Whatever you do with the list, you can rest assured this is THE list for books this year for those in consulting or church administration and leadership. We have culled through the titles all year, reviewing the most recent publications and keeping you up to date on the trends, movements and thought leadership in church consulting. Happy reading and merry Christmas!
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Who Stole My Church?" Gordon MacDonald (Thomas Nelson, January, 2008)This book makes the list again this year since it was released early in 2008 and since it is one of the most well-written, narrative accounts of church conflict and a return to health I’ve ever read. A best-selling author, speaker and pastor, MacDonald fictionalizes an account of one church working through major changes. Rather than addressing this issue with another "how-to" prescription, MacDonald tells a pedantic tale—a sort of prescriptive memoir. He considers the human dynamic involved in removing traditions from the Builder and Boomer generations in order to attract subsequent generations into the Church. Provides hope to pastors that talking through changes while educating and building relationships with older members can change not only a church, but those members' lives.
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Building to Glory: Creating Sacred Space in a Secular World" W. Jerry Murray (Tate Publishing&Enterprises, 2008)One of two more practical tomes on the list this year, Murray answers the obvious question for those looking to build: What should a church building look like? He explores the theology and culture behind church architecture, offering philosophical questions to church leaders about their buildings. They are conversations worth having. Murray's bias toward buildings that show reverence to God marks him as a traditionalist. But his point that making sacred things more secular dilutes the spiritual aspect of a church is worth noting, especially for churches now looking to build and continuing to look for the lost.
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Renew Your Congregation," William McConnell (Chalice Press, January 2008)At the bottom of a 30-year-long decline when he went there in 1991, veteran minister William McConnell found the need to empower laypersons in his church at the top of his list in leading a suburban Cincinnati congregation through transformation. Pastors looking for vision and hope will find encouragement from McConnell, whose experiences with crabby church members and ministry challenges will sound familiar to leaders of every denomination and background.
"Winning the Real Battle at Church," David and Diane Noble (BHC Publishing, 2008) The most practical book on the list this year is actually a workbook that offers a six-week course centered on overcoming church conflict. Daily homework includes reading short church anecdotes describing various conflicts, studying applicable scriptures, answering questions and praying. Topics range from the spiritual aspect of conflict, to leadership roles, criticism, peacemaking and more. Endorsed by leaders at the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, the SBC, Back to the Bible International, and The Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Strong potential for use in small groups, Sunday school groups, church-wide study, or for study during conflict, during leadership transitions, or for leadership training.For more book ideas, check out the Church Central Bookstore.
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