BOOK NOTES

Snapshots of Three New Books for Church Leaders

Beyond the Burning Bush: Hearing and Answering God's Call, edited by Vicki Brown, Meg Lassiat, and Sharon Rubey, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, 2009

Twenty-eight men and women serving in or preparing for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church share their personal call narratives in this attractively designed, glossy volume intended to encourage and inspire young people exploring God's call on their lives. These intimate, unique stories are a compelling witness to how God's call is experienced, affirmed, and lived out in a diversity of life experiences, a range of ministry choices, and through the support of a variety of initiatives of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Does Your Church Have a Prayer?: In Mission Toward the Promised Land by Marc Brown, Kathy Ashby Merry, and John Briggs, Discipleship Resources, 2009

This innovative congregational planning tool is grounded in a reassuring yet provocative scriptural truth: God does indeed expect something great of your church — that it "be completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me." (John 17:23) The leader's guide describes a step-by-step process for leading a church in developing a strategic ministry plan that aligns its mission with this biblical vision by assessing current realities, developing a mission statement, evaluating ministries, and developing plans. A six-week sermon series and a corresponding small group Bible study (contained in the participant's workbook) are designed to encourage individual and church-wide discernment. The lead article in this issue of Leading Ideas features material from the Leader's Guide.

Begging for Real Church, by Joseph W. Daniels, Jr., Beacon of Light Resources, 2009

Joe Daniels's exploration of what it means to be a "real church" moves beyond the typical platitudes about the importance of authenticity in ministry, painting a vivid portrait of what genuine faith offers and what transparent ministry truly looks like. Addressing seekers and believers, the book considers in turn how we encounter God authentically, engage God meaningfully, and live radically into God's expectations. The book is particularly helpful as an example of how a pastor casts a vision for ministry and communicates about faith in ways that are personal, invitational, and contextually relevant.

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