New books!

I just got in some new books--I am always excited when that happens! My new books include:

1. Jim & Casper Go to Church. By Jim Henderson & Matt Casper. This is an interesting book in which a minister and an atheist attended twelve of America's best and least known churches. Should prove interesting. http://www.amazon.com/Jim-Casper-Church-Conversation-Well-Meaning/dp/1414313314/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4446431-9252757?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192823397&sr=1-1
   
2. Communicating for a Change. By Andy Stanley and Lane Jones. I bought this book on preaching basically from the online reviews. Promises 7 things to do that will impact audiences. Sounds rather Boomerish (Boomers love book and titles with numbers), but may be helpful. http://www.amazon.com/Communicating-Change-Seven-Irresistible-Communication/dp/1590525140/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4446431-9252757?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192823364&sr=1-1
   
3. Signs of Emergence: A Vision for Church that is Organic/Networked/Decentralized/Bottom-up/Communal/Flexible {Always Evolving}. By Kester Brewin. An organic, decentralized structure is necessary to reach all parts of society and to maximize mission. However, training of leaders and relational accountability are essential as well. I am interested to see what take this book has on these thoughts. Many of the Emergent Village titles have left me wanting more depth, but we'll see. http://www.amazon.com/Signs-Emergence-Networked-Decentralized-communities/dp/0801068088/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4446431-9252757?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192823340&sr=1-1
   
4. Justice in the Burbs: Being the Hands of Jesus Wherever You Live. By Will & Lisa Samson. I recently wrote a paper entitled, Missional Engagement in Suburbia. There was a scarity of writing on this subject, I discovered. My D.Min. directer, Kurt Frederickson, told me about this book that was coming out when I wrote my paper. We typically think of serving the poor and doing social justice in the inner city. However, just last year the number of those in poverty in the suburbs exceeded the number in poverty in suburbs. http://www.amazon.com/Justice-Burbs-Wherever-resources-communities/dp/0801068096/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4446431-9252757?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192823312&sr=1-1
   
5. Picturing the Gospel: Tapping the Power of the Bible's Imagery. By Neil Livingstone and Brian McLaren. In postmodern culture, spiritual imagery is very powerful and helps people understand biblical messages. In a war-torn, violent world, these images themselves are redemptive. Looking forward to thoughts on how to use spiritual images most effectively. http://www.amazon.com/Picturing-Gospel-Tapping-Bibles-Imagery/dp/0830833706/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4446431-9252757?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192823273&sr=1-1
   
6. Christian Preaching: A Trinitarian Theology of Proclamation. By Michael Pasquarello III. A book on preaching that begins by critiquing the seeker movement and pure pragmatism in churches and preachers. Hopefully it will also offer something positive, besides just a critique. http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Preaching-Trinitarian-Theology-Proclamation/dp/0801027608/ref=sr_1_1/104-4446431-9252757?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192823242&sr=8-1

Do any of these sound interesting to you?