2010 Reading Resolution

A couple of weeks ago I made a New Year’s resolution to do my book shopping in 2010 from my own library. I’m not saying that I won’t buy any books in 2010, for that would be unreasonable! However, my planned reading list are books already in my possession (or at least on order☺). So, here’s my list by category:

Biblical Theology: We Become What We Worship, by G. K. Beale

Systematic Theology: The Doctrine of the Christian Life, by John Frame

Bible: Jesus and the Eyewitnesses, by Richard Bauckham

Culture: Liberating Black Theology, by Anthony Bradley

Biography: W. E. B. DuBois, American Prophet, by Edward J. Blum

Leadership: Courageous Leadership, by Bill Hybels

Church: Simple Church, by Thom S. Rainer & Eric Geiger

History: ???

Fiction: ???

I should point out a few of things. First, my goal is not to read every page in all of these books. I like the way Marilyn Chandler McEntyre put it recently, “The goal of reading is not to get to the end.” My goal is to engage well and have good conversation as a read. Secondly, you’ll notice that my list is incomplete. That’s part of the reason for this post. I would appreciate some suggestions from you on books to fill the history and fiction categories. Of course, you don’t know what’s in my library, but that’s OK. Suggest something anyway (comments on the listed books are welcomed too). Lastly, the Bible is a given, so it’s not on the list.

Thanks for your help!

Pastor Irwyn

The Quest for Maturity?

On the recommendation of my friend Pastor Eric Redmond, I picked up the book 83 Things I Wish the Black Church Would Stop Doing, by Milan Ford. A lot of Ford’s ‘things’ make me laugh, some I don’t agree with, and most are worth blogging about. Here’s one for you (I think it’s number 50-something), The Quest for Maturity. Ford was having a conversation with a friend of his who serves as a worship leader. His friend was expressing his frustration and struggles over a group of people in the congregation who just “refuse to sing and participate along with him.” The friend expressed his frustration with these five words, “We must become more mature.”

I love Ford’s response (I’ve only included a portion of it),

“I realize that this may sound strange, but if everyone in your church is in the choir, on the usher board, a faithful tither, has never missed a service, and is just in love with the pastor...your church may just be on the brink of death...If everyone in the church GETS IT, then you might as well close the doors, because it is apparent that no one is now committed to going out and bringing in those who don’t.”

Ford has put his finger on the temptation to a spiritual pride and arrogance. In other words, acting like spiritual maturity is by works and not by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. One of the first practical lessons the Lord taught me in pastoral ministry is to assume that everyone in the church I serve (including myself) is wrestling with some issue that challenges their faith in the Lord. That’s because the church is full of real people living real lives. It should always be the case that we see the mix of new believer, mature believer, and, yes, unbeliever in the church. This will help us continue to see the outworking of the Gospel as good news for the lost, good news for the found, and good news for the community.

Pastor Irwyn