Discovering the Songs of Christmas by Robert Cottrill (Jebaire Publishing, 2009).  This book examines the history and biblical meaning of 63 carols and Christmas hymns.  Helpful for pastors looking for sermon illustrations and devotional material around the Christmas season.  Great … Continue reading →

Why Johnny Can’t Sing Hymns – How Pop Culture Rewrote the Hymnal, by T. David Gordon (P & R Publishing, 2010)  Whatever your views on the “worship wars,” this book will challenge you to rethink long-held notions.  In spite of … Continue reading →

Dallas Willard is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California (USC).  He is a profoundly Christian man whose books have received “Book of the Year” awards in 1999 and 2003 from Christianity Today.  His particular field of … Continue reading →

Spirit-Empowered Preaching, Arturo G. Azurdia III, Mentor, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Great Britain, 1998 “But the Spirit was not there. No statement concerning a local church could be any more disconcerting. No statement could arouse any greater depth of fear … Continue reading →

Jimmy Long. The Leadership Jump. Building Partnerships Between Existing and Emerging Christian Leaders (Downers Grove, ILL: InterVarsity Press, 2009). 205 pages. Writing from his experience as a leader and leadership developer for many years within InterVarsity, Jimmy Long passionately argues … Continue reading →

“The Externally Focused Church” advocates serving our community by doing the good works God has prepared us to do (Eph 2:10). This makes those served more likely to want to hear the good news behind it. While some may disagree … Continue reading →

Our regional director and entire church planting team is currently reading Viral Churches by Ed Stetzer & Warren Bird. Based on the most recent and comprehensive study of what God is doing through church planting, this analysis of the results … Continue reading →

Run with the Horses – The Quest for Life at its Best Revised and Expanded, Second Edition 2009 Author: Eugene H. Peterson Publisher: InterVarsity Press If you’ve never read the Older Testament Book of Jeremiah, Run with Horses will get … Continue reading →

If you had only one book to read this year, without hesitation - make it James Houston’s “The Transforming Power of Prayer: Deepening Your Friendship With God“  (formerly titled “The Transforming Friendship” first published in 1989). Houston presents prayer as a friendship with … Continue reading →

“Strategic Cheriths”, AuthorHouse by Dr. Bruce Gordon.  Over the past decade I have watched leaders experience change and transition; for many, it has been not without pain and brokenness, for it came on them suddenly. Questions like, did God know … Continue reading →

“Execution” by Ram Charan and Larry Bossidy, Jossey Bass.  I am finding that pastoral leadership today do not have a lack of vision or thoughts on how to accomplish the vision ( resources permitting ); rather, they struggle with how … Continue reading →

I recommend a book entitled ‘Spiritual Disciplines Devotional’, by Valerie E. Hess.  This book focuses on the twelve core disciplines of the Christian life in a daily reading and teaching format, along with practical application ideas for each.  As an off-shoot … Continue reading →

“Derailed” by Tim Irwin: Derailed details the life and challenges of six executives who failed, resigned under pressure or were fired by their organizations.  It looks at the causes, mistakes in decision making and judgment.  Two quotes from the book, … Continue reading →