600 Pages

I recently read three books, each running about 200 pages.

The first was The Suburban Christian by Albert Hsu.  I thought it was a very helpful book on suburban Christian spirituality that fills a gap in understanding life in suburbia.  There are points Hsu makes that I don't completely agree with, but all-in-all this is a good book worth checking out.

The second was Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger.  I really wasn't sure what to expect since I hadn't read Rainer in near a decade.  I really enjoyed the book.  It was similar to something Andy Stanley might say (and at times has said), and I say that as a compliment.  If you are a pastor or church leader, this book will have plenty of good advice for you.

The third and final read I both started and finished last night.  It was Speaking of Jesus by J. Mack Stiles.  This book has been on my shelf for a few years at least.  I really was looking to read a book that gave some practical, conversational helps.  I wasn't disappointed.  There were a few places where I wish Stiles would have taken a more missional approach, but as a whole I liked the book and would encourage my people to read it.  If you are looking for some practical advice on talking with people about Jesus there are many good things out there, and this book is a good one too.

Comments

[D. Goodmanson]

Thanks Steve, been reading Simple Church. It has inspired me to rethink what we are communicating to our congregation (our vision) and how we put this vision to method. We can sometimes give too much information so that the thrust of our vision is lost.

[Steve McCoy]

Drew, exactly my reaction. I just did a couple of vision sermons and I almost got it right. But a little tweak post reading SC and it feels right now. Helpful book.

[Rodney McCarty]

Simple Church is one of the few books that my wife picked up and actually read from cover to cover. She loved it, and we've talked quite a bit about it. We read it a couple of months ago and I started working through it with the Purposes of the church (Lawless style - from Discipled Warriors).

What I liked most about it was /is the process, rather than a set way of "doing church." It really can be simple....

I'll have to pick up Speaking of Jesus.

[Thomas]

I found Andy Stanley's new book Communicating
for a Change very helpful too. It's not an emergent thing but missional.

[Mike McKinley]

Speaking of Jesus is one of my favorites. There's a video series that goes with it that is really good as well (if you can get past the early 90's mustache and pants). We had Mack out at our church last summer and he really got folks fired up to reach the lost. We're still reaping good fruit from it.