Books

Art of Worship

by Artist-in-Residence: Candice Griffin

Here are some books we have read or re-read recently. The book reviews are provided by Scott Cole, Pastor to FOTV for congregational formation. If you have a book that has impacted you, be sure to let us know. You can express your comments or make your own recommendation on the FOTV blog. READ ON!

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller
	Donald Miller has a provided a wonderfully winsome book. I love the subtitle, "Non religious thoughts on Christian spirituality." I would highly recommend this book. It is an easy read full of beauty, mystery and provocation. I look forward to reading more of Miller.

Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America (The Gospel and Our Culture Series) by Darrell L. Guder, Lois Barrett
	This book, edited by Darrell Guder, is an instant classic and must read for any serious thinking Christian. It is not a book to rush through, but it is accessible to any reader who is truly pondering the missional calling of Christians and the church. GET THIS BOOK!

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, 25th Anniversary Edition
by Richard J. Foster

You can’t be interested in spiritual formation without mentioning Richard Foster and this book is a contemporary classic on the subject. The title and cover may appear ominous and weighty, but don’t be deceived, Foster is wonderfully readable. He has the unique ability of challenging the reader without being judgmental. I would recommend any of his books. One of our groups is using an devotional guide edited by Foster.

Two other books by Foster that are great are: Prayer and Streams of Living Water.

A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey
by Brian D. McLaren

Now I am a big Brian McLaren fan, so while I haven’t read all of his titles, I feel confident that you will be pleased and pushed by any of his works. A New Kind of Christian is fast becoming a classic. The book is not the best written in the world, but this quasi-fictional book is a terrific book for anyone who struggles with some of the trappings of the cultural church.

Enjoy and be sure to check out his book on evangelism entitled, More Ready you Realize and his book on church ministry in the book Church on the Other Side.

Reimagining Spiritual Formation: A Week in the Life of an Experimental Church
by Doug Pagitt

I got to hear Doug Pagitt share his thoughts about church starting last summer and was impressed. This book is a neat look in one new church's attempts to spiritually form its participants. I found it refreshing and creative. If you are like me and desire the church to reclaim creativity in its work, then you are going to love this book. Be sure to read the journal entries scattered throughout the book, they are entertaining and enlightening.

A Peculiar People: The Church As Culture in a Post-Christian Society by Rodney Clapp
	I had this book sitting on my shelf for years before I got to it, but I was sure glad I got around to it. Rodney Clapp is a lay Episcopalian minister and incredibly perceptive. I had read many of his essays in another one of his books, Border Crossings, and was impressed. This book will challenge your view of the community of faith and how it is practiced institutionally.

Adventures in Missing the Point: How the Culture-Controlled Church Neutered the Gospel
by Brian D. McLaren, Tony Campolo

This is a good read and digestible in small chapters. Tony Campolo is always fun and provocative. In this book, he and Brian McLaren (see above) go at it on several issues where the church seems to have missed the point. You may not agree with everything in this book, but you need to be thinking about each and every issue brought up. The responses sometimes are too brief and lacking, but this book is a worthwhile read for every Christian. Remember, there is always another side to each issue and perception!

Season of Life: A Football Star, a Boy, a Journey to Manhood
by Jeffrey Marx

While I can’t vouch for this, my dear friend and brother Mike Lewis has just finished this book and he is raving about it. I can’t wait to get to it. The book is about a football coach and his dealing with his players. As Mike told me, “it dispels the myths of cultural masculinity.” Mike would highly recommend every guy read this book. Be sure to ask Mike about his roundabout connections to the author.

The Search to Belong: Rethinking Intimacy, Community, and Small Groups
by Joseph R. Myers

I really liked this book and I am still ruminating about its implications. If you are like me, you sometimes feel that church is all about programs and less about relationships. Meyers uses a sociological approach to relational Christianity. I appreciated his uses of “space” (read the book to find out what I mean). Sometimes developing relationships in church can be difficult, but this book will help you discover some new ways to look at the topic.