The Unnecessary Pastor: Rediscovering the Call Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Again Peterson exemplifies the heart of the true pastor. This is my first time reading Marva Dawn. I just finished this book and found much to help me in the midst of being a small rural church pastor.
I was surprised by the review by the reader in Ohio. Although the other works by Peterson, flow better, the dialogue between Dawn and Peterson was refreshing.
Ephesians is the classic source for biblically modeled community. Timothy and Titus have been the classic resources for young pastors. The exegesis and insight from these two authors/ pastors/teachers has been highly encouraging and releasing for this new pastor who is trying to discover how to effectively lead God's people into holy living and community.
I reccomend this book as a excellent resource for pastoral theology, for young pastors, for teaching or preaching these texts and anyone seeking to get a firm grasp on the role of pastor.
I would not suggest this book as a first (or maybe even second) experience with Peterson, mostly due to the dialogue format.
Marva Dawn, at least in this book, doesn't not measure up to the mastery of Peterson. However, my interest in her work was futher sparked. I plan to buy and read a Marva Dawn book today.
The Bibliography is also full of great works for the pastor.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Unnecessary Pastor: Rediscovering the Call

Best-selling authors Eugene Peterson and Marva Dawn offer encouragement to the leaders of today's counter-culture movement. Pastors are strategically placed to counter the culture. No other profession looks so inoffensive but is in fact so dangerous to the status quo. Their weapon 'A gospel that is profoundly countercultural. But standing firm in today's world isn't easy. Powerful forces, both subtle and obvious, attempt to domesticate pastors, to make them, in a word, unnecessary. In this volume, two of today's most respected authors help pastors recover their gospel identity and maintain a pure vision of Christian leadership. Eugene Peterson and Marva Dawn here reconnect pastors with the biblical texts that will train them as countercultural servants of the gospel. In his section of the book, Peterson explores Romans, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus, drawing from them the correct view of pastoral identity. In turn, Dawn looks to Paul's letter to the Ephesians for instruction for churches seeking to live faithfully in today's world. Packed with encouraging insights from experienced practitioners, this book is must reading for anyone involved in church or parachurch leadership or for anyone now preparing for ministry.

Click here for more information about The Unnecessary Pastor: Rediscovering the Call

Read More...

Youth Culture 101 (Youth Specialties) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am a youth minister of over 300 high school students and to 250 junior high students. I discovered this book through the Youth Specialties podcast a few months back and was so taken by author Walt Mueller's report of youth culture that I purchased and devoured the book.
This book offers parents and youth workers alike an opportunity to see the major trends and attitudes that are working within youth culture. I think the best treatment in this book is on Media and Marketing. Utilizing this information, I taught a class to parents of teens and then had a Life Night (our weekly gatherings in our Life Teen program) for our senior high students on Media and Marketing.
This book, especially in conjunction with "Hurt: Inside the World of Today's Teenager", can equip the parent or youth worker to become "cross-cultural missionaries" for the life and love of the young people today.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Youth Culture 101 (Youth Specialties)

CPYU President Walt Mueller's critically acclaimed book, Understanding Today's Youth Culture, is widely recognized as one of the most thorough and comprehensive overviews of youth culture today.This Gold Medallion Book Award winner is used as a seminal text in colleges, universities, and seminaries around the world, but is especially noted for its honest and easy to read style.The book approaches youth culture from a distinctively Christian perspective and contains chapters on a variety of topics including: music, media, sexuality, materialism, drugs and alcohol, and spirituality.A great resource for parents, educators, youth workers, and pastors.

Click here for more information about Youth Culture 101 (Youth Specialties)

Read More...

Building an Effective Women's Ministry: *Develop a Plan *Gather a Team * Watch God Work Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A well-orchestrated women's ministry is like a beautiful dance, bringing grace and creativity to the Body of Christ. In Building an Effective Women's Ministry, gifted author Sharon Jaynes not only teaches the basic dance steps, but all the intricate footwork that prepares women to have Scripturally "beautiful feet" in order to share Christ's Gospel of peace. In chapters like "Defining Your Purpose," "Servant Leadership," "Utilizing God-Given Abilities," "Encouraging the Team," "Lifestyle Evangelism," and "Dividing and Multiplying," Jaynes encourages women to glide across the dance floor of life, following their partner Jesus' lead. And with her trademark practical, powerful, and persuasive writing, Sharon Jaynes continues to lead the way in helping women to draw strength from Christ and, in turn, strengthen others in Him. I highly recommend this thoroughly comprehensive guide to women's ministries. Your women, your church, and your community need the potent principles outlined in this wonderful book. It will masterfully lead them in Christ's dance of joy!
--Lynn D. Morrissey, author of Love Letters to God: Deeper Intimacy through Written Prayer and AWSA/CLASS speaker

Click Here to see more reviews about: Building an Effective Women's Ministry: *Develop a Plan *Gather a Team * Watch God Work


Building an EffectiveWomen's Ministry is a one-of-a-kind how-to manual that offers a wide-rangeof help to women, from those just starting out to those who have a thrivingministry but could use a fresh idea or two.

Sharon Jaynes, vice president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, honestlyaddresses some of the questions women encounter as they put their dreams inaction, and she offers clear direction for concerns that include

I want to start a women's ministry, but I don't know where to begin.
My women's ministry is stale and needs new life.
I've been asked to lead a women's ministry, and I'm scared to death.

God has wonderful things in store for those who will build a ministry with Him.

Click here for more information about Building an Effective Women's Ministry: *Develop a Plan *Gather a Team * Watch God Work

Read More...

Hurt: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers (Youth, Family, and Culture) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My roommate was given this book a few months back. Since I work with the Jr. High group at church, I figured I might find it helpful, so picked it up. What I found was a thought provoking book on today's youth sub-culture.
The book focuses most on high school students or mid-adolescents as the author calls them. His premise is that adults have started abandoning kids early in life, making the transition from childhood to adulthood a longer and harder process. Teens draw away from adults, not as much out of rebellion, but to cope. The majority of this book is devoted to various aspects of teen life and how it develops and plays out. Chapters such as Peers, School, Family, and Sports hit the nail on the head. And I'll confess I found some shocking stuff in the chapters on Sex, Ethics, and the Party Scene.
I did have some problems with this book. At times, it seemed to go too far into the self-esteem trap. Yes, we need to care for kids, but we also need to acknowledge that not everyone is created equal, something that seemed to be over looked at times. Still, most his examples were of things going too far in the other direction, which makes his points very valid.
Another area was the various ethics discussions. While many of these chapters were eye opening for me, he never addressed ways to teach morals. In fact, he seems to blame adults for problems such as cheating but never blames the kids or discuss how the problem should be addressed.
The last two chapters are a discussion of ways to solve the problem of abandonment, but they seem to be impractical and fall short. City wide meetings for everyone involved with youth? What we really need is a radical shift in our entire culture. Not that I'm exactly sure how to go about doing that, either. So I'm probably little better then he is.
On the whole, this book is an eye-opener about the problems today's high schoolers face. While not perfect, it should be read by anyone who cares about today's teens. Maybe then we can come up with workable solutions to let them know we do care.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hurt: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers (Youth, Family, and Culture)

What do teenagers really think about adults? If you think you know the answer, you may be in for a surprise. According to Chap Clark, today's adolescents have largely been abandoned by adults and left to fend for themselves in an uncertain world. As a result, teens have created their own world to serve as a shield against uncaring adults. Based on six months of participant-observer research at a California public school, this book offers a somewhat troubling but insightful snapshot of adolescent life. It will surprise and enlighten parents, youth workers, counselors, pastors, and all who want to better understand the hearts and minds of America's adolescents.

Click here for more information about Hurt: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers (Youth, Family, and Culture)

Read More...