Authority was a pervasive concern as I talked with those who were upset about gender inclusion. “The man has to be the leader,” I kept hearing.
“Man Seeks God” by Eric Weiner
Weiner begins the book as an agnostic with a Jewish background. A health scare sets him on a journey to answer a question from a nurse: “Have you found God yet?” (Nonfiction)
Pausing for Gratitude
While many of us in the U.S. celebrate Thanksgiving this week with loved ones and abundant food, may we also pause to express thanks for the bounty.
“The Master” by Colm Toibin
One of the most underrated skills of truly great preaching is attentiveness. (Fiction)
The Ties That Bind
Each church might be able to share some of the natural and even unlikely places where ties are created, but here are some that I have seen strengthen a church.
The Power of Persistence
When the Son of Man comes, will he find the kind of faith that nags at an unjust system even when it feels like the cards are stacked against what is right?
“Open” by Andre Agassi
If ever there was a book about the meaning of life, this is it. (Nonfiction)
Renewal Begins: Another Congregation’s Journey
Church revitalization is quite possible when a congregation acknowledges that, without the work of the Spirit, there is no future for us.
“The Devil Aspect” by Craig Russell
There are plenty of twists and turns, and the book is a detective yarn as well as a Gothic horror novel. (Fiction)
From the Trenches to the Balcony
We need to spend time in both the trenches and the balcony, but how do we hold these competing realities in check?
Pursuing Jesus Like Zacchaeus
The challenge with stories like Zacchaeus is that they can become too familiar.
“March” by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
In these three graphic volumes you have the very personal recounting of the civil rights movement. (Nonfiction)
Faith among Emerging Adults
What are emerging adults like, and what are their biggest concerns, questions, and the issues they care about most?
“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy
What I admire about these books is the pared-down simplicity and straightforward language of the storytelling. (Fiction)
Elders in the Fish Tank
I’ve been working on an elder selection process at our church, and I’m struck by a startling truth: appointing elders is just like setting up a fish tank.
He Stills Storms Still: A Meditation (Part 1)
Fear is not the most reliable of counselors. Yet in the face of darkness we all have to come to the terrible truth that monsters are real.
“The Invisible Gorilla” by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons
We greatly overestimate our knowledge and we have far more confidence in ourselves than our abilities actually merit. (Nonfiction)
How to REALLY Grow Your Church
True growth comes not from questions of defense, but questions about how to reach a dark world with the light of Jesus.
Pursuing Holiness Over Happiness
We must understand that happiness is something we experience as we choose to pursue holiness.
“Last Days” by Brian Evenson
Last Days has the form of a detective story, but really it’s a horror story. And a religious horror story at that. (Fiction)