Fall 2003 Reading Recommendations


Fall 2003: Reading Recommendations

	“What shall I read?” Wondering what books would most inspire and inform you—and other leaders—as you and your congregation engage in new opportunities to learn, grow, and serve? Congregational Resource Guide staff offer you our “top pics” of the season. (Click on the book's title or image to access the publisher's Web site and ordering information.) *We at the Alban Institute and the Indianapolis Center for Congregations wish you and yours a vital and transformational season.*

	The Dance of Change: The Challenges to Sustaining Momentum in Learning Organizations Peter M. Senge, Art Kleiner, Charlotte Roberts, Richard Ross, George Roth, Bryan Smith, Authors. New York: Doubleday, 1999. Peter Senge and others develop and apply systems theory to the leadership task of starting and sustaining productive, developmental life in organizations. Senge's "dance" of the title, and his purpose, is to describe the naturally occurring forces that interact to generate and limit profound change. While the language is deceptively simple, the text is replete with careful and insightful definitions. The Dance of Change cautions readers that practical know-how will only come through "practice and continuing reflection." With its attention to behaviors and attitudes that constrain the development of an institution and its members, this book is bedrock material for leaders in any field.

	God: Stories C. Michael Curtis, Editor. New York: Houghton Mifflin (Mariner Books), 2003. Faith: Stories C. Michael Curtis, Editor. New York: Houghton Mifflin (Mariner Books), 2003. Assembled by an editor of The Atlantic Monthly, God: Stories and Faith: Stories present stunning short stories by eminent authors dealing with the question of faith—both its presence and its absence. The authors include John Updike, Tobias Wolff, Philip Roth, Eudora Welty, Bobbie Ann Mason, James Joyce, Louise Erdrich, and others. Their stories range from the comic to the passionate, from the skeptical to the mystical. They help us look at such questions as: why do we pray, and how do we decide whether our prayers have been answered?; in what ways are our daily lives fed by spiritual images?; where, to use Flannery O'Connor's phrase, is the "moment of grace" in each of these stories—and in our individual and communal lives?

	Growing in the Life of Faith: Education and Christian Practices Craig Dykstra, Author. Louisville, KY: Geneva Press, 1999. Exploring the author's passions of faith and education, this book opens the way for leaders and congregants to grasp the mystery of God in community. Neither a "how-to" nor a theoretical text, Growing in the Life of Faith is more of a place for the soul seeking to experience a personal and corporate faith that makes a difference in the world. "Can the church take on life, becoming vibrant, energetic, serious, and alive?" asks Dykstra. The answer is "yes," but only if congregations understand the meaning of grace and faith, and if Christians practice that faith in the overlapping communities of church, family, and education.

	Homosexuality and Christian Faith: Questions of Conscience for the Churches Walter Wink, Editor. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1999. In this collection of short essays, such well-known authors as James Forbes, John Cobb, William Sloane Coffin, and Ignacio Castuera challenge us to examine our own consciences in light of Jesus’ commandment to love—not only those who are different from us, but those with whom we differ. Some contributors speak about friends and children who are gay, some examine the Bible, some discuss scientific findings on sexuality, and some explore Christian tradition. While perspectives vary, all agree with editor Walter Wink's conclusion that "we can treat this controversy…as a marvelous opportunity to learn to love as Jesus commanded us to love."

	Leading the Church's Song Robert B. Farlee, Editor. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1999. In this book and CD, over 23 church musicians discuss and demonstrate the skills needed to bring congregational song to life. The authors encourage music leaders to look through congregational eyes, to be open to music of other genres, and to learn constantly. The first chapter focuses on the common elements of communal song. Subsequent chapters move the reader through a more detailed exploration of the many genres of song available today. The variety of North American hymns are discussed, along with the different genres of "contemporary" worship music and the rhythmic and melodic dimensions of African-American gospel, Latino, African, and Asian music.

	More Than Money: Portraits of Transformative Stewardship Patrick H. McNamara, Author. Bethesda, MD: The Alban Institute, 1999. Stewardship is the individual and corporate response to the gift of life and creation; it arises from a model of abundance, rather than scarcity. Patrick McNamara used qualitative research methods to report on the comprehensive stewardship programs of eleven American Protestant churches. In each case, he interviewed clergy and lay leaders. Clergy consistently reported two essentials of a stewardship focus: clearly articulating the biblical ideal and communicating concrete examples of parish needs. The churches studied provide clear examples of an intentional focus on stewardship over time, representing settings that vary by size, region, and denomination.

	One Body, One Spirit: Principles of Successful Multiracial Churches George Yancey, Author. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity PRess, 2003. Defining a multiracial church as one where "no more than 80 percent of the attendees in at least one major worship service are from one racial group," George Yancey explains the barriers against—and principles for—creating and maintaining multiracial churches. Yancey emphasizes that building multiracial churches requires effort; "just being nice" to people of other races won’t work. Consequently, less than eight percent of American churches are multiracial. But for those who are willing to act on the belief that multiracial churches "show a powerful witness to a divided society," this book presents important principles and tools for welcoming and inclusion.

	A Pilgrim's Digress: My Perilous, Fumbling Quest for the Celestial City John Spalding, Author. New York: Random House (Crown Publishing), 2003. Columnist and former divinity student John Spalding takes us on an interesting side tour of contemporary religious belief. Along the way we meet folks from the Christian Wrestling Association and a chaplain for a casino in Las Vegas, we visit the Christian Booksellers Association annual convention, we experience the author's attempt to be a street corner preacher and attend his own funeral (not at the same time!), and we discover the wonders of a homegrown Garden of Eden in Lucas, Kansas. A wry look at the place of faith of in a postmodern world, this book is not deep, but it is fun—and engaging.

	Swift, Lord, You Are Not Kilian McDonnell, O.S.B., Author. Collegeville, MN: Saint John's University Press, 2003. For 45 years, Kilian McDonnell had published scholarly works as a monk and theologian. Wondering at age 75 if he might have a gift for writing poetry, he committed himself to studying the tradition and the poetry of the masters; to writing on a regular, disciplined basis; and to seeking advice from others. The result is this poetry collection, which he describes as “personal but not private” and the “sweaty wrestling with God” that he has experienced during his monastic years. The author’s inspiration ranges from scripture to monastic life to human experiences. Included in this volume is McDonnell's essay on the experience of writing poetry.

	turning to one another: simple conversations to restore hope to the future Margaret J. Wheatley, Author. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2002. "Real change begins with the simple act of people talking about what they care about." With this premise, Margaret Wheatley encourages and instructs readers in the practice of vital conversation. Such conversation aims not at promoting sociality, but at transforming our lives and our world. The book explores the conditions of good conversation—including equality, curiosity, courage, diversity, and the willingness to let go of certainty. It then presents some propositions for readers to ponder, such as "we can't be creative if we refuse to be confused." Wheatley concludes with resources for persons willing to host vital conversations.

	The Way into Jewish Prayer Lawrence A. Hoffman, Author. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2000. Using Jewish history and thought as a foundation, this book explains the why, how, where, what, and when of Jewish prayer. Lawrence Hoffman introduces the reader to the power and subtlety of Jewish prayer by exploring its historical and philosophical contexts. Drawing on modern philosophers and medieval thinkers, the author moves through explaining concepts of God (why), to understanding the Jewish prayer service (how), to appreciating the synagogue and communal prayer (where), to exploring deeper meanings inside the main prayers (what), to describing the Jewish calendar and the yearly cycle (when). Throughout, Hoffman helps us to put concepts like "prayerfulness" and "spiritual spontaneity" into a Jewish context.

	Interested in checking out the books from earlier seasonal recommended reading lists? Click on the any of the captions below to see the corresponding list! Summer 2003 Reading Recommendations Spring 2003 Reading Recommendations Winter 2002 Reading Recommendations