These books have been recommended by the church eldership and have been used as the basis for teaching during Sunday services at Lister Hill:
The Living Church: the convictions of a lifelong pastor by John Stott
As the subtitle makes clear, the contents are "the convictions of a lifelong pastor"; and it is interesting to compare these with "9 marks of a healthy church" (Mark Dever) and "Do we have a policy?"(Peter Masters), both of which have a similar objective - ie is the Christian church of the 21st century anywhere near what it should be? And how should we plan to achieve progress towards that end?
After a chapter on "Essentials", (a learning church, a caring church, a worshipping church, and an evangelizing church), there are deeper considerations of worship, evangelism, ministry, fellowship, preaching, and giving - and a thought-provoking chapter on Salt and Light - followed by a conclusion called "Looking for Timothys in the 21st Century".
The author's CofE background surfaces only occasionally; and there is an appendix explaining why he is happy to remain in that denomination. However, the fact that he does so should not detract from the aim of the book - which is to challenge the reader as to the current state of the fellowship to which they belong.
In a day when many churches have no vision other than to preserve tradition and the status quo, while others are intent on casting off all restraint, it is good to be brought back to biblical principles, and made to think about what could be, what should be, and what needs to be if we are to have any impact in this generation.
Discipleship by David Watson
'Christians in the West', claims David Watson, 'have largely neglected what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The vast majority of western Christians are church-members, pew-filler, hymn-singers, sermon-tasters, Bible-readers, even born-again believers or Spirit-filled charismatics, but not true disciples of Jesus.'
'The call to discipleship is a call to God's promised glory. This is not a day in which to play religious games. Time is running out fast.'
The Sixty Minute Marriage by Rob Parsons
Rob Parsons has done a great job. He has brought wit and humour, laughter and tears all together in a practical guide to family life. He shares real examples from his own experience and that of others in a way that is both enjoyable and challenging. This book has really helped our family. Go get it!
Run Baby Run by Nicky Cruz
This book that has stunned and moved the hearts of millions and should be compulsory reading for all.
Cruz's classic testimony is still compelling reading thirty years after its first publication. A childhood overshadowed by spiritualism in his Puerto Rican home preceded a harsh and violent adolescence as the leader of one of New York's toughest street gangs. Chilling scenes of knife fights, torture and murder dominated the life of a young man proud and feared on the outside, but inwardly running scared.
His fears and loneliness were brought to the surface through an encounter with the unlikely character of preacher David Wilkerson, who led Cruz to open his life to Christ - an incredible conversion that amazed all who knew him.
The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel
From the Author
Is there credible evidence that Jesus is the Son of God?Not too many years ago, I was an atheist. My agnostic wife's conversion to Christianity prompted me to use my legal training (M.S.L., Yale Law School) and journalism experience (I was the legal editor of "The Chicago Tribune") to systematically investigate whether there's any credible evidence that Jesus is the unique Son of God. "The Case for Christ" retraces the two-year quest that rocked my world. But instead of me merely describing the evidence that convinced me Christianity is true, I interviewed thirteen leading scholars and experts, posing to them the tough questions I had when I was a skeptic. These authorities, with doctorates from Cambridge, Princeton, Brandeis, and other prestigious institutions, were forced to defend their positions with compelling evidence and persuasive logic. Among the topics I cover are: - Historical evidence: Are there really enough reliable documents supporting the life, teachings, and resurrection of Jesus? - Scientific evidence: Do archaeological findings support or contradict the historical accounts of Jesus? - Psychiatric evidence: Did Jesus ever claim to be God? If he did, was he crazy? And does he fulfill all of the attributes of God? - Fingerprint evidence: Do ancient prophecies -- written hundreds of years before Jesus was born -- really point to him alone as being the Messiah of Israel and the world? - Plus powerful evidence from four leading authorities on the ultimate authentication of Jesus' claim to being God: his resurrection from the dead. I wanted the book to be both reliable and readable. I have been extremely gratified by the reaction of renowned law professor Phillip Johnson of the University of California at Berkeley, who wrote: "Lee Strobel asks the questions a tough-minded skeptic would ask. His book is so good I read it out loud to my wife evenings after dinner. Every inquirer should have it." Hank Hanegraaff, the nationally syndicated "Bible Answer Man" and president of the Christian Research Institute, was especially gracious in his review: "This is not a dry-as-dust theological treatise. 'The Case for Christ' is a supreme example of investigative journalism that reads like a fast-paced novel. I couldn't put it down. I will go so far as to say that 'The Case for Christ' is the best presentation of the historical evidence for Jesus, in print at a popular level, that I have ever read." Others who have strongly endorsed the book are Bruce M. Metzger, professor emeritus of Princeton Theological Seminary; well-respected scholars J. P. Moreland, Thom Rainer, Peter Kreeft, and Gregory Boyd; Ravi Zacharias, one of the world's foremost defenders of Christianity; famed psychologist Gary Collins; and such highly regarded Christian leaders as Bill Hybels, D. James Kennedy, Bill Bright, and Luis Palau. I wrote this book for three audiences. First, it's for Christians who want to be prepared to defend their faith when it's challenged by skeptics like I once was. (I include a chapter responding to the liberal Jesus Seminar's conclusions that Jesus never said most of what the New Testament claims he said.) Second, it's for Christians who are wavering in their faith and want to anchor it firmly once more. Third -- and most of all -- it's for spiritual seekers who are truly interested in investigating for themselves whether it's rational to put their faith in Jesus of Nazareth. No single book can answer every question. However, I encourage anyone who is authentically curious about Jesus to read "The Case for Christ" with an open mind and sincere heart. Weigh the evidence for yourself. Reach your own verdict. I'll be cheering you on.
Fruit That Will Last by Tim Hawkins
Excellent book for any leading youth groups to encourage us to think through what we are trying to do and how we are trying to do it.
This book with its strong Biblical focus leads you through developing a Biblical purpose, mission, strategy and programme. If you're feeling that your group exists from week to week and year to year, and you want help to break out from that, read this book and act on it! Also buy it for your church leader and the rest of your youth team.
It could certainly also be used to help you think through a strategy in children's work and in the wider church.
DANIEL AND THE DARK ARTS (£2.50)
(Comments by Wesley Owen Book Shop 24-Jan-2008)
Most kids love Harry Potter; this book in a light, humorous style looks at myths, superstitions and magic from a Christian perspective and children aged 8-12 can learn how the occult relates to them.
A Charmed Life (£8.95 )
(Comments by Wesley Owen Book Shop 24-Jan-2008)
Where do you stand on Harry Potter? This is a passionate defence of the popular Harry Potter books. Bridger carefully explores Harry and Hogwarts, and gives reasons for allowing our children to read it.
Francis Bridger is answering a real need. He shows that wizardry and witchcraft in the Harry Potter books (and films) is only a fictional device, comparable with the ingenuities of science fiction, or Batman. Quite different from witchcraft that stands in conflict with Christianity.
Have you read the Harry Potter books? Have your children or your friends? Can you put your finger on why they have been such a phenomenal success.? Francis Bridger's exploration of the spirituality of the world of Harry and Hogwarts suggests reasons for its appeal to childen and adults alike. It explains why some schools and libraries banned the books, but claims that they don't promote witchcraft or evil any more than The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Lord of the Rings, or the Bible. In fact their spirituality and morality promote the all-conquering power of love. The three friends are flawed and vulnerable, and their magical world is far from perfect, but their commitment to each other makes them heroes. Full of fascinating facts and insights, A Charmed Life is a must for all Potter fans.
The Harry Potter Effect (£6.99 )
(Comments by Wesley Owen Book Shop 23-Jan-2008)
J K Rowling's Harry Potter series is uncontested as the greatest children's book phenomenon of all time. The films that followed have served to widen the appeal even further.
Christians have been notoriously divided over Harry. Some have denounced the stories as a dangerously attractive introduction to the world of the occult. Others welcome their celebration of love over evil, to say nothing of their literary success in a world that many feared had given up on books altogether.John Houghton looks at The Harry Potter effect, both in the wider culture and in the Christian community. His considered critique offers timely and valuable insight for fans and detractors alike, as well as parents, teachers and all those who work with children.
The Gospel According To Harry Potter (£9.99)
(Comments by Wesley Owen Book Shop 23-Jan-2008)
Think you've made up your mind on Harry Potter? This excellent book might just force you to rethink. Connie Neal looks at the first four Potter books finding echoes of the gospel as she goes.
With an arsenal of charming allusions and parallels, Neal persuasively demonstrates that Harry Potter need not be rejected as a threat to the Christian faith, as some have claimed. Written accessibly in short three- to four page chapters, Neal's The Gospel According To Harry Potter is a much needed stroke of interpretive genius and a fascinating reflection on our time's most popular literary series.