Last week in response to their query, I told my wife and daughters that a high-quality home theater with blue-ray DVD system would make a nice Christmas gift from them to me. Today I found out the price of those systems. A war immediately broke out between two conflicting inner voices, one of which said "You're an audiophile, you deserve it, and it will make the perfect compliment to your HD widescreen TV." The other inner voice said: "In these economic times, I think not!" I really like that system, but reason won the battle over fantasy and so I have instead asked for a more valuable but less pricey, long awaited book on Dr. Gardner C. Taylor, the greatest preacher of our time.
For ministry, nothing is better than a library which contains a variety of books which feed your spirit, expand your thinking, and provides practical, theological, and cultural perspectives from others which can be gleaned to benefit your own ministry.
A small sample of books that would make an exceptional gift, be helpful to ministry in the 21st century, and deserving of space in a personal library would include any of the following:
1. Preaching:
Teresa L. Fry Brown. Weary Throats and New Songs: Black Women Proclaiming God's Word.
2. Pastoral Care:
Edward P. Wimberly. African American Pastoral Care, Revised Edition.
Lee H. Butler, Jr. Liberating Our Dignity, Saving Our Souls.
3. Pastoral Leadership:
Jeffery L. Tribble, Sr. Transformative Pastoral Leadership in the Black Church.
James Henry Harris. The Courage To Lead: Leadership in the African American Urban Church.
4. Spiritual Food:
Charisse Carney-Nunes. Songs of a Sistermom: Motherhood Poems.
5. Ministry Profiles and Possibilities:
Ronald J. Sider and Heidi Unruh,ed. Hope for Children In Poverty.
6. Community Wisdom:
Cheryl Kirk-Duggan, ed. The Sky is Crying.
Cornel West. Hope on a Tightrope.
Robert M. Franklin. Crisis in the Village: Restoring Hope in African American Communities.
7. History
Thomas J. Sugrue. Sweet Land of Liberty: The Forgotten Struggle for Civil Rights in the North.
Taylor Branch. At Canaan's Edge: America in the King Years 1965-68.
8. Worship:
Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua. The Africana Worship Book.
But strive for the greatest gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:31
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12 comments:
I agree with about the books. I have quite a collection myself. Here are a few:
The Compassionate Samarai by Brian Klemmer
Six Battles Every Man Must Win by Bill Perkins
Until Today by Iyanla VanZant
One on One by MIke Singletary
(You come over to my house and watch my bigscreen though Rev!)
Thank you for recommending the books. Rev. do you whoop? Is it a dying art? I no whoop is not what your post is about.
But, I notice under the description of the book Black Women proclaiming God's word there were a mention of whooping.
My son-in-law does it somethings. I am going to You tube and see if there are some sermons by Dr. Gardner I believe I have heard him before but can't pin point that name.
Sis. B: My sermons definitely have a climax, but it is primarily rhetorical. I think there are various styles based on the personality and experiences of the preacher. I like to hear all styles, but my main interest is the substance and the point of the message.
Miles: Thanks for the invite. Man, I'm gonna come over. It seems as though you have some good books as well!
This Christmas I splurged on ME, Yay! I never do for Christmas. When The Hubby asked if I wanted anything in particular, I told him that he had already bought me a Wii & Wii Fit gaming system. He stared while trying to figure out why when I abhor gaming systems - they are a waste of time and talent. But one of the seniors at my church said her grandkids and great grandkids bought her one and she can't stop playing it; she's almost 80. Neither have I since I opened it.
It's an investment to help me move. So far, so good.
I can see by your recommendations that I need to update my wish list. I have some, but there are other books that I want.
(Have fun over at MPH until you get your own BluRay system. Who else is invited?)
HD: I am sooo jealous! My daughter who also abhors video gaming, has been begging for a Wii system. Ok. Maybe I need one of those too! Everybody come to MPH! we'll make it an event for the whole 'sphere!
Hi Pastor,
Wonderful recommendations!
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
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@ Annie
I honestly think that those of us who are assigned to the preaching/teaching hour should focus on substance instead of theatrics. I agree with RevvyRev.
I do realize that some people do naturally become emotional while delivering the Word of God but I have seen far too many performances in the pulpit...to "get the crowd going".
The intentional theatrics have an ungodly motive. It's all about glorification of the flesh.
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
Lol - Everybody's welcome! Just someone bring the food!
Thank you Rev. for your answer.
@Lisa "The intentional theatrics have an ungodly motive. It's all about glorification of the flesh."
You learn something new every day. I always saw whooping as a great way to close a well receive sermon.
For that reason I took it as a tool been used to help convey the message.
Are the books listed ones you already have or ones you are requesting as gifts?
The ones recommended are those that are presently in my personal library.
You made an excellent choice.
I recently posted on the Overspent American. You may find it of interest.
While browsing the Christian bookstore I spotted a 365 daily message book with study notes. It’s different from the usual devotional, and home waiting to be wrapped for me!
Thanks for the recommendations. Hubby is an audophile too. He's wanted a McIntosh amp and other stuff from the moment I met him. Those amps can cost 10 grand. Maybe in another lifetime?
This is for you for always keeping it real.
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