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The spot for the good news, the good word, the quick reports of the many, many wonderful news items I hear all the time and want to share with the rest of you. Expect to find the good news when you come to check out "what’s the good word?"

Friday, January 27, 2012

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

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