Just wondering...are there some books that you use over and over again as a help to you in ministry...ones you read or at least skim through once a year? There are a lot for me, but a few that come to mind are:
My Utmost For His Highest, Developing the Leader Within You, The Bait of Satan, UnderCover, Armor Bearer I and II...and my husband has the whole "Leadership - "Mastering" series which I have ready through every book at least twice.
These are just a few for me.......not in any particular order or an exhaustive list. What books do you find very helpful?
Wow...you hit on a neverending subject for me - books are one of my passions!!
For the theatre portion of my ministry, I read "Walking on Water" by Madeline L'Engle a lot...it's a reflection on faith and art, and what our focus should be as Christian artists.
For encouragement (other than the Bible, of course!), anything by Max Lucado is fabulous!
I just bought a book called "Transforming Kids into Spiritual Champions" by Rick Barna. I've been told it's a MUST for children's pastors...looking forward to diving into it.
And on just a plain "escapism" note, my absolute favorite Christian Fiction authors are Michael Phillips and Judith Pella. Pretty much anything that they've written. Michael Phillips is great at teaching deep spiritual truths all wrapped up in a fictional story - I get to the end of his book and I think, "Wow - I've learned so much!" I actually cried when I finished "The Russians" series, just because I was going to miss the characters so much.
I could be here all day listing all the books that are my favorites. Joyce Meyer is also one of my heroes. My best friend's life was deeply impacted by Tommy Tenney's "The God Chasers," and I plan on reading that eventually, too...
Transforming Kids Into Spiritual Champions by Barna is a great book. I have it on my shelf in my office. FABULOUS. Let me tell you, every senior pastor especially needs to read that book!!! (Not that CP's don't need to...but the reason I think sp's would do well to read it is because it underscores the importance of investing in the children's ministry -- as a pastor and as a church.)
I agree on Lucado as well - any book he writes is a home run and a very refreshing read. Meyer is one of my heroes too.
God Chasers -- much of it is good, however in reading it I found a few things I really wondered about theologically. And it seemed to be these "few things" that a few people (isn't that always the way it is) in my former church really ran wild with, unfortunately. I felt this way before any other minister had mentioned to me that they felt the same. Shortly thereafter I heard that the A/G pulled all his books from their shelves as far as selling them through GPH and at their bookstore in Springfield for what appeared to be the same reasons. Since then, most of my pastor friends have told me they read the book and these were their same reservations. It's a shame because there are a lot of good points within the book. However, I do not know all the ins and outs of it, you would have to check with someone more knowledgeable on it.
Specifically what I had reservations about in the book was the fact that he seems to equate words that people speak "from God" today as equal to the Bible. And, it appears that he also believes that if "God is speaking to you louder than your pastor (in a service), then interrupt." (I can't remember the exact phrasing, but it was something like the fact that if God is talking to you and His voice is louder than your pastor's while he is preaching, then by all means just speak out what God is telling you. (I disagree, I think that's out of order.) Also, my best pastor friend pointed out something to me about him referring to the bible as "dusty old love letters" in comparison to what God is speaking today through the spiritual gifts. I don't agree with that either. I believe the Word of God is paramount, IT IS the infallible Word of God, it is our absolute rule book for living. I believe it is more important than anything that would be spoken today. I don't believe it's outdated, nor dusty. (I believe just as the Word says...it's living and active...sharper than any two edged sword...) I do not believe that what people are thinking, sensing, feeling or whatever the case may be is more important than what is already in God's Word. Anyway, perhaps that is not what Tenney meant when he wrote the book but I do know from experience that a lot of church people took it that way. I pastored a few of them! (And so have my friends!) They seem to think, "hey if you've got something more exciting in your head than what your pastor is saying, then just blurt it out, baby!" On the other hand, I do think we need to chase after God and more of His presence and power. I just think we can do that and be biblically in order.
Leanne, read it for yourself and see what you think!
I will probably think of more later but right now I am thinking of Beverly Bilbo and her books "The Jezebel Spirit" was life changing for me and I also got so much from "Wounded in THe House of My Friends". She really challenges all pastors families and speaks of the anointing on our children.
Deanna - Yeah, I would have to disagree with a lot of the same points you disagree with. I mean, that goes totally against Paul's instructions on keeping order in church!! And if the Bible is just a bunch of "dusty old love letters," what's the point? Kind of like the whole preterist idea that the entire Bible has been fulfilled already. So...what the heck are we doing here then? Makes life sort of meaningless!
But I'm still curious to read "The God Chasers," just because it really influenced my friend to make such a dramatic change in her life - from a lukewarm backslidden PK to a youth pastor completely head over heels in love with Jesus! I will have trouble with the Biblical inaccuracies, though. I didn't even like The Ten Commandments because it wasn't 100% on, lol!
Okay, now I'm so excited to read my "Transforming Children..." book.
Thought of one more: "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala. It completely changed my life and started reawakening my desire to go into ministry!!
Thus my point that you should still read it -- to glean what good material it has there, Leanne. I'm not saying the whole book was off. It's just that a few points I took issue with and it seems so did some others (who know a lot more than me...) evidently. Like any book, I think pastors read it differently than lay people. We know how to "take the meat and chuck the bone" but our people don't always. In fact, it seems sometimes, they chew on the bones and chuck the meat!!!
I was just talking to a friend tonight about Cymbala's books and what a blessing they are. I agree -- about FWFF - I was greatly impacted by that too as well as the sequel, and...the book about blessing...great, great stuff!!! I agree cover to cover with everything I have ever read by the Cymbala's. I think they are great on fire leaders, but also completely biblically based.
Gotta go, it's really time for some sleep, but just couldn't resist checking my mail one more time.
oooh, I love books! we had to move our study around just to get my bookshelves in place and my dh had to take all his books to his study at the church 'cause his wouldn't fit in with mine.lol He needs them more there anyway. My favorite's are all Jim Cymbals books .I felt like I had been given permission by a giant to be excited about ministry. Also I like Jill Briscoes books, Beth Moore, Stormie Omartian, and christian romance (those are for bubble bath nights). Right now I'm reading Beth Moore's book '"Believing God". You all were talking abouit Scriptural discrepancies in books. when I read the whole left behind series,I loved them because of the action and spiritual growth but I had to get my Bible out several times and search scripture for questionable statements.
[quote]Like any book, I think pastors read it differently than lay people. We know how to "take the meat and chuck the bone" but our people don't always.
You are so right , PD, many times I had to refute things in those books by saying "well the Bible says this" I guess that's why God put us here to teach in truth and knowledge. Love ya'll!
Ralinda, I know what you mean about the "Left Behind" books. In general, I avoid "end times" books like the plague - fiction or nonfiction - because I don't think any of us, and that includes the most learned theologians, have the foggiest clue when or how it's going to happen. But I succumbed to that series because my mom stuffed the first five in my bag on a visit home and the very next week, I was flat on my back with a sinus infection and nothing else left to read. And I was hooked on the story and the characters.
The problem with fiction like that is that people tend to take it as theological truth. Frank Peretti actually stopped writing books about spiritual warfare after he heard about prayer groups forming to cast out the demons that he had named in "This Present Darkness" and "Piercing the Darkness." Then he started getting attacked because others felt he was encouraging it. He was horrified - he never claimed to be anything but a fiction writer, and the books nothing more than a story that came out of his imagination of what spiritual warfare might look like.
As you can see, fiction is definitely my passion when it comes to reading. I guess I'm still in college mode, and prefer not to read "instructional" books in my spare time. Since I graduated 7 years ago, I guess that's pretty sad, lol! But I've been diving back into schoolwork for the past year and a half doing my additional Berean coursework and picking up extra class at NCU in preparation for getting credentialed...
See...I told you I could ramble on and on about books!
No need to apologize, Puppetmaster! I could go on and on about books too. they are my addiction, as well as CD's.
Last night my darling husband was a tad bit irritated at me I think...I came home with 4 CD's from the Gaither Homecoming in Tampa. Although I LOVE all different kinds of music (literally all kinds) I have to confess to you that I have a very soft spot for the songs of my heritage, and I never miss the Homecoming when it comes to town. I took 26 people from church last night to it and we had a blast.
During intermission I ran from table to table to see what CD's I'd get. I settled on 4 of them and when I told dh he was like, "you need another CD like you need a hole in the head!" Yes, he's probably right but I just couldn't help it. I'm probably the only person that has a mix of CD's from the Gaither Vocal Band, Shania Twain and Chris Botti all in my CD player at once.
Books, CD's, shoes, it's all the same! Ya gotta have it!
By the way, what book are you reading right now? I always have a couple going at once. Right now I'm re-reading Maxwell's "Developing the Leader Within You" and also Family First by Dr. Phil.
Love you...I'm off to eat supper and listen to my Isaacs CD again.
Music and shoes...hmmm...two more dangerous topics for me. Not to mention purses!
My two all-time favorite Christian musicians are David Meece and Charlie Peacock - some great early to mid-1980s music that blends worship and gut wrenching testimony with some great classical music (Meece) and some fabulous "artsy" accoustic guitar (Peacock).
I found a great pair of shoes at (of all places!) the Gap that I have my eye on, lol!
Right now I'm reading "Effective Children's Ministry" by Jim Wideman (children's pastor at Church on the Move) and "How to Win Friends and Influence People." Okay, the second one is for a class, but I'm finding some great ideas for relating to my workers! I'm planning, as part of my prayer/devotional time in preparing for my interview, to start the Barna book. And as my fictional selection for the month, I'm reading Tracie Peterson's "Daughters of the Loom" trilogy - about the textile mills at the turn of the century.
I'm glad I'm not the only one with 3-4 books going at the same time! My mom used to tease me because I would have a book that I was reading sitting in every corner of the house so that wherever I went, there would be a book waiting for me .
I think Jim Wideman is fantastic. We just showed his video on recruiting workers the other night at our leadership huddle. It was awesome!!! We use his materials for more than just children's ministries. I think what he has to say benefits every dept. of the church.
I also think he's really funny!!!
I know what you mean about a book on every corner. My books get so piled up, it's amazing. Just this morning I was straightening my nightstand where I happen to have about 15 books right now.
I agree with the comment about max Lucado. I have never read one of his books that was not a home run!
Has anyone read any books by Dave Ramsey (or listened to him on the Radio)? He is a great Christian Financial Counselor. I love his books books because they make financial concepts that cvan be somewhat consfusing simple enough for everyone to undertand. He also is a big proponent of husbands and wives working together to manage the family finances. Although o ne normally actually does the bill paying and admin stuff, both are aware and in agreement on what going on.
I also live John Maxwell's book. Several are very good.
I also love book on family, that is my passion. Anybody read any really great books on family or family ministry?
Yes, I have read Dave Ramsey's books and I love them!!! We highly recommend them to our church people.
As far as family books, I have really enjoyed things from Focus on the Family...I want to get a new book I just saw advertised called, "Love & Respect." It was in their last magazine that came out.
.
.
