lydiajlong's reviews
152 reviews
Small Groups for the Rest of Us: How to Design Your Small Groups System to Reach the Fringes by Chris Surratt
informative
fast-paced
3.75
"Jesus is saying that the credibility of His life and message in the eyes of unbelievers is dependent upon the way we as His followers relate with one another. Somehow their belief and our behavior are connected." (i.e. John 17:20-21)
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I'm not sure this book aged well for a myriad of reasons. There were some helpful nuggets that came out of this book so if you're a small group pastor or point person, it could still be helpful to dig in!
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I'm not sure this book aged well for a myriad of reasons. There were some helpful nuggets that came out of this book so if you're a small group pastor or point person, it could still be helpful to dig in!
Rooted: Connect with God, The Church, Your Purpose by Mariners Church
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Really helpful curriculum to go through as a small group or bring to your church as a spiritual formation practice. I appreciated how approachable, meaningful, and broad this study was. I took a handful of church interns through the study this summer and it was very beneficial for the group. Definitely recommend!
Is God Calling Me?: Answering the Question Every Believer Asks by Jeff Iorg
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
"Good leaders are lifelong learners."
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This book may be helpful for some trying to understand their calling, but I think there may be other more helpful books I would recommend above this. I'm not sure the author created a solid biblical argument for the various callings he outlines in the book. There is also a quick moment where the author really lost me in his interpretation of Bathsheba's story and character. She was referred to as a mistress committing adultery, but nothing talked about the subjugation and oppression of women and that she was a rape victim by the king. I found his description of Bathsheba very telling for most of the interpretation of Scripture in this book.
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There are some helpful descriptions and reflection questions that may be beneficial for some. I would take what you can and leave the rest and keep exploring Scripture and your calling with the Lord.
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This book may be helpful for some trying to understand their calling, but I think there may be other more helpful books I would recommend above this. I'm not sure the author created a solid biblical argument for the various callings he outlines in the book. There is also a quick moment where the author really lost me in his interpretation of Bathsheba's story and character. She was referred to as a mistress committing adultery, but nothing talked about the subjugation and oppression of women and that she was a rape victim by the king. I found his description of Bathsheba very telling for most of the interpretation of Scripture in this book.
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There are some helpful descriptions and reflection questions that may be beneficial for some. I would take what you can and leave the rest and keep exploring Scripture and your calling with the Lord.
The Path: Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and for Life by Laurie Beth Jones
inspiring
fast-paced
2.5
"A personal mission statement acts as both a harness and a sword -- harnessing you to what is true about your life, and cutting away all that is false."
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There are some very helpful items in this book for people struggling to figure out their mission or vision in life. I would encourage other books that would be more helpful -- to start, I would much rather encourage someone to read Garden City by John Mark Comer and I believe something like that would be more meaningful for someone.
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My concern is how Laurie Beth Jones uses Scripture and even at one point, I think she tries to summarize the gospel and very clearly has the gospel all wrong. Or at the least, she crafts a confusing paragraph that can point people in the opposite way of the gospel.
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There are some helpful exercises Laurie provides that could help people create a mission statement for their life, but I would encourage you to go into this book with a lot of discernment.
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There are some very helpful items in this book for people struggling to figure out their mission or vision in life. I would encourage other books that would be more helpful -- to start, I would much rather encourage someone to read Garden City by John Mark Comer and I believe something like that would be more meaningful for someone.
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My concern is how Laurie Beth Jones uses Scripture and even at one point, I think she tries to summarize the gospel and very clearly has the gospel all wrong. Or at the least, she crafts a confusing paragraph that can point people in the opposite way of the gospel.
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There are some helpful exercises Laurie provides that could help people create a mission statement for their life, but I would encourage you to go into this book with a lot of discernment.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“The more hopeless you were, the further away they hid you.”
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There were a few moments where I wasn’t sure I could finish this book; there are some difficult moments. It did feel meaningful to be allowed into someone’s mind like this and have a perspective of what some struggle with. I found Plath’s writing so beautiful, relatable at moments, and so honest. I’m grateful for the read but ready to pass along to my neighborhood Little Free Library!
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There were a few moments where I wasn’t sure I could finish this book; there are some difficult moments. It did feel meaningful to be allowed into someone’s mind like this and have a perspective of what some struggle with. I found Plath’s writing so beautiful, relatable at moments, and so honest. I’m grateful for the read but ready to pass along to my neighborhood Little Free Library!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Mental illness
Building a Disciple-Making Ministry: The Timeless Principles of Arthur Flake for Sunday School and Small Groups by Ken Braddy, Allan Taylor
informative
fast-paced
3.75
"The churches that enlist properly and provide training for leaders clearly have stronger ministries led by more effective leaders."
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I loved learning about Arthur Flake and seeing how the principles he developed and practiced 100 years ago still effect our ministries and still influence how we help people connect to God and community. Some of the common-day applications the authors made didn't seem to fit well into my church's or city's culture. So you'll want to use your own discretion to prayerfully walk through the principles and how they could apply in your unique context. Overall, encouraging read and grateful to know more about Arthur Flake.
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I loved learning about Arthur Flake and seeing how the principles he developed and practiced 100 years ago still effect our ministries and still influence how we help people connect to God and community. Some of the common-day applications the authors made didn't seem to fit well into my church's or city's culture. So you'll want to use your own discretion to prayerfully walk through the principles and how they could apply in your unique context. Overall, encouraging read and grateful to know more about Arthur Flake.
Creating Community by Andy Stanley, Bill Willits
informative
fast-paced
3.75
“Jesus is saying that the credibility of his life and message in the eyes of the unbelievers is dependent upon the way we as followers relate with one another. Somehow their belief and our behavior are connected.”
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Quick read and straightforward. Definitely would recommend to new small group directors or those stepping into small group ministry. Definitely feels like it was written over a decade ago, but lots of timeless truths and questions you can ask of your own strategy and mission.
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Quick read and straightforward. Definitely would recommend to new small group directors or those stepping into small group ministry. Definitely feels like it was written over a decade ago, but lots of timeless truths and questions you can ask of your own strategy and mission.
The Pastor: A Memoir by Eugene H. Peterson
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
“I knew one thing for sure: the work of prayer was at the heart of everything. Personal conversation with God had to intersect with everything I thought or said, whether in the sanctuary or on the street corner.”
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This is one of those books that I think will always be so pivotal for me and my ministry. I picked this book up at a sacred moment and I will always remember the impact this book has had on me. Probably one of those books that will need a re-read every few years or so. Eugene Peterson just gives so many beautiful stories and pieces of what it means to pastor and enter into life with others.
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This is one of those books that I think will always be so pivotal for me and my ministry. I picked this book up at a sacred moment and I will always remember the impact this book has had on me. Probably one of those books that will need a re-read every few years or so. Eugene Peterson just gives so many beautiful stories and pieces of what it means to pastor and enter into life with others.
Sticky Church by Larry Osborne
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
Super helpful for anyone starting out doing sermon-based small groups! My copy is littered with flags to refer back to frequently. Very inspiring, challenging, and helpful.
I do wonder how much of this is outdated, or will be outdated soon. There were some parts of the book that argued something that I had experienced the opposite of. But I think overall, this is a helpful model for a lot of churches.
I do wonder how much of this is outdated, or will be outdated soon. There were some parts of the book that argued something that I had experienced the opposite of. But I think overall, this is a helpful model for a lot of churches.
The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P. Freeman
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I loved how Emily walked us through this process and simplified making decisions. This is an empowering book that can be a helpful guide if you’re feeling a little lost. I love how she weaves her personal insights and stories into super helpful principles and ideas. She includes a prayer and practice at the end of each chapter so you can even go slowly and meditatively through this book.