Suggested Reading
What people are reading and browsing these days
What are you reading or browsing these days? What gets you thinking, stirs your soul, enriches your ministry, or stretches your imagination and faith? We'd love to hear from you.
Send descriptions of your favorite "reads" (books, Web sites, periodicals, or online publications) to
bill.bixby@elca.org. The following are some responses and suggestions submitted by youth ministry leaders -- good reads!
The opinions and recommendations of the following people do not necessarily represent the viewpoints or theological perspectives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA Youth Ministry, ELCA Youth Gathering, or the organizations the contributors currently work for. All submissions are edited. There, we had to say that.
- Leading Lives That Matter: What We Should Do And Who We Should Be edited by by Mark R. Schwehn and Dorothy C. Bass. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2006. Leading Lives That Matter draws together a wide range of texts -- including fiction, autobiography, and philosophy -- offering challenge and insight to those who are thinking about what to do with their lives. Instead of giving prescriptive advice, Mark Schwehn and Dorothy Bass approach the subject of vocation as an ongoing conversation.
- Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry: From a Strategy of Influence to a Theology of Incarnation by Andrew Root. IVP Books, 2007. "In Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry, Andrew Root explores the origins of a dominant ministry model for evangelicals, showing how American culture has influenced our understanding of the incarnation. Drawing from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose work with German youth in troubled times shaped his own understanding of how Jesus intersects our relationships, Root recasts relational ministry as an opportunity not to influence the influencers but to stand with and for those in need. True relational youth ministry shaped by the incarnation is a commitment to enter into the suffering of all, to offer all those in high school or junior high the solidarity of the church."
- The Gospel of Grace by Dr. Mark Wickstrom. Beaver's Pond Press, 2008. I think this could be a good resource for leaders and congregations on the subject about how different folks, groups, and denominations interpret the Bible. It's a quick read and I think allows the reader to have new perspective on differing opinions of interpreting the Bible. This book is about the process of deciding how we determine our use of any particular biblical text. In essence, we are each the architect of our own biblical house. Let's take an honest look at how we have designed our individual houses. Mark Wickstrom shows how conflicting religious opinions derive not from contradictions in the Bible but from personal agendas that contradict the gospel of grace. (Desta Goehner)
- Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith by Rob Bell. Zondervan, 2005. An excellent resource for folks who are stretching their muscles but don't want to get lost on the way as they try to understand some of the mysteries of faith, scripture and God. It is personal, easy to read, thoughtful and yet touching. (Rev. Jay Gamelin, Ohio State University)
- The Church on the Other Side by Brian D. McLaren. Zondervan, 2003. Brian McLaren is the person to read for a glimpse at a changing church which is focused on this side of the Parousia (second coming of Christ) for young adults. This book is a little more nuts and bolts as opposed to thoughts and musings, so it has potential for real use. (Rev. Jay Gamelin, Ohio State University)
- Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller. Nelson Books, 2003. Excellent, excellent, excellent. Definitely for older readers and with a little more discriminating taste, but oh so good. (Rev. Jay Gamelin, Ohio State University)
- The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church by Reggie McNeal. Jossey-Bass, 2003. This book was very provocative and offered tangible ways to connect with what God is already doing "out there" versus our propensity to focus on God as only being present in the four walls of a church. From an exploration of the modern era and the church to Postmodernity and missional paradigms, McNeal uncovers the pitfalls of the current institution and the hope that comes along with honest conversations, spiritual practices, and revitalization of the "church." (Rozella White)
- Beyond Guilt: Christian Response to Suffering by Rev. George S. Johnson. Self published, 2000. (ISBN 0970302800) A wonderful, thought and action provoking book about the urgent call for "justice" in our individual and corporate ministries. Johnson weaves together the riches of scripture, current social issues, quotes from prophetic voices, probing questions for discussion, and helpful suggestions for action in this little gem of a book. I’m using it in my “Let Justice Roll” class here at Trinity Lutheran College and my students love it. (Rev. Dr. David Ellingson, Everett, WA)
Have comments or suggestions? E-mail bill.bixby@elca.org.