Breaking The Discipleship Code, Dave Putnam

Putnam is a church planter who is trying to help us go to the next step in helping people take responsibility for their growth in Christ. The text is full of great anecdotes about his experiences in and out side of the church .

"Live as Jesus Lived, Love Like Jesus Loved and Leave like Jesus Left" This is Putnam's philosophy of ministry and the book gives personal and challenging examples as to how this has played out

Rules for Renegades, Christine Comaford-Lynch

10 rules that will help you take leadership in life and business. The Key for Ms. C-L is to be bold even when you don't think your desired result is possible.

Rule 1: Everything's an illusion, so pick one that's empowering.
Rule 2: An MBA is optional, but a GSD (getting stuff done) is essential.
Rule 3: Problems + Pain=Profit
Rule 4: Build Power instead of borrowing it.
Ru,e 5: Rock Rejection and Finesse Failure
Rule 6: Learn to love networking
Rule 7: Only you can lead your life.
Rule 8: Work your money MOJO.
Rule 9: Resign as General Manager of the Universe
Rule 10: Don't just do Something, Stand there.

Point Man, Steve Farrar

Will we take the lead? One of the original Promise Keepers. Steve Farrar lays out a strategy for being men called to Biblical action in leading our families, our marriages, our work and our community relationships. It was a great wake up call for me to see how easy it is to slide down/ fall down the path of sin and brokenness.

In this call to leadership, Farrar shows us a path to healthy decision-making and Biblical directives in a way that does not remove the power of grace.

The Living Church, John Stott

A wonderful overview of the church - written in that John Stott style of being so strong in leadership and communication, yet gracious in judgement and condemnation. In other words you feel his conviction - but rather than feel like he is "yelling at you" you are aware of the Holy Spirit's voice in your life.

I felt particularly convicted in the areas of preaching as well as evangelism. All preaching is exposition - which is not an excuse for a "running commentary on a long passage". Evangelism is played out in 'incarnational Christianity' in the church. That is, we have been "both called out of the world to worship God and sent back into the world to witness and serve."

Each chapter deals with one aspect of the church today - and concludes with a summary that provides a simple action plan for change.

I became a Christian and All I got was this Lousy t-shirt, Vince Antonucci

A very interseting book. Vince, a pastor from a church for the unchurched in Va. Beach has written this book as a journey/journal through the ups and downs of his Christian life. It seems to me like a cross between Blue Like Jazz, and a compilation of sermon illustrations.

In his honesty in portraying his life as a "little Christ", Vince sometimes goes over the top in his descriptions. But he uses humour well and in the midst of dealing with his issues pertrays a helpful list of ideas to live with Christ.