Forming God's Community

 In "Why Would Anyone Go to Church?" Kevin Makins gives a wonderful testimony to how God works in his life and in the lives of obedient Christians to bring about His kingdom on earth. Makins offers very personal stories regarding the planting of a congregation in Hamilton, The Eucharist Community. These stories explore both victories and setbacks, joys and struggles in order to share the process by which Eucharist came to be. In sharing these personal and communal moments, Makins also provides a sound theology of the church. He considers the church's mission to reach all people. He considers the diversity that should exist within the community of God. He considers the richness of community and relationship. He considers how the church should relate to the surrounding culture. In doing these things, Makins provides a method for people to reflect on their own church and how each church plays a unique part in the wider body of Christ.

I received this book from the publisher as part of their blogging program.

Is it really a battle?

Stephen Mansfield offers sincere guidance regarding how men can regain what it means to be a man. Mansfield presents seven fires that should burn deep in a man's soul in order for that man to restore noble manhood. In presenting these seven fires: Heritage, Battle, Destiny, Friendship, Love, Legacy, and God, Mansfield encourages positive lifestyle choices for men. He seeks to reignite the morality that should guide men as they enter into society and into relationships. 

Mansfield depends too much on the metaphor of battle though. In this writing he encourages an almost conqueror mentality in men. Not all men have hearts that beat with the heart of a warrior. Not all men have a passion to dominate. Not all men view life as a battle to be won. This metaphor might encourage some men as they grow as people, but it might actually be detrimental to others. If the primary metaphor of masculinity is winning the battle then some men might seek to conquer rather than offer Christ-like compassion.

In addition, at one point in the book, Mansfield makes a huge point of looking at Christ as a man. While this is certainly true, Jesus was and is a man, Mansfield's exploration of Christ as a man does not fully speak to who Christ is. The exploration of Christ as an adventurer who lived on the edge, may have been more impacting if the point of Christ's life choices and actions was more fully explored. Jesus lived on the edge and died on the cross as an act of love and compassion for all people. Men, and all who seek to follow Christ, need to find their passions in the midst of a love that reflects Christ's sacrificial attitude. 

Overall, "Men on Fire" does not inspire the fire of manhood in my life. It disappoints through a lack of defining Biblical manhood. It also depends way too much on a metaphor that could inspire very unmanly attitudes and actions.

I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

This Could Apply to Others

The Fredericks offer a compelling vision of what it means to live in a committed married relationship in "See-Through Marriage." This book provides inspiration for couples to live honestly with one another in order that their marriage might testify to God and His grace present in the married relationship. 

This book could be applied more widely though. If the Fredericks had first developed a theology of See-Through Relationships and then applied this theology to various relationships, including that of marriage, the book could impact a wider audience. Marriage is an important part of many people's lives and for Christians, should be viewed through a Christ-filtered lens. Many people are not married though and could benefit from the advice in these pages. The idea of living in see-through relationships could be applied to friendships, church fellowships, work relationships, and parenting as well. 

There is also a place where it seems they misrepresent themselves and orthodox faith. On page 42, the Fredericks speak about becoming light walkers - walking in the presence of God in their relationships. They state, "Your marriage is the main way by which all three of these are realized." when speaking of fellowship with one's self, one's spouse, and others. It would be better stated that God's church is the main way we can realize fellowship in these three areas along with other areas of our lives. The Fredericks do seem to think this, but elevate marriage more highly than maybe they intend at this point.

The Fredericks do accomplish their goal of helping married couples understand how they might more fully know and love one another. Unfortunately, there are some missteps along the way and their overall argument could impact more lives if they considered how to apply it to the myriad of relationships in which people find themselves.

I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

Lost the Plot

In "The Sacred Chase," Heath Adamson takes a look at the story from Mark 5 when Jesus casts Legion out of the man in the graveyard. As he retells the story, Adamson weaves other Biblical tales, life stories, and spiritual truths in order to encourage readers to increase their intimacy with God. This book falls short in a few places. First, as it does reach the point of encouraging readers to grow in relationship with God, the process does not draw the reader in. Second, the book's message would have been stronger if Adamson had focused exclusively on the primary narrative from Mark 5. Interweaving other Biblical stories in weakens the narrative structure of the book. Going deeper into the story of the man possessed by Legion would have allowed Adamson to develop the points of the book more specifically. Finally, when Adamson discusses King David and the confrontation from the prophet regarding David's actions of Bathsheba, he identified the prophet incorrectly. As Adamson recounts the story he identifies the prophet who knocks as Samuel. If this was the case, David probably would have freaked out as Samuel had already passed away at this point. The prophet that comes and visits David is Nathan. While this seems minor in regards to the point that Adamson seeks to make in the book, it is very important to make sure the narratives you recount from Scripture tell the story as it is relayed. This small mistake causes distraction and breaks down the integrity of the text. Better editing/proofreading would have improved the text at this point.
While Adamson makes his point by the conclusion of "The Sacred Chase," the journey through the book lacks coherency and sound editing. Ultimately, the book felt like a collection of badly drawn together sermons.
I received this book as a review copy from Baker Books in return for an honest review.

Helpful Insights for Current Ministry

As a millennial himself, Jonathan JP Pokluda is in a unique place to offer advice on ministering to this generation, which seems increasingly distant from the church. In "Welcoming the Future Church: How to Reach, Teach, and Engage Young Adults," Pokluda begins by offering some broad qualities of the millennial generation. These qualities then lead Pokluda to suggest some specific idea regarding ministry. Many of these ideas emerge from his own pastoring at The Porch. Some of the most helpful lean on the fact that millennials long for purpose. Giving them purpose through an understanding that they are all pastors, witnessing to their peers is the base for ministering with this age group.
Pokluda also helpfully explores various teaching strategies that are attractive to this generation. A teacher of the Gospel should share their own story, warts and all. A teacher of the Gospel should also be honest regarding Scripture. Help people to wrestle with those places in Scripture that are notoriously difficult. Help people to discover where culture tempts us to compromise the message of Scripture so that they might know the truth present within.
Some of what Pokluda writes sounds very familiar. Many suggestions regarding church structure and leadership training are applicable across generations in the church. It seems that these suggestions could be applied to many churches with many generations so that Gospel sharing might be more effective.
Overall, "Welcoming the Future Church" helps familiarize ministers of the Gospel with the unique culture of this generation. It also assists in helping ministers of the Gospel to consider how they might integrate young adults into existing ministries so that the entire church might be more effective in sharing the Gospel.
I received this book from the publisher as part of their blogging program.

Encouragment to Overcome

Through a series of personal stories and spiritual wisdom gleaned from her journey, Kristen Welch offers encouragement, grace, and strength in "Made to Move Mountains." Welch shares parts of her recent story including her work with mercy house, parenting decisions, family challenges, and financial questions in order to help people understand that we are made to move mountains. It is through the grace of God and the faith we have in God that people are enabled to make it over or through the mountains of life. Life will have its challenges and disasters, in God, the faithful person can climb over them. God also gives us seemingly impossible dreams, itches that cannot be scratched. Yet, the promise is he will help us accomplish these dreams and scratch the itch all to the glory of His name. Join Kristen Welch on her journey and receive amazing encouragement!
I received this book from the publisher as part of the Baker Books blogging program.

For Joy!

This may be the most seminal work recently released regarding youth ministry. It is certainly one of the top writings from the pen of Andrew Root. "The End of Youth Ministry?" verbalizes so much of what I feel youth ministry should be about. As a long time youth pastor and parent, this is what I want for my children and students. I want them to discover joy in Christ.
Taking the atypical route of sharing a parable regarding the journey toward enlightenment, Root guides readers toward enlightenment. Root encourages us to think counter-culturally about youth ministry. Rather than seeking to please the parents who want a place of entertainment that helps their children be happy, youth ministry should guide youth in discovering the joy of Christ. To do this, we must share in one another's life narratives, particularly the moments of death. When communities do this, Christ enters in, providing grace and resurrection. This book is revolutionary and should be on the top of every youth pastor's , parent's, elder's and pastor's list of current must reads! Youth ministry is for discovering the joy of the Lord within His community. Let the church discover this!