Organizations and Institutions Books

This work, the second of a set of three, continues General Newman's lessons in leadership, specifically designed for military leaders but with universal application.
There is some repetition due to their origin as periodical essays in ARMY Magazine, but this does not detract from their value to anyone in a leadership situation. In fact, it might well be said that with diligent application of General Newman's principles, one could hardly fail.
(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings).

This is a book I've always recommended to young men and women entering the military as officers. It gives the best explanation, through anecdote, of how to be a good leader, even when you lack experience. As I reflect on my memories as both officer and enlisted, I now see how these topics relate to civilian life just as well. Dealing with people never changes. You must understand them, and they must understand you for real communication to take place. Aubrey Newman delivers a beautifully simple explanation of senior-subordinate relationships, and how both can respect the other

...for three classes of human beings: 1) musicians, including those who perform and those who listen knowingly, 2) historians of the Middle Ages and Early Modern, 3) Catholics interested in restoring the orders of worship and liturgy in Latin prior to the reforms of the 1960s. I cast my lot with classes 1&2, and I'm broadly sympathetic with those in class 3.

The volume contains a historical overview of the formation and evolution of liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church, concerning both parish and monastic practices. It also describes the liturgical calendar in careful detail, with the goal of re-attaching music and liturgy to their appropriate sacral contexts. Regional and national variations are examined, as are the most important manuscript sources for early liturgical material. The changes that followed the Tridentine Reforms are analyzed, as are the insular liturgical practices of the Church of England. Part IV focuses on the practical uses of published liturgical books for conducting liturgical events, with or without music; this is such a convenience for both liturgists and musicians that I consider it indispensible.

The volume also includes nearly 100 pages of appendices, addressing details of the liturgical calendar, the psalter and its incipits, the most common antiphonal texts with translations, and a various compendious glossary of words and phrases of importance to historians as well as musicians of the whole 2nd Millenium.

The author, John Harper, was a professor of music at the University of Wales, director of music at the Birmingham Metropolitan Cathedral, and a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford.

Harper's book is the best in-print general introduction to medieval Western Liturgy. Harper does an excellent job of explaining complex liturgical matters in the simplest way possible, but quite accurately. The tables showing the contents of the rites are particularly useful, as are the bibliographies and the glossary. The book is of special interest to those who generally like to ignore what happened to the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church in the 1960's and 1970's. And for Anglo-philes quite a bit of information is given about medieval English liturgy as well as the reformed English liturgies from 1549 to 1662. Overall, a fantastic introduction and an indispensable resource for those interested in traditional Western liturgies.

This book was life changing for me. The book contains 18 homilies given by Jose Maria Escriva. The homilies address the Christian vocation and the importance of building a personal relationship with Christ through prayer. The book is simple, with clear examples that are geared towards the ordinary worker/family member living in the world, trying to achieve holiness.

I was first introduced to St. Josemaria Escriva through his many quotes in the "In Conversation with God" series. St. Josemaria was obviously a very meditative priest and he also had the ability to portray his spiritual discoveries to others. He has a very direct manner in presenting his topics. There is so much material to think and pray about and I find it can often be just one sentence that really strikes a chord in my soul. I have never been disappointed with this Saint's writings.

Richard M. King has written a beautiful book about finding your life's purpose by working for a nonprofit organization or charity. From Making a Profit to Making a Difference is a step-by-step guide that leads the way through challenging transitions from a profit-oriented world to a people-focused world of nonprofit organizations. He shows you how to write an effective resume when applying for a nonprofit job and explains "strategic volunteerism."

Chapters:

1. Assimilating Into the Nonprofit Culture
2. Transferring Business Skills to the Nonprofit Sector
3. Classifying Your Nonprofit Interest
4. Strategic Volunteerism
5. Networking in the Nonprofit Sector
6. Resumes and Cover Letters for Nonprofit Jobs
7. Compensation in the Nonprofit Sector
8. Directory of Nonprofit Recruiters
9. Professional Fund Raising Consulting Firms
10. Selected Professional Associations
11. Sources of Philanthropic Information
12. Resource Collection

The author mainly wrote this book for business professionals who have been considering a new career in the nonprofit sector. The following may be of interest if you are considering a job change:

Identifying Your Transferable Skills

The broad scope of activities the nonprofit sector offers - lists of charitable purposes and causes

Questioners to determine your main interests - this helps you identify the type of nonprofit organization that interests you

If you have a desire to make a difference in the world, this book will encourage you to make the transition and enter a world where you start to enjoy your life and you actually love your job. If you are interested in volunteering, Richard M. King also offers quite a few chapters to help you determine your main interests.

You may also enjoy:

Non-Profits & Education Job Finder by Daniel Lauber
International Job Finder by Daniel Lauber

~The Rebecca Review

Even in our economic downturn, wonderful career opportunities exist -- and this book shows you where to look! Well-written and extensively researched, From Making A Profit to Making a Difference offers excellent advice and tons of practical information. This book is a must-read for everyone who wants a satisfying career making a positive difference in our world!

Michael Johnston's written the best guide on online fundraising around. Lots of detail and practical advice. Well worth reading.

There is no doubt that Johnston's book is the most thorough study to date about how nonprofits utilize the Internet. It's full of real examples, which is a rare thing in Internet literature. Usually, it's just about potential and hype. Now, we've got some real data.

This book is excellent for anyone in ministry, from lay member to Apostle or Pastor. Anyone who is a musician/minstrel in the Kingdom of God should have one. It is also a great text for teachers of praise & worship. This book should be read by anyone who wants an understanding of praise & worship in the church. It's for those who love it too!!

This book has changed my whole perspective of praise and worship. Even the historical view of the tabernacle in connection with the new testament today, has really taught me alot. After reading this book, my praise and worship has never been the same. Sometimes I wish I had the knowledge that I have gained from this book, a long time ago; just maybe I would have been at a higher level than I am right now in praise and worship. This book is truely an eye opener to the gates of freedom and the power that comes through praising God and worshipping God. While reading this book, I could have literally sensed the presence of God and the anointing, taking me into a new level of praise and worship. I won't tell you everything about the book, but one thing I could say is that it is necessary for anyone to read it. I am telling you, the level of your praise and worship would go higher and you would never be the same again. Get your book "gates of freedom" NOW !

Timothy Maschke is a professor of theology at Concordia University Wisconsin (Mequon, Wisconsin). This is a textbook prepared for his students for the study of Lutheran understanding of worship.

As with many textbooks, Maschke gives a broad overview of the theology and practice of worship--presenting facts and thumbnail sketches of different schools of thought--and attempting to generate critical thinking on the student/reader's part.

The major divisions of the book include Dimensions of Worship (What is Worship?; Lutheran Liturgical Tradition; and the Church Year); The Lutheran Liturgy (historical development and analysis of the various parts of a Divine Service); Worship, Music, and the Arts (their historical and future place in a worship service); Festival and Occasional Worship Services (Holy Days, Festivals, and Daily Offices); Prayer and Readings in Worship; and Variety in Worship.

Maschke is solidly liturgical in his writing. He assumes a familiarity with the Divine Service and occasionally argues for it above contemporary, praise-band-style, a-liturgical worship. He focuses heavily on artistic expression within a divine service and on the vocation of "reader" in worship. He is thorough in his presentation without bogging the reader down in details. Pictures, charts, and graphs are liberally used in the textbook.

This reader found the textbook to be excellent and containing many pithy gems of wisdom. However, two points merit attention as I feel they are weaknesses in the book. In the section "Festival and Occasional Worship Services," Maschke presents some of the second-tier holy days (Ash Wednesday, midweek Advent Services, etc.) quite well and presents a plethora of fine suggestions for conduction worship...however he doesn't address the top-tier Christian Holidays (Christmas, Easter) nor uniquely Lutheran festivals (Reformation Day). Second, even though this book was published in 2003, since its publication, Maschke's denomination (The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) has published a new denominational hymnal (the "Lutheran Service Book"); Maschke relies heavily on the older (outdated) hymnal, "Lutheran Worship." There is much cross-over between "Lutheran Worship" and the "Lutheran Service Book," but "Gathered Guests" could use an update that syncs it with the newer hymnal.

However, these two minor points do not detract from the usefulness of this text book. It is helpful for pastors as well as laity; organists and worship leaders as well students. It is highly recommended as an introduction to Lutheran/liturgical worship or as a resource for new ideas in liturgical worship. Highly Recommended.

NOTE: Concerning the above criticism, Maschke is set to publish a second edition of "Gathered Guests," which is based upon the newer "Lutheran Service Book." It is scheduled for release in January 2009.

This is a textbook for seminary students and also possibly for those training in related vocations such as Deaconness or Director of Christian Outreach. It is also very well-written for the serious lay reader. An amazing amount of historical and current material about Lutheran Liturgy has been researched and boiled down in quite interesting fashion. This book was a LOT of work, clearly. It is an introductory text but is jam-packed with info. Some topics are: history of liturgy, the Church Year, vestments, music, architecture, religous art, the various parts of the Service of the Word and the Service of the Sacrament, morning and evening prayer, readings, small-group worship, etc. Very comprehensive and quite interesting for those who want to learn in this area.

This book provides good quality material for interfaith services and informal worship celebrations. I am a Christian Educator working with all age groups in a large suburban setting. I count it as an invaluable resource.

This volume contains a global collection of materials for worship planning. Material is organized in several ways: by parts of the order of worship, by the liturgical year, by sacraments and occasions such as communion, baptism, weddings and funerals, and for special topic usage. Included are international artists' interpretations of scriptural events, which can be reproduced with proper credit given. Aside from worship planning, this volume provides spiritually uplifting and soul-searching reading for personal reflection.

What is the purpose of the church? Why does she exist? Watchman Nee answers these questions thoroughly by showing us four types of the church in the Bible. And it's good news, because the church truly is (and will increasingly be) glorious!

God's purpose is to gain a group of people who are like Christ!

Nee begins with a description of God's plan for man, and why man was created. We're shown comprehensively that man was created to have dominion in this earth, including over Satan! Unfortunately, man fell from his original calling. However, Jesus came, and Satan had nothing in Him! God's plan is still the same for us, to have dominion, and we can do that through Christ.

He then continues with Eve, a type of the church. This is a beautiful type. Just as Eve was wholly out of Adam, so the church is wholly out of Christ. The church is not composed of many individuals from various places, the church is Christ, Christ in you and Christ in me.
Next the bride in Ephesians 5 is scrutinized. Here we are told that Christ loves and cherishes His bride, washing her with the washing of water of the word! Here I hope you will realize, as I did, the privilege we have to be nourished and cherished by Christ!
He examines two more types, the man child in Revelation 12, and the New Jerusalem found in Revelation 21 + 22.

You'll discover the wonders and the beauty of the bride that is Christ's counterpart, a bride that you and I are called to be part of. Being a part of this breathtaking woman, we realise that we're only so dazzling because of Who He is, because all that we are has come totally from Him!

There is a deep divine revelation concerning the Church hidden in the Bible: God has been waiting thousands of years for His chosen ones to fulfill His purpose through the Church. The Glorious Church opened up this hidden matter and clearly showed what God's eternal purpose is, what the Church really means in God's eye, and what a Christian should properly respond to God's calling. The author of the book stood on a ground of eternity to speak for God to the Church today.

You need to read this book! I am one of those people who turn down the corner on pages with vital information and this book has so many dog eared pages that I had to read it again and again (you will too).

While not the life changing book that I found The Magic of Teamwork to be, I liken this to the great books I have read by John Maxwell, Harvey Mackay and Harry Beckwith. Fun reads, tons of nuggets to improve your life, your relationships and your ability to connect with others.

Buy this book and enjoy.

I purchased this book several years ago and it is one of my favorite books I have ever read. Pat Williams is a successful GM for the Orlando Magic but and even more successful father who has adopted over 15 children. His mix of business lessons from work and life lessons from growing his family is not only inspirational, but a tribute to what a person can achieve in life. He, like myself, is a great admirer of Walt Disney, and includes many stories about him in providing examples in his book. I think anyone who buys this book will be pleasantly surprised, educated, and inspired by this great book.