Pick a Book

Need a little light reading, or something a little more challenging while at the cabin, camping, or on vacation this summer?  Have I got the deal for you!

Here are three books to choose from that I will be reading over the summer, under the overall theme of “passing on the faith.”  When I get back I will be meeting with each group that read a book to discuss what we learned and how that might impact our ministries at church.  You can find and order these books online at Amazon.com, Augsburg Fortress, Male Spirituality, or Barnes and Noble.

3 to choose from

“Frogs Without Legs Can’t Hear,” is written by David Anderson and Paul Hill, from the cutting edge Youth and Family Institute, here in the Twin Cities.  For too many years people have thought that spiritual growth and faith development happened primarily at a church, taught by professionals.  Over the last 50 years or so, this has led to the many bad habits and attitudes that in fact inhibit growing faith in children, youth, and young adults.  The critically missing piece is that faith is formed primarily during the other  167 hours spent outside and away from the church – with the family as the FIRST CHURCH!

At the end of June I will be participating in the Male Rites of Passage in northern Minnesota.  This spiritual retreat for me was developed by Father Richard Rohr and the Men as Learners and Elders (M.A.L.E.S.) program that is part of the Center for Action and Contemplation.  In the book “Adam’s Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation,” Father Rohr describes the many reasons why men need to reclaim and experience initiation in the 21st century, and the lessons and promises that are gained and learned through male initiation.

For the past year I have been meeting monthly with a spiritual director in a group setting with other clergy.  This has helped me in my own spiritual journey and growth, by helping me listen to God.  Pastor, professor, and author Eugene Peterson has written about this subject in his book, “The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction.”  Peterson challenges pastors and congregations to reclaim the spiritual basics and core role of pastors as spiritual directors in the midst of the busyness and demands of “running a church.”

If any of these books is of interest to you, search for them on the websites I’ve provide, order your copy and start reading.  I really look forward to hearing what others think about the issues brought up in these books next fall!