Books make good conversation partners with one another; they may vivify the scripture you have been reading lately or connect to this season of life.
All tagged books
Jesus and The Powers
Wright and Bird ground their response in Jesus’ primary message about the kingdom of God. They argue that in a time of fear and fragmentation, amid carnage and crises of various kinds, Jesus is King and Jesus’ kingdom remains the central object of the Church’s witness and work.
Book Review: Josh Ross’ Coreology: Six Principles for Navigating An Election Season Without Losing Our Witness
Ross’ principles are valuable and speak to the pastoral heart Ross holds towards Kingdom-people. Ross desires to remind Kingdom-people of the calling of God and the imagination of Kingdom-living available to each person in light of that calling.
Unreasonable Hospitality: A Book Review
In Unreasonable Hospitality, Guidara describes both his personal journey in the dining industry and how he developed his obsessive pursuit of being hospitable.
Book Review: Jim Davis and Michael Graham, The Great Dechurching
While each congregation and minister has a particular context, there is a reinforced theme that, no matter what, an emphasis moving forward must encompass belonging.
Reflection Roundup: Stormy Bank or the River?
Can anyone else relate to the image of crossing a river, standing on stones you’ve just thrown into the river from the comfort of the riverbank?
Reflection Roundup: Inhale Grace, Exhale Compassion
We’re all about savoring the moments as they come for the wonderment they contain, regardless of what was expected or seems comparatively lacking.
Signing Off
Let me encourage ministers everywhere to read. Expand your mind and your heart. You will be a better minister and person for it. And it is fun.
“The Last Novel” by David Markson
Markson defines the limits of the postmodern novel, which I know is not going to send many of you rushing out to buy it. (Fiction)
“A Secular Age” by Charles Taylor
This book is about religion, to be sure, but it is more an act of history, sociology, philosophy, and cultural criticism. (Nonfiction)
“Believing Is Seeing” by Errol Morris
Seeing is believing, right? If you can’t trust a photograph, what can you trust? By the end of this book you’ll be rethinking that. (Nonfiction)
“GraceLand” by Chris Abani
The literary voices coming from all over Africa are incredibly diverse, and as more and more men and women share their stories, they turn out to be very compelling indeed. (Fiction)
“These Truths” by Jill Lepore
In the media age where politics tend to be formed in the last 15 minutes, this book goes a long way toward giving us the context we need. (Nonfiction)
“The Noise of Time” by Julian Barnes
The book makes you wonder how you would do in those moments when life itself might be at stake. How far would you be willing to compromise on your convictions to protect yourself and your family? (Fiction)
“How Pleasure Works” by Paul Bloom
Why is it that I find freshly baked chocolate chip cookies almost irresistible and the much better for me Brussels sprouts almost intolerable? (Nonfiction)
You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught
These stories must be shared, and as adults we hold the power and the influence with which to make space for children and adults alike to tell their stories. We must look around our congregations for where we might be missing these powerful stories of diversity.
“The March” by E. L. Doctorow
Unless you’re just dead set against historical fiction, I’m quite confident you’ll find this book utterly engrossing. (Fiction)
“The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion
I have often recommended this book to those who are grieving, and all of them have affirmed how true it is. When it comes to honestly dealing with grief, Didion’s book goes to the top of the stack.
“The Ten-Cent Plague” by David Hajdu
Imagine. A threat to the moral, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being of young people all over America. (Nonfiction)
“Mister Monkey” by Francine Prose
Mister Monkey is an absolutely awful children’s musical about a pet chimpanzee who has a penchant for theft. This terrible play is performed by a cast of very broken people. There you have it.