Since February 2007, the following books have either been recommended or I have “come across them”! I have found the whole thing really exciting and may well be re-reading quite a few of them. I haven’t given dates, but some of them have been mentioned before in previous posts. Needless to say I am also reading the Bible as well – more than ever before, but this time for me, not for sermons or meeting preparation.
“The Latent Power of the Soul” by Watchman Nee. This book opened my eyes to the possibility that much of what parades itself as christian spirituality is actually human soulishness. Quite an eye opener.
“The Normal Christian CHURCH Life” by Watchman Nee.[ Note 'CHURCH Life' not just 'life' ] On reading some of Gary Goodell’s material, I noticed that Gary reckoned this had been one of the most influential books in his recent times. So I thought I’d give it a try. Nee has distilled the scriptures concerning church and apostles and produced a rich description of what church should look like. I can’t say that everything lit me up, but it was an inspiring read and made sense of some prophetic words spoken over me many years ago.
“Five smooth stones for pastoral work” by Eugene Petersen. This is a rich, deep book and needs to be taken slowly because there is so much in it. If you fancy yourself as a leader then you should read this and sense the Lord broadening your understanding of five little read, little used books. Marvellous stuff! Such encouragement as well as a challenge. If you’re not a leader, read it anyway so that you can bless those who lead you.
“Inside Out” by Larry Crabb. For me this was a re-read. I’d first tackled it in 2004 and again in early 2006, again now in 2007! Crabb deals expertly with being truthful in the innermost parts without ditching faith and hope. One of the keys to spiritual transformation is to be honest about who you really are and to long to be who the Lord wants you to be in combination with doing serious inner business with Him.
“The return of the prodigal son” Henri Nouwen. Difficult to quantify really but one phrase stuck with me about whether my responses [ to anything ] come out of cynicism or joy. You’ll have to read it to see what I mean. A beautiful book. Nouwen has captured a poetic depth to the parable through a very lengthy comtemplation of the scripture and the painting of the same name.
“The way of the heart” by Henri Nouwen. Part One of the series of three Permission Schools [ that Fran & I attended in San Diego and which were later repeated in Elgin during April 2008 ] concerned building a deep and long lasting personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. This book was the recommended reading for that course. Nouwen deals with the necessity for the believer to not only give the Lord quality time but to be disciplined about; it practising solitude, silence and prayer. For me Nouwen is one of many catholic writers who has walked closely with the Lord and shows His heart for that relationship in this book. Challenging!
“God of surprises” by Gerard Hughes. This one came to us around the time I was reading “The way of the heart” and had been lent to Louise by a friend who is a CoS minister. This dear friend also practises biblical meditation and lectio divina and felt “God of surprises” would be of interest to Louise not knowing I was reading Nouwen. For me, Hughes filled in the gaps which Nouwen exposed in my private devotional life and which Gary Goodell had begun to bridge for me in the Permission School. Hughes’ advice and testimony did what it said on the cover and showed me how to engage with the Word more deeply than ever before. Buy it, do it, love Him!
“Permission is granted to do church differently in the 21st century” by Graham Cooke and Gary Goodell. Again, recommended reading for Part Three of the Permission School but nonetheless a wonderful concentration of emergent church thinking. Suddenly a whole lot of things dropped into place about many issues and incidents, hunches and insights over the past five years which I didn’t know how to process in the midst of my being a servant of the Institution. I have several dozen copies available at a very good price. Pop in and ask for one over a coffee!
“An army of ordinary people” by Felicity Dale. Basically a series of testimonies and study guides which demonstrate not only the power of house based churching and outreach, but also the biblical basis for many of these principles and events. This is a very powerful book and I read it twice straight away and when I get it back from my friend I’ll read it again!
“Crafted Prayer” by Graham Cooke… see the review on Amazon.
“Houses that change the world” by Wolfgang Simson. More of the same but with a much richer series of insights. Basically Simpson has written twelve essays about this new/old model of being church. Deep and again inspiring!
“The Ancient Path” by Joshua Jost. A lovely meditation of the pathway of God’s love from Genesis through to Revelation via the gospel. I met the author at his house while meeting with other christians sharing the same opinions about the way forward. This is one of those books that will be appreciated by both believers and non-believers.
“So you don’t want to go to church anymore?” by Jake Colsen. A must read for every pastor or leader. It’s quite a challenging dialogue between a pastor and a mysterious but puzzlingly familiar stranger. It’s also a must read for every other person seeking to dwell in and be of the Kingdom.
The above book along with “The Shack” were lent to me whilst in the States. I didn’t go much on the ‘Shack’ but loved “So…”.
“Blue like Jazz” by Donald Miller. This was recommended by a 3rd Day Pastor called Tim Crozier, who, having lived with us for a while in April and noting my sense of humour, said “You’ve gotta read this!” He was right. This book is so funny, unzips your tummy and your head to let the laughter out but then suddenly Miller hits you with a principle or insight or comment which can make you wince as you realise that actually…he’s talking about you! It’s all about love and loving people and loving God – despite your foibles! Some very interesting takes on christian spirituality indeed.
“Pagan Christianity” by George Barna & Frank Viola. Better not read this if your mind is closed to any tradition earlier than 1950 being revealed for both origin and effect on the contemporary church. However, if your faith is strong and certain and your love for the Lord central to your walk – get it and be fascinated!
“The Pressure’s Off – There’s a new way to live!” by Larry Crabb. For me a very affirming book since Crabb deals with the issue of linearity in the kingdom, ie. if I do A and B and pray/claim C then D will follow since God exists to answer my wants. This attitude of name and claim, stand and demand, bless me bless me bless me, etc locks the believer into a neo-legalism which can lead to an inner bondage and an outward arrogance with an ungodly tension between the two characterised by there being no alternative in most situations other than rebuke and retort. Instead, Crabb discusses and expounds on liberty through relationship with the Lord, leaving outcomes to be expressed as a function of the relationship between Him and us. Ties in nicely with my first book too – see above. You should read the reviews on the Amazon page from the link above.
“God is the Gospel” by John Piper. An absolutely superb exposition of 2 Cor 4 vss 5-6….
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
What an insight this man has. It took me ages to read simply because I found it so ………. so…….. moving/stirring/revelating/challenging/comforting/glorious! Oh! Just buy it!!
“Searching for God knows what ” by Donald Miller. Buy your own copy and come along and tell ME what you think! Check the review on the Amazon link.
“Papa Prayer” by Larry Crabb This continues the theme of the earlier book, ‘Pressure’s off’. Puts everything into a practical framework. Try it – you won’t be sorry. I certainly wasn’t.
“Jim & Caspar go to church” see previous post…..
“Approaching the heart of prophecy” by Graham Cooke. Cooke writes like a man from another planet. His insights are wonderful and he has a way of explaining kingdom dynamics which is both disarming [ gets in under your radar ] and also encouraging [ I never saw it quite like that before ] and both ways build up the reader.
“The Untold Story of the New Testament Church ” by Frank Viola. Do you know why the epistles are arranged in the order we see them in our bibles? By length! Do you know which epistles were written when and why and to whom? Are you bothered? If so – get this book. Viola expounds Acts, adds in historical and contextual narratives and then embeds the epistles in chronological order. It makes for so much more meaningful reading than the usual cut ‘n’ paste I used to indulge in!
Spontanoeus devotional when led ” Loving God ” by Mike Bickle
“Desiring God – Meditations of a Christian Hedonist” by John Piper. You can actually read this on Piper’s blog/web site…see the link in my sidebar .
“This beautiful mess” by Rick Mckinley – pastor of Imago Dei in Portland Oregon. This is Miller’s church and anyone who’s influenced Miller, imho, is worth a read.
“The Bloke’s Bible” by Dave Hopwood
“Re-Imagining Church” by Frank Viola
“Myths & Facts on the Arab Israeli conflict” by Mitchell Bard. Books covers the history up to 2006. The website is current. If you love Israel, please buy two copies. Read one yourself and give the other to a local/national politician or some other mover and shaker.
“Adventures in Missing the Point” by MacLaren & Campolo
“Irresistible Revolution” by Shane Claibourne
“You see bones – I see an army” by Floyd McClung
more comments on the above as and when… get reading NOW!
In the past I’ve used Wesley Owen to get rare stuff, they sent me a box of books for an event I held with loads of other excellent suggestions which tempted me. Having an event? Get the bookstall box from W-O . I have tried to use Eden as a link, but they don’t offer 2nd hand books as you can get from Amazon – without which the above would have cost me much much more!
Do let us know what the books meant to you if you do go ahead and read them.
You might think from all the above that I’ve moved away from conventional, institutional church but you’d be wrong. I love it more now I know so much more. I really do believe that house/simple church belongs in the gaps between the institutional/legacy church blocks and that we can and should all work together and fulfill the ‘One Anothers’ [ see page tab above ] wherever we are called to be church.
I commend these books to you, not to incite you to rebel or leave your current calling, but to explore some other aspect of the vast richness of what we know as church. We need to collectively take on board the fact that the Kingdom is at hand, we need to take hold of it and BE it for those searching for the Lord who don’t quite know it or Him yet. The fulfillment of the times is indeed here, now and the fields are white unto harvest. False promises/sales pitches aren’t going to show His glory, nor will the neo-Pharisees.
Only love for the Lord and love for one another will bring about the breakthrough in the lives of people everywhere.
So love Him, love ‘em and lead ‘em to His banqueting table!
Thank you for wading through this link-fest. Louise and I pray you will know Jesus Christ and His fulness in your life and being.
