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).

The adventure continues Part 4

In every story of adventure, those involved reach a point where the fun has ended adn it starts to get hard. in fact, in the good stories, you wonder if the travellers will ever be able to overcome the obstacle and reach their destination. I'm feeling a bit that way now.

Since my last post, the following has happened.

• The house we are renting has definitely been sold.
• It has passed a building inspection
• The new owners came with the agent to have another look (Yes, it would have been nice to ask, but after all, we are just renting.)
• We have been to look through a few more houses
• We are talking to some banks about a loan

Some things have come as no real surprise. Houses are over priced and so it seems improbable that we can buy a house anywhere near the area we would like to live. The suburbs on our radar are The Basin, Bayswater, Kilsyth, Mooroolbark, Croydon, Ringwood. Living in these areas means none of us have to change jobs, and we don't need to change church. And getting to Uni is still possible without a car.

I have little respect for property investors. (When did houses become more about profit than a place to live?!?!?!?)

Some things have come as a surprise. I am surprised at how quickly I no longer care about this house and the garden. I really like the garden here, and right now there are a number of beautiful colours in the front, but I used to stand in the back and dream about what it could be. Now, I don't care. finding motivation to even mow the lawn is really hard to find.

I'm also surprised at some of the houses that are for sale/rent and how bad they are. Particularly the rental properties. This isn't all of them. Some are great. And then there's this one:
 http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mitcham-410937079
The photos don't do justice to just how bad this place really is. How can anyone who owns a building like this believe that it's ok to put someone else into it? And ask them to pay over $400 per week to do so!!

So, the adventure continues.

The adventure continues Part 3

Well, I am staggered. Over the weekend the house was open for inspection and it would seem there were a few people come through. That doesn't surprise me.

What did surprise me was the phone call that Anne received saying that some offers had been made for the house.

Today, I was absolutely staggered when the agent rang to say that someone had made an offer on the house and the owner had accepted it. I'm not surprised that someone would want to buy the house. It's not a bad house after all. However, it is the speed and price that surprises me.

There is to be a building inspection on Thursday morning and if that is clear, and I expect it will be, then the house will be sold. And we will have two months before we are homeless. (Melodramatic, I know.)

So can we still live in this area? 

The adventure continues Part 2

Since I last posted, quite a bit has happened. Anne has packed nearly everything in the house (not true, but close), we have visited a mortgage broker and spoken to a bank about a loan, we have met with the real estate agent selling the house, photos have been taken, and the sign has been placed out the front of the property. 

I am writing this in New Zealand where I am on a study trip, but I've been able to see the presentation of the house online. More of that later. 

So, where do I begin.

With the visit to the mortgage broker on Wednesday.

This broker was recommended to us by friends who were able to secure a loan through him. He understands my situation as a minister in the PCV and the quirks of our stipend / allowance and how that affects a home loan application. By the end of our time there, it seemed that it would be possible for us to borrow an amount of money which seems horrendously large, but may not be enough to buy anything in the areas we would be keen to start in. Still, it does mean we might be able to get something. So the search continues in earnest. 

On Thursday we had an appointment with the real estate agents and the photographer. This meant that Wednesday night was not a peaceful night as we were determined to make the house as presentable as it could be while we were still living in it. Of course, when I say "we", the reality is that Anne did most of the work. We all chipped in a bit, but Anne did the bulk of the work. Special mention to Tom who did a great job cleaning his room and study area. 

Thursday morning was busy with a final clean up before they arrived. I confess my tension levels were rising with each moment. Here I share a note of frustration. The people who came to visit us are not the ones responsible for our current state, but they are the only ones we get to talk to. I would love the chance to talk with the owner just to ask why he is selling the house. It might help me to understand what's happening. . . And it might not.

Anyway, as we met, they began talking about the 'open for inspection' times, and it became apparent that this was going to happen quickly. In fact, very quickly. The plan was to have it open on the following Thursday afternoon, and then Saturday & Sunday mornings. Then came the classic comment. 

One of the agents must have picked up that I had some concerns about these times and he asked, "Is that inconvenent for you?" He asked it with care and, I believe, genuine concern to work with us. But all I could see in my mind was the shed full of packing boxes, our lives turned upside down, and the search for a house. "Inconvenient!?!?! This whole thing is inconvenient!"

Anne took over the conversation from there. Just one of the many reasons I love her. 

So, while I'm in New Zealand on a study week which was organised and committed to well before we heard anything about selling the house, our home will be opened three times. (On reflection, that might be a good thing. God is good.)

I should add that they did agree to move the Sunday inspection to the afternoon. This means the family can get home from church and take the pets away before people come in.

That was Thursday.

On Friday I spoke with a bank, and we're waiting to hear back from him. Again, my trip to NZ is at an awkward time.

On Saturday, Daniel and I went to look at a few houses, one of which I saw the week before. Daniel pointed out that the wet rooms of the house would need a lot of work, which I kinda knew, but it would be very expensive. That would mean we use all our money, and maybe more, to end up with a house that is too small anyway. 

Today, Tuesday August 19, I received a note that the sign had gone up in front of the house. It describes the home as "Ultimate Family Lifestyle"! Maybe they put those words on the wrong sign. Maybe they don't remember that the roof leaks just outside the back door. And maybe I should accept that real estate agents use language in different ways. 

Here is the link: http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-bayswater+north-117712507

There are two phrases in this description that I want to quote. It is an absolute pleasure to present this immaculate home . . . and Inspection is sure to impress. The truth of these phrases stands as a testament to Anne and the work she has done in the garden, and her amazing efforts to make the place look better than when we arrived. 

So, if you want to buy a house in Bayswater, here's one to consider. 

The adventure continues Pt1

Since learning that the house that is currently our home was going to be sold, we have been proactive in seeking alternatives. We have made an appointment with a mortgage broker next week and look forward to what we might learn there. Of course we might learn that we're fooling ourselves to think we could possibly afford a house anywhere in Melbourne. We will see.

We have also been looking at some houses online, and have found a few that we think might have potential for us. Keep in mind that we want enough room for all our books and bookshelves, and we need a place for Tom to practice his singing as well as room for his desk.

View from the front

Lounge Area

Today I visited two houses. The first looked quite good. It is in an excellent area, just around the corner from where our church meets - literally, and so it is very close to the Croydon Train Station. The photos online suggested that while it looked terrible outside, the inside had been well taken care off and nicely renovated.

What the information on the website didn't show, is that the home is part of a block of units, so while it does have an enclosed courtyard, the 'backyard' - the view outside the bedrooms - is common land for the units. There is also a 'body corporate' fee that would need to be paid. It would be crowded with bookcases, and near impossible for Tom to practice singing. Kitchen isn't real big either. One of the agents indicated that they have some offers for mid $400k, which is at least $50k above the advertised suggested price.

I left this place frustrated. Why do real estate agents need to be deceitful? I know that the photos are never - NEVER - a true indication of what the place looks like, but there was some key information missing online.

Second house - Outside

The second property I looked at didn't have such a good location, but was good enough. However, the house is so small that it would be impossible. I fear that I sound too proud to live in a humble dwelling when I write this. That is not my intent. It's just that when I consider our family and our needs, the house felt too small.

Lounge and dining. (Looks bigger than it is)

It had a bit going for it though. The position meant that the property backed onto an industrial area - so singing wouldn't be an issue there. The yard is ready for a good makeover, and that is something that we could happily get our teeth into. There is a bungalow, which means it could be a study, or a separate room for Daniel, or a practice room for Tom. Potential!

But the bedrooms didn't have robes, and the lounge/dining area would barely fit part of our furniture, and the kitchen would absolutely need replacing (which could be fun). Is it really worth more than $400k? I can't believe that it is, but expect it would sell for that.

The adventure continues.

The Adventure Begins

This adventure began on Monday August 4 2014 when the real estate agent who looks after the house we are renting called to tell us that the owner of the house is putting it on the market.


My initial response wasn't a positive one. I hate packing and moving house, and I feel like we've done this often enough.
But Anne said to us all that we should look at it like an adventure. And so I shall endeavour to do so.


Rent or Buy

While there are some great advantages to renting, and I'm happy to concede that is true, we are going to try and buy a house. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, it will help as we look to the future and a life beyond pastoral ministry. Second, it will give some control back to us and we won't have to deal with this again. I would add to this that in our time here over $40,000 has been paid in rent. And what do we have to show for it?
Nothing!
Nothing at all! And everything else we have invested in making the place better will be left behind. So we hope the next owners will enjoy the much-improved garden.

So the adventure begins. And we don't know where it will end.