Four favorite books of 2009

I read quite a few books this year as well as portions of many others. Here are my top four books that I read in 2009.

Mad Church Disease; Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic by Ann Jackson

For my engaged learning project in one of my seminary classes this semester, one of the things I learned about myself was that I was on the fast-track to ministry burnout. The primary book that I read about burnout was this great book by Anne Jackson. I thank God for Anne Jackson. Since then I have read her blog and she has written more great stuff along the lines of burnout, ministry and setting boundaries.

Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel

Kimmel is author and founder of Family Matters ministries In this book he likens many Christian parents’ attempts at rearing children to putting together a puzzle without first studying the completed picture located on the cover of the box of puzzle pieces. Kimmel states that families of faith tend toward extremes, either being overly permissive or overly legalistic. Lots of good tidbits in this book. I liked the first half of the book over the last half.

The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner’s Semester at America’s Holiest University by Kevin Roose.

Roose, a journalism student at Brown University decided to go to Liberty University for one semester disguised as a Christian. He journals his thoughts of evangelicalism and Liberty University in a unique fashion. Roose had one of the last interviews with Jerry Falwell before he died in 2007.

Already Gone: Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it by Ken Ham and Britt Beemer

I am still reading through and processing this book. It is thought provoking and causing me to re-strategize some of our focuses at the Gospel Center. Basically the premise of the this book is that two-thirds of the young people are already gone, for good, from church. With the help of God, I refuse to let this happen at the Gospel Center.

What where your favorite books this year?