Sunday, May 20, 2012

Christian Book Recommends

We don't have much time in life, and it's passing quickly, so I would rather not waste time with Spiritual-Lite books from the religious publishing industry.  So, here are my recommends--the books I can't imagine not having read.  Got one to add?  Email me your recommends.  Just don't be sad if I don't put it up. 

 

 

 

Click for purchasing information.

Church Multiplication Made Simple, Difficult, and Real

The Church Multiplication Guide is a treasury of practical wisdom and biblical principles, seasoned with examples and stories from real church planting efforts and problems.  What Patternson and Scoggins teach here is not just theory; it is effective and eternal. 

That's not to say that I agree with everything in the book.  They do promote fairly homogenous churches because they observe that those churches multiply themselves more quickly.  If quick multiplication were the only goal, I would agree, but the church is meant to sanctify and unite radically different kinds of people to demonstrate the love of God in their midst.  That goal is not achieved by homogenous groups.  However, my quibbles aside, I must recommend their book in the strongest possible terms to anyone who is even thinking about planting churches (that should be all Christians, right?).

Patterson and Scoggins destroy the myth that you need lots of "start-up" money to start churches, and they explain and show how to strengthen the church by simplifying it to its basic commandments.  It's not intellectually difficult (well, not too much).  Instead, the difficulty lies in consistent obedience, perseverance, and prayer--character issues.  It paints the picture of church that deals with the heart and with the feet as much as with the intellect. 

If God Only Sends Letters, It's a Long-Distance Relationship

Jack Deere was uniquely qualified to write a book on God's supernatural revelation to all Christians in the here and now, mainly because he was highly educated in the doctrine of the opposite camp.  Until God started speaking to his wife, and then to him, of course.  Yet more proof that God rescues us when we're not looking for it AND that God has a heck of a sense of humor.  The opening story alone--in which God has the word PORNOGRAPHY flashing in red letters across a young man's head--is worth getting the book.  It might keep you from complaining about how "set" you would be if God would only show you miraculous things. 

This book is, quite simply, the most readable, logical, biblical, and entertaining book on the function of the gifts and the necessity of the voice of God.  Yes, we have the Bible, but if the men on the road to Emmaus needed Jesus to open the scriptures to them, we certainly need the same.  No amount of education will eliminate all possible misinterpretations of a passage--for that, you need the author at your side (or in you, if you want to be technical about it).

As you can see if you have read any of my book, I believe that the church cannot function apart from the active, regular voice of God in our midst.  God has always left that gap in our worship services, a gap that only He can fill.

Click for purchasing information.

Copyright 2007   Web Apps by Viparious