YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - (Page 60)

TOOLS Resource Reviews CULTURE CORNER Yes, you might have to talk about your own mistakes with drugs, alcohol and sex. You definitely have to listen more than talk. For a generation that craves authenticity, you’ll build the kind of dialogue that sets firm parental boundaries proven to help teens make positive—instead of destructive—choices. —Matthew Monberg The Mission-Minded Family Ann Dunagan Authentic Publishing, 2008, 226 pp., $14.99, www.autheticbooks.com Flickering Pixels: How Technology Shapes Your Faith Shane Hipps Zondervan, 2009, 208 pp., $16.99, www.shanehipps.com Understanding Evangelical Media: The Changing Face of Christian Communication Quentin J. Schultze and Robert H. Woods, editors IVP Academic, 2008, 347 pp., $22.00, www.academic.ivpress.com With a deep understanding of the missional trailblazers of the past and an authentic perspective on today’s families, The Mission-Minded Family boldly brings the global mission of Christ to the doorsteps of our homes. This “how-to” inspirational is loaded with stories, wisdom and ideas to supply readers with the tools needed to impact others across the world or across the street. From raising support and travel tips to raising mission-minded kids, it is a one-stop resource covering all the bases. In today’s Christian culture of short-term mission trips and self-focused missions, Ann Dunagan’s voice is a refreshing reminder of God’s everyday, ongoing purpose for Christian households. Her passion and creativity empowers the family to become the “vehicle for ministry” that God intended it to be. Parents, church leaders and youth workers are invited to read and begin to think differently about missions. —Jeff Tillson Salvation on the Small Screen: 24 Hours of Christian Television Nadia Bolz-Weber Seabury Books, 2008, 164 pp., $17.00, www.sarcasticlutheran.com Scientific Mythologies: How Science and Science Fiction Forge New Religious Beliefs James A. Herrick IVP Academic, 2008, 288 pp., $23.00, www.academic.ivpress.com FOR TEENS Heroes in Black History: True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes Dave and Neta Jackson Bethany House Publishers, 2008, 185 pp., $14.99, www.bethanyhouse.com Heroes in Black History tells the stories of 15 people who lived their Christian faith out loud in the world. Each person’s story is told by a short biography and three narratives focusing on a particular theme—compassion, peace maker, boldness, etc. Christian thinkers analyze culture in these four books so believers will be encouraged to be more than consumers by critiquing and creating culture themselves. I loved Shane Hipps’ 2006 book, The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture, written with Brian McLaren. In the new book, Hipps, a former ad writer turned Mennonite pastor, again channels media guru Marshall McLuhan; this time he does a better job of connecting the dots for his readers. For example, his chapter “Our Nomadic Life” raises questions about virtual community and true intimacy few others seem to be discussing. If you’ve been consuming culture more, but reflecting on it less, repent and read this provocative book. Meanwhile, Nadia Bolz-Weber, who works with Denver’s House for All Sinners and Saints community and writes the www.sarcasticlutheran.com blog, has been watching way too much Christian TV. When I opened this book, I thought: “What can be said that hasn’t already been said plenty of times?” The answer is plenty, as Bolz-Weber and her various friends view and assess the mixed messages spewing forth from TBN. For decades, Calvin College’s Quentin Schultze has pioneered Christian critical thinking about mass media. A good summary of the recurring theme of this meaty volume on radio, TV, movies, magazines, worship, the Web and more would be that mainstream culture continually develops and exploits all manner of new media. Meanwhile, those Christians who aren’t battling mainstream culture attempt to use these media for their own purposes, with mixed results. While many seek to use media in reaching the unchurched, their parochialism—or lack of professionalism— often mean they merely preach to a narrowly defined religious tribe. This book is perhaps the most thorough on Schultze’s growing list of thoughtful and thorough studies. Science fiction and speculative science are a source of “an emerging canon of transcendent stories,” writes James Herrick in Scientific Mythologies. The book is thorough–perhaps too thorough for many readers—but you can hear an excellent interview with Herrick on Vol. 93 of the Mars Hill Audio Journal (visit www.marshillaudio.org to subscribe), which remains one of the very best resources for examining culture from a Christian perspective. — Steve Rabey 60 March/April 2009 | YouthWorkerJournal.com http://www.authenticbooks.com http://www.shanehipps.com http://www.academic.ivpress.com http://www.sarcasticlutheran.com http://www.academic.ivpress.com http://www.sarcasticlutheran.com http://www.bethanyhouse.com http://www.marshillaudio.org 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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