Good reading
Feature Book:
Kingdom Culture: Growing the Missional Church, by Phil Wagler. Click here.
What our leaders are reading these days ... with comments on what they are gaining ...
Tim Doherty (Lead Pastor, Kingsfield): One key book has been Daily Office, by Pete Scazzero. Monica and I have had the richest season of prayer and time together in the Word, and a very fruitful season of growing through the scriptures, reflections, and questions this book has brought to us each day. Together with my reading through many of the Psalms, and the gospel of Mark, it's been a rich season for me with Jesus.
Tom Roes (ZMC Pastor): Psalms. The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan. Buchanan asserts that we have lost the practice of sabbath, and thus have lost the gift of rest that God desires us to have. This book is not a difficult book to read, but in our busy culture many will find it difficult to change what Buchanan is calling us to change. Those who do manage to restore rest in their lives will be much richer for it.
Stu Blyde (Worship Developer): Currently, I am reading "Preparing Expository Sermons" by Ramesh Richard. It is one of my course textbooks for my Preaching Skills class. In it I am finding numerous tips and techniques for drawing out the meaning of the biblical text through textual analysis, historical context and structural outlines, and for putting it all together in sermon form that will engage listeners and allow God to speak through His Word in an understandable and concise language.
Ryan Jantzi (Lead pastor of Kingsfield Clinton): Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Erin Metaxas. This is a fascinating read that gives a glimpse into Bonhoeffer's pursuit of faithful leadership in the Christian church in the midst of Nazi Germany. A courageous capacity to live counter-culturally for Jesus is demonstrated in this man's life.
Linda Hendrick (ZMC elder): Thessalonians. Fearless by Max Lucado. The Dig Deeper series of messages (on Nov. 21st) tied in nicely with all of this. All this reading gives me the courage to grow in Christ and seek his direction for my life. God is good.
Jamie Ramer (Hockey Ministries International, staff teammate, and deacon in ZMC) Philipians, Colossians, Romans. Holiness of God - RC Sproll. Making Peace - Jim Van Yperen. God is in control and Lord of all and can accomplish his purposes despite all obstacles that seemingly stand in the way. Reason for God - by Timothy Keller. A great read as he tackles many questions that skeptics and seekers have about faith in Christ. Presented in a way that is easy to read and follow. I Once was Lost - by Don Everts and Doug Schaupp. This book gives insites into peoples journies to Christ. It is a great learning tool as we walk with people who are discovering Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour.
Joel Siebert (elder at Kingsfield Clinton) James, Colossians, Proverbs. Just finished Beyond Band of Brothers - Major Dick Winters war memories. He spoke of leadership. He comes from Mennonite heritage in Pennsylvania (guess he missed the no violence stance of the Mennonite Church) 'A good combat leader leads from the front of his unit', has a 'Come follow me' attitude. Seemed very much that a good leader is the servant leader, the Christ-like leader.
Melanie Siebert - In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart by Ruth Graham (Billy's daughter). It's about helping those who are going through trauma, to help me as we begin the pregnancy support center in Clinton. Great book!
Brian & Bonnie Steckle (elders at Kingsfield Clinton) - The Unshakable Truth by Josh and Sean McDowell. It is very interesting, and really hits me with the truths of what I believe. Also doing a study by Erwin W. Lutzer on biblical truths about death, and life after death, heaven and hell. I hope to preach about these topics some day. I reviewed Romans chapter 8. This is my favorite passage.
Good reads: in our opinion these are classics and emerging classics.
(we recommend searching for these titles at http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/ or http://www.amazon.ca/ to read more about these books. Or contact the Kingsfield office if you'd like to arrange to borrow a copy of a book.
Maturing
the Bible
Becoming Conversant with the Emergent Church - DA Carson (understanding modernism and postmodernism's influences on culture and the church's theology)
The Call - Os Guiness (a landmark work on understanding who we are and what God has personally called us to)
Celebration of Discipline - Richard Foster
The Cost of Discipleship - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Discover Who You Are (LifeKeys) - Kise, Stark and Hirsch (discovering who we are in Christ [gifting, calling])
How to Read the Bible for all Its Worth - Gordon Fee, Douglas Stuart
the Leadership Challenge - Kouzes & Posner (a solid and comprehensive look at leadership from a 'what works in the real world' view)
Life Together - Dietrich Bonhoeffer (a classic look into the shared life of brothers and sisters in Christ)
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis (a landmark explanation of the faith)
My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers (an excellent daily devotional)
The Practice of the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence
The Pursuit of God - A.W. Tozer
Renovation of the Heart - Dallas Willard
The Revolutionary Communicator - Medefind & Lokkesmoe (learning from the greatest communicator who ever lived, Jesus Christ, and how communicating like Him will transform relationships and leadership. An enjoyable read.
Simply Christian - NT Wright
The Spirit of the Disciplines - Dallas Willard
Spiritual Leadership - Oswald Sanders
Your God is Too Safe - Mark Buchanan
Visioneering - Andy Stanley
Mission
the Bible
Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller (understanding today's thinking, and spiritual conversation in our day)
The Body - Charles Colson
ChurchNext - Eddie Gibbs
The Emotionally Healthy Church - Peter Scazzero
Experiencing God - Henry Blackaby
Everything Must Change - Brian McLaren
Kingdom Culture - Phil Wagler
Martyrs Mirror
The Reason for God - Belief in an Age of Skepticism - Tim Keller
Searching for God Knows What - Donald Miller
The Wounded Healer - Henri Nouwen (a deeply insightful look into the nature of people, and the nature of Christian leadership in our day)
Multiplication
the Bible
Houses That Change the World - Wolfgang Simson
Organic Church - Neil Cole
Exiles - Michael Frost
The Forgotten Ways - Alan Hirsch
The History of Christianity - Tim Dowley