Richard Sims

Read This Book!

I just finished reading Killing Cockroaches by Tony Morgan (here's an overview). If you’re a church leader, get this book and read it!

Killing Cockroaches is so full of practical advice that I nearly used all the ink in the red pen I used to underline the key parts. Tony makes you laugh throughout the book, and just when you put your guard down, he zings you with truth that makes you sit up straight and take notes.

This book touches on so many areas of ministry, like blogging, creating buzz, websites, hiring the right person, communication, gunky build-up (you’ll just have to read it). I can even overlook the fact that Tony doesn’t like country music, because he shares my love for Halloween. What more could I want?

Two things I ask about any book I read: Was it fun to read? Was it helpful? Killing Cockroaches is both. Go get it, and when you read it, let’s talk about it...

Finally Finished "The Shack"

Late last night, I finally finished reading The Shack by William P. Young. Last month, over a 3-day period, 3 different people told me to read the book. So I wanted to read it. Then when I found out that the book is causing some controversy in the church world, that made me want to read it even more.

If you haven't read it, it's a story about a guy named Mack who experiences a huge tragedy and then encounters the Trinity. That encounter is the bulk of the book. The Shack has lots to say about the Trinity, the church, and more, but mostly it tries to answer the question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?"

I liked it. In fact I really liked it.

So, if you've read The Shack, what did you think?

Jim and Casper's Excellent Adventure

Just completed another very interesting book, Jim & Casper Go To Church. It's the story of how Jim Henderson, veteran Christian and director of "Off the Map" ministries, hired Matt Casper, an atheist, to join him in visiting twelve churches, including some of America's best-known.  It's an eye-opening book and really helped me to understand what an unchurched person might see when they visit Tapestry. Here's Casper's question that he leaves with us, "Is this what Jesus told you guys to do?"

Hopefully you're investing in the lives of unchurched people and inviting them to church, and this book will help provide some insight into their point of view.  It will make you mad, make you cringe, and make you dig deeper into what you believe and why. 

"The Golden Compass"

I love movies and I love going to see movies at the theater.  But there's a children's movie coming out soon that I want you to know about. "The Golden Compass" is based on a series of books by author and self-described atheist Philip Pullman.  Now, I haven't seen the movie or read the book.  I did read this article a few weeks ago, in which claims are made that the movie has been toned down, the danger being that unknowing parents will then let their children read the book, which is far darker. 

Jackie McMahan, a dear friend and middle school lit teacher, read the book recently, and here are her thoughts, printed with permission:

"I found it to be one of the most disturbing/terrifying children's books I have ever read and not just from the theological standpoint (which was so heavy that no child would be able to muddle through that) but from the plot and descriptions itself. It was scary stuff and so dark, bitter, and angry -- there was no happy ending or triumph of good over evil in that book... Not to give away any major plot points, but there are these people called Gobblers that steal children and then take them to the North to do terrible things to them in a laboratory (in essence, ripping their souls away from them -- since it is a fantasy novel, their souls are personified into these little animal companions with names), leaving them ghost-like shells that eventually die -- and at one point, a child gets sacrificed by someone you think is a good guy. There is a terribly gruesome scene where two polar bears fight and the gore and description turned my stomach. It was all just disturbing to me."

Now you know what your child will experience if you let him or her read the book. As for my family, this is one book, and one movie, that we'll skip.

 

People Like Jesus, Not the Church?

I just completed a great book by Dan Kimball, "They Like Jesus But Not the Church."  Excellent book! It may be controversial in some corners, but I believe most of the book is dead on.  I have talked to so many people who have told me they were interested in Jesus, just not church, or they "really like God but not organized religion."  Have you ever heard that?  Have you ever thought that? 

Here are the six perceptions of the church held by emerging generations, according to Kimball:

1. The church is an organized religion with a political agenda.
2. The church is judgmental and negative.
3. The church is dominated by males and oppresses females.
4. The church is homophobic.
5. The church arrogantly claims all other religions are wrong.
6. The church is full of fundamentalists who take the whole Bible literally.

Keep in mind, these are not the author's viewpoints, but the viewpoints of totally unchurched people he has encountered.

If you're interested in being a church that reaches people who aren't even looking for a church, read the book and then let me hear your thoughts.  If you've already read it, what did you think?

Have You Read Ted?

I just finished reading a book and have to tell you about it!  It's a novel by Ted Dekker, and the title is "Three."  Great book!  I read it in three nights - had to stay up past 2am the third night because I couldn't put it down.  If you like reading mystery/thrillers, you'll love Ted and "Three."  I'll give you a little tease: the book begins with a man getting a phone call telling him that if he doesn't call the newspaper and confess his sin in three minutes, his car will explode.  That's where the fun begins!

I've also read "Black" and "Red" in Ted Dekker's The Circle Trilogy, and now I'm waiting patiently to get my hands on "White."  Christmas is coming up, right?

You can link to "Three" at amazon by clicking the link in the column to the right.  If you read it, tell me what you think!