Sunday, February 14, 2010

A Read Book - Introverts in the Church - Adam McHugh


I wanted to read this book - I thought it would be a nice change from the usual chest-beating stuff on church leadership in particular that usually winds up making you think their basic premise is to be a better leader you need to be more me, and less you!!

In the end it probably has the same sought of vibe, just zigging while everyone else is zagging - so it is going to have some good insights.

I found the book to have some good insights into the world of the introvert, and in particular what it would mean for an introvert in ministry, in getting things done, but also in terms of the relationships aspects that is quite at the forefront of this kind of vocation.

It helped me to clarify that I have a tendency towards deeper relationships with a few people, than surface relationships with a lot of people (which is handy because I can't help think the two other people in my family will help to balance that out!).

So some unusual observations for some self evaluation and indeed future planning and action.

BUT - and it is a BIG BUT (if you'll pardon the expression), the book analyzes everything so much through the grid of an introvert it felt rather self indulged and self obsessed at points - some times I wanted to say 'get over it, we can't always have things on our terms'.

And this is nothing compared to what I was saying when he was outlining some of his introverted meditation ideas - it pained me beyond belief to see that IVP would publish a book that was essentially recommending medieval Roman Catholic approach to how we know God..... (see the cloud of unknowing if you are not sure what I mean).....

I really disliked that this book was far from Evangelical in it's theology of Revelation......

If it had of just been a practical observation book, I probably would have lent it to people, but with theology as poor as that - I really wouldn't want to lend it to anyone!!

A Read Book - A couple of Bill Bryson



There is something about being in a airport (recent trip to NZ) that makes me want to read Bryson - it is a close as I ever get to reading a novel.

I know I will laugh audibly at least every couple of pages - is there anything better to do when you are sitting in a confined space with complete strangers......

No wonder they won't give me real cutlery!!

A Read Book - Why we love the Church - Kevin De Young


I was really looking forward to reading this book, but in the end didn't really feel like it hit the mark. Not because of the book itself so much, just that it is clearly written into a Nth American Christian context that is just very different to the context I find myself in.... maybe it's just because we are a bunch of socialists ;) (let the reader understand!)

An ok book - I guess I was just hoping for a little more cash value out of it for the life of our church.

I still like this guys writing and theology and will try the next one he puts out.

I'd give this a 5/10 (unless you live in the same context as the writer aimed at and I'm sure it would have been really helpful)

A Read Book - Guide Us, Guard Us - J.I. Packer


Read this one just after PDJ (see below), again a worth while read particularly in conjunction with that book. It is always good to cross pollinate your ideas with another sound Christian mind who resides in a slightly different gene pool.

In a different style and way had a lot to contribute to thinking about the Christian life, and the thinking about what does it mean to call God our shepherd is a really rewarding exercise (I remember Paul Barnett doing a similar thing at college and it was excellent).

The one area I am not certain about is Packer's view on what it will mean for us in our life's situation to 'have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guarding your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus'. He took that to mean it would be a concrete reality in each instance. I kind of think it is more likely to mean in a general sense we have a confidence because 'we now have a peace with God', that enables us to face each instance in a new way.

Maybe I misunderstood his point - because it seemed like a slightly 'emotional response' from a stalwart of Evangelical Christianity. Anyway that would put my thinking on this issue at the moment somewhere between packer and PD Jensen - which to be honest is a comforting thought.

I'd give this one a 6/10

More Thoughts on Preaching


This is an outline of what I think about when I am trying to make a point (not three - never three!) in preaching!!!

A Read Book - Guidance and the Voice of God - Phillip Jensen


This book is classic Philip (the mostly good, the slightly frustrating, and the always parochial!).

It started life as a sermon series for uni students and shows it's heritage in that it was always going to be finite in scope. There is much taught clearly in the book - as you would expect - but being a sermon series not always at the depth that some would hope for.

I think the image of the God given compass in life is an excellent way of starting to address the challenges of decision making in life.

But I still have a nagging suspicion that in the attempt to stand against a 'charismatic' approach of decision making - that can best be described as emotionalism - this book's approach falls more into the category of 'Evangelical Rationalism'.

I find Graham Cole's approach in 'he who gives life' a more convincing and more mainstream position to the role of the Spirit in the life of the Christian today.....

A worth while read and an important corrective to a lot of rubbish out there on the issue of guidance.

I'd give it about a 7/10

A Read Book - You Can Change


Biblical, Theological and Practical - A seriously useful book that I have suggested lot's of people read on the issues of sanctification and how can we live as Christians in a way that is more like Christ - and the answer isn't - try harder!!!

I'd give it a 9/10