Toolbox, continued

#3/ Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church
Author: Kenda Creasy Dean.
ISBN-10: 0-8028-4712-9
ISBN -13: 978-0-8028-4712-6

When I picked this book up I figured it was a “How To” guide for youth and young adult ministry. I was mistaken.

Ms Dean is an Associate Professor of Youth, church at the Tennent School of Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary and this book is more of a scholarly work about “passion” and “youth and young adult” type ministries but it is from a more “fundamental” point of view and does not easily adapt to current Community of Christ Theology.

I enjoyed reading this book (though, unlike the two before this and the one that follows) it is not an easy read but tends to be fairly heavy. I feel I picked up a good deal of information and knowledge that I did not have before but would not suggest this book if you were looking for a quick and easy “how to” when it comes to youth and young adult ministries. I do feel it would be beneficial for people who are involved in those ministries to provide them with knowledge and a good background base for these ministries.

My rating:
As a How to for getting your ministry going: 2 out of 5.
As a resource for background and knowledge: 3.5 - 4 out of 5. (It takes a fair bit of stretching to make it Community of Christ friendly).

Now, I know Marion Smith has suggested the following book to many people but I would like to add it to my own, “Must Read” list and would highly recommend it!

#4/ The Disciple Making Church: From Dry Bones to Spiritual Vitality
Author: Glenn McDonald.
ISBN 978-1-932902-67-9

Wow! This book is a “Must Have” for every “Toolbox for Mission”.

The book is in two parts.
Part 1 is an excellent and easy read and takes you a Journey through “Disciple Making Relationships. Part 1 would make an excellent workshop, with a little adaptation and fits well with current Community of Christ Theology.

Part 2 is very good, though with theology of a bit more fundamental nature, but it is still well worth reading and can be adapted to be a good fit with current Community of Christ Theology.

This book is an excellent resource for the switch from a “strategy of programs” to a “strategy of relationships” and will help you to see just how Disciple-making is a one -to- one activity that transforms groups. The book was easy to read and really makes sense in the Community of Christ setting and is a wonderful book for anyone who would like to live in a more “sacramental manner”.

Look for this book on the “book tables” at future CEM events. Consider it a must read for priesthood and leadership throughout the mission centre. I will be certain to ask you, “who is your Barnabas” and “who is your Timothy” (along with a couple of other questions that you will discover as you read the book)!

My rating: 4.9 out of 5.

Stay tuned for other exciting books that you can make a part of your “Toolbox for Mission”!

Poster John Nichols

Toolbox

This posting is from John Nichols. John wears many hats, one of them being that of a reliable source of book information. John's on the lookout for resources you can use. He'll offer his rating and whatever initial thoughts he has about how to get the most out of the books he's suggesting.

"Toolbox for Mission"

Hi folks! I have been seeking out books with lots of interesting ideas to help all of us gear up for Mission! Looking specifically for some “how to” guides for helping us “Develop Disciples to Serve.”

I’ve just completed four different books that could help with that Mission Initiative.

I do have to say, prior to starting the reviews, that buying books is great! Reading books is wonderful! Applying what you learn from the books is essential! And, without further ado, here are some of the books that I am currently recommending!

#1/ Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry; Creative Plans and Programs that Really Work!
Author, Diana Davis. ISBN978-0-8054-4723-1

My wife pointed me to this book as a potential good resource, likely also very saleable on a Reunion Book Table. Cringing a little, I plunged into it anyway. My verdict: This resource would be valuable for men AND women alike.

Written for other “mainline” churches, its ideas are easily adaptable to a Community of Christ context. Ms Davis takes you on a step by step process for developing a Women’s Ministry and would be an excellent resource for congregations, camps, retreats.

AND, guys, with a few adaptations and different ideas it could easily be used for “Men’s Retreats” or a Men’s Group, as well. If you are looking at developing ministries of these kinds, I would heartily suggest you pick up this book!

#2/How To Mobilize Church Volunteers
Author: Marlene Wilson. ISBN 978-0-8066-2012-1

This book was, again, written more for the “mainline protestant group” but with a few slight adaptations it is really good for the Community of Christ! Ms Wilson takes you on a step by step journey from assessing the needs, recruiting the volunteers, building the congregational team, training the volunteers, all the way to nurturing and managing the volunteers. Do you need to build a team for specific things in your congregation? How about for your Reunion, camp or retreat? This step by step guide is really useful!

This resource could be easily adapted into a workshop and for helping to prevent “burn out.”
My rating: 4.75 out of 5.

More tomorrow.

Posted by John Nichols

Thoughtful

There is much conversation about the need to manage one's time, avoid inevitable distractions by electronic devices, even to the point of purchasing apps that will force "down" or "disconnected" time.

I thought it appropriate that the first book I'm reading on my new kindle deals with just this issue. Found on the blog of a writer who's in process of producing a book about Sabbath, you can read the review here if you're interested.

Perhaps I'll give you my opinion later when I've finished the book. I'm taking it slow.

One issue I'm pondering just now. The writer speaks of our obsession with "work/life balance" and asks us to consider how this perspective may even be negative. If "work" is not an inherent part of "life" then it is no wonder we feel stretched and pressured. We need to acknowledge that a big part of our life is our work. How can we be intentional in ensuring that work part of living is also valuable and valued? As long as we keep "work" and "life" on opposite sides of the equation, we have limited ourselves. Still pondering...

(Oh, and by the way, this text would also work well for that second adult class you're considering.)

Posted by Marion

Generosity

In 2010, the Lowbanks congregation stepped up its Christmas charity efforts by adopting a family in need. The family consisted of a single father and three children.

So generous were the donations, this year they decided to adopt two families. While everyone enthusiastically agreed to this suggestion, it was an ambitious undertaking. Lowbanks is a relatively small congregation. They would need to provide grocery vouchers worth $275 as well as gifts for three parents and six children. Adding to the challenge was the short time frame from when the family information was provided and when the gifts had to be delivered (less than two weeks).

As soon as the details was provided to the congregation, Billy said "We'll take care of the $150 grocery voucher for Family #1". Immediately Marg and Becky responded "We'll take care of the other one". Eunice said "I'll take care of the 5 year old boy in Family 1". From there it snowballed until every need was met and more ... much more.

The response was overwhelming. The Thank You cards from the families speak of a Christmas they will never forget.

Here is a congregation in mission. For a brief time, two families were relieved from their poverty and suffering during the holy season of Christmas.

from Marilyn Graham, Mission Advocate

An Idea

Here's my idea. I know some of you have very successful "adult classes" while others have relinquished them in favour of an extended coffee hour. My idea is that you institute a second class. Yes, I know, some will say "It's enough of a challenge to keep one group going" or perhaps "But we like our class; don't fix what isn't broken." Either way, please hear me out.

My guess is that not all twenty-five of you needs to be in that group. Some of you would really, really like to dig a little deeper, or explore some other topic (social justice or local activist cause) or perhaps work to develop a new skill (along the line of "equip disciples for ministry"). So what if there are only three or four of you? Pick a subject, or a book, or someone you know who has some expertise. Locate a spot--the choir loft, or the library or even the furnace room, if all the more conventional places are being used--and just begin!

Here are three suggestions. I'm beginning with books that I already know and that would meet some of the above criteria. You can be a self-led group with any of these texts, let the author be your guide. Good luck!

#1 The Disciple-Making Church, by Glenn McDonald. There's already a little review of this text on the Disciple Formation page on CEM's web page. It offers some practical things to try for those who'd like to be "better" disciples.

#2 From Pew to Pulpit, by Clifton Guthrie is also reviewed there. This is a great little text (just over 100 pages) for people, ordained or not, who may want to learn how to be better pulpit speakers. Our denomination uses the skills of all who have something to say. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they learned how to do the best job possible? Are there three or four in your congregation who might like to try it?

#3 Attentive to God, by Charles Wood and Ellen Blue. This book's sub-title invites us to "think theologically" and it is a text for those who've wondered about that. It walks the reader through the basics (very understandable) and then suggests some real-life congregational and community situations and helps us consider how our theology would have us address them. Issues like what to do about the food bank, or how to make expensive medical decisions or what to think about ghosts and vampires. You could have some great conversations with this book.

There you go. My idea. Let me know if anyone takes me up on it.

Posted by Marion

Recommended (next)

This one is for those who will be preaching this year. The Gospel for Year B (2012) is Mark. For some good background reading on the second gospel you might like to go here . While you're there, by all means look around.

This is the Working Preacher website that always offers some interesting insight into the lectionary scriptures for the week.

Our CPI pastors will be especially interested in the January 15 essay. Ask any one of them the special significance of the fig tree.

I realize there many links in this particular post, but all of them will bring you to this excellent resource for you "working preachers" reading What's the Good Word today.

Posted by Marion

Recommended

Good day folks, Marion here. (Thanks for all you good wishes as I've been transitioning into retirement. As expected, it's great!)

I know you'll be missing The Good Word for awhile so I want to offer a couple of things I think you might appreciate.

For pastors, worship planners, Christian education folk in congregations with children, here is a great web site for you. It follows the Lectionary, as does our own Worship Helps so you'll find it easy to locate the Sunday you want.

I know you will find excellent ideas, and as always, there are things intended for children that will make their greatest impression on your adult worshipers. Here's the link for Worshiping With Children. I hope you'll find it useful.

Posted by Marion