by Parish Poet on Jun.01, 2009, under Motivational
Andy Stanley has written a nice book, but it is not a motivational book or really even a paradigm shifting book. In short, it is a good read, funny and insightful at points, but in the end there is no overarching feeling I have learned anything new.
What I took away from this book is that your direction determines your destiny, not your intentions. If I were a 5th grader that would be a profound statement, but I am not. We all know this already.
I found his chapter about being lost in Europe amusing, and it was a good metaphor for what he was talking about. I also found the story and the beginning of the book about his friend and the highway to be poingant, but they just dont advance his overall intentions for the book. At least I dont think they do. I am not sure because I am still trying to understand his intention for the book.
I was also turned off by the fact that in just about every chapter he uses his personal finances in some way to prove the point. I find that quite arrogant and unnecessary for the rest of us. I am glad he is debt free, I am planning to be there one day too. But today, I pay bills.
The Pastor as Minor Poet
by Parish Poet on May.06, 2009, under Pastoral Wisdom
- The Pastor as Minor Poet
“In Jesus Christ, God became flesh to restore being into our non being by reconciling us to the one “in whom we live and breathe and have our being.” When the word that was with God, the Word that was God, became flesh ad dwelt among us, being was restored into the nothingness we made of our lives in the world (John 1: 1-18). As the Holy Spirit binds us to this word allowing us to live “in Christ,” we recover the life we were created to enjoy (Eph 3:14). So, to be clear, we don’t make a living. We receive it through our participation in the Christ, who has brought us home to communion with the Creator.”
This resonates with me still and I finished the book a few weeks ago.
Intuitive Leadership
by Parish Poet on May.01, 2009, under Leadership
Tim Keel pastor of Jacobs Well Church in Kansas City Missouri has written a wonderful book on the leadership potential of the Church if we all would realize where we have co-opted the ways and beliefs of the modern era.
As an aspiring Pastor I have watched with great interest the changes that are going on in relationship to a post modern culture vs. a modern culture and how modernism has affected our church life, and for the worse in most cases. You could use the term “Emergent” to explain it if you wish. There is more, very much more to it though.
This book is part spiritual memoir and a lot of practical advise on how to ask better questions. As spiritual leaders we are expected to have answers to every life question no matter how mundane or how complex. The beauty of this book is that it teaches and encourages the pastor to allow creativity to flow and allow questions to go unanswered, or to allow the congregation to go in search of the answer via any number of ways.
This book is broken up into 3 sections. What follows is some highlights and thoughts from each section.
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