I’m writing this seated under a large sycamore tree in an English country churchyard, surrounded by lush green fields, waving crops, and comfortable houses. In my time I have had quiet times in many places like this, under random trees,…
Category: Book Reviews
Reviews of randomly assorted books.
Review: The Land Between – Finding God in Difficult Transitions
Posted in 2.0, Book Reviews, Ministry and Depression Tagged with: Jeff Manion, Mortification, Transition, Wilderness
Review: The Day of Small Things – An Analysis of Fresh Expressions of Church…
If there was any sense in which we were once starry-eyed about the Church of England it had something to do with what we now call “fresh expressions of Church.” Gill and I were church planters once, inspired by the…
Posted in 2.0, Book Reviews, Church Planting Tagged with: Church Army, Church of England, Couples in leadership, Fresh Expressions, George Lings, Messy Church, New Monasticism, Pioneer ministry
Review: Forming a Missional Church – Creating Deep Cultural Change in Congregations
We have noticed a welcome recent trend in thinking about church life. It is a movement away from a fixation on processes and programs, traditions and techniques, mechanistic deliberations about an organisation. It is towards considering the culture of the church…
Posted in 2.0, Book Reviews, Ecclesiology Tagged with: Adaptive Change, Church growth, Church leadership, Cultural Change, Mission, Nigel Rooms, Partnership for Missional Church, Patrick Keifert, Systems Theory, Technical Change
Review: Setting God’s People Free – A Report from the Archbishops’ Council
“This report concludes that what needs to be addressed is not a particular theological or ecclesiastical issue but the Church’s overall culture. This is a culture that over-emphasises the distinction between the sacred and the secular and therefore fails to…
Posted in 2.0, Anglican Church, Book Reviews Tagged with: Church of England, Discipleship, Lay Ministry, Renewal and Reform
Review: A Tale of Three Kings – A Study in Brokenness
What is our posture and place before God? Gill has often asked me, “How do you see God right now? Who is he to you?” It’s not a doctrinal question, it’s a posture question. Am I rejoicing before him, in freedom?…
Posted in 2.0, Book Reviews, Ministry Tagged with: Absalom, Childlikeness, Faith, Gene Edwards, King David, King Saul, Trusting God
Review: Spirituality Workbook – A Guide for Explorers, Pilgrims and Seekers
Some books are wide-ranging and broad. Some books are deep and specific. David Runcorn, in Spirituality Workbook, deals with some of the nitty gritty of everyday expressions of Christian spirituality, and manages to do both; it is both deep and wide.…
Posted in 2.0, Book Reviews, Ministry Tagged with: Challenge, David Runcorn, Faith, Provocation, Spiritual Direction, Spirituality
Review: ‘I Find That Offensive’
Here’s an example of constructive polemic that goes where angels fear to tread. Left-wing libertarian, Claire Fox, critiques “Generation Snowflake” – the millenial generation, now in their young adulthood, who are readily caricatured by their insistence on things like safe-spaces and trigger-warnings,…
Posted in 2.0, Book Reviews, Progress and Pluralism Tagged with: Anti-discrimination Law, Claire Fox, Free Speech, Freedom of Speech, Generation Snowflake, Intolerance, Political Correctness, Safe Space
Review: Out of Chaos – Refounding Religious Congregations
I must admit, I didn’t think a 1980s reflection by a Marist brother on the aftermath of Vatican II would be particularly relevant to today’s task of dealing with ecclesial torpor. But there is wisdom and insight in this book that…
Posted in 2.0, Book Reviews, Ministry Tagged with: Apostolic gift, Church growth, Church reform, Gerald Arbuckle, Refounding, Vatican II
Review: 5 Voices – How to Communicate Effectively with Everyone You Lead
Personality type inventories and leadership style analyses are a common tool in leadership and management circles. I’m sure this is the case in the business sector. It is certainly the case when it comes to churches and non-profits, with our…
Posted in 2.0, Book Reviews Tagged with: Church leadership, Jeremie Kubicek, Leadership, Leadership style, Personality, Steve Cockram
Review: Inventing the Individual – The Origins of Western Liberalism
Cultural assumptions have historical roots. It is incumbent upon anyone who takes part in public debate or social engagement to explore them. In the current moment there is a growing appreciation that when it comes to the self-evident truths of…
Posted in 2.0, Book Reviews, Progress and Pluralism Tagged with: Church history, History, Individualism, Larry Siedentop, Liberalism, Western Society
