Book of the Month

Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church. Alan Hirsch. 296pp Brazos, US. $24.99

“In a captivating commentary, this Australian pastor and church planter argues that networks of believers play a more adept role at spreading the gospel than institutions. Hirsch doesn’t speak from an ivory tower but from the rough-and-tumble of a Melbourne neighbourhood. His ideas merit consideration as churches attempt to navigate their way through the confusing and often-hostile waters of adapting to the culture.” Ken Walker, churchcentral.com

Also available: The Shaping of Things to Come. Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch. Henrickson, US. (2003) $39.95.

Other featured titles

Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture. Michael Frost. 332pp Hendrickson, US. $39.99

Frost presents a biblical, Christian worldview for the emergent church, people who are not at home in the traditional church or in the secular world. He explores how Christians can live boldly and courageously in a world that no longer values the culture of the church, but does greatly value many of the things the Bible speaks positively about. Written in a conversational, easy-to-read style, Exiles is aimed at church leaders, pastors and laypersons and seeks to address complex issues in a simple manner. 

Punk Monk: New Monasticism and the Ancient Art of Breathing. Andy Freeman & Pete Greig 253pp Regal, US. $24.99

Who are the new monks, the new revolutionaries? The answer lies in an upsurge of 24-7 monastic communities around the world. Read about the beginnings of 24-7 Prayer Boiler Rooms and the roots of monasticism, particularly its ethos and values, and how these can be applied today.

Also available:

·         Red Moon Rising: The Story of 24-7 Prayer. Pete Greig & Dave Roberts. 348pp Kingsway, UK (2003). $24.99

·         24/7 Prayer Manual: A Guide To Creating and Sustaining Holy Space in the real World. Peter Greig. Nexgen, US (2005). $18.99

God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer. Pete Greig. 296pp hbk. Regal, US. $29.99

Greig writes out of the pain of his wife’s life threatening illness and also the wonder of watching the prayer movement they founded touch many lives. He wrestles with the dark side of prayer and emerges with a hard-won message of hope, comfort and profound biblical insight for all who suffer in silence. Includes discussion guide.

 Hymns for All Seasons. Jocelyn Marshall. 151pp. Jocelyn Marshall, NZ. $20.00

A new collection of 121 faith-filled hymns in accessible, modern language by Hamilton writer Marshall. Music is provided for 15 hymns. Tunes, mostly from Hymns Ancient and Modern, are recommended for the others.

 Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue. 2nd edition. Robert K. Johnston. Baker, US. $39.99

Johnston heightens readers’ sensitivity to the theological truths and statements about the human condition expressed through modern cinema. This second edition cites 200 new movies and encourages readers to ponder movie themes that permeate our culture as well as films that have demonstrated power to shape our perceptions of everything from relationships and careers to good and evil. Ideal for study groups.

 Also available on this topic:

·         Catching Light: Looking for God in the Movies. Roy M Anker. Eerdmans, US (2004). $39.99

·         How Movies Helped Saved my Soul: Finding Spiritual Fingerprints in Culturally Significant Films. Gareth Higgins. Relevant, US (2003). $24.99

·         Finding God in the Movies: 33 Films of Reel Faith. Catherine Barsotti and Robert K Johnston. Baker, US (2004) $29.99

·         Jesus at the Movies: a Guide to the First Hundred Years. W Barnes Tatum. Polebridge, US (2004) $39.95

Where’s God? Victor Kelleher & Elise Hurst. 32pp Colour. Lothian, Aust. $19.99

Peter is on a quest to find out where God lives. He has heard a lot about God, but nobody seems too sure where to find God. Follow Peter’s adventures as he determines to make The big discovery.

Faith Styles: Ways People Believe. John R Mabry. 127pp Morehouse, US. $31.99

Noted spiritual director Mabry suggests new ways of looking at how different people understand and relate to the divine. He explores the many styles of faith that characterise believers in all religions, examines the various modes of believing, and offers ways for spiritual directors to use this knowledge as they work with their clients. Includes illustrative case studies and practical suggestions for offering spiritual direction.

Theology of the Book of Jeremiah. Walter Brueggemann  213pp Cambridge University Press, US. $45.99

Brueggemann mines the theological insights of this major prophet for its contemporary relevance in a post-9/11 world. He specifies metaphorical and poetic modes of discussing as essential to critical reflection, and discusses Jeremiah’s stand-alone theological importance as well its relationship to the much of the rest of the biblical canon.

 Serve God, Save the Planet: a Christian Call to Action. J Matthew Sleeth. 254pp Zondervan, US. $28.99

Sleeth was living the American dream as a medical chief of staff, until the increasing number of chronic illnesses he was witnessing gave him a new environmental awareness. He shares his family’s journey to simplicity, stronger relationships, and richer spiritual lives, and relates a prescription for sustainable living.

Ecology at the Heart of Faith. Denis Edwards 146pp Orbis, US. $52.99

This remarkable contribution to ecological theology combines scientific cosmology and evolutionary biology with a deep conviction that humans are made in the image of God; and proposes that being made in God’s image involves both kinship with other creatures and the call to cultivate and take care of creation. 

Also by Edwards: Biodiversity and ecology an interdisciplinary challenge. ATF (2004) $39.95.

How Many Lightbulbs Does it Take To Change a Christian? A Pocket Guide to Shrinking Your Ecological Footprint. Claire Foster & David Shreeve. 64pp. Church House, UK. $18.99

This compact full-colour book provides 100s of practical ideas for making small changes to your lifestyle that can make a big difference to the environment. It will inspire you, your church, and your community towards actions that will reduce your ecological footprint, from turning off the tap, to starting a church compost heap.

Amazing Grace movie and books

The film Amazing Grace, based on the life of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce and starring Ioan Gruffudd, is currently screening in selected NZ cinemas. Click here for more about the film: http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/

Click this link to our April 2007 page featuring recent books about Wilberforce and slavery http://www.epworthbooks.org.nz/featured_books/featured_books_April_2007.htm

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