YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - (Page 56)

TOOLS Resource Reviews ANCIENT PRACTICES has the feel of a personal journal highlighting 62 selected psalms to coach the reader into a deep and meaningful prayer, reflection and devotional encounter with God. There is a lot of theology and subtle commentary in this book, but the purpose is to encourage the reader to actually pray, and Patterson seems to have accomplished his purpose. Two self-proclaimed mystics who live in “intentional community,” Claiborne and Wilson-Hartgrove take the reader into a conversation about prayer. As “radical” Christians, they see the danger of burnout and spiritual erosion when those who tend to the marginalized fail to pursue the divine romance that is prayer. The authors use the three NT prayers—The Lord’s Prayer, John 17, and Ephesians 1—to move the reader outside ordinary assumptions about prayer and challenge us to a deeper relationship with Christ. —Steven Todd The book falls a little short in finding ways to make your church understand that Sabbath is not the same thing as vacation, that renewal is not the same thing as a staff Bible study. We know we need rest, but how do we convince our administrive board? For the churches that believe mission trips count as vacation days, this book won’t help much. For youth workers who can acknowledge they are part of their own problem (and solution), this book is essential. —Steve Case Fasting: The Ancient Practices Scot McKnight Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008, 176 pp., $17.99, www.thomasnelson.com GROWING GROUPS Sabbath: The Ancient Practices Dan Allender Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008, 224 pp., $17.99, www.thomasnelson.com Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament Dramatic Audio Bible Thomas Nelson, 2008, $49.99, www.thomasnelson.com What do you get when you mix together today’s teen stars, the Bible, and the heart of Max Lucado? An intriguing, unorthodox, yet captivating approach engaging God’s word with a new generation audience. This audio version of the New Testament will quickly engage your younger students’ imagination with the story of God through the powerful medium of audio theatre, using the talents of young stars such as Jordan Sparks, Hannah Montana’s Emily Osment and Cody Linley (as Jesus), Lord of the Rings’ Sean Astin, and High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu to name a few. There is even a “behind the scenes” DVD capturing interviews with these stars and the impact of this project in their lives. Although the initial marketing package may scream Christian consumerism, the quality of production, the dramatic energy and passion, and the sincere attention to the Gospel story, along with an impressive 40day listening plan, will envelop your heart and enhance your ministry creativity. —Paul Baldwin In his volume in a new series on ancient practices, Dan Allender dismisses notions of Sabbath as a lazy day off or a set of legalistic prohibitions. He meanders meditatively around Sabbath principles of delight, sensual glory, holiness, beauty, play, communal celebration, justice, stillness and surprise. The lack of concrete guidelines for Sabbath observance will frustrate some and free others to find their own ways of setting aside space and time to live in the rhythm of God’s future. In the same series, but in a markedly different style, Scot McKnight’s contribution teems with definitions, scriptural and church history reference, and even a medical description of the physical results of fasting. McKnight distinguishes between the discipline of abstinence and the practice of fasting, challenging those tempted to consider fasting a way to force God’s hand to view it instead as an appropriate body-andsoul response to encounters with grief and the sacred. – Jenn Cavanaugh Simple Small Groups Bill Search Baker Books, 2008, 185 pp., $13.99, www.bakerbooks.com Seeking God Together: An Introduction to Group Spiritual Direction Alice Fryling InterVarsity Press, February 2009, 152 pp., $15.00, www.ivpress.com Leading on Empty Wayne Cordeiro Bethany House, March 2009, 224 pp., $19.99, www.bethanyhouse.com I like books that make me re-think the way I read Scripture and show new ways to apply it to my life. Leading on Empty had me from the opening chapters on what is “evening and morning.” Corderio’s book is an excellent resource for church leaders who are addicted to busyness (either by choice or job description). Cordeiro offers great ideas about how you can do your job better. There are ample resources for small groups, but Bill Search brings an extra element to the purpose of small groups and the communal aspects of how members connect with one another, as well as to the mission of the small group. Search brings an incredible experience as a pastor and reveals many tips to overcoming the difficulties of maintaining and sustaining a small-group ministry. He identifies many of the pitfalls that lead to obsessive behaviors within the small group context. Seeking God Together is an introduction to small groups, and the author’s purpose for small groups is spiritual direction. Spiritual direction is, in part, a safe environment where individuals can experience what it means to share thoughts and feelings, as well as be accepted by others so they can learn to listen more attentively to the presence of God in their lives. The author places a strong emphasis on prayer and praying for one another. This is a good book for anyone (especially someone with no experience) interested in starting a small group and offers several excellent ideas, including formats and questions, to facilitate the process. Several resources listed in the appendices cover the practical and logistical aspects of small group dynamics. —Grant F.C. Gillard 56 March/April 2009 | YouthWorkerJournal.com http://www.thomasnelson.com http://www.thomasnelson.com http://www.bakerbooks.com http://www.ivpress.com http://www.thomasnelson.com http://www.bethanyhouse.com http://www.YouthWorkerJournal.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009

YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 Contents Feedback Youth Culture Update Culture Watch Encountering God Campus Ministry The Urban Take Sight Unseen Worldview Soul Care Managing Your Ministry 10 Minutes in God's Word From IQ to CQ Caring Amidst Crisis Risky Business When Tragedy Gets Personal Deaths in the Family Stopping Suicide Blessed Are They Who Mourn Healing the Healer Resources for Working with Crisis Tools Stirring it Up

YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009

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