What does the sport of wrestling have to do with church? Pastor Jim Putman would give the answer of “everything” in his book, Church is a Team Sport, because people understand sports better than they do church. Putman was a three time All-American collegiate wrestler who came to Christ after college. For ten years, he […]
Heroes are ordinary people, but they are not normal. Superstars, talented athletes, the famous and wealthy are normal but not ordinary. They are normal in that, for the most part, they are self-indulgent people who live for temporal pleasure and hedonistic pursuits. Apart from their circumstances, they are quite normal and, therefore, should not be […]
I am rarely satisfied with “ordinary.” I consider this a gift from God. I could care less about fame and wealth. But God has not created me to be ordinary. I found a renewed inspiration this weekend from an extraordinary place- a book. I read books, but it is not my nature to curl up […]
Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:29-30 (HCSB) If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and […]
Bridging the Ministry Gap has been released in an e-Book format.
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If non-Christians are not knocking down your door to get into the church, maybe your focus is wrong. I am not suggesting a seeker-friendly service or gimmicks to get people in. According to Rick Risaw and Eric Swanson, getting people into church means we must first get out of church. In their book, The Externally […]
Alan Nelson has discovered one of the greatest hurdles to spiritual growth in the Church today. In his book, Me to We, his goal is simple—expose the hurdle and tear it down. The demolition process is painfully honest, while at the same time refreshingly helpful. Bookstores are lined […]
What makes a book a “must read?” The potential to change lives. To make a difference in others, we must connect. Maxwell states, “…connecting is everything when it comes to communication.” I would take this one step further, connecting is essential in following the command of our Lord to make disciples. Connecting is what the church is all about- connecting to God and to each other.
John Maxwell’s book, written in 2010, gives leaders the principles (theory) and practices (application) for connecting with others. This does not present the topic with “five step formulas” but with biblically-based principles that can be used in any relationship and any size group.
For me, this book was a joy to read, even when the contents seriously challenged my tendencies. For some people, connecting comes much easier. I am not one of them. I am a task-driven, project-oriented person who needs to slow down and invest deeply in people, not programs and strategies.
7 Reasons to Read this Book
1. If you want to have a greater impact on others
2. If you want to develop presentation skills that increase the chances that people will remember and apply what you have taught them
3. If you want to inspire people
4. If you want to be a “giver” when you interact with others instead of a “taker”
5. If you want to understand the role of passion and energy in connecting with others
6. If you want to understand what habits create barriers to communication
7. If you want to understand the things that encourage people to listen
At the end of every chapter, Maxwell gives tips for three kinds of communication: one-to-one, small groups, and larger audiences. These brief, but potent, thoughts by themselves make the book worth buying. Due to the practical application for every ministry leader, you will find this book very difficult to put down. There is so much valuable content that I should endeavor to re-read this book at least once a year. This book has definitely made my short list of “must reads.”
Next book I am reading (and will review)- Me to We by Alan Nelson.
Follow One, Lead Others
Follower of Jesus, husband, father, pastor, Bible teacher, doctor who has yet to do surgery.
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