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Charley's Current Reading List Here is copy of my recent reading list. The Spring 2006 and Fall 2005 list is at the bottom of the page.
Here are a couple of excellent books I have read recently that have deeply touched my life and ministry. Rest in the Storm: Self-Care Strategies for Clergy and Other Caregivers, by Kirk Byron Jones, Published by Judson Press, 2001. These two books by Pastor Jones are challenging for his openness and honesty about how he learned to rest and give up hurry in the ministry to enjoy the life and ministry that God has given him. addicted to hurry: SPIRITUAL strategies for slowing down, also by Kirk Byron Jones, published by Judson Press, 2003. This is a follow up book to "Rest" and adds additional thoughts and ideas for developing what he calls a 'savoring pace' to life and ministry. Be Still and Know that I am God. A DVD featuring such leaders as Max Lucado, Beth Moore, Richard Foster, Priscilla Shirer, and Dallas Willard. This is a video resource on contemplative or 'listening' prayer. It is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, copyright 2006. NOISE: in the Nooma DVD Bible Study series
by Rob Bell. Published by Zondervan 2005. Be careful with this
because Bell has an interesting center section to the DVD. Even
if you are tempted to turn it off let the DVD continue to run
to the end. This is a reflection on "Noise" in our lives
and how we can nurturing a listening silence in the midst of our
culture.
Wasting Time with God: A Christian Spirituality of Friendship with God by Klaus Issler published by InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL . This is an excellent work on spiritual formation
and life for any Christian but especially for pastors. It is not
an easy read and thus needs to be thought over and put into practice
in our daily lives. This is more than a book on developing a 15
minute quiet time and more about developing a life of taking our
time with God as the most important activity that we can do. The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath by Mark Buchanan. Published by W Publishing Group, A Division of Thomas Nelson, I am interested in the new round of books that are come out encouraging us to put Sabbath back in our lives. Mark's book, as he says in his introduction, is not original but simply a reminder. What a good reminder this book is to put Sabbath back in our lives as Christians and as pastors. Mark has a great writing style and I believe some fresh insights into the whole issue of Sabbath rest. The next three books are all from the same author. I have been doing a lot of reading in the postmodern, emergent church issues. Trying to keep up with the new generation and what it looks like to be an emergent pastor. These three are all from the pen of Brian D. McLaren. These three books form a complete whole, and are set in a fictional setting to discuss issues of how postmodernism impacts local churches, pastors, their family, and the society as a whole. The characters are engaging and the story easy to follow, even though there is not a lot of narrative about each character. Brian in a since lets us listen in to various conversations of the main characters including their private thoughts. The style is a low key way to talk issues that are anything but low key. I have been challenged, and encouraged. I don't agree with everything that Brian writes but I have a better insight to what the emergent pastors and their families are facing. A New Kind of Christian by Brian D. McLaren. Published by Jossey-Bass from
Leadership Network Publications. The Story We Find Ourselves In by Brian D. McLaren. Published by Jossey-Bass from
Leadership Network Publications. The Last Word and the
Word After That: by Brian D. McLaren. Published by Jossey-Bass from
Leadership Network Publications.
Becoming Conversant with Understanding a Movement
and by D.A. Carson Published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI This is obviously a study of the philosophy, theology
and Biblical understanding of the emerging church. Carson tries
for a balanced approach to this topic. He obviously isn't postmodern/emergent
type of Christian but tries to see both the positive and negative
side to this issue. Whenever there is a major cultural shift going
on it is important to examine the issues and debate them as to
how they will impact the Christian witness. Carson is a good source
for gathering information about the emerging movement and where
it is going. There is a second benefit to his book and that is
his citation of sources. I was disappointed that he didn't provide
a bibliography but his footnotes are excellent and provide a place
to continue more reading on this important topic. The Ascent of a Leader by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol and Ken McElrath
published by Jossey-Bass from Leadership Network Publications. Why Churches Die: by Mac Brunson & Ergun Caner published by Broadman & Holman Publishers. The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham by Harold Myra, Mr. Marshall Shelley, published by Zondervan. The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
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