BOOK NOTES

Wiring Your Church for Worship
by Constance E. Stella, Abingdon, 2007, $8
Connie Stella has led the development of a media ministry at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection that is mission-driven. Part of Resurrection’s Ministry Guides Series, this small book will be of most help in guiding the purpose and character of a church’s media ministry. Everything revolves around the congregation’s mission. Technology is only helpful to a church to the extent that it helps further the mission. Working within the congregation’s distinctive culture and ministries, media leaders can know what resources would be helpful and which to ignore. This is a foundational handbook for media ministry leaders. (notes by Lovett Weems) click here to buy from amazon.com

The Unofficial United Methodist Handbook
and The Unofficial United Methodist Handbook for Pastors
by F. Belton Joyner, Jr., Abingdon, 2007, $14.99 each
Written with humor and brevity, these two “handbooks” capture essential truths and practices of the Christian faith and United Methodist traditions in a nuts-and-bolts fashion. Written tongue-in-cheek, the books do a fine job of explaining topics in easy-to-understand terms, often accompanied by diagrams, illustrations, and maps. Each book covers a wide range of information, situations, and practices of the United Methodist Church. Let’s face it – we aren’t called Methodists for nothing, and Joyner’s books methodically navigate most of the methods. The books should be helpful for all United Methodists, new to the church or not, seeking to learn more about their church while not taking themselves too seriously. (notes by Dottie Yunger) click here to buy from amazon.com

Know and Be Known: Small Groups That Nourish and Connect
by Brooke B. Collison, Alban Institute, 2007, $17
How can congregations respond to the need for authentic human connection? How can they build relationships that go beyond Sunday-morning chitchat, impersonal emails and voicemails, and task-orientated committee interactions? Drawing on his own experiences in a koinonia, or fellowship, group, Brooke Collison describes how small group ministries provide “the extended interaction that permits people to know one another with depth or substance.” Avoiding technical jargon and “church speak,” this book is especially well-suited to lay persons who participate in small groups and those called to lead them. The book begins with a general overview of small group dynamics and goes on to provide helpful advice on launching a program, creating successful group interactions, and dealing with problems. There are also helpful suggestions for discussion starters and group exercises. (notes by Dottie Yunger) click here to buy from amazon.com

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