Friday, February 20, 2015

Books

Finding Church by Wayne Jacobson.  If you are either contemplating leaving the organizational structure commonly referred to as "church", or you've already left, this book offers many great insights that point you to a simpler life where you'll discover the joy and fulfillment of what it means to "be" the church without having to "go" to church.  My friends and I are currently studying and dialoguing about it.  Highly recommended!

So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore by Wayne Jacobson and Dave Coleman. Don't let the title throw you - this is a solid book that introduces the relational journey in a very practical and personal way. Can't recommend it high enough. I can't count how many I've given away. Must reading!

He Loves Me by Wayne Jacobson. Finding and enjoying Father's pleasure apart from a performance-based lifestyle is the core focus of this book. I don't know of a person who claims Christ as his or her Savior that doesn't need to read this book. I've given scores of them away. Must reading!

Living With Jesus Today by Juan Carlos Ortiz. Though this book is out of publication it would be worth a read if you can find a copy. Juan uncovers nuggets of insight into the relational life with Father through His Son. Before it became popular to say, "I am the church", Juan said, "We never go to church because we are the church" (p. 47). Very Christ-centered! Juan helps you to see that the real thing followers of Christ need to learn how to do is to live in Him and to Him. I only regret I didn't find this book in 1982 when it was first published. FYI, I've found and ordered many used copies from Amazon.com to give away. Everyone I've given it to have said it was a very helpful book.

The End Of Religion by Bruxy Cavey. It is subtitled, "Encountering The Subversive Spirituality Of Jesus". From the back cover of his book, "Was Jesus of Nazareth an irreligious agitator? Was his message more radical than we've been led to believe? Has the Christian religion missed the point? Bruxy Cavey thinks so." Another good book outlining God's desire for a relationship with people free of religious interference.

Let's Return To Christian Unity by Kokichi Kurosaki. It is subtitled, "Ending Division In The Body Of Christ". If you are one longing for the unity of God's family then I recommend this book. This is written by a Japanese follower of Christ who has witnessed firsthand the division brought about by different mission agencies and denominations among his own people - all in the name of Christianity. Mr. Kurosaki offers a fresh, yet simple, biblical insight into how unity can be restored, not just among Japanese followers of Christ, but within the global body of Christ. This is something I long for too! It can be ordered at the following link - http://seedsowers.com.

The Shack by William Paul Young. A great, though at times challenging and controversial, portrayal of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - who love us more than we know. I've given scores of them away.

Ultimate Intention by DeVern Fromke. An excellent book outlining God's eternal purpose and its intended impact on our lives as followers of Christ. Highly recommended. To order click on this link - http://www.kingsleypress.com/devern_fromke_books.php.

Spiritual Slavery To Spiritual Sonship by Jack Frost. The value of this book is found in chapters 1-7. They are great at revealing how followers of Christ can find their true place in God's family. Though I do not agree with many of his thoughts in chapters 8-10, the chapters noted above are loaded with insights to help believers on their relational journey. I have read and benefited from this book.

Jesus Has Left The Building by Paul Vieira. Focused upon being the church and not upon going to church - this book examines the current state of church as we know it and shines a light onto the pathway of becoming the church as God wants it.

Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna. This book explores the roots of our church practices like no other. Every follower of Christ ought to read it. A very challenging and eye-opening critique.

The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch. This book is aimed primarily at leaders in the body of Christ who are in a place to influence the mission of the church. It is filled with many challenging thoughts to help rethink how we do "church planting" and discipleship in our culture.

Rediscovering The Kingdom by Myles Munroe. Few believers in the body of Christ have an appreciation for, or an understanding of, the Kingdom of God. This book shifts our attention away from religion and places it upon its rightful place - the Kingdom of God. It is filled with great truths about the kingdom and its impact on how we are to live our lives. His companion book Applying The Kingdom should be read after it.

The Saving Life Of Christ by Major W. Ian Thomas. Many inside and outside the institutional church have said that the church today has the language of a Christian but not the life. In this classic book Major Thomas calls the church back to its life - to be the human vehicle of God's divine life. Highly recommended.

James Thwaites has written three books that attempt to help us connect "church" to real life. The titles are self-explaining - Church That Works, Renegotiating The Church Contract, and The Church Beyond The Congregation. I need to let you know that these are not easy reading but they contain much insight into "being" the church as opposed to the concept of "going" to church. As with any book, I do not agree with everything the author writes, but I have found many useful nuggets in all three books.

If you are looking for a book that will challenge you to "keep in step with the Spirit" then read The Anointing: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, by R. T. Kendall. One highly respected national church leader wrote, "Every pastor who leads and every leader who follows should read this book on their knees." I've read it, underlined it, reread it several times and written notes in the margins. It's especially relevant to what God is doing in the body of Christ today. Highly recommended.

Permission Granted To Do Church Differently In The 21st Century, by Graham Cooke and Gary Goodell. I do not endorse everything written in this book (or any book) but it does contain a lot of good information to help God's people conceptualize how they might "do church differently." Graham is considered a "prophet" in many segments of the body of Christ. Graham also wrote, Divine Confrontation, Birth Pangs Of The New Church. This was one of the many books I read that helped me along in my transition out of organizational/institutional Christianity into a relational expression. Graham speaks and writes from a charismatic perspective.

Who I Am In Christ, by Neil T. Anderson. If you've ever struggled with believing God loves you then this book is for you. Neil provides 36 biblical identity statements, all rooted in the scriptures, with application to real life to help God's people grasp Father's true feelings about His spiritual family. Must reading!

Victory Over The Darkness, by Neil T. Anderson. The subtitle of this book says it all - "Realizing The Power Of Your Identity In Christ". For years I searched for a resource to put into the hands of God's people to help them understand who they are in Christ - this is that resource! Great for small group or individual study. Also has a study guide available.

No comments:

Post a Comment