Sam Chand is brilliant. Whether in ministry or the marketplace Dr
935750
Bigger Faster Leadership by Dr. Sam Chand is brilliant. Whether in ministry or the marketplace Dr. Chand's principles on leadership, people, processes, systems, and structure are applicable regardless of our roles. These principles are taught in practical ways making the comprehension attainable and retainable as you learn to get bigger faster. We all are leading someone and Bigger Faster Leadership helps us become healthy and the people we are leading.
102783
I love how Dr. Goodson communicates absolutely brilliant concepts in a manner that everyone can understand, digest and put into to practice to become better. She's definitely an anointed/gifted encourager. The Gospel is so simple a child can receive it and I believe this same principle undergirds Dr. Goodson's writings.
1716964
Born into an Indian family sold out for God, Dr. B.E. Vijayam, a second generation Christian, spent much of his life surrounded by poverty, injustice, and caste-differences -- the pain of a fallen world. Plagued by the question, "Why does God make so many people poor?" he turned to an ardent dedication to Marxist communism as a teen.

Through the faithful teaching of his church-planting father during times of family worship, Vijayam came to a startling understanding that the answers to poverty, violence, and injustice are found not in revolution, but rather in the person of Jesus Christ. Immediately entering into an evangelistic ministry, Vijayam's heart for the lost has remained undiminished throughout his life, leading to the establishment of several training programs for ministers of the gospel.

Blessed with a penchant for academics, Vijayam entered into the sciences, and has been involved with the establishment of several programs dedicated to bringing technological and agricultural advances to the poor of India at a grassroots level. Combining his heart for evangelism with his experience in reaching Indians with technologies that allow them to be self-supporting, he approaches the gospel holistically -- seeking to provide the hurting with their vital physical needs, and their deep spiritual need for Jesus as well.

Author Kay Marshall Strom shares Vijayam's passion for the downtrodden and is dedicated to mobilizing western Christians through her writing. After visiting Dr. Vijaham and the projects he's spearheaded in India, Strom is bringing his story to the western church, to encourage, and to inspire action.

As supporters of native, or national missionaries in India, In the Presence of the Poor is of particular interest to my family. The parallels Strom draws between the natural shift in the methods demonstrated for evangelism in the New Testament church of Acts and the presently occurring shift in mission-senders in the modern church are new to me. While native missionary work has always seemed practical and efficient, Strom's thoughts provide examples from scripture to support this growing method.

Strom is an accomplished author who writes in both Christian fiction and non-fiction. While this modern day missionary biography isn't as stirring or captivating as her splendid novelization of John Newton's life Once Blind (after which I became a devoted fan), readers with a heart for social justice and missions will find a kindred spirit in this, Strom's latest. News from the frontlines in the 10/40 window (where the majority of the world's un-reached people groups dwell) is both encouraging and inspiring to read.
2358615
All through my Christian experience I have hugely appreciated the preaching and writing of Don Carson. Especially his preaching. For me the fact that Don Carson is preaching at a conference is a good reason to attend.

I have noticed certain ... let's say anomalies, irregularities... over the years. Not with Don's preaching. He maintains his exegetical thoroughness, his concern to exalt Christ, his love for his hearers with a consistency to which I aspire sincerely.

No, the anomalies and irregularities have been evident in the circumstances surrounding Don's messages. Especially the times of worship. Let me explain.

An anomaly. I don't know what else to call it, if not a glaring clash. In a conference a few years ago Don spoke on the need for A Biblical Evangelical Spirituality. I think it was that very morning that the group leading the worship announced that all the songs that morning would be accompanied by percussion alone, especially the djembe, which in Africa is highly prized for its healing qualities and greatly used by Christian healers, too.

Um, someone pinch me, please.

An irregularity. On our arrival in France we quickly learned one of the favourite praise songs in our churches. It sets words from Revelation 15 : 3 - 4 to a lively tune in broadly hebrew style. The words are followed by a chorus on "la, la, la" which mounts chromatically. You sing "la" typically 82 times, depending on the number of times the chorus is repeated. So far so good.

But at one conference where Don was about to speak the music group omitted the verse and just had us sing "La la la".

Don is a gentleman. His tact and politeness are admirable. He is a model of restraint and control.

But all the same I would LOVE to know what he thought and to hear his views on these things.

Well read Terry Johnson and you'll soon know what he would say! This book is a call to serious reflection on the manner, style, concern, intent and content of our worship. Terry wants to call us back.

Back to a serious approach to worship.
Back to a word-centered approach to worship.
Back to a simple approach to worship.
Back to a Spirit-dependent approach to worship.

It's extremely closely argued. You'll need to read the book slowly, because he does sweeping historical surveys in a small number of pages.

It's very focused on a particular liturgical approach to worship. Not necessarily with set words, but with a certain form and structure nevertheless.

It's strongly paedobaptist, as you'd expect. Baptist friends will not be in total agreement with his historical survey.

There are big bibliographies, notes and references at the back of the book which would make it a useful reference work for students at reformed seminaries.

It would also be a useful book for people wanting to work out the implications of their newly found calvinistic convictions for worship.

It deserves to be read, studied, considered and evaluated widely and deeply.

A review copy in Kindle format was supplied free of charge by Cross Focused Reviews. I was not required to give a positive review.
169347
Brian McLaren is a fresh voice among so many time worn repeated phrases. This particular text tackles the problem that many believers deal with. "How do they become more and more dedicated to Christ, while at the same time not turning into a great big jerk?" We follow a Messiah who was kind to Gentile (Roman) oppressors, to half breed "used women" (Samaritians), prostitutes and blue collar people, and he did so with love for these people. Somehow Jesus and his followers did what eludes so many who call themselves by the name of Christ. Brian's works (including this one) shines the light on a different way to see key theology, lituragy and practice. I hope he continues to deep deep into his spiritual well and share what he finds with the world.
4496422
Ravi is awesome! He presents the Gospel so clearly anyone who wants to can understand.
1327705
Bobby Schuller is one of a kind.  His writings and ministry makes me want to know God.  Ive seen alot of preachers and been to alot of churches and I have to say that Bobby is not to be missed.  There is a noticeable difference in his heartfelt and often humorous sermons.  I always come away feeling good about being a human.
I will never forget an experience I had taking my then 10 yo daughter to a rather "hell and brimstone" youth group at a church that we attended once for a friend.  She cried all the way home.  the youth pastor in his efforts to "scare the heck" out of the youngsters had really made a bad impression on her.  Needless to say I was disappointed and we vowed never to return. A week later I was watching Bobby preach and he mentioned having the very same experience as a young boy.  He never forgot how it made him feel .  He then spoke about how God does not want you to fear him.  And how it was scary for someone to be so angry and talking about God.  I recorded it on my DVR and showed it to my daughter.  How awesome was his timing on that?  He is the most real and human preacher.  You will love this book!  You will love this preacher!
3629469
McKinley writes an excellent work examining Jesus ministry to people in the margins.  Many may be familiar with McKinley as 'Pastor Rick' in Don Miller's books (Blue Like Jazz, etc).  Pastor Rick really picks up on a lot of the ideas Miller writes about but  puts feet to them.  He presents a view of Christianity that recognizes how many people feel broken, damaged by family/friends and lost in a world that seems to be heading in the other direction.  This is where understanding how the Bible shows Jesus and his work to those left in the margins is so valuable.  McKinley writes from experience, as they guy who has had his own struggles with acceptance and letting people in.  I recommend this book as both individually healing and as a great presentation of what the Kingdom of God should look like.
3049195
An excellent, underrated spiritual book.  Ram Dass is brilliant, spontaneous, and loving -- his messages are clear as a bell.
For reference, the book is a sort of "transcript" of talks given at the menninger Foundation in 1970 and at Spring Grove hospital in 1972.
Here is a classic quote from the book: "I used to hang out with the Mellon Family.  The Mellon family is very rich.  Each of the parents has 700 million dollars.  That's rich in my book.  The kids were poor.  They each had only 20 million.  I hung out with one of these kids who had 20 million dollars and he felt like a bum... That's far out from my point of view."
Ram Dass skillfully uses stories like this to illustrate the spiritual truths that craving objects leads to suffering, that peace of mind lies within, and so on.
Excellent book.  Thanks Ram!
2787843
I was first introduced to Skye Jethani when my small group read The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity nearly a decade ago. The Divine Commodity was a thought-provoking read that made for excellent discussion fodder and gave me a huge amount of respect for Skyes theology and wisdom.

Because of how much I enjoyed The Divine Commodity, I was excited to read Skyes newest book, Immeasurable: Reflections on the Soul of Ministry in the Age of Church, Inc.

Immeasurable contains a series of essays on the church and leadership. True to Skye's previous books, its filled with insights gleaned from years of pastoral experience as well as rubbing shoulders with other pastors. Its honest, vulnerable, and at times, critical of both leaders and the church.

Immeasurable is designed to challenge leaders so that they  and the church  will more effectively be able to live into and out of Gods call for them. For example, in the essay entitled Effectiveness, Skye reminds readers We have replaced the love of the living God with sacrifices to the Idol of Effectiveness The most tragic lie the Idol of Effectiveness tells us is that a life spent in serve for God is the same as a life with God.

One of the chapters of Immeasurable that most challenged me was Rest. In it, Skye suggests, The work were calling people to in the church is good, godly, and important but when theyve not been shown how to bring redemptive patterns of work and rest, activity and silence, into their professional lives and when healthy rhythms of rest are also absent in the churchs life, eventually, the sheep will leave to find a pasture where they can lie down  even ifs a couch in front of a television on Sunday morning.

Not surprisingly given his earlier work on consumerism in the church, in Immeasurable, Skye speaks out powerfully against consumerism. He warns Christian leaders, To live as a Christian no longer carries an expectation of obedience and good works but rather the perpetual consumption of Christian merchandise and experiences  music, books, T-shirts, conferences, and jewelry.

While I know few people who will agree with everything Skye says, Im confident that even those who don't will be challenged by what he says. For example, in his essay, Vampires, Skye raises the questions, Why do [those committed to Christ] see Christ as giving them life but view the church as taking it from them? and What if the problem isn't that young people aren't committed to the church, but that the church isn't committed to young people?

As I read Immeasurable I often found myself wishing I was reading it with a group so I had someone to discuss each chapter with. Thats the thing about Skyes writing. You want to talk about it with other people.

But whether you read it alone or with a group, Immeasurable is well worth reading. Christian leaders in a variety of settings will find it both helpful and challenging.

*********************************************************

Disclosure: I received a free copy of Immeasurable from Moody Publishers  in exchange for a fair and honest review.
4739158
On the dust-jacket of my copy of "The Works of Jonathan Edwards" is this endorsement by Martyn Lloyd-Jones:  "If I had the power I would make these two volumes compulsory reading for all ministers!"  Well, that's exactly how I feel about Brueggemann's "Theology of the Old Testament."  It's simply the best, most relevant, most useful book I have ever read, on any subject related to the Christian life.  Brueggemann opens doors to reading and interpreting the Bible (Old and New Testaments) with deep faithfulness, bold imagination, and scathing criticism of the culture in which we find ourselves.  His critique of both liberal and conservative approaches to the Bible is refreshingly egalitarian.

Brueggemann's agenda is to listen attentively to all the diverse (and divergent) voices within the Old Testament, seeking truth in the midst of these "disputes," but without attempting to harmonize them or produce a "systematic" theology.  This approach is astonishing in its relevance to our current situation:  the advent of post-modernism with its emphasis on pluralism and relativized, deconstructed truth; the disestablishment, indeed exile, of the American Church; and the dominant Western "metanarrative" of "military consumerism."  Though I disagree with some of the ideas presented, I am far richer and better for having read this book.  Brueggemann himself would be the first to invite readers to dispute both his method and his conclusions.

My acid test for ministry books:  "Give me something I can use!"  This material is far more than useful, it's transformational.  Every aspect of my faith and my professional life has been affected:  my preaching, teaching, pastoral care, even my praying (see chapter 15, "The Human Person as Yahweh's Partner," for a description of an alternative, faithful way to be a human being in the midst of our culture of death and denial.  It contains everything seminary didn't, but should have, taught me about what a pastor's job is.).  The Ten Commandments and even the book of Deuteronomy have been restored to my agenda as a pastor.  This book is a life-changing and ministry-shaping gift.  It is truly "pastoral" theology - that is, theology done to shape ministry and life.

Thank you, Dr. Brueggemann, for teaching (reminding) me that pastoral ministry begins and ends with good theology, and that good theology is found in the questions asked, not just in the conclusions reached.  Pastors, seminarians, and anyone else who wants to learn how to read and use the Bible to transform your life and your work - grab this book and devour it!
3034670
Sam Torode has prepared both a wonderful story of a young man's journey to a new place in the world, but also a new place in faith.  With years of hearing threats and warnings about his humanity, Tobias sets out to discover the reality of the world and God.  Guided by an irreverently wise student of the bible, he reaches not only his family's roots, but also that of human joy.
Throughout my ministry I've been troubled by the Christians, professional and lay, who insist our holy book is filled with stern warning and condemnation.  It has always seemed to me filled with joy, love, and humor; plus some great sex!  What more could you ask for?  Thanks, Sam, for a great story, great characters, and a great insight into the love God has for us mortal creatures.
2733401
I somehow ran across Babatunde's posts through a friend reposting.  From his first idea to his final advice (so far!) this man just seems to have a excellent attitude and the ability to talk simply about profound and wonderful parts of the human condition.  He has a way of somehow posting advice at the exact time that his ideas will benefit me most.  I often say Wow when he posts online. I treasure this book. I think our modern life needs a clear and joyous path.  We are all here to do our best on earth, and I believe Babatunde's ways would ring true Worldwide.  So, I wish for as many copies of this mind to spread like balm on our aching feet.  Keep the Faith.
2622217
Ill state it right up frontevery pastor should read Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper.

The pastor is called upon to do lots of things, some of which are considered by both pastor and parishioner to more spiritual or more business. But in reality, all that a pastor (or any Christian for that matter) does is spiritual, because it is all to be done for the glory of God. Over time, many pastors have lost sight of the sacred nature of their calling, turning what they do into a professional pursuit.

Piper explains, First, professionalism should always be marginal, not central; optional, not crucial. And second, the pursuit of professionalism will push the supernatural center more and more into the corner while ministry becomes a set of secular competencies with a religious veneer.  When I look back, my regret is not that I wasn't more professional but that I wasn't more prayerful, more passionate for souls, more consistent in personal witness, more emotionally engaged with my children, more tender with my wife, more spontaneously affirming of the good in others.

Every chapter is chockfull of biblical insights, personal examples from John Pipers ministry, and historical sources that have stood the test of time. Ill say it again: every pastor should read this book!

Ill add my own amen this prayer John Piper offers: Banish professionalism from our midst, O God, and in its place put passionate prayer, poverty of spirit, hunger for God, rigorous study of holy things, white-hot devotion to Jesus Christ, utter indifference to all material gain, and unremitting labor to rescue the perishing, perfect the saints, and glorify our sovereign Lord. In Jesus great and powerful name. Amen.
3327543
Pastor Sam communicates very well, keeps it rated PG, and will make you laugh, all while equipping you with truth and God's heart towards you.  God is for sex, but why not yet?  Why not with whomever, however, whenever I want?  Pastor Sam answers these questions and more using practical truth, the wisdom of the Bible, and without shame or condemnation attached.  It's good to know what the boundaries are, but not many communicate why.  Pastor Sam does, and you will feel uplifted, and empowered to make the best choices for your life, and live life abundantly!

I only wish I had this book 20 years ago to help me through the sexual challenging world around me.  And it's safe to say, this book is perfect for the young teen all the way up to the adult single person who is challenged to live holy life.

Yes to Sex is a gem!  I highly recommend it!
1253123
Over the past several years, I had heard several preachers and authors say that this is one of the books that preachers must read.  After reading it, I fully agree.  Among all of the good books for pastors and preachers, I think this is definitely a "must read."  Lloyd-Jones is incredibly contemporary and relevant for preachers today.  For the most part, this book seems like it was just published.

I have listened to many of Lloyd-Jones' sermons on iTunes and have been impressed with everything about his preaching, especially the message and the passion of it.  He is a proven preacher that can substantively write about preaching for preachers.  I think in the last century he must be one of the best.

This quote provides a glimpse of a major emphasis of Lloyd-Jones: "What is the chief end of preaching? I like to think it is this.  It is to give men and women a sense of God and His presence."  In his teaching, he focuses on the presence, message and purpose of God, as He uses a person to proclaim the gospel.  Along those lines, he asserts that the greatest need in the church is the restoration of spiritual authority in the pulpit.  He commends preachers to pursue the holiness, purity and love of God that will allow them to be a vessel for God.

Lloyd-Jones has a very high view of the pulpit and the preacher's role.  He considers it a sacred calling that requires a lifestyle conformed to the calling of Jesus Christ.  Therefore, the most important thing for the preacher is his own sanctification and discipleship.  Lloyd-Jones gives many positive exhortations, warnings, insights, practical suggestions and advice.  He reveals his own passion and love for preaching and preachers in this book.  There were a few pieces of advice I question, but only a few on minor points.  The heart of this book is right on and profound.

The essays included in this edition are helpful and appreciated.
512517
One of my best books I read again and again and have highlighted much. MacDonald was banned from speaking in many Churches because he preferred Jesus' words to ANY DOCTRINE OR THEOLOGY IF YOU ARE TIRED OF HEARING THE SAME OLD PREACHERS, READ THIS. THESE SERMONS ARE GOLD AND TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE THE DEMON OF SELF LOVE. IT MIGHT BE MY FAV BOOK EVER. HE IS MY FAV PREACHER EVER