Revitalize Your Church

My book, Purple Fish: A Heart for Sharing Jesus ,  releases next month.  Wesleyan Publishing House is offering a great opportunity for a limited number of people to participate in the Purple Fish Book Launch Team.  You get a free electronic preview copy of the book in exchange for some help getting the good word out to others.  The invitation is limited to 50 bloggers/social media users -- so if you're interested, apply asap.  Here's the Link:   Purple Fish Book Club Application

I recently received a complimentary copy of The Wholehearted Church Planter for review on this blog (via Net Galley) and found it to be a refreshing surprise.  Instead of a bunch of leadership tips and suggestions for creating flashy events, authors, Allan Karr and Linda Bergquist say the key to effective church planting is spiritual. The secret to launching a vital congregation is for the leaders to live in the overflow of holy character and love.  It is about passion for Christ rather than personality or programs.   I deeply appreciate this rich and biblical challenge to put first things first and to minister reflectively.

Mark Batterson, my blogger buddy, and fellow Packer backer, is among my top three favorite authors. His newest book, Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny , is a masterful life-discovery book, that puts God at the center rather than self. In his creative and engaging style, Batterson uses the story of King David as a model for understanding who we are, where we come from, and where we're heading in life. The personal stories and thoughtful insights are well written and heartwarming.  Batterson has a unique way of drawing readers into the narrative, and keeps them turning pages, an unusual gift for a non-fiction author. This would be a great text for small groups, or one on one mentoring, helping people discover their special mission in life. Purchase Soulprint here (A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me for review, by WaterBrook/Multnomah Press)

Do you live purposefully and passionately?  Do you rise in the morning, ready to jump in to this grand adventure called living?  Vision produces purpose and passion. "Everyone ends up somewhere," says Craig Groeschel, "but few end up somewhere on purpose." What is God's vision for YOUR life? "Chazown" (pronounced khaw-ZONE) is a Hebrew word meaning "dream, revelation or vision." Groeschel, lead pastor of LifeChurch, recently wrote a practical guide for discovering this vision, simply called Chazown .  This little book takes readers through a step by step process of exploring their core values, spiritual gifts and past experiences to discover their unique and specific purpose.  It's a great leadership resouce! Even better, Groeschel and team developed an extraordinary website to help you navigate this experience, creating your personal timeline, discovering your gifts, determining your values -- determining your goals in light of th...

Upon meeting Steven Furtick a few years ago at Newspring's Unleash Conference , I was immediately impressed with his passion for life, God and ministry.  This remarkable young man was consumed by a holy vision that was both extraordinary and inspiring. I walked away saying, "I need some of that!" Well, Furtick has written a challenging book, Sun Stand Still , to help people  (like you and me) discover and demonstrate audacious faith.  It's not a comfortable read. In his own words, Furtick says, "This book is not a snuggie.  The words on these pages will not go down like Ambien.  I'm not writing to calm or coddle you.  With God's help, I intend to incite a riot in your mind." The book challenges people to move beyond the mundane, and to be bold in praying, believing, living, and obeying God. I finished the book under the unsettling conviction that I have settled for less than I should in dreaming God's dreams for my congregatio...

I've recently had the opportunity to connect with a fellow small town church advocate, Pastor Shannon O'Dell, of Brand New Church in the thriving metropolis of Harrison, Arkansas. Under Shannon's leadership the congregation has grown from 31 attendees to a multi-campus church, reaching thousands. I was delighted to receive a free copy of his new book, Transforming Church in Rural America via Booksneeze, and read the whole thing in two days. As one who connects with a lot of rural pastors every year through my speaking and writing, I'm always on the lookout for good resources for them. There aren't very many. Most conferences, magazine articles and ministry books are geared to the suburban minister and the megachurch mentality. Books about small town and rural ministry are quite rare, and often depressing. Authors tend to pity to pastor who serves in a small place. We pastors in small communities don't want to be pitied -- we want to be challenged! I...

"It's one thing to believe in something when you don't need it to be true. It's another when everything is riding on it." I just finished a fabulous novel, Cliff Falls , by C. B. Shiepe. This page turner revolves around exploited child television star, Clay Grant, who disappears on his eighteenth birthday after an arson fire destroys the Hollywood studio backlot, and spends the next fifteen years on the run, hounded by the media. He goes from place to place trying to fit in, until he is discovered again. He eventually lands in jail, after a fight with an aggressive, determined photographer, and brought up on charges of tax evasion. A kind minister who knew him during his television days, comes to the rescue, bailing him out of his plight, and offering a new start in the small town of Cliff Falls. The plot thickens after his arrival, however, as the pastor's own family members are forced to face their own need to drop the mask and be real. Cliff Falls draws the...

Patton: The Pursuit of Desinty , by Agostino Von Hassell and Ed Breslin is my kind of military biography. Works of this nature are often voluminous collections of irrelevent facts. This book just tells the story of World War II's greatest general, simply and clearly. In less than 200 pages. Von Hassell and Breslin capture the heart behind Patton's leadership genius and and quirky personal shortcomings. The reader walks away with a deep appreciation for the general's contribution to American history, and a better understanding of his inner workings. It's an easy read, with ramifications for all who serve in leadership. Purchase here. (a complimentary copy of Patton was provided for review by Booksneeze.)

Although I'm not a big "house church" proponant, I must say Felicity Dale's new book, An Army of Ordinary People is impressive. For several years, Felicity and her husband Tony have been international leaders in the house church movement, and have helped many find a vibrant faith in Christ and meaningful fellowship. Their organization, House2House , provides valuable resources for those involved in these "simple churches." According to George Barna, six to twelve million Americans attend such home fellowships, rather than traditional congregations. An Army of Ordinary People shares the heartwarming stories of several individuals who opened their lives up to God's calling, and brought "the church" to their own unique context. Where two or three are gathered in Jesus' name, there's a church -- whether they meet in a house, a classroom, a coffee shop, or the workplace. Pastors of "Legacy Churches" such as mine can certainly lea...

I've heard it said that hard writing makes easy reading. If that's the case, then Donald Miller has done some wonderfully hard writing -- because his books are delightfully engaging. I just finished his newly revised and expanded edition of Searching for God Knows What (compliments of book sneeze),and found it to be a powerful and inspiring resource for spiritual growth. Miller says that theology is primarily relational rather than propositional. If we don't have it right relationally, then we don't have it right -- even if we "have it right." In his words, "Being a Christian is more like falling in love than understanding a series of ideas." It's a narrative, not a formula. He makes his point vividly through excellent story telling and colorful imagery. For instance, as he describes what he imagines the Garden of Eden was like, I almost felt like I was there! One special perk with this edition - -there's a cool little secret code search g...

When I first saw Dr. Raymond Hundley's new book, Will the World End in 2012 , I raised a skeptical eyebrow and thought, "Here's another quirky opportunist trying to cash in on evangelical hysteria." However, upon actually reading the book, I discovered that this book is not so much about "creating hysteria" as answering it. In a logical and systematic manner, Hundley analyzes the ten top reasons why some folks are saying that the apocalypse will occur in 2012, (including Mayan calendar, supervolcano, Planet X, solar storms. biblical prophecy) and then reveals the conclusions from his research on each perspective. For the most part, Hundley's conclusions about a cataclysmic 2012 sound somewhat like Mark Twain's response to the rumor that he had died, "Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated." Nevertheless, Hundley gives each perspective a fair and balanced hearing before drawing his conclusions. At the end, the author throws in a...

Father and son authors, Keith and David Drury, have written an fabulous book together called Ageless Faith: A Conversation Between Generations About Church. With a delightful dialogue form, the book feels much like a spirited coffee shop conversation. As the reader opens the book, Keith and David look up, smile and say, "Grab some java, pull up a chair and join us!" Keith represents the boomer generation and David brings the emergent perspective to the table. They respectfully express different viewpoints on important issues of church life, pointing out the strengths and weakenesses of each others' perspectives. Topics explored are: Worship Conversion Community Race Heaven Alcohol Sanctification Women in Leadership Denominational Leadership Ordained Ministry The conversation is within the context of the Wesleyan "tribe", but certainly fits the dynamics of other denominations as well. I found it to be a very thought provoking read, as it challenged some of my ass...

Three fairly new books I've read recently: 1) Crazy for God by Frank Schaeffer Mostly sour grapes, with a few sweet grapes intermingled. 2) Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom Eulogy preparation interviews with a joyful and enthusiastic rabbi 3) Ford County Stories by John Grisham My next to least favorite of Grisham's works. He really should stick with his strength (legal thrillers)

When Joshua the shepherd observes a man mercilessly beating his son, he is deeply troubled that the laws of their land permit such inhumanity. Later than night, Joshua prayed to God. "Why didn't you send help for that child?" God replied, "I did send help. I sent you." In this profound and heartwarming parable, we follow Joshua as he embarks on the quest for "the better way." Accompanied by his newfound friends, Elizabeth (a former slave) and David (the castaway child), Joshua searches for an ancient text that has been hidden in a distant cave near the Great Inland Sea Along their journey to uncover long buried secrets, they meet an unusual assortment of characters -- The Storyteller, The Apothecary, The Bind Man, and the Stranger, who teach them valuable lessons to aid them in the pilgrimage. This little book, written by JoAnn Davis, is like a simplified blend of Pilgrim's Progress, Aesop's Fables, The Shack, and The Hobbit (Children's Il...

Jason Dukes gets it! I've just finished reading his wonderful book, Live Sent: You Are a Letter, and found myself saying, "That's so true! Amen brother!" the whole way through. Dukes, who describes himself as a follower and a leader, a learner and a teacher, a writer and a dreamer, a pastor and an entrepreneur and someone who tries to live sent daily, has captured the heartbeat of what the church ought to be. Church is not a "what", Duke declares, It is a "WHO!" Church is not a place and time on Sunday morning. Church is the people of God -- sent into the world as letters of grace. Church health is not measured by how many people show up on Sunday morning -- but how the people show up to bring God's love everywhere they go. Dukes advocates a decentralized approach to ministry -- encouraging people to LIVE the mission every day. This does not mean trying to find time in your schedule to fulfill God's mission -- your WHOLE schedule IS God...

Tea With Hezbollah by Ted Dekker is one of the most fascinating reads I've encountered in a long time. Dekker and his courageous guide, Carl Meaderis (who is listed as co-author) recount their adventurous pilgrimage through the Middle East, meeting with various muftis, sheikhs, ayatollahs, chieftans, and other significant shapers of thought in the Arab world. The primary aim of this quest was to discover the meaning of Jesus' words, "Love your enemies" in the context of the Middle East conflict, and in circles considered to be "enemies" of the west. The journey starts in Cairo, winds through Saudi Arabia, proceeds through Beirut and Damascus, before finally ending up in Jerusalem. Throughout the experience, Dekker takes the reader right along with him with vivid recollections of his adventures, observations and feelings (most of the time wondering, "What on earth am I doing here??") It is truly amazing that Dekker and Meaderis landed these interv...

Mark Batterson, my blogger buddy, is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. The way he says it is the way I feel it -- and I love it! I just finished his new book, Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity , and it's absolutely wonderful! Challenging! Inspiring! Convicting! You should seriously consider making it a "must read" for 2010. Basically, Batterson goes to the simple heart of our faith -- back to what the earliest followers of Christ experienced and believed. This book is a joyful invitation to rediscover the compassion, wonder, curiosity and energy that turned the world upside down two thousand years ago. To download a free chapter, visit http://www.theprimalmovement.com/ Order here

I recently had the privilege of reading a delightful little devotional book, 40 Loaves , by C. D. Baker. (A sample copy was provided for review by the publisher.) It's a 40 day discipleship journey, for those who are hungry for more than the stale crusts the world has to offer. Through a series of thought provoking questions, Baker challenges the reader to dig deeper spiritually and emotionally. Each chapter heading is a question, such as the following: Why can't I overcome sin in my life? Why are my feelings hurt so easily? Why don't I know what I want in life? Why am I so desperate to be understood? Why am I stuck in the past? Why do I always feel exhausted? Why have I stopped dreaming? The answers, though brief, provide excellent insights and each chapter concludes with a list of " food for thought" questions for further personal reflection. 40 Loaves would make an outstanding Lenten resource for congregations or individuals. Order here.

The outstanding missiologist, Paul Hiebert, taught at my alma mater, Fuller Seminary and then finished his career at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I have always admired his thoughtful work, and recall his thought provoking lectures, which usually left my head spinning. His textbook, Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues , proved helpful in navigating the murky waters of contextualization vs. syncretism in Native American ministry. (Though there were several occasions when I read a paragraph a half dozen times before I understand what he was trying to communicate.) Jon and Mindy Hirst , have recently brought some basic Hiebert concepts within the reach of simple-minded readers like me. I love warm cookies from the bottom shelf! Ooze Viral Bloggers recently provided me a copy of their new book, Through the River: Understanding Your Assumptions about Truth. The Hirsts have captured some pretty deep philosophy, and traslated it, via delightful story form, into someth...

Bruce Wilkinsson has written a new book, You Were Born for This , which is absolutely transformational! The basic idea is that God invites us to join Him on his Miracle Mission in the world. If we make ourselves available, the Holy Spirit will guide us to people who need a special blessing. This often happens through the most unexpected encounters. We have to always be open, with the radar on! Anyone can do a good deed -- but some good works can only happen by an act of God -- and He can act through us! With inspiring personal stories, Wilkinson provides a step by step guide for joining the Miracle Mission. What a joy!! What a journey!! This book is a good reminder that God REALLY DOES work "that way!" Upon reading the book, I've tried some of the things he suggests -- and was blown away by the results. Good stuff!