Books I read in 2014.

I know it seems silly to post this in March 2015, but here is a list I was keeping through 2014. 

First up, I am aiming to read through the Bible in 2014. Haven’t done that for a while. Here are other books I have read:

January

Making Small Groups Work.

I read this in preparation for a workshop I was leading at Engage’14. I found this easy to read, with short chapters full of wisdom.

I would give this a high recommendation.

February

I Kissed Dating Goodbye

I didn't like this book. It is worth noting that I read the 1997 edition, so some of my concerns may have been addressed in the updated version. However, I wouldn't recommend this book.

While there is much within the book that is worthwhile, and can lead to good discussions, it doesn't seem to give much scope for finding the one who will become your wife/husband. In fact, I am worried that it ends up doing what I think Harris aims to stop people doing - looking for the ‘one’ who will sweep you off your feet.

I read a review on Amazon that expressed my concerns well. It might be good for teenagers, but for those in their mid 20s and beyond, it provides no guidance.

Captured By A Better Vision

This book by Tim Chester is a very helpful resource for people struggling with pornography, or those who are helping. Chester gives 5 key ingredients to put in place (found on p21) to help win the fight. And rather than just pointing to all the foolishness of pornography helps to look beyond it to something much better, both in terms of relationship and in worship.

Well worth reading.

March

War and Peace.

I started this book in February during our holidays. I read this after a conversation with Nathain S. who found this book helpful to understand predestination. As I enjoy reading historical fiction, Nathain also said this would be worth reading.

I can’t say that I enjoyed the book. I found it to be very slow, and with Tolstoy not just telling a story but also giving his own opinion of the history of Napoleon, I found it hard to follow.

There are great aspects to the book. On page 150, I read a description of war that I found fascinating and worth noting. There were some other metaphors and illustrations that I found helpful too.

At 1358 pages, it was hard to hold, hard to keep up with, and hard to concentrate. I can say that I’ve read it now, but I absolutely prefer his short stories.

Unpacking Scripture in Youth Ministry.

This is the third book in a series by Andrew Root. They are excellent, but I have found them harder to read than I imagined. I think this is because there is much to reflect on and consider. I certainly need to read this book again.

This revolves around Nadia, a youth worker who has been confronted with the need to define what she believes the Bible to be and how it should be used in ministry. Her realisation that the Bible is best used when we look forward and not back, when we read it to help explain what God is doing rather than just trying to understand God is helpful.

There are times in this when I’m left wondering if Root believes the Bible really is the word of God. It is possible to read this book and come to the conclusion that he holds to the view that it ‘becomes the word of God’ when it is revealed to us. Regardless of this, it is a helpful and challenging read.

God’s Good Design

I read this at the encouragement of my wife, Anne, and our friend Joy V. The book is in two halves, with the first dealing with the place of women in the church and the second the place of women in the home. It is part one that interested me most. Smith takes a careful look at the ‘controversial’ statements of the NT and shows that even though they are counter-cultural, they can still be read as God inspired scripture. As such, we should still follow their instruction.

I can’t say that it has resolved everything for me. As happens, I’ve heard and read things that conflict with her statements and am trying to weigh all these up. However, her conclusion, as I understand it, that it is within the local church that women are not to teach or have authority over men makes sense. This provides direction for the local church and allows her to speak in women’s gatherings, and in mixed gatherings that are outside the local church setting - such as the preaching class she refers to.

Her chapter on Proverbs 31 is very helpful, for both men and women.

(I think I did read something in April - I hope I did - but obviously didn’t write it here)

May

The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts.

This was a free e-book from somewhere (maybe churchleaders.com) and was good to read. I enjoyed learning a bit more of his history and his desire to make the great themes of Scripture singable. I was intrigued to learn that some of his songs are the re-writing of some Psalms to which he is not afraid to add a verse that names Jesus.

This is a very good book.

Fruit that will last.

Tim Hawkins describes this as the book that sets out his vision for youth ministry. While I don’t think it is as good as “Disciples who will last” it is still excellent. In this book he describes the history of his youth ministry, and the impact these changes have made.

Definitely one of the important books for youth ministers to read and to share.

June

Unlocking Mission and Eschatology in Youth Ministry

This is the fourth and final book of this series. The themes that have come up in the first three continue to shine in this, but with the extra twist and focus on mission and eschatology. If you’re looking for a way to present ‘end-times’ to teenagers, this won’t help you. But if you’re looking for something to provoke your thinking about the value of short term mission trips with your youth group, then this has much to say to you.

July

Worship in Spirit and Truth.

I haven’t read a lot of Frame’s work, and there’s a lot of it, but what I have read I have greatly enjoyed. This book is incredibly helpful. Frame comes from a Presbyterian perspective and writes affirmingly of the Regulative Principle in worship, so it is very relevant for me. But he also points out that most church leaders use the Regulative Principle to maintain a tradition rather than to consider what the scripture teaches on the subject of worship. Frame writes in a way that helps me to feel free in worship and still be sure that I am not going against God and his commands. It is not hard to read, and the questions give opportunity for further reflection. This is indeed a book worth sharing with others.

These three books are the second trilogy by Mor that I have read, and these are written as a prequel to the first trilogy (The Wanderers). I really enjoy reading Mor’s works. These focus on early Ireland in a time of turmoil and upheaval as new invaders come and make their presence felt. There is a strong element of folk religion in this trilogy, that helps to give ground to the other trilogy. How much is historical, ancient stories, or Mor’s own imagination I cannot tell. But I certainly enjoyed reading this set.

August

Sticky Teams

This is a book that I read together with Mark and Nello. I found this to be an outstanding book on the issue of church boards and councils. Perhaps not everything here would fit in the context of a Presbyterian Church, but I would still want to read through it with a group of elders if I get back to Parish ministry. Here is the review I posted on amazon.com:

This is a book that should be read and shared by every church Board and Eldership. Osborne lays out some guidelines that help you to ensure you are working together in a way that can help to keep the relationships on that board healthy and the mission properly directed. The fact that he helps you to consider issues and determine how to handle them before they arise is incredibly helpful.

If I get back to being a church pastor, this is a book I would want to read together.

The Shadow of what was lost.

This is the first book written by the author - who is the husband of Sonja, my fellow worker at PYV. It may be his first, but it is incredibly well written. It kept me awake too long at night as it is hard to put down once you start reading, and it is a great story. I know it will be a while before volume 2 is written and published, and I’ll probably need to read this one again to remember all that has happened, but that won’t be a burden.

Here is my review on Amazon.com:

This book kept me turning the digital pages later into the night than I should have. As the story unfolded I was wondering who was the villain and who was the hero, and even at the end I'm not convinced I know for sure. It will be a shame that I have to wait so long for the next book.

The story is original enough, but featuring classic themes of the genre. And that is what makes it well worth reading. I liked the 'El' reference too.

If you are disappointed by this book, you're way too hard to please.

Glad I read it.

September

Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry.

While I finished it in September, it has been on my reading list for much longer than that. This is not the easiest book to read, but it is an important book to read, and it is significantly more than just a book about youth ministry. In the first part of this book, Root gives a brief history of adolescence - I learned stuff here - and a history of youth ministry. Again, there was stuff in here that took me by surprise; particularly the vitally important role of para-church groups in the development of youth ministry in the local church. Part two really disects the model of ‘Relational Youth Ministry’ that many of us would have learned. But rather than throwing out the baby with the proverbial bath water, Root gives a much deeper and stronger understanding of relational youth ministry connected to Jesus and the church.

Much of this aligns with some changes that have been happening in my own mind in recent years about the segregation of ages in our church and the folly of this. It was nice to read his conclusions are similar to mine. He has done more work on the issue, and as such is able to provide a better way forward.

I will be recommending this to other youth leaders.

(And when I attended a study week with Andrew Root, he signed my book.)

October

Jesus: A Theography.

This took a while to read through, but I finished it in October. It is a book that takes the reader through the entire Bible seeing how Jesus fits in to the whole story. So it is a theological biography.

Some chapters are better than others - and this may reflect the two writers, although I'm not sure who wrote which chapter. And some of the suggestions make me thing the writer might be stretching the metaphor at times.
As something of an introduction to Biblical Theology, I have found this very helpful. The opening chapter was particularly helpful.

December

(We moved house in late October and this had a massive impact on me. There wasn’t a lot of reading done for a number of weeks.)

In preparation for a workshop at PYV Summer Camp, I re-read “Captured by a Better Vision” by Tim Chester. There is so much that is good about this book.

Paradoxology.

I think there are two books that should be on every youth leader’s bookshelf. “The Reason for God” by Tim Keller, and this one. In this volume, Kandiah takes readers through some difficult passages and themes of Scripture and helps us to see through those difficulties. The paradox that stands out and can confuse us in a number of areas is made clear here. Not all, but some.

I heard Kandiah speak on the Deuteronomy passage at a Youth Ministers Gathering earlier in the year and it was outstanding.

(And he signed my book).