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great Must Have Christmas time book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Kids love this book. We use it for our music at Christmas time and for a little music lesson in our homeschool. Love it!

Lovely 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Children and I use this as a Music Curriculum of sorts & sometimes just listen to the CD to hear great hymns. Very Good for a gift, a must have in any home library.

Memory making stories and music with vocal children's choir 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Hymns for a Kid's Heart, Volume One, by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada, Illustrations by Sergio Martinez, Includes music CD, Crossway Books, 2004, Hardcover,
Ages 4-8, 96 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1581345827, $21.99

Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada collaborated to write the two-volume series, Hymns for a Kid's Heart. The books are illustrated by Sergio Martinez. Each hymn includes a short story about the song's author, and a full rendition of lyrical verses and music notes for piano or guitar accompaniment. A twelve track full-length CD of inspirational hymns, sung by a children's choir with orchestra accompaniment, is included to sing-a-long with.

Each song segment includes "From My Heart to You" written by Joni Eareckson Tada. She shares how particular hymns and singing have impacted her life. Sections conclude with Scripture to memorize in, A Verse for my Heart, and prayer, A Prayer for my Heart.

Volume one features twelve classic hymns that teach tenets of Christian faith, unlike much of contemporary Christian music that focuses on feelings. Fascinating personal stories of hymns' authors will educate and delight readers, young and old alike.

Wolgemuth believes there is a strong correlation between stories, music, and memory-making--
particularly for children. She uses what she calls "teachable moments," to teach hymns to her children and grandchildren. Moments found when a child is bored, or when the family works together in the kitchen, or nearly anywhere, because sing-a-longs are memorable and fun.

Four sections feature hymns about God, biblical truth, Christian living, and hymns of prayer for our country. Songs about God include Holy, Holy, Holy, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and This Is My Father's World. Songs of biblical truth comprise O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, How Firm a Foundation, and Amazing Grace. Hymns for Christian living consist of The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want, Rejoice, Ye Pure I Heart and Take My Life and Let it Be.

Children's joy-filled voices make each CD hymn my favorite. But, if I had to choose, the last part of the CD is what I played repeatedly. This segment includes hymns of prayer for our country and begins with America, the Beautiful, then Our God, Our Help in Ages Past, Eternal Father, Strong to Save, and Do You Know What it Means.

Wolgemuth, mother of two, and grandmother of five, joined with Eareckson, who she calls "soul sister," to write this two-volume series. Each author is passionate about hymns and they often encourage each other with hymn-singing by telephone. Since they live on the East and West coasts, they even carol together over the telephone lines at Christmas.

This musical CD and book will point little ones to the Lord and children will feel the love of parents and grandparents who read to and sing-a-long with them. Martinez' rich colorful illustrations enhance each hymn's depiction, and inspirational story. A glossary and pages for personal notes complete this classical offering. [..]




Editorial Review:

For centuries, Christians have fed the next generation the great hymns of the church. The words of these hymns reveal the depth of God s character and usher children into His presence. Hymns instruct in doctrine, provide hope in the dark times, and give reasons to celebrate.

For the children you love, this book is a feast. It has everything you need to teach twelve of the greatest hymns ever composed. And because these hymns are an introduction to the God who loves us and provides for each day's need, these words will nurture them forever.

Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God

Bob Kauflin

Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God Bob Kauflin Amazon Price: $15.29
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Combining biblical foundations with real-world application, a pastor and professional songwriter guides worship leaders and pastors to root their corporate worship in unchanging scriptural principles rather than divisive trends.

Nothing is more essential than knowing how to worship the God who created us. This book focuses readers on the essentials of God-honoring worship, combining biblical foundations with practical application in a way that works in the real world. The author, a pastor and noted songwriter, skillfully instructs pastors, musicians, and church leaders so that they can root their congregational worship in unchanging scriptural principles, not divisive cultural trends. Bob Kauflin covers a variety of topics such as the devastating effects of worshiping the wrong things, how to base our worship on God’s self-revelation rather than our assumptions, the fuel of worship, the community of worship, and the ways that eternity’s worship should affect our earthly worship.

Appropriate for Christians from varied backgrounds and for various denominations, this book will bring a vital perspective to what readers think they understand about praising God.

“Bob loves God, values theology, and cares about people. This mix is found throughout this wonderful and helpful book. Worship Matters will inspire you as a worshiper and spur you on as a leader of worship.”
Matt Redman, lead worshiper and song-writer, Brighton, UK

“Bob Kauflin is teaching a new generation to take corporate worship seriously in a fashion that is simultaneously biblically faithful and addressing today’s culture.”
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“This book is thoroughly biblical, comprehensive, balanced, clear, and engaging. Worship leaders must read it, and it will be a great help to anyone interested in finding out what biblical worship is about and how to worship from the heart.”
John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary

“Bob’s approach is humble, yet authoritative; comprehensive, yet inspirational. And if you take his gentle but clear teaching onboard, it will help make you fully equipped in mind, heart, and spirit to lead others in worship. I wholeheartedly recommend it.”
Stuart Townend, Christian song-writer

“An outstanding book both for those who lead worship and also for every Christian who wants to worship God more fully. The book is biblical, practical, interesting, wise, and thorough in its treatment of the topic. The next time I teach on worship, I plan to make this the required text.”
Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Bible and Theology, Phoenix Seminary

“Humility. Self-deprecating humor. Practical wisdom. And not just for music leaders. What a refreshing read! I’ve gained from Bob Kauflin, and if you read this, you will too.”
Mark Dever, Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church; Executive Director, 9Marks Ministries

“Bob is a pastor, a teacher, and a skilled musician. And this book captures his heart, his zealous pursuit of God, and his many years of real-life experience leading worship. That’s why his book deserves the careful study of pastors and worship leaders alike.”
Joshua Harris, Senior Pastor, Covenant Life Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas (Stories Behind Books)

Ace Collins

Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas (Stories Behind Books) Ace Collins Amazon Price: $10.87
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Sloppy research 1 out of 5 stars.
11 of 13 people found this review helpful.

For someone with 50 books to his credit--as per the dust jacket--Collins is highly sloppy in the research of this book. As has been previously noted, he just presented a common story about the origins of "Silent Night" without necessarily having done any deep research. And the comments about "The Twelve Days of Christmas" come straight from a silly internet piece, with no basis in fact.

This is common throughout this book. It seems more often than not, Collins has just done some cursory internet research and then slapped it all together and called it good.

Some other screw-ups: Irving Berlin was worried that "White Christmas" wasn't really a good song. Actually Berlin, upon introducing it to his office staff and musical secretary, refered to it as "not only the greatest song I've ever written, but the greatest song ever written." Berlin at one point had plans to make White Christmas the main production number in a major Broadway revue. In performing it for Crosby and studio execs, Berlin got nervous with himself and choked in performing it. You can read about this in Jody Rosen's excellent book on White Christmas, called "White Christmas."

As for his assertions about the meaning and origin of the term Merry in merry Christmas, he gets it wrong again. Ten minutes in the Oxford English Dictionary, available at any decent public library, would have given him the answers.

Better Books on this subject are Rosen's afforementioned book and "The Penguin Book of Christmas Carols" ed. Ian Bradbury.

Editorial Review:

These true, fascinating stories of the inspiration, heartache, trials, and faith that inspired some of the greatest Christmas carols, hymns, and popular songs will enrich the joy and celebration of the Christmas season.

Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens

Neil Cole

Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens Neil  Cole Amazon Price: $16.29
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Churches have tried all kinds of ways to attract new and younger members - revised vision statements, hipper worship, contemporary music, livelier sermons, bigger and better auditoriums. But there are still so many people who aren't being reached, who don't want to come to church. And the truth is that attendance at church on Sundays does not necessarily transform lives; God's presence in our hearts is what changes us. Leaders and laypeople everywhere are realizing that they need new and more powerful ways to help them spread God's Word. According to international church starter and pastor Neil Cole, if we want to connect with young people and those who are not coming to church, we must go where people congregate. Cole shows readers how to plant the seeds of the Kingdom of God in the places where life happens and where culture is formed - restaurants, bars, coffeehouses, parks, locker rooms,and neighborhoods. Organic Church offers a hands-on guide for demystifying this new model of church and shows the practical aspects of implementing it.

The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community (J-B Leadership Network Series)

Hugh Halter, Matt Smay

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Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Must Read for lay people too 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Thanks to Hugh & Matt, I was sleep deprived for a whole weekend. The Tangible Kingdom was so good, I didn't want to put it down! As a lay-person, I highly recommend the book. It helped me process my personal frustrations of the Church in a healthier way, and look at how purposefully I'm living among the "Sojourners" in my life.

I'm really glad that Hugh & Matt weren't foolhardy enough to give a "formula" on how to live in community ("Follow these 5 easy steps..."). Instead, they filled the book with stories of their conversations with ordinary people, whether at a bar, a coffee shop, in their neighborhood, and in the living room--places that I hang out in too. That reinforces to me that ministry doesn't have to happen in a church and I don't have to be in vocational ministry to have an impact on people. I can do that wherever I am too. The middle chapters of the book were heavier, as Hugh went into different church models. It was interesting, but not as directly applicable as it would be to a church planter or leader.

The book's also been "key" to me intentionally readjusting my lifestyle. Working in a young marketing firm in California, I'm learning to see and love my coworkers differently. I'm enjoying all the new conversations, getting to know them, and trusting that God is working mightily throughout it all.

Excellent book, funny, and very impactful!

Editorial Review:

Written for those who are trying to nurture authentic faith communities and for those who have struggled to retain their faith, The Tangible Kingdom offers theological answers and real-life stories that demonstrate how the best ancient church practices can re-emerge in today's culture, through any church of any size. In this remarkable book, Hugh Halter and Matt Smay "two missional leaders and church planters" outline an innovative model for creating thriving grass-roots faith communities.

The Politics of Jesus

John Howard Yoder

The Politics of Jesus John Howard Yoder Amazon Price: $14.28
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Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A conservative evangelical pastor responds 2 out of 5 stars.
5 of 13 people found this review helpful.

Should evangelical Christians who believe in the authoritative inspiration of scripture and in the gospel of spiritual rebirth to eternal life through the person of Jesus Christ look to this book for Biblical input regarding politics and social justice?

1. Overall this book was thought-provoking and included many good insights into the meaning of many passages of scripture. It's difficult reading at times. Many of Yoder's conclusions seemed overstated and one-sided, which he justified at one point late in the book as an attempt to counter-balance the prevailing views on the subjects he addressed in this book.
2. Yoder does take scripture seriously, and seems to accept it as conclusively authoritative, although he never clearly affirms a doctrine of the authority of scripture. I couldn't find a place where he dismissed any text as erroneous or inauthoritative.
3. Yoder does accept the reality of a personal God who is ultimately sovereign over world events.
4. His Christology is less clear, seeming to allow room for seeing Jesus as a human who was supernaturally ordained and empowered as Son of God rather than as pre-existent eternal God who took on human form.
5. He doesn't deny or affirm the miracles of Christ, even in his discussion of the miracle of the loaves and fishes.
6. The doctrine of justification in Romans is read not as a matter of personal righteousness through the penal substitution of Christ, but as primarily a matter of reconciliation of diverse peoples within the church, especially between Jewish and Gentile Christians. He ends up taking a more embracing approach to the requirements of the Old Testament Law than I believe Paul did. The same conclusion is drawn from Ephesians, where the second half of chapter 2 colors his understanding of the entire book and the first half of chapter 2 is ignored.
7. Yoder accuses most conservative evangelicals of being fixated on personal positional righteousness to the point of deemphasizing ethical righteousness in interpersonal relationships and in the wider society. He rightly maintains that inward faith-based righteousness leading to a neglect of behavioral change violates the claims of scripture (and he makes a convincing biblical case of this even without mentioning the book of James!). Most of the conservative evangelicals I know would actually agree with Yoder on that point, so I'm unclear about where he got his negative assessment of them.
8. He cites much 20th century Biblical scholarship, mostly liberal scholarship. On the other hand, he questions the conclusions of much of that scholarship by comparison to scripture. His favorite scholars to quote are Markus Barth, S. G. F. Brandon, Martin Dibelius (mostly critically), Hendrikus Berkhof, Oscar Cullmann, the Niebuhrs, Eduard Schweizer, Krister Stendahl, and Andre Trocme. A major emphasis is sifting through the contributions of these and many other scholars on the subject of his thesis. If you get this book, BE SURE to get the 2nd edition (1994) as Yoder added an epilogue to each chapter that updates his thinking with reference to new scholarship in the intervening years (1972-1994, when a LOT was happening in New Testament studies). He also comments in some cases about the reactions of others to his original work.
9. Yoder systematically refutes the popular notion that the various authors of the New Testament contradicted one another's teachings. On the contrary, their teachings were remarkably congruent in essence, although their emphases and their ways of expressing themselves differed. A superficial reading might miss these many congruences, but careful study makes them increasingly clear.
10. Scripture cannot be expected to reliably match the fashionable political correctness of any time period, and Yoder doesn't hesitate to attempt faithfulness to scripture even when it runs counter to today's conventional wisdom. For example, his treatment of willing subordination to societal structures in the cases of slavery and unjust governments focuses on the model of Christ's non-resistance to his suffering. Yoder admits that he took a lot of heat about those conclusions from folks who mostly favored his other conclusions.
11. Some of the imperatives of social ethics that Yoder does find in scripture are ideas that aren't as clear to most readers who accept the authority of scripture and the reality of supernatural events.
a. The utopian example of the rightly-functioning church is God's primary strategy for spreading social utopia throughout secular society, as well as attracting new disciples.
b. Jesus was declaring a Year of Jubilee in Israel during his preaching ministry, advocating the Fallow Year in agriculture, remission of debts, liberation of slaves, and redistributing capital.
c. The "powers" of Paul's writings are predominantly social structures like governments, not supernatural entities except as a figure of speech.
d. Pacifism is one of the central doctrines of the New Testament, demonstrated not just through teachings but in the refusal of Jesus to violently defend himself (in His passion) or act selfishly (in His temptation) through supernatural or natural means, and in the endurance of the saints in the Book of Revelation. There is, therefore, no valid participation for Christians in coercive functions of government: the armed forces and law enforcement. I have to question whether Yoder was a Pacifist prior to his serious study of scripture who then allowed his preconceptions to color his conclusions. Or, (and this I doubt) was he previously a militarist whose views were corrected by the Word of Truth?

In conclusion, I find that most of the conclusions of this book would be hard to sell to a congregation of sincere-hearted saints who DO have a strong social ethic of living with integrity alongside of their vital personal relationship with the living God (loving God the 1st commandment, and loving people the 2nd but absolutely NOT to be ignored). I imagined myself preaching Yoder's conclusions and backing them up with my own explanations of Yoder's reasoning. The imaginary result is looks of disbelief, people thinking, Ken, I want to believe what you preach, but I don't understand at all how you got that conclusion out of this biblical text, out of this New Testament. And for the most part, I had to agree, not with Yoder, but with the saints.

Editorial Review:

Using the text of the New Testament, this engaging study criticallyexamines the traditional portrait of Jesus as an apolitical figure and clarifies the true impact of Jesus' life, work, and teachings on his disciples' social behavior. This second edition is updated and expanded.

Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings From the Northumbria Community

The Northumbria Community

Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings From the Northumbria Community The Northumbria Community Amazon Price: $21.27
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Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

More than a prayer book, Celtic Daily Prayer is a gift from the Northumbria Community of northeastern England. This devout religious community, with members scattered around the world, is joined together by the teachings of traditional Celtic Christianity dating back to the sixth century. In assembling this collection of prayers, they offer Christians ancient Celtic devotional writing as well as contemporary sources of wisdom, such as Anne Morrow Lindbergh, T.S. Eliot, and even Peter Yarrow from Peter, Paul, and Mary. The focal point for this prayer book is the daily office, although the book also includes additional meditations and daily readings. It offers two complete years of reading, so it should last a while (the publisher also promises follow-up books). Although many of these prayers come from the ancient monastic tradition, they easily speak to Christians contending with everyday things like jobs, childcare, dinners, and house cleaning. In his introduction Richard J. Foster (Celebration of Discipline) claims that this prayer book is most often found "in kitchens with bread baking and tea brewing or in living rooms crammed full of that cozy lived-in feel." --Gail Hudson

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