Welcome to Dennis' Pile of Books

If you were to walk into my office, either at the church or at my house, one thing you would most likely notice many, many books. I have piles of books everywhere so it seems. I love books and surround myself with them wherever I am (at work, on vacation, in the bathroom... you get the picture). So welcome to my pile of books!

On one of my other blogs (Immersed in Mystery) I have a running list of books I have recently read, and ones I am currently reading. In the past few months I began writing short comments after each book title, these were sort of like mini-book reviews, really mini. I thought that rather than lose these comments in the future (I only keep 10 titles on the list at any one time) I would create a blog dedicated to the books I have read.

Having this blog dedicated to the books I have read will also allow me to expand on my comments, perhaps even expanding into a full book review on occasion. Each book will have its own entry, and after the initial 10 entries future books will be noted in this blog when I finish them (in other words the date of the blog entry will indicate the date I finished that book). Mostly this blog is for my own benefit (to help remember all I've read), but I also like to share good books with others. Occasionally I feel the need to warn people about a disappointing book - our free time is scarce enough as it is, no use wasting it on a book that isn't worth the time or effort.

I welcome other comments on these books, it is always interesting to hear how others react to a book I've read - so feel free to leave comments on this blog. And I'm always open to book suggestions from others, I've encountered some great books because of other people's suggestions. Enjoy browsing through my pile of books.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Jesus' People: What the Church Should Do Next

by Steven Croft

I borrowed this book from my brother James, who read it as part of his work on a Doctor of Ministry degree.  I wish I had my own copy for there were many passages I wanted to highlight.  While little that is in this book is new, Steven Croft has put his reflections on the life and ministry of the Christian Church in the 21st Century in a clear, concise and articulate manner worthy of some time and attention.  Right off the bat I appreciated the way that Steven refuses to participate in the blame game, looking for reasons the church has failed or is failing.  Instead he focuses on what it means to be fruitful, and how that might look different than corporate success.

Bishop Croft sets forth four tenets in this book: 
1. We are navigating through a time of great change and to navigate well we need to rediscover Jesus Christ as the compass and centre of the Church’s life.

2. We need as a Church to reflect the character of Jesus to our society. But what does this mean?
3. We are called as a Church to do what Jesus did: to build up the Christian community and to change the world. It is neither one nor the other but both.
4. We will only have the strength to change ourselves or others if we are deeply rooted in Jesus. But how should that happen?

Each of these 4 points is examined carefully, and I was both affirmed and challenged in my ministry in each of these sections.  This book is a valuable resource for any church leader seeking to a compass to the future.

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