Books

Summer book club, Presbyterian style : The Power and the Glory: Studies in Discipleship

Rev. R. Sheldon MacKenzie

I have personally accused Rev. MacKenzie of keeping me in the church with these lectures, so, let me share it with others: It was 1979, Pre-Assembly Congress; I was in my late teens, just about to start university. A secular world of liberal free-thought awaited me. But, no! Sheldon's lectures spoke to me, particularly the second on power. I recognize it now as the Spirit once more interfering with my life, messing with my plans. Rereading the lectures I learn anew their power to teach, to guide. They are a boot to the backside, a meditation on our vanities; a special reminder of our role as disciples in the world Christ left us in His name. The book itself, however, is unnecessarily humble: amateurishly produced, with no publisher named and in need of both a copy editor and designer. Write me and I'll forward your book orders to the author.– Andrew Faiz, afaiz@presbyterian.ca

Summer book club, Presbyterian style : An insight into small churches

Jim Czegledi

The Presbyterian Church in Canada is a denomination of small membership churches. Approximately 40 per cent of our congregations have fewer than 50 at worship. The future of the church depends on these congregations, on their health, spiritual development and ability to function. This book is an insightful look at the joys and challenges of small church life. The authors are passionate advocates of the importance of training and equipping lay people to plan and lead worship.

Summer book club, Presbyterian style : The purpose driven process

Ruth Ann Sigurdson

For months we had discussion times after the morning worship service and half the congregation remained, old and young, those new to the church and those who had attended all their lives. During the course of study of these books, the churches of Zion Willowdale and St. Andrew's, Valley Center, Alta., amalgamated, changed their name to Willow-Valley, wrote a mission statement and discussed a future building. Not bad! But it wasn't easy. With Warren's books as guides, we had to re-examine all our assumptions. Three areas were challenging to us.

Summer book club, Presbyterian style : Renewal on the road of faith

Terry Samuel

Approximately 25 of us at St. Giles', Sarnia, Ont., engaged ourselves in a study of Marcus Borg's The Heart of Christianity, over a period of 10 weeks. For some of us the going got a bit chewy partway through, especially when Borg got theological (which led us into broader philosophy). To help us along the way we followed the study guide, Experiencing the Heart of Christianity by Tim Scorer. Scorer's approach emphasizes the heart component of Borg's study in that the process was one of study, discovery, discussion and worship as a faith community. One of the highlights of Scorer's approach is the use of short video clips in which Borg presents various positions and offers his own personal story.