Here's how it works: "Comment" to answer the following question and you are qualified to win a free book. Here's the catch: There needs to be at least 10 comments to qualify. Here's how you receive the FREE book: At the end of the week, if, and only if, there are 10 (or more) comments, we will put the names in a hat and draw a winner. The winner will then receive details on how to get the free book. (The winner will get to choose from a long list of GREAT books.) How fun!And here is this week's question:
Walt and Derek have been offering their lists of best books read in 2008. You can read Walt's list here (part 1 & part 2) and Derek's list here (part 1 & part 2). Now, it's your turn.
What was the BEST BOOK you read in 2008?
Come on, it's for a FREE book! Spread the word!
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66 comments:
The best book I read in 2008 was Andy Crouch's Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling, an intelligent, engaging book that makes you think (or rethink) the Cultural Mandate and much more. Highly recommended!
The best book I read in 2008 was "The Shack" by William Young. I did not let the positive or negative comments on the book affect me...it was simply a good and thought-provoking read!
The best book I read in 2008 was Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley. This book really pushed me in my new job at NewPointe!
Not to sound like a teacher's pet or anything, but the book "Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture" by Walt Mueller was the best book I read. The book helped me connect with all of my students in a more realistic and deeper way. I both teach school and lead a youth group. Thanks Walt!
Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray
Wow...I read ALOT of books in 2008...but here are my 2 favorites:
Fiction: "Summer of Light" by W. Dale Cramer about a construction worker who loses his job and becomes "Mr. Mom" while his wife goes back to work. VERY touching!
Non-Fiction: "Desiring God" by John Piper was an amazing, inspiring look at how to LOVE God with all you have.
Into the Region of Awe-
David Downing
On the Mysticism of C S Lewis
Well documented and a great bio
Bob Arnold
Andy Crouch's Culture Making was by far the best book I read this year.
I picked up a book that Walt was reading and found it to be a great book--"Jesus Land" by Julia Scheeres.
Keep recommending those books!
hard to name just one, and since others have named two, I'll go for that...
The Prodigal God: Rediscovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Timothy Keller
Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Tim Lane & Paul Tripp.
Thanks to you and Walt for your faithfulness in ministry...God Bless!
The best book that I read in 2008 was "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson. I love books that are born out of Scripture. The book is best summed up in the paraphrase of a quote by Soren Kierkegaard, "Boredom means we're refusing to be who God made us to be." Inspiring and challenging book. Loved it.
God in the Gallery by Daniel A. Siedell - a fantastic exploration of modern and contemporary art. This is a "next generation" work on theology and art - theology and art come of age.
While "Culture Making" dismisses and marginalizes contemporary art, "God in the Gallery" embraces it, ala Mars Hill, and probes a bit more deeply and critically than its seminal forebears such as Rookmacher, Seerveld, and Wolterstorff, while (importantly) critiquing some of the shortcomings of a purely Calvinist perspective (and I'm a Calvinist).
This is a book on art for those that are ready to be grown-ups in the art/theology project.
The best book I read in 2008 was UnChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. A very eye opening look at how people outside the church view the Church and Christians. It will impact how you interact with unbelievers and how you interact with fellow Christians.
Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli
A quick read that both comforted and challenged me.
I've gotta go for Andy Crouch's "Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling," too. The professor who taught my fall semester class at PBU, Ministry in a Cultural Context, wanted to use it as a text book for us, but it was too new & we ran the risk of not being able to get it in time. It came highly recommended by him and I understand why... great book to think through what it means to reach your culture for Christ.
The best book I read was "Rediscovering Catholicism" by Matthew Kelly. It has given me a deeper understanding of my faith as well as challenging me to be a better Christian.
The best book I read in 2008 was The Son of Laughter by Frederick Buechner. This story of the life of Jacob drew me back into the story of God calling his people to himself in the Old Testament. Buechner is a great writer and does a great job at bringing this story to life. It especially reminded me of how God calls us his own not because of anything we do (just look at all the different familial scandals surrounding Jacob's life) but because we are his and he loves us and has made us own. This book was quite refreshing and I dare say the best book I've read in the last 5 years.
"Walking with God" by John Eldredge would be my top 2008 pick, followed by "The Shack" by William P. Young.
That's a tough one. It's currently a tie between two great works:
Just Generosity by Ronald J. Sider. This book was focused on reconsidering a Biblical approach to poverty and how we deal with it as a society.
When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper. This book really challenged me to consider suffering more deeply in relation to joy, pointing out that if I am not pursuing joy nor have any desire to, I'd better check myself because joy is one of the marks of a genuine believer.
The Reason for God by Tim Keller was prob. the best book I read this year.
I'd have to say it was Sway by Ori & Ram Brafman.
The Bible. You do know it's by God, don't you? Ok, seriously, I read some good ones. But I'm going to go with unchristian by David Kinnaman. A good look at today's culture and christianity.
The best book I read in 2008 was Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace by Cathleen Falsani. Thought-provoking and moving.
I enjoyed "The Beloved Community" by Charles Marsh. It looks at various christian faith traditions and how specific communities and people sought to create authentic christian community and shalom. Looks at Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement, Clarence Jordan and Koinonia, John Perkins and his community based ministry as well as people who sought after the Kingdom. Great read, and well balanced perspectives.
I'd have to say "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" by Edmund Morris was the best I read in 2008. Reading about a driven leader, and seeing all his strengths and faults so plainly, was inspiring.
First Runner Up: "Born Standing Up" by Steve Martin was one I consumed in 24 hours, a first for me.
Best Book: "Essential Church" by Tom & Sam Rainer; 2nd best "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
hard to pick, so I'll post two: 'Building Faith at Home' by Mark Holmen and 'Essential Church' by Rainer and Rainer. Both help deal with the dropout rate after HS from different persepctives. Excellent reading.
The best book I read in 2008 was "There is a God" by Anthony Flew. Flew, once a leading critic of theism, explains his philosophical move to from atheism to theism through his encounters with the evidence.
It is hard to pick just one book, so I will choose 2.
Non ministry specific:
"The Power of Full Engagement" by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. The book was about managing energy, not time and my choices based on values not expediency.
Ministry Specific:
"Disappointment with God" by Philip Yancy. Yancey gives real life accounts and discusses in raw detail our relationship with God.
Unfettered Hope by Marva Dawn
Return of the Prodigal - Henri Nouwen
seems to be one of my favorites every year i read it...
The best book in 2008 was "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan.
Followed by "The Shack."
Both of these books will help one see the depth of God's love for us. He truly is a jealous and loving God.
To see my current reading list go to www.lantzhoward.com
I read "Why We're Not Emergent" by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck http://www.notemergent.com/
It was a theologically sound but well mannered description of current trends in the Emergent movement/church/impulse/whatever.
Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges was the one that kicked me in the gut the hardest.
I liked The Shack. But I think the one that impacted me the most was Crazy Love by Francis Chan. he doesn't mess around and it really got my attention!
The Best book in 2008 for me was Chap Clark's HURT. It really helped me to get into the mind of my teens and to see other strategies for communicating with them.
The best book in 2008 for me was Chap Clark's HURT. It helped me to communicate with my teens better and look for ways to understand where they are coming from. So many people (ADULTS) in the church just don't get it about teens and where they are coming from today...would highly recommend it for the serious youth leader...
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller and Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges were my favorite books of the 50 books I read last year (most which I enjoyed very much).
In the fiction category, I have to give a big nod to Wendell Berry's Remembering.
The greatest book I read in 2008 was Submerge by John Hayes.
"Desiring God" by John Piper.
Our purpose: to glorify God by enjoying him forever.
Tim Keller's The Reason for God which is a great discussion starter when you get it into the hands of inquiring skeptics, and a powerful encouragement to believers to engage in Gospel conversations.
The best book I read in 2008 was "Christ plays in 10,000 places" by Eugene Peterson. It is the first in his series of conversations in spiritual theology and I loved it!!
The scriptural exegesis was phenomenal and the application was widespread and very tangible.
PS - a close second was "Two loves, Two cities," by Jim Boice. It was a re-application of Augustine's City of God for today's culture.
Both books are great!!!!
I'd have to go with "Culture Making" by Crouch. The author carefully and wisely discusses culture, historic christian response, and prescribes an approach for the future. His theology is a breath of fresh air after the rapture theology of the 90s.
One of the best books I read in 2008 is The Arbinger Institue "Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box". It was a great book that talks about today's leadership problem -- self-deception
Best book: Nectar In a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya...
It is an older novel that draws you into a story that raises thought-provoking issues about missions, social injustice, and cross-cultural ministry. A good read before a missions trip.
The best book I read in 2008 was N.T. Wright's book, Surprised by Hope.
Disconnected: Parenting Teens in a MySpace World by Chap Clark and Dee Clark.
The best book I read in 2008 was Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger. Have enjoyed discussing with leaders at church.
The best book I read in 2008 was Matthew Paul Turner's Churched one kid's journey toward God despite a holy mess. Everyone should read it!
The Fabric of Faithfulness by Steven Garber - hands down the best book I read in 08. GREAT for students transitioning into college and above. Encourages consistency in worldview throughout life.
The best book that I read in 2008 was John MacArthur's Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically. It really helped me truly understand what a biblical pastor is and how he is to biblically sheppard a flock of believers.
Andy Crouch's "Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling" ... looking forward to kicking off the Central PA Christian Scholars Network w/having him speaking in April
By far...it was "Tribes" by Seth Godin.
The best book I read in 2008 was "The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning. It is a great conversation about grace...a very humbling read.
The best book I read was: Communication for Change by Andy Stanley. I was fascinated by his approach to communicating. As a student pastor his ideas have cut my prep time down and have helped me be more purposeful in my ministry. This book is amazing. I believe every communicator needs to read this book and see what Andy has uncovered. We as leaders need to realize we don't all have the answer on how to communicate to our flocks.
Either Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky or The Ragamuffin Gospel by Manning
No question, the best book for me last year was "He Loves Me" by Wayne Jacobsen. It has changed my core relationship with my God. It's very powerful.
I also am going to go with Andy Crouch's Culture-making. But I also read Landscapes of the Soul by Douglas Porpora and would recommend it. It is a sociological study of what people in America believe about the meaning of life and the good life.
Greg Veltman
One theological and one ficition:
The Baptized Body by Peter Leithart
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I had a book club this summer reading all of the Jane Austen books with the tagline: Real Men Read Jane Austen.
She is right up there with Shakespeare!
In 2008 for youth ministers
Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark Devries
For spiritual growth,transformation:
Transforming Discipleship by Greg Ogden
For congregational spiritual development:
Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered by James Wilhoit
Daniel 'DocStock' Stockstill
I'd have to go with "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. Thought provoking, challenging, and easy to read.
The best book I read was the book of Malachi in the Bible. It is a great reminder to keep it real.
The best book I read this year was Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul. It inspired me, and opened my eyes to kindness in the world.
Best book:
A Book You'll Actually Read on the New Testament by Mark Driscoll. The whole series is great. This was my favorite. Short, concise, and to the point.
-patrick
The best book I read so far in 2009 besides the bible is "Wideawake" by Mcmanus!
I read the book "UnChristian" by Kinnaman & Lyons. It was truly eye-opening. It helped me see christians through the eyes of the world. Very impacting!!
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