As I mentioned in my previous post, I absolutely love reading books!  Consequently, I’ve read a lot of books in the last 10 years.  There are many books that I consider to have greatly been a part of literally transforming my life.  There were many great books that didn’t make my list that are classics and didn’t meet the criteria that I considered.

Additionally, since I have so many recommendations, I’ve decided to break them down into the following categories: Church Growth, Theology, Christian Living, Leadership, Self-Improvement, Business, Sociology, and African-American Studies.  I will devote blog space to cover each category in subsequent posts.

Here we go:

(more…)

I love reading books, and like many of you, I read a lot of books in the last 10 years.  Half of the decade I spent in graduate school (finishing up my Doctor of Ministry degree) so there were a lot of books to be read and I just really enjoy reading anyways.  I read about 500 books this last decade and there were a lot of great ones….some good ones….and some not so good ones. But there were definitely some books that stood out and really changed my life.

There are many books that I consider to have greatly been a part of spiritually transforming my life.  When I chose my books there were some basic criteria that I considered:

1. I didn’t list the bible, because I’m hoping you assume that that is the book that has spiritually transformed me the most.
2. They were memorable (some books are just forgettable, and these were not)
3. They didn’t have to be written this decade
4. They are ones that I recommend to everyone
5. They are leading works in their field
6. They are ones that I have read multiple times, or are back on the reading rotation to read again
7. They needed to have fundamentally shifted some area of my thinking–paradigm shifting influence
8. They transformed me spiritually (my theology, my ministry, my prayer life, my leadership, my preaching, my counseling, my pastoring, my understanding of humanity, my relationship with God, etc.)

Additionally, since I have so many recommendations, I’ve decided to break them down into the following categories: Church Growth, Theology, Christian Living, Leadership, Self-Improvement, Business, Sociology, and African-American Studies.  I will devote blog space to cover each category in subsequent posts.

Here we go:

(more…)

Microsoft recently released a jaw-dropping video based on some of the their current research projects.  All I can say is OH MY GOODNESS!  These technologies will dramatically change your world and mine.  The video is less than two minutes long and will give you a clear vision for what awaits us within the next ten years!

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO

As Jonathan Crossfield explains, “These ideas are not science fiction but are just around the corner.  It shows how far things will change in just a few short years and the ramifications for consumer behaviour are massive.”  As an urban pastor who’s technically saavy, I openly ponder if pastors/church leaders will be able to lead this technically saavy generation.

How will the church (and it’s leaders) will need to change in order to be successful?  I would love to hear what you or your church is currently doing to prepare for tomorrow.