As a pastor with 7 kids (John is one of 8 kids with a pastor father), I learned some lessons on how to love my children better and how to help them feel seen and heard. Those were good lessons for me. I was also reminded of the beauty of the church when we embrace the real selves of those around us (not the masks we wear).
Category Archives: Book Reviews
Book Review: The Path Between Us
It seems like lots of folks these days are asking “What’s your enneagram number?” or saying things like “She must be a 2.” The enneagram has experienced a renewed interest over the last few years. And if you don’t know what it is, the enneagram has actually been around for a very long time andContinue reading “Book Review: The Path Between Us”
Book Review: Sex God
And while it talks about sex, this book is really about humanity being made in the image of God, respecting the image of God in ourselves, and honoring the image of God in others.
Book Review: Atlas of the Heart
Atlas of the Heart is a mix of story, research, and reference, all focused on the emotional landscape of our life. It is individual and communal, helping explain the connection to our own self and to others.
Book Review: Online Ministry Books
Over the last year, I’ve read 2 books that have helped me better understand the “why” and “how” of online presence and digital ministry. For churches, parachurch ministries, and ministry professionals, the question is not “do we go online” and is instead “how can we make our digital ministry more meaningful?” The Connected Church and From Social Media to Social Ministry are both books that walk the reader through that exact question.
Book Review: Conversations Worth Having
What was most powerful to me through reading Conversations Worth Having was the personal reminder about my relationships with my children.
Book Review: Reclaiming Church
I remember watching a young man, college age, giving a passionate plea to share Jesus. To share Jesus with college students, with the outsiders, with people different than myself. He was pleading for my church, The United Methodist Church, to be a place of inclusion for all people. I remember I cried hearing his wordsContinue reading “Book Review: Reclaiming Church”
Book Review: White Fragility
This book was for me. And if you consider yourself a white progressive, it might just be for you too. I believe that white progressives cause the most daily damage to people of color. I define a white progressive as any white person who thinks he or she is not racist, or is less racist,Continue reading “Book Review: White Fragility”
Book Review: Simplify the Message
Even though I’m not preaching every Sunday, I still want to improve my preaching skills. As I guest preach, I have the perfect opportunity to hone a message, try new things, and gauge how different approaches with the same scripture are received. A couple of years ago, I attended a preaching workshop with colleague TalbotContinue reading “Book Review: Simplify the Message”
Book Review: A Spirituality of Fundraising
In short, how do we move from perceiving fundraising as an unpleasant but unavoidable activity to recognizing fundraising as a life-giving, hope-filled expression of ministry? A Spirituality of Fundraising, pg. 55 That is the question A Spirituality of Fundraising attempts to answer. Although not originally written down, the transcript of an impromptu talk on fundraisingContinue reading “Book Review: A Spirituality of Fundraising”
Rev. Kris Mares 