January 2010 Archives

More than a few years ago I set a goal of reading at least 10 books each year. I've not had any problems making this goal - in fact, this year I'm already half way to that goal.
I don't plan on expanding that goal nor do I plan stopping once I reach it but I thought I would change things a little this year by formalizing a reading list. Last year I realized, in December, that I hadn't read any fiction and a lack of variety can lead to burn out foe me - so a reading list may help. Here's what I plan to read this year:

Books Related to Ministry or Leadership

Think Orange: Imagine the Impact When Church and Family Collide...

The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

The Power of Team Leadership: Achieving Success Through Shared Responsibility (Barna Reports)

Leadership Essentials for Children's Ministry: Passion, Attitude, Teamwork, Honor

Parenting

Covering Home: Lessons on the Art of Fathering from the Game of Baseball

Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God

Theology

Theology for the Community of God

How to Think Theologically, 2nd Edition

The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible

Biography

Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables

The Church of 80% Sincerity

Fiction

Angel of Wrath: A Novel (The Voice of God series)

Blown Coverage (Riley Covington Thriller Series #2)

Act of Treason

I just finished reading same lake, different boat and enjoyed it more than I initially thought I would. Honestly, I didn't think I would enjoy it - it addresses a subject that is out of my comfort zone, ministering to people with disabilities. It's not that I do not like people with disabilities or think that they should be ministered to by someone else - indeed, some of my best moments in ministry have come while serving along side people and parents of people who have a disability.

I suppose that my discomfort stems from two things, both of which are addressed in Stephanie Hubach's writing. First, disabilities are not thought of as mainstream, even though they are all around us. And secondly, I live in a fallen world and struggle with sinful attitudes and the desire to put myself first.

Stephanie, who writes of her struggles, fears, and joys of raising Timmy, her youngest son who was born with Down Syndrome points out the churches strengths and weaknesses in addressing people with disabilities. Same Lake, Different Boat is not a "how to minister to people with disabilities" book rather a "questions you need to ask as you minister to all people" book. She points out how our churches can be strengthened and draw closer to God as we minister to those who are disabled but is honest in the struggles it brings...but rightly points out that when we abandon "the lame, the blind, and the sick" that our ministry moves from a place of life saving to a social club.

For me, her prominent point is how the Fall changed our creativity and productivity.

"Instead of operating from a God-centered, relationship based hub of creative and productive activity, we now struggle with an agenda-centered focus that reveals our underlying lust for personal control. We want our lives to be organized around our individual goals, while relationships to God and neighbor remain secondary - or, even worse, nonexistent. The problem with an agenda is not necessarily the content of the agenda, though that can be an issue, but it is the context of the agenda."

This brought to mind an interview with Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales. You can see the whole interview, but specifically of relevance is the wrap up beginning at 4:09.