Book Review: I am Second, by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett

I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2012). 238 Pages.

This book is an engaging compilation of personal stories of life change through faith in Christ. Stories of transformation are always endearing to the hearts of people, whether Christian or otherwise; however, these stories are especially so. Each of these stories is told from the first person of the actual individual. In each account, the person had a different type of “bottom” that they hit, but a similar type of redemptive encounter with God.

Perhaps most encouraging and useful to me as a pastor and a believer, is the fact that the stories do not embellish truth. Each person was in a difficult place prior to their bottoming out and experienced a different process of redemption. Their lives were messy. It was in the midst of the messiness that Christ appeared to bring peace.

Our culture is fraught with people seeking peace in different ways. The beauty of this book is that Christ was real in the midst of the “mess” and met each person at their point of need.

I recommend this as a supplemental read for the nightstand. I see it as a book that allows you to read a chapter or two a night in addition to some other preferred reading. If one tries to read straight through, the stories can run together and the reader can lose the “wonder” of God’s manifested grace. But, if you have ever wondered about God and how real people understand His redemptive plan (as opposed to an explanation from a professional pastor like myself), this book is certainly for you.

I would certainly recommend this book!

You can purchase a copy at your local bookstore or through Amazon HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Sticky Teams, by Larry Osborne

Book Review: Sticky Teams, by Larry Osborne (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010). 221 Pages Reviewed.

One of the things I chose to do a few years back was broaden my reading from just theological works to those involving business, leadership, church ministry, history, and an occasional fictional work. I kicked off 2012 with a casually paced read through this book. I intentionally wanted to take the read slow…so I could absorb the details and apply them along the way.

Osborne gives an amazingly unfiltered treatment of the subject of pastoral or ministerial leadership. Workings within the confines of the corporate structure of a business are far more predictable than those of the church. Business principles can INFORM a person on how to lead effectively, but they do not apply perfectly.

Everything in the book discusses the leader’s responsibility to develop a team that lasts. This often involves inheriting a team and transforming it. The principles…and the direct instructions that Osborne shares, specifically address the lessons he learned in transforming a team.

Some of the crossovers from this book to the traditional business structure relate to how a leader directs his executive team in a company. Whether working with a Board of Directors or motivating teams of senior managers, the principles are applicable.

The two biggest takeaways for me in the book relates to unity of the team and expectations of the team. First, “Unity that insists on uniformity is not unity at all” (p.29). A healthy team environment cultivates conflict to work through situations and develop the best outcomes. Unity is a commitment to the values and the goals of the organization that provide the framework and impetus that guide the conflict to excellence. Second is the leader’s willingness to PUSH his team on to excellence. Osborne asserts that a leader who will not push his team to get better demonstrates a lack of confidence in the team. The highest compliment a leader can give a team member is to expect more from them.

This book will not be read once and then set aside. It will be a reference throughout my career. For me, as a church leader, it is directly applicable; however, I think it is useful to any leader who is required to work in a team environment to accomplish a task. I can easily envision this as a required staff read or a “board” read for the discerning executive. There is much to be gained.

Thanks Larry for such a powerful tool!

You can purchase a copy of this book from your local bookstore or from Amazon HERE.

Book Review: Winning with People, by John Maxwell

Book Review: Winning with People: Discover the People Principles that Work for You Every Time, by John C. Maxwell (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004) 311 pages.

Someone once said that John Maxwell has only written one book and published it under dozens of different titles. This is certainly a stretch but it does recognize the fact that Maxwell has articulated a number of leadership and communication principles and expertly applies them to various facets of human relationships.

I picked this book up as a refresher on some interpersonal communication principles. After all, Solomon once said that there is nothing “new” under the sun. I find it useful to vary my own reading with a cross-section of history, leadership, business, practical religious works, and theological works. I purchased this particular book about eight months ago and placed it on my shelf.

Maxwell addresses the desire of a person to be successful in a “people business.” Whether one is a pastor (as I am) or a salesperson, a public employee, or someone who works on the front lines with customers, these principles are beneficial. No one will read this and find the “magic bullet” to success with people; rather, one will be reminded that working with people is hard work! The book is replete with stories and examples that accurately illustrate the principles espoused. This is both helpful and entertaining. In addition, Maxwell draws on the wisdom of Scripture through the text to explain the origins of these principles.

I recommend this book as it is sound and useful for a wide range of people. It is work to build relationships, but with Maxwell, the work is made easier to handle. Thanks John!!

You can purchase a copy from Amazon HERE.

Book Review: The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive

The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive, by Patrick Lencioni (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2000). 183 Pages Reviewed.

This Book served as the final book (and review) for 2011…though I didn’t actually get to publish the review until today.

I was caught up with the genre of this series of books from the “5 Dysfunctions of a Team.” I have read nearly everything in the series and really enjoy the format, ease of reading, and the writer’s style.

As a leader of a church, I am always looking to improve my effectiveness to oversee an organization. Not all lessons from the “business world” apply perfectly, but I have found that even in the cases where there is no direct correlation, it is good to understand how those in the business world think. Beyond that, the principles that Lencioni communicates can usually be adapted to my particular context.

What drew me to this book was the emphasis on the role of the senior leader in a company. The fable involves how the CEO interacts with his management team and how, in the most successful companies, there is a dogged determination to remain committed to the “most” important things. A CEO could become involved in a number of aspects of company operations; however, he is most effective in developing his senior leadership team, bringing clarity of purpose (vision) in every decision and direction, communicating that vision/direction “ad nauseum,” and reinforcing the clarity through the human systems of the organization.

Now I did not just share any new insights or upend some popular “B School” teaching; rather, I just shared what Lencioni reinforced throughout the book. A senior leader who focuses on these aspects of the organization can allow his senior leadership to carry out the task in the most effective way for their particular area of responsibility.

While there is no “new” information or “magic pill” related in this book, there is a huge opportunity for the leader to evaluate his/her own organizational health, persona leadership effectiveness, and to make adjustments accordingly.

I recommend the book highly to all leaders who are responsible for “shepherding” the vision and overseeing the direction of an organization. If you ever wanted “permission” to pull back from for the intricacies of the details and focus on what you do best…this is the book for you.

You can purchase a copy at your local bookstore or through Amazon HERE.

Book Review: Why Men Hate Going to Church, by David Murrow

Why Men Hate Going to Church, by David Murrow  (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005,  2011). 239 pages.

One of the indisputable facts about church leadership is the fact that (as a whole) the church is not as successful in reaching men as it is in reaching women. Murrow addresses this matter “head-on” in his book and looks for reasons WHY this is (and subsequently how to address the disparity…if one believes it should be changed).

There were a number of key observations that caught my attention…as a pastor, and as one who desires to see men grow to become all that God designed for them to be. First…he noted that there is a great deficit of African-American men in the Church, yet they comprise some 90% of converts from the United States to Islam…and the overwhelming number of them as adults (p.27). This demonstrates that these men are not less “spiritually minded; rather, that there must be some feature in Islam that is more “attractive” (or as Murrow seems to argue…a feature in Islam that is less unattractive than in the church).

Another observation that Murrow makes in many different ways…in the fact that within the church there is an overwhelming disparity between the genders when it comes to who serves/leads and how decisions are made. He notes that the men who excel in the church do so by exhibiting characteristics that are “softened masculinity.” [Now I write this as a man who leads in the church, so I promise you it is not self-serving.] Men (with a few exceptions) who excel do so by softening the rugged “edge” that men have as an innate characteristic and thus by appealing to the senses of the women. Concern for “feelings” and “unity” are placed above vision and mission. He cites as an outworking of this a perversion of the biblical image of Jesus…where He is transformed from a manly carpenter to an effeminate peace activist who simply values love and peace above all else.

Now before you conclude that Murrow is just on a rant (which I think he embraces at parts in the book)…he offers some suggestions and a plethora of indicators that one can use to examine an individual congregation. Further, he offers insights from churches that tend to focus on reaching MEN and are doing it well. (He notes that those who do so…also see increases in women and children.)

Critically speaking, I think that Murrow draws a few shaky conclusions from his observations. I certainly can see how he arrives at his conclusions, but some of them seem to be based in an a priori argument. Still, I found the book to be engaging, thought-provoking, and instructive. It will serve me well as I continue to seek to reach men and women with the Gospel. Overall, I agree with most everything that he says and would encourage church leaders, ministry leaders, and students of human psychology to read and consider his observations with an open mind. I found my time “well-spent” in reading this book.  

You can purchase a copy at your local bookstore or through Amazon HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Gospel by J D Greear

I would have to say that I looked forward to reading this book by Dr. JD Greear for quite some time. JD is a fellow pastor and a scholar and missionary (as if you could really be a pastor without also being somewhat of a scholar and missionary). He leads an incredible church that is making a difference in the world and is a personal hero of mine…even though we have never met and he couldn’t pick me out of a lineup with me wearing a name tag. Still, I have listened to many of his messages, followed his visionary leadership with great interest and would hope that I might be able to get to know him personally one day.

Much has been said in recent years about “the Gospel.” Some seek to define it with theological and practical precision…to the point that the application of the gospel is left behind. Others have simply assumed that the gospel is only the “plan of salvation” and has little bearing on the lives of people who already believe. JD argues that the Gospel is far more than an invitation to believe; rather it is the power for living extraordinarily in Christ and for Christ (p.21). Greear stated, “…the gospel shouldn’t just be a ticket to heaven but the core of our entire lives. When you have made your home in the gospel.[sic] You will be radically generous. You will show audacious faith. These things are not added after the gospel, they flow from the gospel.”

One of the arguments that Greear makes is that the gospel puts our lives in a proper perspective and context. In the gospel we are reminded that God alone makes us worthy and that any other pursuit of worthiness, by any means (including by religious accomplishment), is a type of functional and practical idolatry. One of my favorite quotes from the book is:

True religion is when you serve God to get nothing else but more of God. (p.32)

This quote reminds us that God is not a “tool” to pursue abundant life; rather life in Christ IS abundant life. Any pursuit other than Christ…satisfaction in anything else apart from Christ…is idolatry.

Perhaps the greatest reminder about the Gospel is that it is not the story providing entrance into the Kingdom. It is the Mission Statement/Core value/Chief Pursuit/Defining “key” of a believer’s life. The truth of Christ’s salvation and the righteousness that comes with it, as well as the responsibility to pursue deeper application of His salvation in our lives…changes every element of our lives.

Particularly helpful (and personally warranting an “Amen” from me as I read it) was Appendix 2. This was somewhat of an afterword and warning to those who would seek to correct the fine points of gospel understanding in others…to  the exclusion of pursuing the gospel. As Greear noted, many people live the gospel without being well-versed in defining it with theological precision. [This resonated with me since I believe the Bible to be pastoral and not simply a proof text for theological supposition. I fear that many in Christian circles today want to major on minor nuances, endless conversations about fine points of theology, and wordsmithing doctrinal statements while failing to apply these doctrines personally. (Reminds me of the warnings of the Apostle Paul to Timothy.) Greear did a great service to all of us in warning all of us not to spend our lives seeking to define the gospel; but, to immerse ourselves in living the gospel.

Hats off to Dr. Greear. A great read in a very readable format. Having listened to many of his messages via podcasts etc., I am convinced that this is a “from the heart” work and I am thankful for it…and for having the opportunity to read it. Thanks JD!! I highly recommend it.

You can purchase a copy of this book from your local bookstore or from Amazon HERE.

Take Two: How did we do???

So…yesterday I completed a journey with some of you of reading the entire Bible (and some of it multiple times) a chapter at a time (sort of) and writing a journal (blog) of the journey. I did so…because I wanted to demonstrate how important it is to have a disciplined quiet time daily and also to cultivate the spiritual discipline of reflection and journaling (yes, I think that journaling is a spiritual discipline). Now I am not a big “diary or journal” writing sort of guy…but I disciplined myself to “type/write” my reflections daily so I could develop that. I think it has been helpful to me. Also, I wanted this to be an experience where others could read along with me. I think it is good when others can see how God is stirring my soul. I think it accentuates the journey when others are on it with us. Further, I wanted the experience to be such that it provided some accountability for all of us as we journeyed together. Along the way…we gained a couple dozen subscribers, a number of friends on Facebook who pick it up there and read the feeds…as well as some folks that pick it up directly from the blog.

I am working on next year’s plan…which I will kick off in January. All I know about it so far…is I will continue reading the Proverb of the Day…and I want to spend an intense time of 40 days digging into the New Testament (not sure what that will fully look like either). I also hope to maybe add a chapter to the volume of reading I do as well.

Here is what I would LOVE to hear from you? If you could speak into the plan for the next year…what would you like me to consider? In the last approach which took almost 3 years…you may have encountered the OT for the first time…maybe read books you would otherwise have skimmed through…or found something you were more passionate about. Please share. I will consider your comments (IF ANY) and will put together something for us beginning Jan 1.

Also, if this has been a blessing to you along the way, I’d love to hear how. Your comments encourage me and they help me get a sense for your heartbeat as well.

So…share.

Beginning today, I want to wrap up the year with a walk through the NT Pastoral Epistles (Timothy and Titus) as well as James. I was going to do one fo the gospels, but changed my mind this AM.

I hope you will join me on the way…and if this is new, why not commit now to beginning (or beginning again) the journey with me.

Grace,

CA

Book Review: Dug Down Deep, by Joshua Harris

Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris. (Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs, 2010).  240 pages reviewed.

Dug Down Deep is a wonderful and thoughtful read for the average person seeking to apply biblical truth and live out his Christian faith. Harris, in a very conversational style, offers a vulnerable commentary on his own personal experience of seeking to nail down his faith. Like many things in life, there is a difference between academic knowledge and application of that knowledge. Harris boldly shares about his own journey to apply the Scriptures to everyday living.

Perhaps as refreshing is the fact that he doesn’t shy away from biblical truth. Some authors ignore or gloss over difficult truths in the Bible so as to keep it “readable.” Harris refused to compromise with the truth but sought ways to communicate them so that they were readable. As a professor of mine told me in Seminary, “Doctrine is not boring…preachers are. Doctrine simply is. It is the task of the preacher to communicate so that the audience understands how exciting doctrine is.”

I know…exciting and doctrine don’t seem to belong together, but they do. Harris takes the approach that if you are going to build an exciting and rewarding life, then it must be built on a solid foundation. To get to that foundation, one must dig past the superficial spiritual “topsoil” and get to the rock solid base of good doctrine.

This is a great read for the person who wants to grow deeper in his faith but whose eyes glaze over at the word “doctrine” or the thought of bible study. Five stars for Harris!!

You can purchase a copy from Amazon HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review as part of their blogger’s book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Point of Clarity: LDS and Rhetoric

With the leading Republican nominee being a professing and active member of the LDS (Latter Day Saints/ Mormon) church, we are hearing significant interest by onlookers as to how evangelical Christians view the faith system. While I have personal reservations about the “motives” of the questions, the topic is important enough to speak to it…because discerning Christians should always be able to “give a defense” for what we believe (1 Peter 3:15).

The underlying question is whether we, as believers, should support a candidate who is not an evanglical Christian. It is a strange questions since no one asks if a person is faithful as an evanglical. Is it more “dangerous” or “unsavory” to have a candidate who is non-evangelical…or a “baptist” who can’t define what “is” is? Truthfully…we need to move the conversation beyond the labels and see what a person believes (worldview), how that affects his/her decision making, and then exercise STEWARDSHIP over what God has entrusted to us as Christian believers with a fundamental right to vote.

HERE is a helpful comparison page on some of the major differences between Historic Christianity and Mormonism. (NOTE: Just because something is historic doesn’t make it right or wrong. Be willing to examine the doctrines themselves and compare them to the Scriptures. If they are correct, then embrace them.)

HERE is a great article written by Dr. Ed Stetzer who is a “mentor at a distance” to me. [By that I mean that his work has been helpful and we have met a couple of times. I read his books and require them for reading in the classes I teach on subjects like church planting and missions. Ed and I do not exchange Christmas cards...but I would if he would send me an address   ].

One of the most helpful parts of Stetzer’s article is the call for clarity on the language we use. To use the term “cult” (which we are hearing and will be hearing more if in the days ahead) is to invite empassioned responses. (Images of Waco or Jim Jones come to mind). Since this is not the goal of well-intentioned commentators or even pastors like me, it is more useful to grab a term that communicates our goal.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, I do not believe that the teachings of the LDS Faith are consistent with the Bible. I do not believe that people who hold to the orthodox teachings of the LDS church are “believers” as the Bible speaks of believers and therefore I do not believe that the LDS faith teaches or experiences Salvation as it is described or promised in the Bible. So…I do not believe that members of the LDS faith are “Christian” as we use and understand the word (since it communicates by definition that one is a “follower of Christ”). You cannot rightfully claim to be a follower of Christ and not follow Christ in His life and teachings. Jesus spoke differently of Himself than the teachings of the Mormon church portray.

At the same time, I would argue that the teachings of Mormonism are moral, in the same way that Islam and Buddhism or even some others are moral. What we know though is that religion is not a utilitarian tool to foster morality. It is a system that teaches people how to relate to God in truth. I can legislate morality but I cannot legislate a relationship with God.

My charge to you who read along here…don’t fall into the trap of using incendiary words that do not further the conversation. Don’t get drawn into a soundbite that ultimately hurts the cause of Christ. Here is what Christ wants from you and me as an ultimate goal…that we would faithfully proclaim the gospel in a way that exalts God, reconciles men, and doesn’t erect artificial barriers to salvation.

At the same time…let’s not be so “flippant” in our use of words that we lose the meaning of what it is to be a “Christian.” The United States is not a Christian nation. 80% of Americans are not Christians (though they would claim to be even though they have no biblical connection to Jesus). Someone is not a Christian simply because he says so. One is a Christian if he follows after Christ.

Lest I be misquoted or misunderstood: Do not read this and think that I “hate” mormons. I love them. I have friends who are in the LDS church. We disagree about Jesus but our children have common interests and we relate to one another. I always desire for them to be changed/converted/saved and to follow Jesus as Lord. I do not apologize for that. I desire that because I love them. Further, I do not feel superior toward people in the LDS church or any other faith system. Were it not for the grace of God and the love and care of people in my life who told me the truth about Jesus, I would be just as separated from God as every non-Christian on the planet…and that is the majority. I do not see myself in an elitest way; rather, I see myself as a servant of Christ and therefore, an agent of the Kingdom and a friend to those whom Jesus loved and died for. As such, I serve others…even (and especially) those who have yet to experience the love of Christ in the same way I have.

The Meaning of Being MISSIONAL as a believer and as a Church

Missional is a buzz word in Christian circles and I am rather fond of its use. Like all words or concepts, its meaning can be watered down or even lost without periodic clarification. It is not enough to know what “missional” means, but also what it means when I use it.

One of the guys who has helped me shape my thinking is Dr. Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Research and also one of the teaching pastors at GraceLife Church (a church plant). I love Ed’s writing style and the content is “spot on.” (Perhaps it is that northern style in him that I love. He tells the truth, in love, and allows others to wrestle with its implications.)

Having served as a church planter and as pastor of two different established churches, I have a strong desire for churches to be “on mission” or “missional” in their approach to ministry. But…what does that mean?

To be missional means to think and act as a missionary in the culture we live in. It is to choose activities that further us toward the goal of accomplishing the Kingdom mission, while rejecting those activities that hinder such accomplishment. Above all…it means to actively and intentionally engage the culture with a contextual presentation of the truth of the gospel.

I don’t mean simply inform them of the presence of the gospel, or to argue for the necessity of the gospel. I mean to present the gospel in perfectly understandable terms so that they can make an informed decision to accept or reject the gift of God in Christ Jesus.

Here is a link to an article (one of many) that Stetzer has written on CONTEXTUALIZATION. It is a powerful and succinct definition of what it is to make the gospel accessible to others.

One observation about it that connects this to “missional,” Paul not only contextualized the gospel…but he did it on purpose. He intentionally engaged others, studied them, then presented the gospel to them in a way that was not easy or comfortable for him…but was essential for their understanding.

It sort of reminds me of the old Bill Hybel’s principle that I call the “barbecue first principle.” (You have not earned the right to inquire or share about eternal matters until you have at least shared a meal with someone. If you don’t know their children’s names, how will they ever believe that you care about their eternity?)

If we truly care about people in our community, doesn’t it make sense to get to know them well enough that we earn the right to share our story and HIS story? If that means changing our approach or our lifestyles to become more relatable…shouldn’t we do that IMMEDIATELY and INTENTIONALLY?

Who are you investing in? Who are you getting to know…on purpose…with the intent of sharing with them about your journey as a believer and the amazing love of God?