My church planting coach, Mark Moore, recently recommended the following books (w/disclaimer that he doesnt agree with everything in them). I’ve read a couple and now have more to read! I’ve linked a couple to personal blog reflections/reviews.
The Shaping of Things to Come (Frost, Hirsch)
The Forgotten Ways (Hirsch)
Radical Renewal (Snyder)
Houses that Change the World (Simson)
Organic Church (Cole)
2 comments
Comments feed for this article
October 21, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Jacob Vanhorn
Hey brother, 3 of those 5 are on my shelf waiting to be read. Although I think Bob Logan pretty much covered Neil Cole’s book at our luncheon a couple of weeks ago.
I totally get the de-emphasis on church buildings, I felt that before I was a believer. What I (along with others) don’t like is the use of the building one day a week. What I see increasing and what I am likely to try and do as we grow in influence and resources, is the community center/church meeting location. I like the physical/visual footprint that a church building makes in a community. It says to the community at large that ‘we are here’ and the activities inside say, ‘we are here to serve this community.’ Here is my epiphany for the moment: after we exegete our community and its needs/strongholds we will seek discernment regarding the best way we can serve them. If the needs are such that a community center are necessary then we may pursue it with God’s guidance.
(PS: Your ‘Houses that Change the World’ link goes to Neil Cole’s book)
October 22, 2007 at 11:19 pm
jdodson
Yeah, the community center is a neat idea, though not for every neighborhood, as you suggested. Driscoll did two houses early on, which served multiple functions, while they searched for a building. Cultural and social savvy cominbed with Spirit-led sensitivity is critical; i agree!