Book titles alphabetically arranged
A Fish Out of Water by George Barna. Every leader faces challenges that causes us to feel “like a fish out of water” and wonder do we have what it takes to lead others. Barna argues we can anticipate and overcome challenges such as creating excitement about God’s vision for a group, identifying our preferred leadership style, using conflict to navigate issues, creating a culture that causes persons to work together toward a common goal, and the importance of spiritual nurture and character for anyone who aspires to real leadership. In examining these challenges, Barna insists that any Christian -- be they junior-level executive, homemaker, pastor of a small church, coach of a Little League team – has opportunities to lead persons. Question is, where will we lead them?
Breakout Churches by Thom S. Rainer. Many are familiar with Jim Collins’ bestseller Good to Great in which he identified eleven Fortune 500 companies that had transitioned from mediocrity to excellence. With that work in mind, Rainer assembled a research project to study thirteen churches that have moved from merely good to great, what he termed “breakout churches” who significantly impact their community. The book shares insights and characteristics of leaders and the culture that make this happen. Whether one subscribes to Rainer’s conclusions or not, the book still offers some measure of hope for those who want to lead their church beyond stagnation or plateau. As Rainer notes, “It is a sin to be good if God has called us to be great.”
Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones. Based on his own preaching style, Stanley share seven concepts for preaching and teaching leading to transformed lives. They include: 1. Determine your goal; 2. Pick a point; 3. Create a map; 4. Internalize the message; 5. Engage your audience; 6. Find your voice; and 7. Start all over. Stanley's "less is more" approach, which hinges on one-point sermons, provides an interesting alternative to the "three points and a poem" approach learned and practiced by many. But he may be on to something!
The Connecting Church: Beyond Small Groups to Community by Randy Frazee. You may not enjoy what you read in this book, you may not agree with everything that’s said, but it’s hard to argue with its core message. At the very least, the book will challenge your current perception and thinking about the way we do church. Rather than being the “community” we often imagine it to be, Frazee points out that the church is often a mirror of our culture’s individualism, consumerism, and isolation. As pastor of Pantego Bible Church in Arlington, Texas, Frazee and his church began to explore a new path to community. The solution proposed centers around common purpose (shared beliefs and values; commitment to a mission larger than ourselves), common place (developing significant relationships within our neighborhood), and sharing common possessions (interdependency and intergenerational life; being available to others in time of need). More than principles and programs, Frazee focuses on the relationships and experiences that get to the heart of real community.
Culture Shift: Communicating God’s Truth to Our Changing World by David W. Henderson. This book was recommended to me by David Sizemore, pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Glade Spring (thanks, David!). The author accomplishes two things in this book: 1. He offers a well-researched synopsis of the culture in which American churches exist and minister. In doing so, he examines how America thinks, our values, our aspirations, our view of God and the Church, our individualism and loneliness, etc. 2. He offers practical and useful recommendations for how Christians can gain a hearing in postmodern America for God’s Word. What he shares is more than theory. This is a pastor who has made it his business to relate to non-Christians. Especially helpful are accounts of his own conversations with unbelievers. This is a book I would recommend to any Christian, minister or layperson. Your eyes will be opened and you will be challenged!
Eat More Chikin, Inspire More People by Truett Cathy. As founder of the Chick-Fil-A restaurant chain, Cathy shares what he’s learned about true servant leadership. His challenge is to focus leadership on principles and people.
The Elephant in the Boardroom by Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree. Churches are accustomed to planning for budgeting, buildings, programming, and staff. But, one aspect of planning that remains almost taboo is preparation for that almost inevitable occasion when a pastor departs. If not openly discussed, the result is a church family left wondering about their future. This, according to Weese and Crabtree is “the elephant in the boardroom”.
This book highlights the spiritual and organizational questions to be answered for healthy transition, keeping in mind there is no one-size-fits-all plan. One very enlightening section examines Jesus’ modeling of the transition process. He was quick to honor those who preceded him and chose to build on that from the past which was healthy, even as he took his followers to a new level. Three years later, as his own ministry wound down, Jesus insured ongoing health of the mission by casting an encouraging vision for his disciples. He continued to mentor leaders and gave them permission to use their giftedness. Finally, he attended to emotional and spiritual issues created by his departure. Bottom line, the authors argue, this is a model worth following.
Finishing Well: What People Who REALLY Live Do Differently by Bob Buford. According to Buford, the rules for retirement years have changed. Now persons speak in terms of a productive second adulthood. In this book, he shares interviews with persons who are making the transition from striving for success to finishing life with significance.
Hearing God's Call: Ways of Discernment for Laity and Clergy by Ben Campbell Johnson. How can we be sure our calling is from God and not just personal agenda and/or desire? How can we be alert to the end of one call and the beginning of a new one? Johnson, professor emeritus of Christian spirituality at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia, offers observations on how best to discern and respond to the call of God. Filled with the stories of ministers and laypersons who have experienced God's call, this can be a real tool for counseling those who are struggling with their own call.
High Expectations: The Remarkable Secret for Keeping People in Your Church by Thom S. Rainer. Now president of LifeWay Christian Resources, Rainer shares insights gleaned from research with churches who assimilate new people really well. His conclusion: Successful churches expect more of their members. The book details what these churches are doing in areas such as new member classes, giving and tithing, mission statements, preaching style, Sunday School, youth ministry, etc. If nothing else, his findings will give a renewed appreciation for the role of the Sunday School.
Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges. According to the authors, any really successful leadership model starts by aligning with the leadership style of Jesus. With that aim in mind, they focus on four areas essential to effective leadership:
Making Vision Stick by Andy Stanley. This short book (only 74 pages) can be read in one sitting. But, it's packed with insight. Stanley notes that vision for the future in our churches often erodes due to the press of the present (deadlines, decisions, day-to-day responsibilities, etc. For that reason, leaders are encouraged to do the things that make vision stick:
A good resource for discussion among leaders in your church.
Overcoming Overload by Steve and Mary Farrar. We all live in a world characterized by overwhelming pace, pressures, and pain. More than simple “time management” strategies, the Farrars provide seven Biblical principles for relief from the demands of the overload. (Could be the basis for a strong teaching/sermon series!)
The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church by Reggie McNeal. McNeal’s premise is that the future has arrived! No longer can the church be focused on returning to our “glory days”. According to him, the church is faced with new questions:
McNeal employs from-the heart language in his assessments:
"So far the North American church largely has responded with heavy infusions of denial, believing the culture will come to its senses and come back around to the church. This denial shows up in many ways. Many churches have withdrawn from the community. An alternate form of denial has been the attempt to fix the culture by flexing political and economic muscle. Still another form of denial shows up in the church’s obsession with internal theological-methodological debates designed to determine who the true believers are while the world is headed to hell in a handbasket."
His conclusion: “I am convinced God wants a better future for the church in North America. If we can begin asking the right questions, I believe we can partner with him in bringing it about.” McNeal’s book is a provocative one to say the least, providing “out of the box” thinking. But anyone charged with casting vision for a church – ministers, deacons, Bible study leaders -- should take a look.
Seeds for the Future: Growing Organic Leaders for Living Churches by Robert D. Dale. “Bob” is assistant executive director of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and director of the Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congregational Leadership. This book represents his “repentance” of a mechanistic, scientific, CEO style of church leadership. Now, as he puts it, his leadership style operates from a conviction that “the church of Jesus Christ is alive.” The result is a “sow and grow” philosophy of organic leadership, one that is, “sowing seeds of ministry and growing believers toward leadership”.
7 Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner, and Lane Jones. One of the most telling statements in this book is this: “Your ministry is perfectly designed to achieve the results you are getting.” Question is, are you satisfied with those results?
In a very readable and entertaining style, the authors share seven strategies honed from their experience together at North Point Community Church in Atlanta:
Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger. Based on research and case studies, Rainer and Geiger conclude "Simple churches are making a big impact.” That is, church leaders would be wise to turn to the almost-forgotten process of Biblical discipleship that moves persons through stages of spiritual growth. To accomplish this, four steps insure simplicity: 1. Clarity (the process is easily communicated and understood by people; includes ability to measure progress), 2. Movement (outline of the sequence that moves persons along the path to spiritual maturity and commitment), 3. Alignment (all ministries and leadership working toward the same aim), 4. Focus (elimination of nonessential and ineffective programs). Bottom line, the authors are intent on helping churches to focus on ministry that really matters.
Spiritual Leadership: Moving People On To God’s Agenda by Henry and Richard Blackaby. This book, more than any other I’ve read in recent months, has helped to stretch my philosophy and vision for ministry. The subtitle represents the Blackabys' definition of leadership. They iinsist this leadership is appropriate and necessary for not only the church, but the home and workplace. As always, their material is thoroughly Biblical and practical. Among the chapter titles:
When It’s Rush Hour All Day Long by John Tadlock. Writing from his own experience as a recovered hurry addict, “Tad” (currently Church, Minister & Family Wellness Facilitator at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board) explores the connection between slowing down and finding true peace in a hurry-sick world. His chapter entitled “Prayer as Listening” is well worth the read.
Why Men Hate Going to Church by David Murrow. The author, an elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), asks a simple question: Where are all the men on Sunday morning? Are they totally indifferent to the church or is the church simply not relevant to them? Murrow insists men are not opposed to God or the church. But, in his words, “today’s church has developed a culture that is driving men away.” That is, the church focuses on relationships with God and others, a noble aim for sure. In doing so, though, men’s values are neglected: “risk and reward, accomplishment, heroic sacrifice, action, and adventure.” Men are challenge oriented more than security oriented. Admitting that he may stereotype or generalize too much about the sexes, Murrow’s aim is to generate conversation and offer practical ideas for bringing men back to church.