Book Review: Gospel Wakefulness

gospelwakefulness

Gospel Wakefulness, by Jared Wilson, is one of the most transforming books I have read this year.I read a lot of books, many of which overlap each other  byre-organizing the same material in a different manner, or looking at a particular niche from a different angle, or telling stories … [Read more...]

Book Review: What is the Mission of the Church

WhatIsTheMissionOfTheChurchDeYoung

"If we improve our schools, get people off of welfare, clean up the park, and plant trees in the neighborhood, but aren't seeking to make disciples, we may bless our communities, but we are not accomplishing the church's mission." Emphasis added This quote summarizes the main point being made … [Read more...]

Book Review: A Cross Shaped Gospel

CrossShapedGospel

Bryan Lorttis has released a profound book that asks the question "What is the gospel?"This is a question the church is asking.One the one hand, the book could have descended into a debate on theological definitions. For example,What are the basic theological elements required to … [Read more...]

Book Review: The Heart of the Story – Randy Frazee

Cover for Book Review the Heart of the Story Frazee

Do you know the overarching storyline of the Bible?In the 31 chapters of The Heart of the Story: God's Masterful Design to Restore His People, Pastor Randy Frazee takes the reader through the seemingly disconnected stories of Scripture and ties them all together under God's story line. … [Read more...]

Book: Erasing Hell by Francis Chan

Chan and Perkins Erasing Hell

How could a loving God send people to hell? That is a troubling question.The question of hell is one that I encounter in my conversations with people who are still wrestling with the goodness of God or contemplating the justice and wrath of God.It's a question that can lead to great … [Read more...]

Book: Second Story – Seeing what’s not being said

Second Story: seeing what's not being said

Sometimes telling a story is easier than teaching.Jesus did it through parables, and parents tell stories to children to help them learn.I generally don't read Christian fiction, but Second Story: seeing what's not being saidwas filled with real life evangelistic situations, questions and … [Read more...]

Book Review: Counterfeit Gospels

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Ask the members of your evangelism committee: What is the gospel? You will likely get several different answers.Gather 135 pastors from all sides of the Christian tradition and ask the same question, you will likely get about as many different answers.They will dance around the same … [Read more...]

Book Review: Coffee Shop Conversations

Coffee Shop Evangelism Conversation Skills

In my evangelism training, I focus on evangelistic conversation based onNoticing the prompting of the Holy Spirit Listening for Spiritual Thirst Using great questions to help a person discover their thirst and need for Christ.So I'm always on the lookout for great conversational tools … [Read more...]

Book Review: Untamed Alan Hirsch

untamed

"There are two kinds of people in the world: those who live the adventure, and those who only read about others living the adventure."Alan Hirsch lives the adventure of being a follower of Jesus.  His experiences and learnings show clearly in his writings, and even more so in this book written … [Read more...]

Book Review: Growing the Church

GrowingTheChurch

I love this book!Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit: Seven Principles of Dynamic CooperationAs I've spent a lot of time looking at books in this vien over the last few years, this one is unique in its approach to church growth.Instead of programs and strategic planning … [Read more...]