CGS Library

New Books

April 2017

Borg, Marcus J. Days of Awe and wonder : how to be a Christian in the twenty-first century. HarperOne, 2017. 231 Borg

“A fine memorial collection [covering] Borg’s characteristic themes [as well as] such corollary topics as the New Atheism, the essence of Christianity, the wisdom in other religions, and how to hear the voice of God.” (Booklist)

“Borg’s focus is on wonder, that deep-seated conviction and experience that there is more to life than we can know or hope to know, and though beyond our grasp, this knowledge is available to us . . . Portrays a Christianity that is reasonable, full, expansive, and life affirming.” (Library Journal)

“In Days of Awe and Wonder, we get to the heart of why Marcus Borg matters. Borg cracks open Christianity for many of us who felt trapped outside its impenetrable walls of dubious dogmas. With skill and care, he invites us to believe again.” (Carol Howard Merritt, pastor and author of Healing Spiritual Wounds)

Merritt, Carol Howard. Healing spiritual wounds : reconnecting with a loving God after experiencing a hurtful church. HarperOne, 2017. 248.86 Mer

“Written with startling honesty . . . Merritt’s tender prose, interesting stories, and practical, workbook-based approach make this book invaluable for those working in what Pope Francis calls ‘the field hospital’ of the church.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Maybe you’re like me. You love the church and have never left it. But you persist in belief that honesty is the only path to truth and confession opens the door to growth. If so, you need Carol Howard Merritt’s wonderful new book, Healing Spiritual Wounds.” (Religion News Service)

Merritt’s book has been so welcome – it’s a timely template for personal reflection, and for reconciling the quest for spiritual fulfillment with our deeply flawed institutions and the people within them. (Salon)

Merritt, Carol Howard. Tribal church : ministering to the Missing Generation. Albin Institute, 2007. 256.25 Mer

I cannot think of a more valuable book for pastors, lay leaders, and anyone concerned about the future of the church than Tribal Church. Anyone who wants to understand better the young people who are coming to their church (or those who are not coming!) and how we can better respond to their quest for faith, meaning, life, and love should read this book, and read it with care. --Michael Jinkins, Academic Dean and Professor of Pastoral Theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and author of Letters to New Pastors

Carol Howard Merritt dismantles the wall of stained glass that often separates mainline churches from people under forty. Combining real-life stories, personal reflections as a thirty-something, and current research, Merritt affords congregations a clearer, more compassionate view not only of the "missing generation," but of themselves and their ministry. --Eric Elnes, Senior Pastor of Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ and author of Asphalt Jesus: Finding a New Christian Faith on the Highways of America

Pottebaum, Gerard A. To walk with a child : homiletics for children : a guide. Treehouse, 1993.
248.1088 Pot

Sitze, Bob. Stewardshift : an economia of congregational change. Morehouse, 2016. 248.6 Sit

Bob Sitze is a former ELCA staff member in the ministries of hunger education, Christian education, stewardship education, and family life. An experienced ecclesiological observer, Sitze has more than 40 years of experience as a congregational leader and denominational executive.

The collective groan that greets stewardship campaigns in most churches can be quelled. This book offers theoretical and practical propositions by which lay and clergy leaders can ensure the sustainability of stewardship ministries to help their congregations flourish. Bob Sitze invites stewardship leaders into a broader conversation of how shifted biblical and secular stewardship concepts, practice, and identity can be incorporated into a congregation's life and help bring about lasting change.

Stewart, Sonja M. Young children and worship. John Knox, 1989. 248.1088 Ste

This is the seminal volume of what became the Godly Play movement. If you haven't yet explored Godly Play, I heartily recommend the method as such, and as set forth in Young Children in Worship. Godly Play allows children to experience Bible stories and other stories that carry faith messages, told with an archetypal spareness that allows each listener to absorb and reflect on the material in his or her own way. A teacher tells the story with the help of tactile materials, then helps children "wonder" about the stories. Children then may move to independent or shared "work" (art or reenactment of the story). The atmosphere is quiet, focused, and meditative. Tactile materials used in storytelling respect children's way of processing information. The method creates a space in which children may link faith-based language with their own perceptions of God, or fulfill deep emotional/spiritual needs. Godly Play is adaptable to different traditions and faiths by choosing among, or amending, the stories. We've found it to be deep and satisfying to all participants, young and old.

Tietz, Christiane. Theologian of resistance : the life and thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Fortress, 2016. 267.55 Tiet

"This study of Bonhoeffer demonstrates a masterful grasp of the history and the context of Bonhoeffer's theological corpus. In Theologian of Resistance, Christiane Tietz takes readers on a biographical journey with Bonhoeffer, from his childhood to his untimely death at the hands of the Nazis. Students encountering Bonhoeffer for the first time, and those very familiar with Bonhoeffer, will find this to be a very rewarding book. In addition to reading Bonhoeffer's theology contextually, Tietz offers readers a brief interaction with the historical, global reception of Bonhoeffer studies. This is a must read for any serious study of Bonhoeffer." --Reggie L. Williams, McCormick Theological Seminary

"Christiane Tietz has filled an important niche in the literature on Dietrich Bonhoeffer by writing a short, accessible introduction to this towering figure of the twentieth century. . . . Tietz has a deep and respectful knowledge of her subject, and selects carefully from both well-known and more obscure writings in such a way that provides texture to Bonhoeffer's public persona. Embedded in the biographical narrative are synopses of some his most critical—and complex—ideas. Greatly enabled by the translation of Victoria Barnett, this volume introduces Bonhoeffer's theological contributions to those beyond religious and academic communities." --Katie Day, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia

"As the title suggests, Christiane Tietz's new biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer revolves around three key elements: his life, his thought, and their culmination in his resistance to both the nazification of the German churches and the Hitler regime itself. Employing extensive quotations from Bonhoeffer's writings, Tietz keeps Bonhoeffer's ideas and actions continuously in conversation with one another. The result is a wonderfully concise biography that will no doubt become the primary introduction to Bonhoeffer." --Kyle Jantzen, Ambrose University

Children’s books

Ortbert, John. Your magnificent chooser. Tyndale Kids, 2017. J 248.48 Ort

I'm a fan of John Ortberg. I've listened to his sermons on the Menlo Park Church podcast and read several of his books. He is called, with affection, Dallas-for-Dummies for his ability to translate the writings of his late mentor Dallas Willard into the language of the people. Your Magnificent Chooser is a short children's book designed to help kids understand how to make good choices.
This is not a children's story but a poem designed to teach kids. He explores the things we choose, what bad choices look like, and how God wants us to choose for ourselves. Illustrations by Robert Dunn personify (or creaturefy?) our Choosers as a furry balloon following us everywhere and into every situation. We learn, "a Chooser is a thing/ That is not just for you,/ Because everyone else/ Has their own Chooser too" (17). Ortberg helps children use their Choosers to love others, use Chooser often and use it to make good choices (just like Jesus would).
Three of my kids are at an age where they appreciate this book (ages 6, 7.5, and nine). We've had several discussions since I first read it, on our Choosers and the importance of choosing wisely. They enjoyed it and got them talking. That strikes me as a good book… Amazon.com customer review

This book, written in a simple rhyme style similar to Dr. Suess, teaches children about their "choosers", the part of them that helps them make choices in life, for good or bad. These choices range from what to wear to school that day to whether or not to be nice to friends. It teaches them that even bad choices can be made right through making different and better choices.
On each page there are fun pictures to go along with the story; the chooser is depicted as a fuzzy balloon with a whimsical face that is cute and caught the attention of my toddler.
I like that this book detailed making choices in a way that a preschooler could understand. I also like that it talked about how, when the child doesn't know which way they should choose, they can pray and talk to God, who has a better chooser than any person could have.
My only dislike about this book is that because it is written toward such a wide age range, with such a wide range in understanding, this book seemed a little dumbed down to me.
Overall, I would recommend this book to parents of preschoolers, especially to be used as an aid in teaching them to make good choices – Amazon.com customer review.

Turner, Matthew Paul. When God made you. Waterbrook, 2017. J 204 Tur

“A beautiful and affirming children's book celebrating the unique qualities that make us all different yet equally beautiful creations. This one is a "must have" to share with the young ones in your family! –Amy Grant, six time Grammy Award-winning artist

"One of the most beautiful children's books I've ever read and the walls of our house are lined with books." –Ann Voskamp, author of the New York Times Bestsellers, "The Greatest Gift" & "One Thousand Gifts"