Recommended Reading

I've enjoyed some great books recently, and thought I share some of the treasure...

The Post Evangelical - by Dave Tomlinson
This book is a fascinating look at the new directions of evangelicalism in the post-modern - or post-post-modern culture we live in. My friend CV lent the book to me and I'm nearly finished with it. The book is unique in that it has commentary and critiques from other voices in the emerging/emergent church movement. I love this quote from Tim Keel:

"One morning during the early days of our church planting experience, some of us gathered to share our faith journeys. We noticed that after the initial rush of our 'come to Jesus/Salvation prayer' moments, we missed ongoing connections to other who were invested in discipling us rather than merely converting us as part of evangelistic programs. These conversions are like births without parenting - as if once the uterus is empty, the relationship ends. I contend that some people become post-evangelical because evangelicalism values 'birthing' newborn souls above the care and feeding of them. Unfortunately, abandoned newborns die."

I couldn't have written a better statement about my early experiences in the evangelical world growing up.

Revolution - by George Barna
Barna is more of an "insider Evangelical" who does polls about Western spirituality and Christianity. This book is a little on the optimistic side of the new directions this emerging generation is exploring. But it is helpful in understanding the trends of the evangelical church and the really fascinating piece is his predictions for the church in the next 20 years. He sees masses leaving the church and finding spiritual community in other scenes.

A couple others
I'm also enjoying "Blue Ocean Strategy" - which is about understanding that you don't have to compete with people to survive - the ocean is large and blue - it doesn't have to be red with the blood of competition.
Also "The New Faces of Christianity" by Philip Jenkins - which discusses the churches shift of momentum from the Global North to the Global south.

Enjoy!

posted by Dan @ 9:34 AM