Organizations and Institutions Books

Dr.David W. Music does an outstanding service to the Christian musician who wants to know of the long-term history of musical instruments in the church. He is fair-minded and does not inject denominational biases into the work. He presents both biblical history from both the new and old testaments as well as many extra-biblical documents that are not as well know by many musicians. He acknowledges periods of transition and change in worshiping practices. This is an excellent book that deals with the essence of the topic with clarity and historical accuracy

I had to take a cross-cultural missions class this summer from Dr. Jim Lo. I never had Jim during any of my IWU undergrad work, so my perception of him was that he was the token missions guy... and he was Asian.

(Yes, I'm being quite confessionally raw here... bear with me)

At first I found myself amused at the fact that we'd be studying a book the professor wrote. As I dug into it, though, I was amazed at the different experiences Jim has endured simply by growing up Asian in America. Coupled with several of his stories about missionary experiences and speaking engagements at conferences, I truly found myself sucked into the world of global Christianity for the first time. The end result was that I actually began to see missions less as a program or something I did but more an organic part of who I am and what I am called to do.

This book is the second contribution of the author to the Oxford Monographs in International Law series, the first being "The United Nations and the Development of Collective Security: The Delegation by the UN Security Council of Its Chapter VII Powers."

In the present volume Dr. Sarooshi explores the various ways in which sovereign powers of nation states may be delegated to international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the European Union. Sarooshi carefully analyzes the exercise of sovereign powers by such international organizations as well as the relationships between such organizations and their member states.

Also examined is the question of the principles and standards that serve to constrain the exercise of sovereign powers by international organizations. These issues are increasingly important both to international lawyers and to others, as the role of such entities continues to be refined and developed.

Along with his previous monograph, this rigorously argued, meticulously researched, and original work marks Sarooshi as a leading scholar in the increasingly important field of international organizations. This book will no doubt play an important role in this developing area of international law.

The work covers many pertinent areas; such as, international legal capacity, international organizations, dispute settlement
mechanisms, the formation of European communities, the charter
of the United Nations and a fair amount of relevant case studies.
The book is scholarly. It is for serious students of world government, the structure of governmental organizations,
international law, international protocols and the legal
dimensions of world trade.

The authors bring years of academic and practical experience to this work designed as a college text. What sets it apart from other books in the field is its coverage of international organizations as agents in general, rather than specific histories and functions of particular, well-known organizations, although numerous case studies are presented to illustrate larger points. Specifically, it provides the basis for theoretical models concerning institutional behavior and provides something rarely reviewed from a comparative perspective in texts, international administration. The authors present well-built theories to explain institutional behavior and behavior of the individuals within them. It is a work that fills a gap and the revised edition will be welcomed.

I picked up this book and couldn't put it down until I finished it. It captivates you with such honest sharing and deep thoughts of the ways that God moved in Che's life. The stories are inspiring and motivating to seek more of God and to have more of God in our lives.

Dr. Seear shares his vast knowedge and experiences on the complexities of international health care. The book is well researched, easy to read and invaluable for anyone considering work in this field.

Written by two missions and church planting experts, this interesting book is written for mission and church leaders considering how to foster church planting movements like those already flourishing in many parts of the world today. Their last three chapters contain elements needed to empower the laity for ministry and personal discipleship figures prominently. But the book is more a theoretical reflection than a practical study on how to raise up disciples. A stirring read for those with a burden for reaching this generation for Christ.
-Dennis McCallum, author Organic Disciplemaking: How to promote Christian leadership development through personal relationships, biblical discipleship, mentoring, and Christian community

I loved this book. It was written with sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and openness.
I learned so much about the poverty in the Philippines, about this nutty religious revolution [el shaddai] that gets poor people to give their money to a modern day Elmer Gantry who is laughing all the way to the bank. I also learned a lot about beliefs in demons, devils, angels, etc.. What a bunch of nonsense. Of course the author tries her best to be nonjudgemental, to paint a fair portrait of this religious culture with respect and interest. She shows that this religious movement isn't all bad; it does seem to give people hope. But is is false hope, of course. The book ends with a dramatic climax as the author witnesses an El Shaddai leader abuse and berate a woman -- blaming her for all the troubles in her life.
This book was top-notch cultural anthropology. It was very well written, very intellectually-satisfying, and really painted a moving portrait of these poor people who are so desparate that they will give their last pesos to "God" in hopes of a few breaks in life.

Cnaan has done a brilliant job, bringing his research to lay people. In writing my dissertation on externally focused churches, I found this book indespensible in my literature review.