Resources Books

I keep coming back to this book for my business practice because it touches on important topics and the "white elephants" we don't like to talk about in corporations. The case studies and stories illustrate some alternative ways to think and act at work to bring back the human dimension. It is a book one can take action on to start meaningful conversations that people are hungry for in the workplace.

As one of the earlier authors to espouse the benefits of 'spirit' in business leadership, Russ Moxley challenges the 'executive-as-leader' model by offering a 'partnership-as-leadership' model. In this two-part book, Moxley first demonstrates how traditional (command-and-control) leadership negates "who we are", both as leaders and as followers. Then, in Part Two, he discusses how both leaders and followers must change in order for organizations to tap into and benefit from spirit - find meaning and purpose in what they do. Leaders must first tap into who they are rather than think about what or how they (leaders) do things. Once self (identity) is found a leader must: tend to the process, participate fully, and refuse to be 'the' leader. Followers must learn to: choose courage, be present, and avoid crowning the bosses.

This is not a how-to book, but a thoughtful discussion that contains nearly as much personal reflections as it does stories of actual leadership situations. It is easy to digest and can be recommended for an evening read by a warm fire, when reflecting is the desire.

Dennis DeWilde, author of
"The Performance Connection

Our struggles in the American workforce cause us to focus on reforms, programs, additional training and tougher evaluations. Worthy efforts, but those still don't fix the problems. Russ Moxley has captured in an easy to read, thought- and heart-provoking book, vital characteristics and behaviors which have the potential to solving some of those issues. I have observed in many organizations the three (3) practices that will create dispirited organizations. Those descriptions alone are worth the price of the book and if addressed, have the potential for transforming a workplace. The five requirements for a new model of leadership will create spirited thoughts and conversations for all who read it! There are very important lessons in this book. You'll be glad you read it, and you will have new insights into how to create a spirited workplace.

Leadership & Spirit by Moxley (brought to you by those folks at the Center for Creative Leadership) manages to be clear, engaging, and concise with an economy of words that borders on simply being beautiful. No fluff or padding here. It's sprinkled with quotes from all aspects of life that highlight and explain a particular process or idea (i.e. courage, coercive power, spirit, team partnership, etc...). Most importantly, this is not more pop psychology, New Age spirituality, or academic business theory. It simply and subtlety touches timeless truths without demeaning them or reducing them to blandness. While not written down to anyone, it has somehow brought to life the simple wisdom we know lies under the surface of complexity. If you're "there" or get some of it (ref: the simple sayings of Chauncy Gardner in the old Seller's movie "Being There"), this can help you get more of it. The vision thing ... `maybe not as elusive as we think! If Covey is too wordy and leaves you frustrated about how to get "there", if you admire the courage of a nay-saying Morton Thiokol engineer, or if you appreciate pithy references to people like Coach Phil Jackson, physicist-theorist David Bohm, philosopher Ken Wilber, or business leadership prognosticators Warren Bennis and Peter Senge or are just looking for inspiration and suspect that our species is moving out of coercive behaviors for dealing with life's challenges, then this book could be for you.

This book was recommended to me by our Lead Pastor for the ministry internship that I am doing with him. We are working through the book, chapter-by-chapter. I have been in church leadership for over 20 years and could have greatly benefited from this book if it were available back then. I'm thankful that it is available now for us. It's a must read for seminary students and professors and anyone currently in church leadership or aspiring to church leadership.

I have read this excellent book by Anderson, Personally I want to say that this book is excellent and extraordinary. Because of his insight and scholars background plus his background of practical ministry that make this book became awesome. Beautiful insight and the richess of his experience make this book easy to read and nice. I encourage to all Christian leader to read and apply this principle in this book, this is a book for the future leader in this generation and to the next generation. Thanks and God bless you.

This was a great book. I thought of many mistakes I've made in the ministry.

This book is a steal! Where [can] you get in one place such practical wisdom from a successful, significant, and sacrifical pastor like Leith Anderson. He successfully combines an understand of character and comptence, with a conviction that great leaders have both.

He successfully juggles the practice of pastoral ministry with the ability to write and speak about the broad spectrum of pastoral ministry. Leith is one of the top five communciators about pastoral ministry in North American today.

One quote sums up the book: "Leadership is figuring out what needs to be done and then doing it." [51]

When you read Leadership That Works you are not hearing primarily about the success story of Wooddale Church, you are hearing about the principles of leadership that actually will work for you in your place of ministry.

I can personally testify to the validity of Leith's ministry having heard him speak, engaged him in dialogue, visited with him in his own church for worship, and seen his authentic ministry at work.

This book was surprisely quick and easy to read yet very thorough. Any church or small business would benefit from reading this book. It's model is similiar to great world class companies, but is unique with it's theological links. It also recognizes the problems that happen in any small company...even churches....! It recognizes too everyone's desire to work in a place and do things we are passionate about!...Worthwhile for the entire staff to read!

George Cladis has written a great book--the best I have found on team-building in the church. It is an easy read, very practical, filled with a lot of good ideas. I found his chapters on team covenants and on creating a visionary culture particularly helpful.

Cladis has learned a lot in his pastorates about teamwork--and teaches those principles well. He motivates me to want to build a strong team--not be a lone ranger in the pastorate. And he gives lots of ideas on how to do so.

What a breath of fresh air to see one with such an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit coming from a traditional mainline denomination. This book does more than just exhort you to form teams, it tells you how to create a culture of teams that will make your church more effective for the Kingdom of God. This one has definitely made my top-ten list!

In Leading the Team-Based Church, George Cladis weaved together principles from theology, ecclesiology, sociology, and business to create a rubric for applying a team-based model for doing ministry in the church. Cladis's thesis is that the historic hierarchical organizational model of top-down, leader-directed ministry is inconsistent with the nature of God, the New Testament pattern of church ministry, and the needs of a postmodern culture. The cornerstone of Cladis's paradigm is his premise that the persons of the Trinity exist in perichoresis, that is, as a team comprising perfect unity, fellowship, harmony, love, and purpose. The perichoretic Trinity thus becomes the exemplar for team-based ministry in the church. Part 1 explored the theological underpinnings of God as perichoresis and outlined nine characteristics of postmodern society. The seven chapters of part 2 examined the seven forms of leadership reflected in the attributes of God's perichoretic nature in juxtaposition with the characteristics of post-modernism and how these lend credence to team-based ministry in the church.

Review and Reaction
Cladis's interpretation of the Trinity as perichoresis forged the basis of his understanding of team-based ministry in the local church. While not appearing in the New Testament, perichoresis is a compound Greek word literally meaning "circle of dance" (4). To Cladis the Trinity is a perfect team. For him, the perichoretic image of the triune Godhead provides a helpful way of viewing the church and its organizational structure. Specifically, the church should work in perfect harmony, equality, and purpose, thus reflecting the image of God.
Cladis further asserted that the perichoretic model of the Godhead most accurately reflects the demands of a postmodern society for flatten hierarchical organizational structures that value individual giftedness, equality, and collaborative efforts. Cladis suggested that modernism promotes rugged individualism to the exclusion of community. Church structures that reflect a modernistic mindset are less inviting to postmodern people who value participation in decision making, inclusiveness in action, and personal fulfillment. Perichoretic team-based ministry, therefore, provides a more appealing model for postmodern people.
Cladis overreaches his thesis by insisting that team-based ministries are "the most theologically and culturally appropriate method for church leadership today" (17). His premise is specious at best and arrogant at worst. Such an assertion casts immediate aspersions upon centuries of church history. If one accepts Cladis at this point, then any form of church organization not based on teams is not just inefficient, but incongruent with the very nature of God.
One can make the point that scripture does not provide a definitive model for church organization. Allusions to church organizational patterns in scripture are more descriptive than prescriptive. Even the language of church leadership varies within the New Testament--pastor versus elder versus overseer. First century Christians initially adopted the Jewish synagogue model because it was the one most familiar to them, but later developed organizational models that more adequately met their evolving needs. The early church organized its ministry efforts around the needs of its constituency (such as the addition of an incipient deacon ministry in Acts 6:1-6). Their efforts were more pragmatic than theologically informed. They simply acted to meet the needs of the day.
Cladis makes a better point that a team-based ministry more effectively meets the needs of contemporary postmodern believers. The seven team attributes of covenanting, visioning, culture creating, collaborating, trusting, empowering, and learning, detailed in part 2, forms the book's core strengths. Cladis discussed each attribute biblically and then related each to his perichoretic model. Occasionally, he provided insights from the business world and fictionalized church settings to illustrate the efficacy of a particular attribute. Cladis's frequent references to his perichoresis model and to Rublev's icon of the Holy Trinity were distracting and thoroughly unhelpful. One draws the impression that Cladis is attempting to baptize the business model of teams into the language of the church--an unnecessary effort to spiritualize the secular to make it more appealing to the sacred. If a team-based model for ministry works, and does not violate scripture, then employ the best of what the business world has to offer for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

Application
Cladis's seven characteristics of team-based ministry can fit well into today's church. Many are intuitively self-evident. The church exists in covenant with God and with one another. This covenant identity does not cease in staff meetings or in church council meetings. What healthy church does not want to have a unifying vision from God that creates a sense of purpose and provides meaning to its efforts? By in large, churches want to develop a cultural ethos reflecting it uniqueness as the people of God. Maturing church members want to contribute their gifts and talents toward a collaborative, trusting, empowering, and spiritually fulfilling mission. Many of Cladis's seven characteristics have an ethereal quality to them. They are better identified by the effect they achieve than the effort needed to achieve them. Nonetheless, they represent biblical ideals church leaders should strive to achieve in their ministry settings.
This reviewer has sought to apply these characteristics to a new preschool ministry team. The team of four mothers of preschool-aged children organized themselves around the mission to create a safe, secure, and satisfying nursery and preschool experience for children from birth through age three. The members have complementary skills and are highly motivated. The initial organizational meeting was unfocused because the members did not know how to work as a team. This pastor introduced the members to Cladis's seven characterizes for healthy teams. Some of the characteristics will take time to formulate, however the team was excited about the characteristics of vision, collaboration, empowerment, trust, and learning. The members embraced their vision of creating a top-notch preschool environment. They made a mutual commitment to work together to fulfill this vision. Only time will tell how well this new team can develop Cladis's characteristics.

Conclusion
Leading the Team-Based Church does what it needs to do. It provides a beneficial contemporary model for ministry leadership in a postmodern world. The old-style hierarchical pyramidal leadership model served the church well for more than one hundred years because it was how people were used to the world operating. It was sociologically consistent, fitting the prevailing worldview. The Medieval monarchical bishopric model worked a thousand years ago for the same reason--it reflected how people related to one another in a feudal society. Through the Renaissance, Reformation, and the Industrial Revolution, the way people viewed leadership changed. Each time this happened the church accommodated these sociological shifts and found the necessary theological support. Cladis does no differently. Sociological shifts notwithstanding, Cladis's seven attributes of team-based leadership are worthy characteristics for any church.

This is a well resourced book with lots of ideas for subjects across the curriculum.The photocopiable materials are varied and nicely produced. Be careful however and make sure you choose the Learning centers book appropriate for the age group you want to teach. I made the mistake of buying a Learning Centers book for older children when I really needed it for Early Years.However, there are ideas in the book which I can adapt and use.

As a first year middle school teacher I am always searching for books that will help me make my classroom more meaningful. This book has really helped me to set up my class. It has great activities for those higher kids who finish their work before the others. This is a wonderful resource for my new classroom library!

As a first year middle school teacher I am always searching for books that will help me make my classroom more meaningful. This book has really helped me to set up my class. It has great activities for those higher kids who finish their work before the others. This is a wonderful resource for my new classroom library!

As a first year middle school teacher, I am constantly looking for resources that will help me make my class more meaningful. I have found a great resource in this book. It has great activities for those higher kids who finish their work before the others. It is also great for reinforcing activities that you have already done in class. This is a great book to have in my beginning classroom library!

There's a great guy on my church board that flips out whenever anyone uses the phrase "paradigm shift," so in his honor I will say instead that what Dr. Farber-Robertson has done here with the conventions of ministerial leadship is a kind of aikido - you don't know quite how she can read your mind or how she could have been present at your last committee meeting, but her understanding of ministerial dynamics is profound. Not only that, she deftly and with great honesty, insight and integrity, changes the rules of the game so that you are empowered rather than whithered by her astute perceptions. As any practicing parish minister knows, congregational life is breathtakingly challenging as well as deeply satisfying. Dr. Farber-Robertson understands the intricacies of power, communication, mutual understanding and genuine collaboration. I could recognize myself in virtually every case study that was presented. This was both discomfitting as well as reassuring. But the best reason to read this book, in addition to feeling as if you've had a session at the mindreader's, is to learn about ways to rethink what you're doing as well as the strategies for change. And it won't matter what brand of minister or rabbi you are - her understanding of the traps we create or find ourselves in, and the path to liberation and transformation, apply to any religious leader who wants with all of their heart and soul to be a more skillful and powerful force for embodying Love's purpose among human beings.

I strongly recommend this book. Although it is written within the context and perspective of professional ministers, or students of ministry, the suggestions apply to anyone who wants to improve his or her communications with others, and better understand the "whys" behind the ways in which we fail our intentions by self-made traps of "skilled incompetence". This book has impacted my thinking in many positive ways. As I began to implement these strategies I was able to effectively mediate between people in my organization, to help them see how they got to where they were, and to commit to taking constructive practical steps to reconcile their differences. I also helped resolve a family squabble by unraveling the misunderstandings that arose from unspoken, wrong assumptions. I am very glad to have these new tools and skills for better communications, which have given me more confidence in facing those inevitable knots in relationships that need to be undone.

I am just back from a workshop on reflective practice with seventeen theological students. We used Anita's book as background reading for our encounter. The students demonstrated an ability to engage in the challenging work so well described in "Learning while Leading" This book earths the complex theory and practice of action science in a manner that enables beginners pick up and run with the concepts. I witnessed the enabling power of Anita's stories and teachings. These students engaged in real co-consultancy of one another's ministry. I recommed the book to beginners and to those who are experienced in reflective practice. It is a good read and a cleverly written handbook for those serious about learning to be effective in ministry.

There's a great guy on my church board that flips out whenever anyone uses the phrase "paradigm shift," so in his honor I will say instead that what Dr. Farber-Robertson has done here with the conventions of ministerial leadship is a kind of aikido - you don't know quite how she can read your mind or how she could have been present at your last committee meeting, but her understanding of ministerial dynamics is profound. Not only that, she deftly and with great honesty, insight and integrity, changes the rules of the game so that you are empowered rather than whithered by her astute perceptions. As any practicing parish minister knows, congregational life is breathtakingly challenging as well as deeply satisfying. Dr. Farber-Robertson understands the intricacies of power, communication, mutual understanding and genuine collaboration. I could recognize myself in virtually every case study that was presented. This was both discomfitting as well as reassuring. But the best reason to read this book, in addition to feeling as if you've had a session at the mindreader's, is to learn about ways to rethink what you're doing as well as the strategies for change. And it won't matter what brand of minister or rabbi you are - her understanding of the traps we create or find ourselves in, and the path to liberation and transformation, apply to any religious leader who wants with all of their heart and soul to be a more skillful and powerful force for embodying Love's purpose among human beings.

Such a shame that this book is out of print. I have 3 copies and gave away many when I could get them. I am a cook of 50 years and have a very extensive cookbook collection. This is an amazing cookbook and is my favorite among a hundred or more. Very simple dishes I've not found anywhere else and each one is delicious. If you can get your hands on one, don't hesitate.

I have owned this cookbook for 20+ years and I would love to be able to give one to each of my children now. I have never found a bad recipe in this book and they are all easy to make.

I'm so sad this book isn't in print anymore because it is the perfect cookbook to give someone that doesn't know how to cook. She gives recipes for cooking steaks, baking potatoes, and other simple tasks. She also has wonderful, easy recipes that always turn out perfect. This is not a low-fat cookbook, but it is good! My favorite recipe in the book is Chicken with Mushrooms. The chicken is sauteed in a skillet and you add a little sherry. Delicious! Get a copy if you can.

This book was given to me by Lulu's daughter-in-law years ago. Seeing myself not as a beginner, I initially dismissed the book as perhaps being to easy. After trying some of the recipes I changed my mind--terrific dishes! Every recipe I tried was a keeper. I only wish it was still in print so I could give new copies away as gifts to "beginner" cooks. Mine is terribly worn out but I love it just the same to this day and reach for it regularly on those hectic days. Thanks Lulu!!

Hello,
As the Author of the Legend of Lutung, I would like to give my customers a brief synopsis of this amazing young adult fantasy adventure. I like to read the cover of a book before I buy it, so here is what is printed on the back of my book.

In a cave deep in the earth, Evil is locked away. Out for a day of bird hunting, Crispin and Kendo happen upon the cave, exploring it's hidden treasures, they accidentally release the Evil God Lutung. Lutung and his four demon lizards take the boys and the island hostage. Now it's up to the boy's older brother Serafin, and his animal friends to face the battle of a lifetime, and put Evil back in it's place.

I was asked to do some editing of this novel when it was being written. I must say that I found myself getting so caught up in the story that I had to remind myself occasionally that I was supposed to be reading the book as an editor. Janice does a fantastic job of describing her novel's characters and she brings them to life with their "own voices." As I read the book, I had the images running through my mind as if I were watching a Disney production. In fact, I believe that this story could easily be adapted to such animation. At my age, I'm no kid, but the kid inside of me got very excited and caught up in The Legend of Lutung. As cliché as it sounds, my opinion is that this novel is for "kids of all ages," even us adult kids.

I liked the The Legend of Lutung alot. I read it and read it and I liked all of the people in it. I liked Coco the Cocoanut Crab the best. I want to read it again.

I love this book so much! My Mom and I read it together two times and it was so fun . I liked it as much Harry Potter. my favorite character was Coco the crabby old cocoanut crab. He made me laugh alot. I am going to tell all my friends about this story.

Although this is somewhat irrelevant to the book itself, I'm amazed that David Brower was able to write such an articulate, evocative ecological eye-opener at the age of 82...which is not to say I applied a lower set of standards to the judging of "Let the Mountains Talk, Let the Rivers run". Such a bias wouldn't be necessary for the book to be praised and revered by all environmentally-conscious readers who happen upon it; in this, the era of unfettered desecration and destruction of the Earth, the former president of the Sierra Club provides a much needed argument on behalf of all those who enjoy nature and, also, all those who merely want their descendants to be able to breathe . In the gentlemanly prose he maintains throughout the book, Brower explains the necessity of wildlife preservation, what the restoration of the planet would entail, and the political factors involved in the environmentalist movement; he recounts pass successes of the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, encounters with prominent individuals such as FDR and John Muir, and, when he was a boy, describing the beauty of the pristine bay area locale he grew up in to his blind mother. Aside from issuing an eloquent "call to arms to those who would save the Earth", Brower also seems to attempt to convert those who have not yet recognized how nature can enrich their lives tenfold; from dramatic descriptions of his mountaineering exploits to waxing poetic about

the simple enjoyment one derives from observing creatures in the wild, he tries valiantly to convey the euphoria one attains from cherishing and truly experiencing the wonders of the Earth to the unenlightened. All in all, a fantastic book that ranks as one of my all-time non-fiction favorites, and required reading for all the indolent armchair environmentalists like myself who desperately need a motivational boost to start working at saving the planet.

I'm about 180 pages through the book and have been marking it up extensively for future reference. Brower does an excellent job of summarizing a lot of current and older but useful thinking on environmentalism. Each time I go back to my reading, I keep wanting to refer to earlier passages, so I look for an index. In fact that's why I'm writing this brief review. I hope that the publisher sees it and actually produces one for a future edition or printing. It would be very helpful, since I'm sure I'll want to come back to the book.

Over the last several months, I've hit upon the topic of saving the earth from another author, Daniel Quinn, the author of Ishmael. The goal is the same, but Quinn offers an alternative way of thinking that I find quite interesting. I'd like to ask both Brower and Quinn what they think of one anothers approaches, but, of course, that is now impossible in the case of Brower. If anyone knows whether they have ever met or read about one another, I'd be interested in knowing their reactions to the other's work. Since Quinn's approach is not an environmentalist's approach, I doubt that they have knowledge of one another. However, Quinn is pretty savy on all aspects of saving the earth.

I don't know if I specified it was OK to show my e-mail address, but here it is if someone wants to respond: mtn_view@sirius.com.

This novel was great. It was innovative and original. Unlike a lot of environmental books, this one wasn't dull or scientific. Instead, it reached out at you with it's practicality and simplicity. Brower uses real life examples to make his ideas tangible to the reader. This book was well written and is a modern Must Read. Get Inspired!... Read this book.

The Late David Brower takes us through the journey that was his life. With explicit detail, david brower shows us the world in his eyes. His deep passion to inspire everyone with CPR ( conservation preservation restoration) and respect for the environment in which we live in is truly written with heartfelt words, and continues to move me. Founder of Friends of the Earth and Earth Island Insitute, Browers Legacy will indeed never be forgotten. Being so involved in some of the most important national monuments to be made such as dinosaur national park, his spirit and love will forever shine through in his life work to both serve and protect mother nature in all of her natural glory. Told by Brower he takes you on the path of his life, both past and to the present, giving such details of an exciting and meaningful life, such as his times with the wonderfully talented photographer the late ansel adams, work with JFK, and much more! From start to finish this book is indeed a classic, and a wonderful tribute to the late archdruid himself.

Finally a career guide that helps you navigate and integrate the resources of the internet in your career journey. Knox and Butzel don't just have a bibliography, they give you the URL right in the text. You can read this book in front of your computer monitor! Your surfing will take on new meaning as you link to other useful information.

The model "Finding Your True North" is the best I have seen. User friendly to career voyager and counselor alike,it integrates the best of the past and creates something new. The Spiritual Autobiography activity is a powerful career assessment tool. This is one of many useful exercises to help you put your plan together.

These two seasoned career professionals have woven a new garment, bringing career development process to life and clothing us with the best of the internet's career resources. Bravo!

Terence Lee, President, International Association of Career Management Profesionals, IACMP, Boston Chapter

This book offers an integrated approach to the human and spiritual development of the individual seeking to find meaningful work. The authors have made a convincing argument for the need to change the way we approach our work and the changing nature of the workplace. References are made to help the reader increase her understanding of the stages of self-actualization. Understanding the nine stages of career development provides yet another roadmap for assessing one's readiness to begin the journey toward finding fulfilling lifework.

A Beginners Guide to the Internet takes the reader through the first stages of increasing one's comfort level with the net. Even advanced users will find some interesting tips.

This book contains some fabulous self assessment exercises which are at the heart of discovering one's True North... the career and lifework objective through which the individual finds fulfillment. Over 150 websites are included with references for their best usage. You will learn quickly and easily how to search careers and jobs online and post a resume. It's literally a one-Stop shopping center resource with its companion website. Check it out, you will love it.

I have started to keep Life Work Transitions.Com close at hand. There's so much good stuff here that I keep going back for more; turning over in my head what I've read; and looking forward to sections that I have not gotten to - yet.

Whether you're in the midst of a transition or trying to make sense of the constantly changing world of work and how you fit in, this book has the breadth and the depth to help you tackle the job. I like the tie-in to the Web site; but I like even more the balanced perspective that the two authors bring to the table. The book is both high tech and high touch, which in this "fast company" world of ours, we all need. This is a keeper.

This book is the best, state of the art, tool that will guide you to find your life's work and how to create it. Deborah Knox is one of the rarest and finest career counselors today. She has translated her belief that we all have a purpose here into a functional map for realizing our dreams. This book is a rare opportunity to be guided by a master toward creating our personal vision.

This is a wonderful resource for the classroom. It really cut down on the amount of work I had to do to put together a unit.

I am very happy with my purchases. I got both Of Mice and Men and To Kill a Mockingbird and cannot believe all of the information, activities and ideas! Everything I need to teach my ninth graders the content standards, and the novels. I wish I had found these a few years ago--they would have been a lifesaver for me as a new teacher. These Literature Guides were recommended to me--and now it is my turn to do the same! Great product! VERY highly recommended.

I just received my order and I am absolutely floored with the amount of materials available. Clearly focused on my needs as a high school teacher, and clearly DOES meet the content standards. I have recommended this line of guides to several teacher friends. Yeah! I can have a LIFE!

I ordered another lit guide (Of Mice and Men) and was very pleased, so I ordered TKAM for my 9th graders also. From vocabulary, to quizzes, to a unit test, to their phenomenal "Standards Focus" activities, I can relax and TEACH! What a concept! This company truly delivers on what they claim. Highly recommended.