On Wednesday this week I’m going on vacation. Yippee! You won’t see or hear me for three weeks. Lucky you. I hope that you have been able to grab some time away or are planning on doing so in the next few weeks. If you are, indeed, planning some downtime, let me suggest some books to read when you are lounging at the beach/lake/patio/whatever. These are the highlights of my last year of reading.
Small Faith, Great God by NT Wright
Faith, says Wright, is like a window. The point is not for part of the wall to be made of glass. The point of a window is to allow us to see through it - and let light into the room! Faith allows us to see our situation and our own weakness in light of God who is powerful, holy and loving. Wright also looks at the character of the faith God calls us to. He unfolds how dependence, humility and mystery all have a role to play. God beckons us to lean on him as we seek to be constructive citizens of the world, to speak truth in love without hypocrisy and to risk submitting to one another in love.
The Anxious Generation Goes to Church by Thom Rainer
Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z reports experiencing at least one mental health problem in the past two years. Gen Z is the loneliest generation of Americans, lacking deep relationships and offline connection. Sixty-eight percent of Gen Z feel like nobody knows them well. That is one reason why this generation is called the anxious generation. Researchers have identified everything from social media to pandemic lockdowns as the prime culprit of why Gen Z is struggling with issues like mental illness more than other generations. Rainer looks at the unique opportunities open to the church to reach this generation for God.
Looking for God in Messy Places by Jake Owensby
The author, who is the Bishop of Western Louisiana give us hope. Life is messy. We can get discouraged by setbacks, overwhelmed by busyness, and shaken by worry. Hope is the power that gets us out of bed in the morning and gives us the courage to face adversity. Rad this if you have ever been frozen in place by loss or regret, anyone who has endured suffering, cruelty, or rejection.
The Spiritually Healthy Leader by Dave Wiedis
Don’t be misled by the title because you are not a pastor. The principles the author outlines are suitable for leaders in any walk of life – business, state, community, and family. The Spiritually Healthy Leader uncovers the core commitments that threaten to sabotage your relationships and calling. Most leaders don't usually implode from outside pressures; rather, they are most often incapacitated from their inner struggles. The author helps us all uncover what is functionally most important to us, understand how our core commitments or "ruling passions" can hijack our lives, marriages, and careers, and gently guides us to grow in our passion for God.
Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire by Preston Sprinkle
A thoughtful exploration of the intersection of faith and politics, Exiles asks: What if we considered ourselves "exiles in Babylon" and turned to Scripture, not political parties, to shape our most passionate values? The author reminds us that the first-century church was not an apolitical gathering, where Christians left their Roman politics at the door. It also wasn't a place where Christians mounted a Roman flag next to-or above-a Christian one. Church was a place where God's plan for governing the world was revealed, where one could witness what it means to follow the Creator's design for human flourishing. This book helps us get all the noise in perspective.
And here is one additional recommendation from our Lay Associate for Adult Formation:
How God Changes Your Brain by Andrew Newburg
I read this book years ago and have not stopped thinking about it since. The blending of faith and science was helpful for me in so many ways. I will be hosting a class on this book on Sundays during the month of August and while you are not required to read the book, I wanted to give you the opportunity to pick it up if you are interested! Here is a brief summary:
How God Changes Your Brain by neuroscientist Andrew Newberg explores the fascinating relationship between faith, spirituality, and the human brain. Drawing on decades of research, Newberg examines how practices such as prayer, meditation, compassion, and contemplation can physically alter neural pathways, reducing stress, increasing empathy, and fostering a deeper sense of connection with others and with God.
Written for a general audience, the book bridges science and spirituality, offering fresh insights into how religious experience shapes our minds and our lives. Whether you are interested in neuroscience, spiritual growth, or the intersection of faith and reason, How God Changes Your Brain provides an engaging and thought-provoking journey into one of the most profound questions of human experience.
Hope to see you at the class in August! -Emily