Life + Faith

Tag: Book Review

  • Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

    In this book Jerry Bridges writes about a number of sins the Western church has, for some odd reason, decided it’s OK with.

    The author focuses on the verse from 1 Peter 5:5, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”, and tackles the issues such as pride, selfishness, ungodliness, unthankfulness, anger, self-control (or lack thereof), impatience, envy, jealousy, sins of the tongue and many others.

    Grounded in the doctrines of cross and the sovereignty of God, Bridges calls his readers to take a long, hard, look at themselves. He encourages people to see the way following Jesus impacts their lives, each and every part of it. Behind that thick wall of pride what do we think and do that we tell ourselves is OK in little doses but really isn’t? It is a very searching and convicting book, highlighting the work of the Spirit to convict his readers about those sins he comments on.respectable sins by jerry birdges

    This is a really good and thought-provoking book.

    Bridges challenges each individual to be humble before the Almighty and recognise that there are sins, sins which we ‘take for granted’, that need to be confessed and repented of.

    At times you might debate whether or not everything he mentions are actually sins, but he writes in a humble and good-natured way that urges godliness. I found it a book that slaps you around the head a bit–but in a good way.

    It’s not a long book, finishing up at 181 pages. It would be a good book for small group discussions, or a preaching series. I’d encourage anyone wanting to flee from sin or grow in godliness to pick this book up, and read it.

    Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins: Confronting The Sins We Tolerate (181 pages, USA: Navpress), 2007.

  • Book Review: Leaders Who Will Last by Tim Hawkins

    Book Review: Leaders Who Will Last by Tim Hawkins

    Tim Hawkins has been involved in youth ministry here in Australia for many years. Leaders Who Will Last is his second book on the topic of youth ministry. His first, Fruit That Will Last, was written in the late 1990s and is a foundational text for youth ministry practitioners, particularly here in Australia. Before reading Leaders Who Will Last I’d highly recommend reading his first.

    Leaders Who Will Last, published in 2002, is, as you can imagine, all about youth ministry leadership. I have just finished my first reading of it and would recommend it to anyone in the youth ministry field. However, this book is not only for those in youth ministry on a paid basis, but for anyone involved in a voluntary capacity–parent, youth leader, or small group leader.

    Leaders Who Will Last is grounded in scripture and gives good advice for youth leaders. There are three main sections of the book – vision, character, and skills.

    It is under vision that the biblical foundations are set. The issues of calling, shepherding, and servanthood are rightly portrayed as important. The main characteristics of a leader are to be faithful, reliable, and a follower of those in higher authority, such as the senior pastor, youth pastor, or lead leader.

    In terms of skills, the emphasis is on teaching the Bible, whether at the main youth gathering or through a bible study. This I find is a bit light, I think there are more things a youth leader should also be across, not just being able to teach the scriptures. In fact, I think some leaders may not even be able to do that, but there are other skills that they may bring to the overall health of a youth ministry.

    Hawkins also describes, albeit in 16 points, the various aspects to youth work and the type of person a youth leader can be. These include things such as, a pray-er, an organiser, and even a counsellor.

    Overall, I thought the book was good. An area of improvement would be a deeper theological basis for youth leadership and youth ministry in general. While a biblical theology of youth ministry is not what this book is, there are other places to find such grounding. I couldn’t recommend Mike McGarry’s, A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry more highly enough on this front.

    Much of what was written applies directly to me, particularly the issue of getting right with God and staying right. I must set my heart on his ways and his agenda. This book pushes me to pray more, particularly for my leaders, my peers, my kids, and my church.

    And finally, it is a book that I will recommend to other youth leaders. There is so much information in this book that is helpful to any leadership position, but specifically to those in youth ministry.