BLeach

Steering Through Chaos

I was recently given a copy of a brand new book by Scott Wilson to read and review--and I'm so thankful I was!

I used to think that leading change was a leadership skill that only applied to pastors of established churches. Having a baby changed my perspective. As soon as Gabby was born she began to change. 

Church planters need to develop skills to navigate transition and change as much as anyone, for two simple reasons. First, as soon as a new church is born, it begins to change. You want it to change in the right direction. Second, no church plant is perfect. They all have strengths and weaknesses, and leading change is the important process of continually improving your organization.

The truth is, leaders in any organization must effectively lead through transition. That is why Scott Wilson's book, Steering Through Chaos, is such an important resource.

Scott leads The Oaks Fellowship in Dallas. The church is experiencing amazing growth, due in large part to some important changes that have taken place through Scott's leadership. 

One concept that Scott develops was particularly intriguing to me. As leaders, we don't simply try to deal with transition when it does happen. We actually create transition. He points out that transition and change is not a necessary evil to be endured, but a positive opportunity to be embraced.

I also appreciate the way Scott highlights the importance of spiritual leadership in the midst of change. Specifically, he talks about the importance of corporate prayer during times of transition in the life of a church.

Steering Through Chaos also includes profiles from several leading thinkers including Larry Osborne, Dino Rizzo, Greg Surratt, Tim Stevens, and Sam Chand. I know I'll be putting it to use as we plant churches in Philadelphia!

I'd encourage you to pick up a copy of the book for yourself.

Happy transitioning!

Primal::A Quest For The Soul of Christianity

I've really enjoyed reading Mark Batterson's new book, Primal.  If you, like me, are a fan of Mark's blog and other books, you won't be disappointed with his new release.

The book is a challenge to simplify this quest of following Jesus by becoming great at the great commandment.  Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  The book outlines that primal command with inspirational thoughts on rediscovering compassion (heart), wonder (soul), curiosity (mind), and energy (strength) in our pursuit of Christ.

Like anything that Mark writes, I can't stop underlining.  The research he includes from various fields of study fill the book with illustrations that keep me nodding on almost every page.

God has given Mark a gift to say important, old truths in fresh, new ways.  If you're looking for a book to help you recalibrate in the beginning of the New Year, I highly recommend Primal.

Go ahead, check it out, and order a copy for Christmas!

I appreciate WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers for providing me with a copy to review.  I know I'll be coming back to it many times.

Becoming Butterflies

I'm reading Francis Chan's new book, Forgotten God.  I don't know of anyone today who pushes harder against status quo Christianity than he does.  For those of you with a little history, he's like the Leonard Ravenhill of our day.  I can only read a chapter at a time because I've got to pause to reflect and repent.

I love the analogy he makes from the mind of the caterpillar.

    Years ago, when a random thought came into my head, I decided to share it with my wife. "Have you     ever wondered what caterpillars think about?" I asked.  Not surprisingly, she said, "No."

    I then proceeded to tell her about the confusion I imagined a caterpillar must experience. For all its         caterpillar life, it crawls around a small patch of dirt and up and down a few plants. Then one day it         takes a nap. A long  nap. And then, what in the world must go through its head when it wakes up to         discover it can fly? What happened to its dirty, plump little worm body? What does it think when it sees     its tiny new body and gorgeous wings?

    As believers, we ought to experience this same kind of astonishment when the Holy Spirit enters our         bodies. We should be stunned in disbelief over becoming a "new creation" with the Spirit living in us.     As the caterpillar finds its new ability to fly, we should be thrilled over our Spirit-empowered ability to     live differently and faithfully. Isn't this what the Scriptures speak of? Isn't this what we've all been             longing for?

Free Books for Dads

Today I started studying for a series we're starting in July called Abba.  I spent the morning walking through the gospels observing Jesus' interaction with the Father.  Can't wait to develop some of my observations.

So in a generous effort to bribe you to help me with my sermon research, I'm giving away two FREE books this week to fathers who will leave a comment on this post answering the question, "What's one thing I've learned about God since becoming a dad?"  The winners will be randomly picked from the comment section on Friday.

Here are the books:

Eyes Wide Open (Jud Wilhite): Jud Wilhite invites you to discover the real you. Not the one who pretends to be perfect to satisfy everyone's expectations. Not the you who always feels guilty before God. Not the you who secretly feels God forgives everyone else but only tolerates you. Not the you who looks in the mirror and sees a failure. The real you, loved and forgiven by God, living out your identity in Christ. 

Read more about Eyes Wide Open.

The Disappearance of God (Albert Mohler): More faulty information about God swirls around us today than ever before. No wonder so many followers of Christ are unsure of what they really believe in the face of the new spiritual openness attempting to alter unchanging truth. 

Read more about The Disappearance of God.

So, if you're a dad, all you've got to do is leave one comment answering the question, "What's one thing I've learned about God since becoming a dad?"

You'll help me with my sermon AND be eligible for a free book!

It's win-win.

Hero

There were a handful of books that really inspired me toward sexual purity while I was single. Every Young Man's Battle by Fred Stoeker was one of them.

Just thought I'd put Stoeker's latest release on your radar since his writing has really helped me.  Hero is also written to young men, and now that I'm finally done with school it's on my short list of books to dig into!

Check out the book here!

Also, here's a summary review of Hero.

Here is the perfect resource for any male striving to be the relational man God's calling him to be as well as anyone who wants to be an encouragement to the men in their lives. Fred Stoeker, co-author of the Every Man's Battle series, elaborates on the struggles men face in the world today, and what exactly they can do about it. Hero offers hard hitting truth about what makes an ultimate hero to women--men who stand by their convictions and make their world a better place.

Go ahead.  Be a hero!

How Would Jesus Vote

While I've been studying for my messages in The Future of America series, I've read some of the chapters in D. James Kennedy's new book, How Would Jesus Vote.  He examines most of the major issues, including education, immigration, the economy, health care, abortion, stem cells, and the environment.

Jesus in the ballot box is an interesting image.  I do think He would vote.  And I also think we gain enough insights from his life and teachings to discern values on many important issues.  And I'm sure He is able to lead us as we each research, pray and vote.

Most of all, I know Jesus would walk out of the ballot box with his mind made up to provoke change.

• After voting his conscience regarding the sanctity of life, He'd go love young women dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.
• After considering the implications of each health care plan, He'd care for the elderly and heal the sick. 
• After considering the nuances of a candidates economic plan, He'd walk out of the ballot box and give more money away.

Jesus would fulfill His duty as a responsible citizen.  And then He'd continue building His Kingdom on earth.

Book It

Just added a few more books to my 2008 read list.  Here are a few thoughts.

The Courage to Teach: The book has become somewhat of a classic for teachers who are interested in the holistic development of their students.  I thought it was okay.  The chapter on paradox was worth the book to me.

The Art and Craft of Preaching: Probably the most comprehensive resource on preaching that I've ever read.  I'd encourage every preacher to get a copy and keep it on their desk.  The chapters are written by excellent communicators like Haddon Robinson, Craig Brian Larson, Bill Hybels, Rob Bell, John Piper, and Tim Keller.  And for a textbook with over 700 pages...surprisingly inspiring.

The Multiplying Church: Wow.  I told Leah the other day that this is the book I wish I could have written:)  It is a fantastic description of the dream that I have for Metro Detroit.  It's must reading for anyone who loves the church.

2008 Book List

Just updated the book list on my sidebar. The majority of the books I've read have been required reading for my graduate studies. While my class reading has felt a bit overwhelming at times, I'm thankful that school has pushed me to be a better reader. And fortunately, I've found most of the books to be helpful. I've also been able to squeeze in a few by choice.

Here are some notables:

Most Interesting Story-Line: Out of the Silent Planet (What if there is life on other planets, and what if those people never chose to sin?)

Most Underlined: The Leadership Challenge (It will stay on my frequent resource shelf)

Every Church Planter Should Read: Leading at the Speed of Growth (I wish I'd read it six years ago)

Could've Gone Without: Leading Turnaround Churches (Wake me up when I'm done)

Most Intellectually Stimulating: The Reason for God (It shows up again on this list)

Most Feminine Cover: Becoming Naturally Therapeutic (It took a lot to take it out in public)

Fastest Page Turner: The Kite Runner (Incredible story of guilt and redemption. Couldn't put it down)

Best Overall: The Reason for God (Seriously, this one vaulted to my top five all time. It's a brilliant apologetic for postmodern skeptics).

Fall Read List

I'm in a bit of a reading daze these days:)  I'm averaging about three books a week.  Most of them have been required texts for class.  And fortunately most of them have been helpful.

I've always been a reader, but I've never pushed myself this hard to read and grow.  And without something as structured as my Master's Program, I don't think I would.  Even though each syllabus feels like an uphill treadmill climb, I'm thankful for the push to become a better leader.

Thankfully my time spent on school hasn't diminished my passion to lead our church.  The opposite has actually happened.  My love for local church ministry is intensifying.  And my understanding of who God has called me to be as a pastor/church planter/leader is growing. 

For what it's worth, here are the four books I've enjoyed the most so far this fall:

• The Celtic Way of Evangelism: This book combines two things I love, theology and history.  It's the story of how Patrick's communal church planting movement reached the barbarians, a group the book compares to postmoderns.
• Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: I can't believe I never got around to reading this classic before.  Such a solid book.  I can't stop drawing the diagrams:)
• Leadership Coaching: There's alot I like about the coaching model of developing leaders.  It's a skill I'm starting to practice.
• The Shape of Practical Theology: Long and heady.  A few of the chapters went totally over my head:)  But the big idea of the book really resonated.  Practical theologians climb down from the ivory tower to interpret the Word of God through the Work of God.

I'm just glad Leah is also in a graduate program.  I don't feel as bad about doing homework on our dates!

What is the What

One of these days I'm going to update the books on the sidebar of my blog:)  In the meantime let me recommend one book I read on the islands.

What is the What is the story of a Sudanese refugee named Valentino Achak Deng.  As a boy he was forced to run from his small village in Southern Sudan when the Murahaleen attacked from the north.  I was interested in the story because of all the press the Civil War in Darfur has received.  What I found out is that the attention given to the conflict is not near enough.

Achak's story gives a personal face to a political conversation.  I'll never have the same perception of a refugee camp again. 

It's also a profound example of the insanity that is racism and the extreme capacity in the human heart toward both love and hate. 

Most of all, this is a story of deep suffering.  Achak wouldn't consider himself a Christian.  His experiences actually cause him to ask difficult questions about God.  But if you're interested in watching one remarkable young man walk a raw road between doubt and faith this story is worth your time.