2007 Reading List | Update

I thought I’d give an update on my progress with my 2007 Reading List. Here’s what I’ve finished so far:

The Barbarian Way
I finished this within the first week of the year. It’s a pretty quick read. I enjoyed it but it didn’t really have any ideas that were brand new to me. It was more a good reminder that Jesus message calls us to take risks. Something I quickly forget. I always enjoy Erwin’s style of communicating so it was definitly worth the read.

Blue Like Jazz
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to pick up much new inspiration from this. I thought I’d heard it talked about so much and heard enough interviews with Don Miller that this would be more of the same (not that Miller’s stuff isn’t good). But I was really glad I read it for myself. The natural story-telling style was very enjoyable and my perspective on a lot of things was challenged. I was most challenged by the thought of how few non-christian people I interact with since I’ve gone on staff at Christ The Rock. I know I need to get over some of my introverted personality and take some risks. I want to go to places where people hang out and start building relationships with people that don’t think like I do. That’s probably one of the things I miss most about Peoria- is my friends that aren’t church people. I need that interaction to keep me real.

Purple Cow
Another book that is a pretty quick read. Not too much to say to try and summarize. But if you need something to challenge you to think differently this is a great read.

A few other mentions that weren’t on the original list:

Church Marketing 101
I meant to include this on the original list, but forgot. I started reading this but it just didn’t hold my interest. Maybe it’s because the concept of church maketing isn’t completly new to me. Also, this book seemed to make the success of a church depend too much on marketing efforts and that bothered me. Sometimes I think we might put creativity for God above God himself.

The Five Books of Moses
This isn’t a book to read straight through, but it’s more of a commentary of the first five books of the bible. Our small group is reading through Genesis so this book has helped me prepare discussions. It also attempts to translate the book while preserving the original Hebraic attention to sound and rhythm of the passages. It’s a good way to get a different perspective on a book that doesn’t always make sense on the surface.

~ by Dave on May 7, 2007.