Organizations and Institutions Books

What is the architecture of an effective church? How do people "get along" well enough to manage the work of the church? What are the components of an effective church? As one of the authors of this book, I like to briefly highlight a few elements that might help you decide if the book is right for you. The book was written based on the past 50 years of ministry service to churches across the country by Lay Renewal Ministries. We have field tested this material specifically in churches in the USA since 1998.
First of all, for any church to be effective, it must be built from the top down. God must be in the forefront. The working of the Holy Spirit must be evident in the lives of the leaders and Body. There are four areas we addressed in this book - Mission (Motivation, Obedience, Vision, Attitude), Unity (Relationships, Communication, Structure), Planning (Objectives, Strategy) and Hard Work (Implementation). Each chapter has a Biblical character model as an introduction and study questions at the end. It can be used by an individual or in a group setting.
It is our prayer that this book will be a helpful resource tool as you seek to serve the King!

If you read Joy Dryfoos' book about Full Service Schools, you'll be excited about this "how-to" guide...it helps you turn dreams into reality for children and their families!

I guess it helps being an extremely old (the actual founding date is debated and discussed within the book) Ivy League university to get your very own historical and architectural guide published.

Part I of the book follows the development of the University from its initial charter through to its march to modern times. Speaking as an alumnus of Penn, I always though the University had an exceptionally beautiful campus, but its rich history was virtually unknown to me. This book makes it clear that the plan for institutional growth required the Deans, Trustees, and other campus leaders engage in detailed campus architectural planning - where, what, and how?. Only now can I appreciate the decisions and compromises made that are reflected by the campus architecture. The authors use the epilogue to address some of the myths that campus students have spread and continue to perpetuate.

Part II of the book is a detailed review (North, South, East, West, and Central campus) of the current structures on the campus. Each building gets its own entry detailing its address, date of construction, purpose, and accompanying photo.

The book is chock full of diagrams, illustrations, and photographs showing the campus and the movers and shakers that shaped it.

This is the perfect coffee table book for graduates of The University of Pennsylvania.

Bill Hull demystifies the commitment predicament of the modern church and larger society. It takes a HARD look at leadership! Be ready to be slapped about as you read this rivetting and cutting guide to developing higher commitment!

Some months ago I set as a goal for myself the promotion of the ideas of Joseph Cardianl Ratzinger as a source of a far, far richer appreciation of the Eucharistic Liturgy. I have read and continue to read the Cardinal to further my stated goal. However, perhaps more importantly, I find in the course of this exercise my own appreciation of the Liturgy being significantly enriched.

Participating as a Deacon at the Liturgy can very easily become a matter of routine, mere ritual. One must spiritually "pinch" oneself periodically to bring about a renewed sense of the importance of this, the Catholic's central act of worship. This particular book is just that; a spiritual shot in the arm to renew one's faith and love in our most beloved treasure, the Eucharistic Liturgy.

A NEW SONG FOR THE LORD is far more than just about song at the Liturgy. There's Scripture, History, Theology. This group of collected essays builds a fundamental basis for the Liturgy itself as the book's sub-title suggests, "Faith in Christ and Liturgy Today." We must once again refocus our liturgical attention upon that to which it belongs: Jesus / God / Adoration. Cardinal Ratzinger points out the danger of the congregation focusing upon itself, of the community celebrating itself and thereby becoming a vehicle for merely social purposes.

We get the "Song" right when we have gotten the fundamentals of the Liturgy right. We thereupon can join with the angels in a most beautiful act of worship on that special day called the "Lord's." We've been prepared for it because already the Cardinal has given us a renewed appreciation for that day of days: the "third," the "first," the "eighth."

In contrast to some of the other of Cardinal Ratzinger's books, this one is a fairly easy read. Anyone seriously interested in the Mass and its attendant liturgy should find this book a most valuable encouragement that the Church truly does understand itself and its worship. Liturgists and church musicians alike should make available a special spot on their book shelf for this important, little tome. In fact, every Catholic should find in A NEW SONG FOR THE LORD a valuable source of rejuvenation and edification.

I give this one a five star rating for everyone.

The book I read is called "The Wish" and for me this book was Great! The book is about a ordinary girl named Wilma that everyone thinks is a slut, and to make her life even worse, her L.A teacher reads her embarrassing imaginanation essay out loud that turns out to humiliate her. All the popular kids tease Wilma and all she wants to do is cringe into a corner. But that changed when an old lady asked her for a wish. Wilma wished the wish she would always want, to become popular. The next day when she goes to school her life has become popular. Now forty boys asked Wilma to the Grand Night Dance and she doesn't know which to chose until Jared and her become real Good Friends! But she doesn't know how long this spell of popularity will last hopefully she will still have a boyfriend and hopefully it wont vanish before the dance or graduation! Will Wilma's Fairy tale dream end shortly or will it last forever?

Great guidlines for school design. Photos, descriptions, methods and standards all in one easy-to-use volume. How convienient! Go Hughes! Perkins and Kliment have done it again! Greatness!

Once you start it is hard to put this book down. The story of Sister Margaret is a tale demonic possession, sex, and hate. At the side time the secret convent life of the 17th century is exposed. The book is an easy, entertaining read that also teaches of female religious life in early modern Europe. It is a refreshing way to approach history and the subject of women and convents.

By Faith: Christian Students Among the Cloud of Witness brings the history of student Christian movements in the United States to the attention of contemporary students. By Faith highlights significant issues, leaders and events in student Christian movements.
--- from book's back cover

I just received a wonderful book on the Roman military. It is called "CAESAR'S LEGIONS: the Roman Soldier from 753 BC to 117 AD". There are loads of photographs and over a dozen color plates! This is written by Nicholas Sekunda, Simon Northwood, and Michael Simkins. There are 143 pages, 110 B&W photos, 37 line drawings, 4 maps and 24 color plates. The book is published by Osprey Books. Michael Simkins is a craftsman and historian who has many of his recreations of Roman armor on display in European museums and re-enactment groups. The book will be a great addition to the historian, reenactor and wargamer's library.