My Reading List

CURRENT READING LIST

The books on this first list are the ones that I am currently reading (or in the process of starting) in addition to the time that I spend daily in reading God’s word.  I am finding them to be helpful in my spiritual growth as I press on in my journey of discipleship.

 

 

      “Don’t Waste Your Life”, John Piper

I have FINALLY gone to the bookstore to pick up a couple of new books!  I am enjoying getting back into the swing of reading.  So far Piper’s new book is a good read.

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RECENTLY READ

Listed below are my most recent readings.  The ones listed closest to the top are the most recent.  These books have been a source of inspiration, challenge, encouragement and enlightenment.  They have served me well as companions to my daily time in God’s Word and I would recommend them to anyone.

     “Lives Given, Not Taken”, by Erich Bridges & Jerry Rankin

This book will challenge you to evaluate your commitment and to live a life more strongly dedicated to Christ.

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      “Lead Like Jesus”, by Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges

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     “Velvet Elvis”, by Rob Bell

Rob Bell is a wonder writer.  His words compell you to read further.  His ideas about about what it means to be “Christian” and “church” for this generation, in this time and in this place will either challenge you to think … or they will threaten you and you will not finish the book.  Never-the-less, I believe that I am better for having read his work.  On the back of the cover Rob wirtes, “We have to test everything.  I thank God for anybody anywhere who is pointing people to the mysteries of God.  But those people would all tell you to think long and hard about what they are saying and doinig and creating.  Test it.  Probe it.  Do that to this book.  Don’t swallow it uncritically.  Think about it.  Wrestle with it.  Just because I’m a Christian and I’m trying to articulate a Christian worldview doesn’t mean I’ve got it nailed.  I’m contributing to the discussion.  God has spoken, and the rest is commentary, right?” 

If you read this book – expect to be challenged – expect to be drawn into the “discussion”!

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     “Simple Church”, by Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger

Several months ago I attended a one day conference with a group of innovative church leaders where a panel lead us in a discussion about the concepts from this book.  More recently, while I was visiting a friend in Raleigh, I found out that the new church that he is planting a in the downtown area, near the major universities is designed from this simple structure from this book.

This book brings it all together in a SIMPLE fashion.  It is a must read for an church planter or someone leading a church through transition.  Get it.  Read it.  Take your leadership team through it.  Do it!

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     “Comeback Churches”, by Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson.

Can churches be “revitalized”?  The simple answer is “yes”.  However, the path is difficult and many – maybe even most – churches will unfortunately choose to die rather than make the necessary changes in order to thrive again.  There is an interesting parallel drawn between heart patients and dying churches on page 182 of this book.  It states, “According to  a fascinating article in Fast Company magizine, 90 percent of heart patients who are told to change their lifestyle habits or die, choose death over change.  our churches and leaders seem to be no different.  Changed leaders lead changing churches.  Yet, the vast majority of time people and churches choose death over change.”

Now, having stated the negative – let me share with you the good news.  This book is about 300 churches that DID change!  300 churches who became vital, thriving strongholds for the Kingdom of Christ.  So – it can be done.  But it will demand sacrifices.  Change will not come – revitalization will not happen without some battles - and along with battles come casualties.  And as the authors state on page 210, “Leadership is the most important factor in making a comeback.  Leadership is about influence.  Churches that are in a pattern of plateau of decline need strong leaders who will point the way to revitalization.”

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     “Walking With God”, by John Eldridge. 

Freita and I read through this book together as a part of our morning devotional time.  It was a very great experience!

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     “Who Stole My Church”, by Gordan MacDonald

Although this book is a work of fiction (and I had to keep reminding myself of that!) – there are many painful truths which can be learned from the lives of the characters whom MacDonald created.  I have worked in CHURCH TRANSITION – it is a work that requires vision inspired leadership and congregations who are willing to look outside of themselves and make sacrifices.  I have seen the good – the bad – and the ugly.  Transitioning a church is not for the faint hearted.  This book portrays it all.  But it also portrays the hope!

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     “The Way of the Wild Heart”, by John Eldridge. 

This is a MUST READ book for any man working his way through life.  It is especially a great book for men who are raising boys!

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     “It All Goes Back In The Box”, by John Ortberg. 

Great book to help you examine life as a “game” and to challenge you to put everything in the right perspective!

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     “Living Your Strengths”, by Albert Wiseman, Donald Clifton, & Curt Liesveld

Most recently I have been astonished by the Gallup research that has come together to bring us “Living Your Strengths”.  It comes with an access code so that you can take the Clifton Strength Finder online.  The Strength Finder will identify your top five (out of 34) Strength Themes, or the Signature Themes that are the strengths that you naturally work out of.  This is a kinda-sorta personality assessment tool … but it is so much better, and goes so much farther than any other that I have ever seen or used!  I would (and will) use this with any leadership team!

I have been so impressed by this book and the use of the Clifton Strength Finder that I went through the three day training conference, required by Gallup in order to serve as a coach, so that I can help others to achieve their goals and enhance their performance by better understanding their God-given Strengths!  My Signature Themes are COMMUNICATION, SELF-ASSURANCE, BELIEF, ACTIVATOR, MAXIMIZER. 

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     “Leading From Your Strengths” by John Trent 

This was a recent re-read following the insights that I gained from the Clifton Strength Finder and the book, “Living Your Strengths”.  The online personality assessment also included with this book is good (based on the DISC personality survey), but it is not nearly as in-depth as the Clifton Strength Finder.  The idea of this book is to work through it together as a leadership team.  I would use many of the ideas in this small book, but i would use the Clifton Strength Finder personality assessment.

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     “Waking the Dead”, by John Eldridge 

The book, “Waking the Dead”, by John Eldridge has been life changing !  Freita and I read it together and it has helped us to see life from a fresh, new perspective.  It will challenge you to arouse your heart to a renewed sense of life … and to fight desporately, the constant spiritual battle that is waged against your heart!

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     “The Unchurched Next Door”, by Thom Rainer

Rainer gives great insights for any church leader who is serious about reaching the unchurched.

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      “Surprising Insights from the Unchurched”, Thom Rainer 

More of Thom Rainer’s work and research dealing with reaching the unchurched.  Again – a must read for those who like to look to the future with hope and are willing to do what it takes to reach people who are far from God

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     “No Perfect People Allowed”, by John Burke

A challenging call to church leaders who really do want to “create a come as you are culture in the church” with the heart and intent of reaching those who are far from Christ.  John Burke writes of his experience in planting Gateway Community Church in Austin, Texas.    There are small group questions at the end of each chapter.   I would use this to work with church staff and leadership (deacons – elders) who say they want to be serious about reaching the unchurched – it will open their eyes and challenge them to move far beyond the reaching power of the traditional church.

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     “Desire”, by John Eldridge

I love the works of John Eldridge and this one was no exception!  This was good to set the stage for reading his book “Waking the Dead”.  It is a book that I will re-read.

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 … other good readings from my Sabbatical at the mountain cottage.

  “Not a Safe God”, Tim Ritter    

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  ”Houses That Change the World”, Wolfgang Simson

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  “Margin”, Richard Swenson

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