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Larry's Book Recommendations
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George Barna and Harry R. Jackson Jr, Regal, 2004, isbn 0-8307-3265-9
This book is NOT just for African-American churches. Indeed, I (Larry) found that many of the principles learned in these (8) highly effective African-American churches are TRANSFERABLE to the anglo church. They have much to teach us in terms of discipleship, stewardship, worship, and leadership. As the ECC becomes more multi-ethnic, it is important to learn about the unique distinctives of others. In the process, we’ll find that we all have much to contribute to becoming better and more effective churches.
Brian D. McLaren, Zondevan, 1999, isbn 0-310-23838-2
While most of McLaren’s books are about helping the church transition into the postmodern world, this book is about how to share the basics of Christianity with those individuals who are postmodern. I (Larry) found this a compelling book that would be helpful for postmoderns and also helpful as a study for those who want to think about Christian faith as it engages the emerging culture.
Thom Rainer, Zondervan, 2005, isbn0-310-25745-X
This book takes the “Good to Great” model developed by Jim Collins and applies it to the church. Thom Rainer’s research team looked through their data-base of 50,000 churches to find churches that truly experienced break-out growth while still being served by the same senior pastor. They found 13 churches. The study contrasts each breakout church with 3 similar churches that did not experience breakout growth. The team came up with 6 key factors that separated the “Great” from the “Good” churches. While many of the principles remind the reader of “Good to Great” the research team did a good job of identifying the factors that promoted growth in the churches. This book is a MUST READ for pastors and leaders that don’t mind facing the challenges of growing. There is a helpful “church readiness inventory” at the back.
George Barna, Regal, 2002, isbn 0-8307-3075-3
This is one of the more helpful books on helping churches get focused on Evangelism. Especially helpful are the last two chapters, “Twelve Misconceptions about Ministry to the Unchurched” and “How Churches Minister Effectively to the Unchurched.”
George Barna and Harry R. Jackson Jr, Regal, 2004, isbn 0-8307-3265-9
This book is NOT just for African-American churches. Indeed, I (Larry) found that many of the principles learned in these (8) highly effective African-American churches are TRANSFERABLE to the anglo church. They have much to teach us in terms of discipleship, stewardship, worship, and leadership. As the ECC becomes more multi-ethnic, it is important to learn about the unique distinctives of others. In the process, we’ll find that we all have much to contribute to becoming better and more effective churches.
Lyle Schaller, Abingdon, 2000, isbn 0-687-09045-8
The sub-title of this book is “New Rules for Leaders.” While Schaller is prolific, every decade he writes a book that plows new ground – this is one of those. He changes his paradigm of church size to include the very large church (attendance of 750 – 1800) and the megachurch (attendance of 1800+). He also has discerned some keys to leading these large churches. A real plus for Covenanters is that we are the only denomination positively spoken of by Lyle (pp 224-226).
Peter Scazzero, Zondervan, 2003, isbn 0-310-24654-7
I have recommended this book to churches and leadership teams that have experienced relational conflict, but the book is extremely helpful for any church that is looking at DEVELOPING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS and healthy disciples. Scazzero found that the relational and emotional component of discipleship is ignored in the church. The book develops a new paradigm for discipleship – emotional health. There is a helpful “Inventory of Spiritual/Emotional Health” that can be used and helpful discussion questions.
Steve Sjogren and Rob Lewin, Regal, 2003, isbn 0-8307-2972-0
Many have read “Conspiracy of Kindness.” This book applies those ideas of servant-evangelism to church-planting. Indeed, the sub-title is ‘A Refreshing new approach to planting and growing a church.’ While the book assumes that the church planter is bivocational and this assumption makes it somewhat different from the ECC model, none-the-less, the book is chock full of 106 ideas that churches and church plants can use to show the love of God to their communities.
Ken Davis, Zondervan-YouthSpecialties, revised 1996, isbn 0-310-20146-2
This book is NOT JUST FOR YOUTH WORKERS! It contains some of the best advice on preaching to any age group. Ken Davis uses the same material that he shares with adults in his video series: “Dynamic Communication Workshop” (also available at the Conference office library).
Joseph R. Myers, Zondervan, 2003, isbn 0-310-2550-7
This book takes the four architectural paradigms of space and applies these to the different environments that people need: public space, social space, personal space and intimate space. For postmoderns who have a problem with large church – his writing on public space is essential. For moderns who think the church should only be about large worship gatherings and small groups – his writing on social space is essential. For those who have read Randy Frazee’s ground-breaking book, ‘The Connecting Church,’ Frazee says that this book “advances the ball on community.” It is a must-read for any church leader that wants to re-think small groups and to build authentic community. In addition, Joe will be the key-note speaker for the 2005 GLC annual meeting in April.
Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch, Hendrikson, 2003, isbn 1-56563-659-7
Leonard Sweet gives this book 4 stars. Eddie Gibbs writes, “It is especially helpful to have an Australian perspective on the 21st century missional church as these two authors engaged in church planting in one of the most secular nations in the Western world. Their contribution brings an in-depth theological reflection… their extensive reading in…culture and mission…as well as their visits to missional churches in the USA and the UK.” This may be the most in-depth book I (Larry) have read on the emerging church and has implications for how we organize our mission and train new leaders.
Erwin Raphael McManus, Group, 2001, isbn 0-7644-2306-1
This is another great book on understanding the Emerging Church – again written by a practitioner – pastor of Mosaic Church in Los Angeles. Erwin uses metaphors in speaking of the 5 purposes of the church: evangelism as “wind,” fellowship as “water,” service as “wood,” worship as “fire,” and discipleship as “earth.” These are not just cute ways to describe these elements of church life – metaphor is the language and the image of the emerging church. McManus speaks of the transition from church growth to church health to the emerging focus on church dispersion (mission). He goes on to talk about the kind of leadership needed for this kind of church. Erwin spoke at a Midwinter a few years ago and was very well received.
Robert E. Webber, Baker, 2002, isbn 0-8010-9153-7
This is the historical theology of the Emerging Church. Those who went to the Covenant Midwinter in 2003 received this book as a gift. It has become THE book that describes the history of the 3 great evangelical movements in recent times: the Traditional Evangelicals – represented by the NAE, Billy Graham and Christianity Today; the Pragmatic Evangelicals – represented by Church Growth, Willow Creek and Saddleback; and the Younger Evangelicals – represented by Emergent (Brian McLaren), Rob Bell (Mars Hill, Grand Rapids), Erwin McManus and others. The first half of the book, Webber outlines the influences that shaped each of these 3 movements. He gives fair treatment to each movement in turn. Then, the last half of the book, each chapter shows how the Younger Evangelicals approach issues like evangelism, youth ministry, worship, etc. This is a “must read” for anyone interested in the roots of evangelicalism in the 20th century and who prays for fruitfulness in the 21st century.
Steve Sjogren and Rob Lewin, Regal, 2003, isbn 0-8307-2972-0
Many have read “Conspiracy of Kindness.” This book applies those ideas of servant-evangelism to church-planting. Indeed, the sub-title is ‘A Refreshing new approach to planting and growing a church.’ While the book assumes that the church planter is bivocational and this assumption makes it somewhat different from the ECC model, none-the-less, the book is chock full of 106 ideas that churches and church plants can use to show the love of God to their communities.
George Barna, Regal, 2002, isbn 0-8307-3075-3
This is one of the more helpful books on helping churches get focused on Evangelism. Especially helpful are the last two chapters, “Twelve Misconceptions about Ministry to the Unchurched” and “How Churches Minister Effectively to the Unchurched.”
Bobb Biehl, Broadman & Holman, 1998, isbn 0-8054-0173-3
While this book is designed to be used over 30 days, it is really a primer on basic leadership. Bobb Biehl is a Christian consultant to many in the business world and founder of Masterplanning Group International. Each chapter is a distillation of the principles that makes for effective leadership and I (Larry) have used this as a handy guidebook for years. The chapters on “Asking Questions” and “Goal Setting” are worth the price of the book.
Patrick Lencioni, Jossey-Bass, 2002, isbn 0-7879-6075-6
Pat Lencioni shared thi material at the Willow Creek Summit in 2003 and church leaders immediately saw the benefits for their leadership teams. Too often our church leadership has dysfunctional elements and this causes us to be ineffective. Lencioni writes this book as a ‘fable’ in that he takes a fictional, business situation where a new leader inherits a dysfunctional team and begins to remold it. It’s entertaining reading. Along the way, you’ll see great applications for church leadership.
Richard Kriegbaum, Tyndale, 1998, isbn 0-8423-3689-3
There are many books on Leadership and many other books on Prayer; however, this is the only book I know of that puts these two key topics together – as they should be for spiritual leaders. I highly recommend that every church buy copies for every leader in the church and then use it for devotions when they meet.
Andy Stanley, Multnomah, 2006, isbn 1-59052-232-X
The sub-title is “5 Essentials for those who will SHAPE the Future.” Andy Stanley, son of Charles Stanley, is pastor of a Northpointe Church in Atlanta. Andy is one of the Next Generation leaders along with Alex McManus and Ed Young Jr. This book would be a very good study for church boards or church staffs. The 5 Essentials are: Competance, Courage, Clarity, Coaching, and Character.
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Dick's Book Recommendations
Larry Crabb/Waterbrook Press/2002/CBD Stock No.: WW64531/ISBN: 1578564530
This is Crabb’s best and most challenging book yet. In it Crabb contrasts a life of blessing-centeredness over against a life of God-centeredness. He also writes powerfully of what if means to live in the freedom of the joy of grace. This book is a real gift for those of us who are weary of trying to make our lives measure up.
William H. Willimon/Abingdon Press 2002/CBD Stock No: WW45323/ISBN: 0687045320
In this book that is destined to become a classic, William Willimon a professor at DukeDivinitySchoolwrites about the role and function of the pastor. The book is both deeply theological and very practical. I believe every pastor should read, study, and reflect on this book.
William H. Willimon/Abingdon Press/2000/CBD Stock No: WW90339/ISBN: 0687090334
In this book Willimon helps us struggle with the question “Who ought we be as pastors?” He is primarily concerned about character. He challenges ministers to make personal virtue and character central to their vocation. Again, this book is required reading for ministers.
Stanley J. Grenz/Eerdman’s/1996/CBD Stock No: WW08646/ISBN: 0802808646
This is one of the best introductions to postmodernism available today. It provides a helpful introduction to the various cultural expressions that make up postmodernism. Grenz surveys some of the better known postmodern thinkers and weaves together the threads of art, architecture, philosophy, literacy, theology, etc. that contribute to the postmodern matrix.
Ben Patterson/Bethany House/1999/CBD Stock No: WW1974X/ISBN: 155661974X
One of the dangers of pastoral ministry is to fail to recognize that the work of God’s kingdom is a spiritual battle, and that prayer is the primary resource in that battle. Patterson helps us want to pray and learn to pray.
Michael Yaconelli/Zondervan/2001/CBD Stock No: WW35332/ISBN: 0310235332
In this book, Mike Yaconelli presents a radical picture of God’s grace at work in our lives and in the church. He helps us understand that Jesus not only loves us but likes us. You may not agree with everything he says but you will sense God’s grace in the messiness of your life.
Peter Kreeft/Ignatius Press/1991/CBD Stock No: WW8703573/ISBN: 0898703573
Peter Kreeft is Roman Catholic, a professor of philosophy at Boston College, and the author of many books on Christian spirituality. I find him to be a very engaging thinker and writer. This book is written in dialogue form and will benefit anyone who finds it hard to pray or to read books about prayer.
Robert E. Quinn/Jossey-Bass/1996/ISBN: 0787902446
Quinn is a professor in the Graduate School of Business at the University of Michigan. This book is written from an organizational behavior point of view. His main point is that personal transformation and change in the leader precedes organizational transformation and change. This is a very important book to those of us seeking to bring transformation and change to the church.
Jim Herrington/R. Robert Creech, Trisha L. Taylor/ Jossey-Bass/2003/ISBN: 078796266X
This book also focuses on personal transformation as the way to congregational transformation. The authors, two pastors and a pastoral counselor write from the family systems perspective. They help pastors understand that leading well means managing ourselves rather than managing others.
Edwin H. Friedman/Guilford Press/1985/ISBN: 0898620597
This book is a classic and still the best material available on understanding the congregation and leadership from a family systems perspective. Friedman, now deceased, was a rabbi, counselor, and teacher of pastoral counselors, clergy and other members of the helping profession. The chapter on leadership in a congregational family is worth the price of the book.
Other Links
http://www.guilford.com/cgi-bin/cartscript.cgi?page=order.html&cart_id=665708.30121
http://www.josseybass.com/WileyCDA/
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