Resources Books

This book offers a great perspective on film acting. There are several chapters that address rather general info on acting, but what is really useful is dialectic in the middle. Written in play form, it goes over a newcomer's first day on the set and explains all the basics of shooting a scene, how to prepare, the names and jobs of everyone on a set, and set lingo. This book is extremely useful if you are planning on acting in film (whether it's a student film or the big leagues) and want to feel prepared for the experience. If you're a veteran or even have done several shoots, it probably won't be as useful to you, but it still provides a great, easy to understand breakdown. The repeated reference to set terms (i.e. craft services, 2nd AD, boom operator, director of photography) throughout the dialogue really drums in meaning instead of just being a glossary, though there is an extensive one in back in case you missed anything. This is a must read for newcomers to acting or filmmaking, for that matter.

I never really understood the film making process until I read this book. It is written with a real human spirit as he takes us through step-by-step. I felt as if I was on that shoot myself - nervous and anxious about everything that the character "Newcomer" was faced with and didn't understand. What a relief to have a book that finally explains all the terminology and gives specific advise on what to expect and how to meet the acting demands of working on a set. If you're in the Seattle area, you should check out his classes. He's a very gifted teacher as well.

Richard Brestoff discusses acting brilliantly and tells what we REALLY should know about acting in front of a camera and on a set/location for television/movie acting. This book was by far the most interesting, helpful, informative piece of literature about acting I've ever been so lucky to get my hands on! I only wish I could thank him personally.

Even as a non-actor, I found the comments and information in this book fascinating. It explains the duties of various film crew members, and details the steps involved in making a film. I'll never watch TV or movies the same again!

I have read all of Richard Brestoffs books. And taken many of his classes. By far, this was my preferred book that landed me a 3-day part on Melrose Place.

Dream your Dream, Buy this Book, and apply the techniques...

Thanks Richard! Matthew Lucas

Great tips on pet grooming.I think I want to have a career switch, and this book is helping me decide to head towards animal care. Thanks!

I stumbled across this book in a library, right after needing to take my cat to the vet. I had a bad experience at my vet, and wanted to learn more about the field, and this helped me enormously. I feel armed with valuable information after reading this helpful guide. A must-have for any pet owner! Meow!

I stumbled across this book in a library, right after needing to take my cat to the vet. I had a bad experience at my vet, and wanted to learn more about the field, and this helped me enormously. I feel armed with valuable information after reading this helpful guide. A must-have for any pet owner! Meow!

Aside from the fact that this is a voluminous source of information for pet care, I have found that the approach the author has taken is both informative and personal. This is a must read for new and veteran pet owners alike!

This book is filled with information that's relevant for anyone who's considered working with animals. I learned something I definitely didn't know, that it's harder to get into Vet school than medical school for humans! There's also a wealth of information about less rigorous careers animal lovers can pursue, from Veterinary Technologist to groomer, including how much money these workers can earn. At book's end, there's a fairly comprehensive list of addresses and websites for those who want to do further reading/research. A good resource for those who'd like to make a living working with animals of all kinds.

Every questioning Catholic should read this catechism. It explains what the Church has always taught. Those who are confused by the Novus Ordo Church will certainly benefit from this Traditional Catechism written for Catholics of all ages.

Formerly called the Roman Catechism, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) said in this edition of the catechism that this is an important Catholic catechism.

St. Charles Borromeo was the chief editor of this catechism and later published by the degree of His Holiness, Pope St. Pius V. Pope Leo XIII recommended the Roman Catechism to all seminarians. His successor, Pope St. Pius X issued this [the Catechism of the Council of Trent] to be used by the religious to instruct the laity on the Catholic Faith. Recently, Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Alois Ratzinger) recommended it as an important Catholic catechism to be read.

It covers each detail of the Seven Sacraments (*Seven Holy Mysteries) of the Catholic Church including the Our Father (Pater Noster) and Hail Mary (Ave Maria).

*Seven Holy Mysteries is the name of the Seven Holy Sacraments but is commonly used by the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church (ie. Byzantine, Maronite, etc).

The greatest catechism recommended by the saints--some who were Popes and a great theologian.

Every Catholic home should have this important catechism about the Holy Catholic Faith as it was reaffirmed by the present Holy Father, Benedict XVI to be "an important Catholic catechism".

This is THE Catechism of the Catholic Church. Trash any imitations. This piece clearly and sternly explains the teachings of the Catholic Church in the face of the Protestant Revolution. Answers almost all questions about the faith which Protestants raise. Terrific! Super! Must-have! As timeless as the Summa Theologica.

CATECHISM OF THE COUNCIL OF TRENT. Rev. John A. McHugh, O.P. and Chas J. Callan, O.P. Referred to as the Roman Catechism, it was composed by order of the Council of Trent under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Edited by St. Charles Borromeo. Published by decree of Pope St. Pius V. Prescribed by Pope St. Pius X to be used by all priests in instructing the faithful. Recommended by Pope Leo XIII for all seminarians. Pope Clement XIII said it contains a clear explanation of all that is necessary for salvation and useful for the faithful. Covers the basic knowledge of the Faith by detailed explanations of the Ten Commandments, Sacraments, and each word of the Apostles Creed and the Our Father. Includes over 5 pages, for example, on just the word "Amen" at the end of the Our Father. Easy to read. Cardinal Ratzinger called this "the most important Catholic catechism" the most exact English translation available anywhere today.

This greatest of Catechisms was published after the great Council of Trent in response to the errors of the protestant revolt. It was edited under the guidance of Saint Charles Borromeo and was used for centuries (with the approbation of many Popes) as an important part in the formation of Catholic priests. It is specifically written to instruct priests and religious, but as the introduction to the work says, this catechism is designed for, "such as have care of souls in those things that belong peculiarly to the pastoral office . . ." So it is intended ultimately for the instruction of all the faithful.

While it is not a complete and exhaustive explanation of every detail of every dogma, it is designed to present a basic and overall understanding which any Catholic should possess. At a time when many Church teachings are greatly misunderstood by many even among the faithful of the Church, The Roman Catechism speaks with an authority unparalleled by any other catechism due to its centuries of hallowed use and approval by so many Ecclesiastical authorities and Supreme Pontiffs. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about understanding the Catholic Faith.

This text is thick but it is easy to read and understand. It lays out many change methods in a clear and concise manner that allows even a change novice the ability to evaluate and choose an appropriate change method for use in their situation. It is excellent as a college text as it enables the student to understand change methods in good depth with references as to where to find more information.

A good support text for the change agent, consultant or practitioner. Over 60 different types of interventions with clear descrition for when and how to implement.
The Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource on Today's Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems

The Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource on Today's Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems by Tom Devane, Steven Cady, and Peggy Holman (Berrett-Koehler Publishers) is the most comprehensive guide available to methods of organization and community change. It's designed for quick and easy access to information about high leverage change from today's foremost practitioners. This new edition is updated to describe more than 43 additional change methods and includes new chapters on selecting a method, mixing and matching methods, and responsibilities of the people involved, conditions for success, and more. This tremendously expanded second edition--400 pages longer, nearly twice the length of the first edition--will undoubtedly become the definitive resource in this rapidly expanding area.
This book offers practical insights and how to affect systems in positive ways to make them do the things we wish them to do and to mitigate the harm caused by some systems. Anyone who is interested in social change and personal change at any level will find the practical suggestions for intervention in this book to be positively enlightening.
In 1999, the first edition of The Change Handbook provided a snapshot of a nascent field that broke barriers by engaging "whole systems" of people from organizations and communities in creating their own future. In the last seven years, the field has exploded. In this completely revised and updated second edition, lead authors Peggy Holman, Tom Devane, and Steven Cady profile sixty-one change methods--up from eighteen in the first edition. Nineteen of these methods are explored in depth, with case studies, answers to frequently asked questions, and details on the roles and responsibilities of the people involved, conditions for success, and more. This tremendously expanded second edition--400 pages longer, nearly twice the length of the first edition--will undoubtedly become the definitive resource in this rapidly expanding area.
Simply put I can not find enough superlatives for the utility of this volume when it comes to explaining the practical steps necessary in systems change. The book is so comprehensive that many of the chapters could actually be books themselves. What is useful here is that one finds the boiled down essential information in one place. By offering potpourri of possible strategies group facilitators and therapists do not become overly committed to only a few strategies, but can find new ways to do old things better and with less effort and ways to evaluate old efforts that may have been well-intentioned but the intervention was misdirected. The book is a wonderful reference to the important evolving field of systems analysis and change. You overlook this volume at your peril.

EDIT of 9 Feb 09 to add links (capability not available at the time) and to commit to attending NEXUS II in Bowling Green, OH 30 Mar - 1 Apr 08.

I could spend the rest of my life trying to learn, use, and share each of the methods in this book, and never finish. When it was first published in 1999, it was before its time. Now, in 2006, this is a book made for our times, when Burning Man is now Green Man, Al Gore is a rock star, and even the greediest Wall Street CEO is starting to realize the party is over and we have to get real, real fast.

I have been an admirer of Free/Open Source Software (F/OSS) and a champion of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), and have gradually learned about other "opens" that are coming to the fore: Open Spectrum, Open Access, Open Culture, Open Innovation, and of course George Soros' Open Society. From this book I now add Open Circle, to complement the Open Space concept I learned recently in Seattle's Town Hall while listening to Paul Hawken talk about the World Index for Social and Environmental Responsibility.

I have to confess that this book is over-whelming, and I can barely scratch the surface. This is more of a book where you should read one author, one segment, each night, and fall asleep thinking about how to implement that one small section, how to embrace someone else and engage them with that one method.

Having three teen-agers, all three of whom have completely rejected the prison/child care format and the rote learning objectives of the current school system (even as good as it is in Fairfax County) I will go so far as to say that this book, combined with serious games/games for change, is a complete one-to-one substitute for our current educational process.

Everything in here is what we *should* have learned in school, what we *should* be practicing in fulfilling our civic duty (what we *actually* do is described in "The Cheating Culture," "Confessional of an Economic Hit-Man," and "Rogue Nation").

I am moving quickly and heavily into the intersection of Collective Intelligence (see my reviews of "The Tao of Democracy," "Smart Mobs," "Wisdom of the Crowds," or my longer list; and Natural Capitalism with its "true cost" meme. See my reviews of Paul Hawken et al, "Ecology of Commerce" and "Natural Capitalism," of the varied books by Herman Daly, and soon, my reviews of "The Great Turning," the "Omnivore's Dilemma," and others. For a broader sense of the possibilities, check out "Earth Intelligence Network" online.

I still have the 1970's operating manual for spaceship earth someplace in my lower library. This book is the manual for spaceship earth for our children and those of us recommiting ourselves to the joy of learning and changing in our later years. It's not over until *we* decide its over.

See these other books that have also inspired me and given me hope:
The Tao of Democracy: Using Co-Intelligence to Create a World That Works for All
Society's Breakthrough!: Releasing Essential Wisdom and Virtue in All the People
How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas, Updated Edition
A Power Governments Cannot Suppress
Escaping the Matrix: How We the People can change the world
One from Many: VISA and the Rise of Chaordic Organization
All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity (BK Currents)
The Average American: The Extraordinary Search for the Nation's Most Ordinary Citizen
Running On Empty: How The Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It
The Soul of Capitalism: Opening Paths to a Moral Economy

My lists are also a fast path to collections covering the ten threats, twelve policies, eight challengers, and various other aspects of saving humanity and the Earth from outselves.

We have been waiting for that book for a long time. Peggy Holman's Change Handbook is now available in its second edition. Since its first edition in 1999, it has increased in volume and in significance. Holman and her co-authors describe 61 collaborative methods that can be applied for working with large groups in private corporations, the public sector and for the development of democratic institutions. The book provides more than a thesaurus and an encyclopedia of change - it contains probably more than 90% of the current world knowledge on whole systems change applications. Beside the well-known methods and frameworks such as Open Space Technology, Appreciative Inquiry, etc. there are a lot of new methods that I have never heard of. Unfortunately, there is no article on Worldwork and the Process Oriented Psychology Framework. Next Edition, please?

The Change Handbook is very well organized, methods are categorized and there are good hints for when to apply the different methodologies. It is a must for Change Practitioners. If you are keen on The Standard Reference, you need to buy The Change Handbook.

The Children's Ministry Resource Bible is the best. With all the helpful lessons in it, right with the text, anyone can easily teach an evangelistic or discipleship lesson for children. There are more resources in in that I have ever used and I have had one for over 10 years. A constant friend and companion for a Bible teacher for children, my Children's Ministry Bible is the totally the BEST!!

Special features: "The Wordless Book" uses colors to present the gospel message *Teacher Training section shows how to communicate Bible stories simply *Lesson outlines *Footnotes clarify important terms, phrases, and ideas *Concordance *Color maps *Presentation page *and more! size 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" x 1 1/2" 1760 pages hardcover from Nelson

I saw this at "Teaching Children Effectively" by Child Evangelism Fellowship. This looks like the perfect companion to the level 1 training. If you are a Sunday School teacher, Good News Club leader, AWANA Director, or Children's ministry worker, this is the book for you.

This resource is the best resource that I have seen. It is a great resouce for studing the bible as well as a resouce for teaching children.

This book is simply the New King James Version of the Holy Bible with a lot of extra's like good study notes, dozens of lesson plans, job aids, teacher training lessons, and other resources. It lives up to its title. I have used it for four years and have shared it with my Christian friends. A must have if you're a Sunday School teacher in a scripturely based church. Also a good tool for Christian Home School teachers.

This Bible is such a great resource! It's NKJ so it's a literal translation and there are footnotes for all the words kids might not understand. There are lessons throughout it that each present the gospel message in a way that both ties into the lesson and is clear for even very young children. I can't say enough good things about this Bible, even if you don't teach children, it is still an excellent resource. Anyone who has kids in their home or anyone who knows a kid should have this in their library.

There is no doubt that this thought-provoking book capitalizes on the passions which prove to compromise the human condition. The author utilizes moral wisdom handed down for nearly two-thousand years to confront the perplexed and wounded soul. It was very nice to read about the fact that those who engage in same-sex attractions should never be hated, scorned or dealt with unjustly or even uncharitably in any way! Bravo to this author for a well balanced approach to this contemporary and often thorny issue. I found the book to be replete with sage advice for all readers. No where did I perceive any Christian propaganda, as some may think and attempt to excoriate a most beneficial commentary of this kind. As we all may see the signs of the times, this book although short,will cast some light on relationships that's for sure. A smooth read, to say the least. If you want to gain a dramatical and somewhat humorous slant on the things of the flesh and the human condition that struggles, see the product link following. The Den of Iniquity

Thomas Hopko's sensitive and inclusive look at relationships is an excellent opportunity for anyone to fine tune and explore the meaning of relationship in their lives. Highly recommended reading for anyone.

The Author: Father Tom Hopko, one of America's leading Orthodox theologians, author of many books, professor emeritus at St. Vladimir's Seminary.

Writing style: Succinct, clear, to the point. The whole book is just 126 pages, about half of those being notes.

Topic: The relationship between Orthodox Christianity, love, and same-sex attraction.

You will expect the author to scripturally and traditionally explain why same-sex genital relations are incompatible with Christianity. He does a good job of this, citing not only the Bible and Patristics but many current authors who disagree.

Father Tom also does a superb job of differentiating for Enlish-only readers, that Love has four components, Agape (charity), Storge (affection), Philia (fraternal love), and Eros (sex). He points out that in our fallen world, that it will be inevitable that many of us will have sinful passions of every sort, including an interest in same-sex pornia. He clearly separates this manifestation of God's providential permission from God's Essential Love.

In so doing, he shows that platonic same-sex love- in the form of agape, philia, and storge, is quite normal but argues convincingly that same-sex genital attraction joins a pantheon of other sinful desires, from gluttony to theft, as something we may have urges towards and even natures towards, but that we must deal with, not succumb to.

He then spends that last third of his monograph suggesting ways to live a Christian life and be welcome in the church and to deal with not only same-sex eros but a host of serious vices.

Perhaps his two most telling quotes are relegated to the footnotes. He quotes Saint Anthony to point out that all asceticism and mortification is not good, and that it can be pointless at times. He also has a wonderful quote about Christian living from the late Father Alex Schmemann; "It's how you deal with what you've been dealt."

Many readers who are same-sex practitioners won't want to read that their eros is a cross to bear, not a divine love. On the more fundamentalist end of the spectrum, some might have expected more condemnation from Father Tom (because they don't understand the Orthodoxy hermenuetic of Love, perhaps?).

Yet, Father Tom does a passionate defense of civil law, the civil rights of those in same-sex unions, and passionate chastisement of those who are too judgemental.

All readers will have to admit that this work is logical, compassionate, well-organized and researched, and in synchrony with mainstream Orthodox theology.

This is not a ponderous tome; it is a fresh and modest monograph. Those interested in the topic should take time to read it.

Christian Faith And Same-Sex Attraction by Thomas Hopko (Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir's Seminar) is an informed study presenting the visionary perspective of the church and the religious ideals towards same-sex attraction. Clearly defining theological and pastoral insights concerning the experience of same-sex-desires and acknowledgements, Christian Faith And Same-Sex Attraction analyses the nature of gender identity and sexuality through the perspective of Christian Orthodox theology and is very strongly recommended reading for members of the Orthodox Christian church seeking to understand the theological doctrines relative to the issues of same-sex attractions experienced by themselves and/or their friends.

Below is a review of Fr. Hopko's book that was unfortunately received by the publisher after the book had already gone to press, and was therefore not included with the final publication. Dr. Elizabeth Stuart is a Professor of Christian Theology at the University of Winchester. She is also a lesbian and a leading UK theologian specializing in Queer Theology. I believe the review speaks eloquently to the value of this book for those on both sides of this emotionally-charged issue. Her review is as follows:

"Although I profoundly disagree with the stance taken towards homosexuality in this book I found it a delight to read. It is a careful, compassionate and comprehensive discussion of contemporary same-sex attraction from the perspective of the Orthodox tradition. It is informed by gay and lesbian theology and other alternative perspectives. I would recommend it to all who study or who are personally involved in the issues around same-sex relationships in the Christian tradition, perhaps particularly to those not part of the Orthodox tradition, for the rich theology of that tradition frames the debate in very different terms to those of other denominations. This book holds out the possibility of a debate which need not fracture the Church nor create alarming levels of animosity between Christians. For this reason alone, it is worth reading and engaging with."

The Christian Life Hymnal was recommended to me by someone on an accompaniment forum who used it at church services because it contains a host of well known songs in different keys. I found it to be a great resource for some lesser known and beautiful arrangements of songs that fit very well into service. I highly recommend it as an addition to a standard musical library of well known hymnals and religious music books.

Nice burgundy outside; hardcover. Some of the songs it has in slightly different versions.

I own dozens of hymnals, mostly fairly recent (meaning published in the last forty years), and I love singing hymns. I would have to say that this is one of the most attractive collections I've seen for use in a hymn sing, and many congregations would probably find it a good choice for a pew hymnal. It has almost all of the "old favorites" that a Baptist or Methodist is likely to want to request at such a singing, as well as almost all of the old standby hymns of mainline American protestantism, and no specific sectarian bias that I can detect aside from a general conservatism. Most of the texts are not appreciably modernized or gender-neutralized (though it does give "Good Christian *Friends*, Rejoice"). Where there are two common tune traditions for a given text current in American protestantism, both are often accommodated (e.g. "O Little Town of Bethlehem" to both Forest Green and St. Louis; "Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus" to both Hyfrydol and Stuttgart). Among the roughly 600 songs, there are 16 by Fanny Crosby, 24 by Charles Wesley (who turns 300 this year) and 20 by Isaac Watts. Recent hymns are fewer, but there are several by Keith Getty, Hillsong's "Shout to the Lord", and some others of the type. Almost nothing from the mainline hymnic "explosion" of recent decades, though: 1 by Fred Pratt Green, 0 each by Wren, Troeger & Dudley-Smith... To my surprise, only one Gaither piece, no Andraé Crouch, and no "Victory in Jesus" or "I'll Fly Away"! So it's only 5 stars, not six. But then, my six star dream hymnal would have to be at least twice as thick and twice as costly.

My family wanted several (matching!) hymnals for our family devotional time, and so my internet search begun. I wanted a hymnal that had all of the old standard doctrinally-rich ones, such as "A Mighty Fortress is our God," "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise," "The Church's One Foundation." It's amazing how many hymals I found that did not contain all three of these! I also wanted other favorites of ours that are common, but not quite as high up there on the list of standard hymns that most Christians (at least before the last decade or so) know, such as "Day by Day," "Be Thou My Vision," and "And Can It Be."

This hymal was a perfect fit for us. It contained all of those. It also has a few newer ones that are broadly known such as, "As the Deer" and "In Christ Alone" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. All of them, however, could be considered "hymns" with depth to them. In other words, there are none of the ones that are pure praise choruses.

Each hymn does have a verse cited at the top, and the translation used varies. We don't care for some of the translations used, but that's not a deal-breaker for us. We can always look it up in our New King James version.

We've been very happy with our set of hymnals. They're great for using within the family, having a hymn sing with friends, or in a church setting. Note that when there are several potential musical selections for a particular hymn, they are often all presented.

We purchased this hymnal for family use in conjuntion with the hymn study book, "Then Sings My Soul." The hymnal contains most of the songs we have studied. I appreciate that the editor did not change original words on hymns like "Come Thou Fount," as seen in most contemporary hymnals. The songs will be familiar to most Christians in Baptist, Bible, Community, and other similar churches. A solid hymnbook.

Very well done, great insights, author has a minimal amount of church experience but brings a wealth of wisdom and practical, applicable steps for creating clarity. Worth the price.

"Vision, mission, values, strategy"--terms that most church leaders are familiar with. Many churches have written statements to cover these important elements of ministry, but most of us struggle with putting them together for effective and God-honoring ministry.

Will Mancini has done the Church a great service in "Church Unique" to not only demonstrate the importance of each of these elements, but also how you can frame these pieces together to discover how God has created each church to serve in our local and global contexts. While I've read most of the popular books on church leadership and have understood the importance of these various pieces in leading a ministry, Will has helped me to bring them together into a vision framework that makes sense for us. While recognizing the value that WCA, Saddleback and others bring to the discussion, Will ably makes the case that God has a unique vision for your ministry--that may or may not look like the last big (or small) church seminar you attended.

As soon as I read this book, I bought one for each of our elders. The descriptions, process and exercises have been extremely helpful as we have been together, re-discovering God's vision for our next steps in ministry. It's given a framework that makes sense--giving us the confidence that God has a vision for us. While we have much to learn from Warren, Hybels, Stanley and others, Church Unique shows how we can create a vision frame that allows us to know what does and doesn't best fit us and God's vision for our church.

The final section of the book on advancing the vision is a practical tool, which I know we will be referring to regularly. Will gives practical insights in not only how we articulate and deliver the vision, but also what is often the missing piece--how we integrate the vision into our everyday ministry and mission.

If you are trying to get your staff and your church leaders onto the same page or are yourself wrestling with what God's unique movement is for your church and ministry, I would highly recommend "Church Unique" as tool in your journey.

If you are trying to lead your church to effectiveness and impact, Church Unique: How Missional Leaders Cast Vision, Capture Culture, and Create Movement (J-B Leadership Network Series) by Will Mancini is a "must-have" resource! Like very few books of its kind, this one is not only packed with ideas, it is presented in a clear and purposeful manner with implementation in mind.

Based on Mancini's work with Auxano, Church Unique provides a carefully executed, step-by-step walk through the concepts and practices that build a "vision frame." Discovering and articulating a compelling vision is at the heart, but developing the missional mandate (mission), motives (values), map (strategy) and marks (measures) are what provide the frame. Each step in the process is presented in a way that begs to be implemented.

If you long for clarity and a laser focus, this is a book you will devour, mark up, and wear out. I'm frequently asked what's the best thing I'm reading. Church Unique is a book I'll be talking about for a long time.

I have been fortunate enough as a Pastor to go through the Vision To Grow process outlined in
Church Unique in the past two churches I have served. In both, the process and results have been arguably the most significant thing I've done as a Pastor. The process outlined in Church Unique helps to articulate the UNIQUE context of your local church, not just slapping on the model heard at a conference or adopted by a mega-church.

Church Leader/Pastor Friend, this is the resource you've been searching for. You can not put a price on the clarity, focus and ensuing movement you will help facilitate through this process explained in Church Unique.

This book reads like a cross between text book visioneering, story telling narrative (i.e. Patrick Lencioni's work) and inspiring coaching.

No brainer. Get this book.

It's rare to visit a church, read its mission statement and then conclude, "What a great match!" For that to happen, the church's vision must be clear, appealing, and most important, truly reflective of the unique culture demonstrated by the church.

Back in 1992, when churches were just beginning to think about vision statements, George Barna wrote a highly popular book called Power of Vision. In it he defined vision as "a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God."

I predict Will Mancini's Church Unique (2008, 271 pages) will succeed Barna's classic as the go-to book for church leadership discussions because it does even more than help you articulate a vision for your church. It goes further. It helps you "cast vision, capture culture, and create movement," as the subtitle forecasts. The book affirms that your church is "stunningly unique," and then helps you turn your church's one-of-a-kind potential into a model of ministry that leads to a redemptive movement. It understand that each church models a culture reflective of its particular values, thoughts, attitudes and actions. Using numerous specific-church examples, it walks you through the process of vision focus and alignment within the context of your church's unique culture.

Mancini, a former pastor and now church consultant, also explores pitfalls that often trap churches, such as adopting the latest conference technique or following a Band-aid approach to addressing deep-set issues.

CHURCH UNIQUE will benefit any type of church leader, whether megachurch or church plant, mainline or non-denominational.

The book is release #25 in Leadership Network's series with Jossey-Bass. It references in several places another excellent Leadership Network book -- Culture Shift: Transforming Your Church from the Inside Out (J-B Leadership Network Series)by Robert Lewis and Wayne Cordeiro with Warren Bird (Jossey-Bass, 2005).

Warren Bird, Ph.D., is Research Director at Leadership Network, and co-author of 19 books on various aspects of church health and innovation.

I was a police officer in Maryland in the fall of 2001. I was privileged to command a group of officers from my agency for three days in New York during the relief effort.

Being there was a life-altering event. Reading this book brought all those feelings back. It is a cliché but in this instance an apt one, this book is a MUST read.

The book captures the "being-there" feelings that relate to the 9/11 event and directs these feelings and experiences into paths that can bring the reader closer to God.
The author makes the story personal without being too personal. It's a "just right" way to tell a story that would make any writer wonder where to begin. Amy Bartlett's recollection of her own 9/11 day was a good way to set the scene and to introduce herself and her pertinent thoughts. She provides a selection of personal stories gained from interviewing others, a fair sampling of the many many stories that this day caused. We will all remember "where we were when..." This is a good gift book - especially for a New Yorker to give to a non-New Yorker.

As one who was THERE, laboring for two weeks at ground zero as a firefighter and chaplain from Colorado, I can say without hesitation that Amy Bartlett captured the moment within the pages of her wonderful book.

I was moved to tears over and over as I read her descriptions of New Yorkers' reactions to this disaster. Amy allowed us to get inside her skin and relive this event as one who actually lived in Manhattan. I came as a volunteer, and only briefly touched the lives of ordinary people who lived through this. While my time was with the rescue workers, her focus was on the thousands of ordinary people who lost loved ones, and had to find the strength to go on living long after the last body part was recovered, and the last wreckage was removed.

Anyone who desires to drink deeply from the cup of sorrow endured by so many, and yet also drink freely from the waters of hope and renewal, should read this important book. History will record the facts of this tragedy, but Amy's book will forever capture the heart of the people, and their struggle to regain that which was lost. Her words give us strength to rise out of the ashes of the rubble and take the hand of God, who will never let go.

The best book I've yet read on the September 11 attacks.
Amy Bartlett makes me feel I'm there. Great writing, a moving style, and genuine insight into the tragic events of that day. By all means pick up a copy and read it!

This book is a must read. Once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down. The author has captured the essence of what really happened at ground zero. The stories are very intense. She has interviewed survivors, police, rescue workers, fireman and Lisa Beamer.

This powerful book resonates with all Christians who feel that the church in America has become stale, compromising, and irrelevant for our times. How can we reach today's generations with authentic faith? How can we call on God's power to make a difference in our communities? This book provides an exciting answer -- to all who genuinely seek an active presence for God's church in these trying times. Renewal, revival, and community transformation ARE possible. May we join together in making it happen!

Jack Dennison has the best grasp of city-reaching than anyone I know so it was not a surprise to me that this book is so insightful and valuable in fleshing out the city-reaching vision. Jack masterfully describes the historical setting and the basic biblical principles involved in this stategy which has so completely captured the imagination of missiologists all over the world. This book is definitely a must-read for anyone really serious about getting involved in city-reaching. As a practitioner down in the trenches trying to make city-wide mobilization of the church a functional reality and not just a theroretical construct, this book is a real answer to prayer. If someone reads and digests this book, they will be miles ahead in the greatest innovation for end time harvest that can be imagined. Jack didn't write this book because he likes to write--he doesn't. He wrote it out of a passion to see the world reached for Christ. I believe God is going to use this book mightily to fire the imagination of men and women all over the world.

The concepts shared in this book have revolutionized my own life. My concern has moved from simply a local church focus to a vision for the whole church engaging the culture. Jack Dennison has opened a major window for the church in our generation. Not only does he demonstrate a fresh awareness of cities as a pivotal place of mission at this time in history but also a re-thinking of how the church operates as one unified church in an urban setting. I hope every serious Christian reads this book for it will undoubtedly spark a fire leading to transforming action just as it has in my life.

Dennison has produced an excellently articulated, well organized, and revolution-catalyzing challenge, and process guide. He has hit the nail on the head regarding the state of the Church in America. His experience has obviously prepared him for being an apostle to the Church and cities of America. His strategies for mobilizing the whole Church to reach the whole city are clearly set forth, Biblically-based, and logical. This book promises to be a transitional document in setting the Church on a new, transforming, and crucially needed course.

As the General Supervisor of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the United States, I constantly look for leading edge thinking to resource our 5,000 licensed ministers. Jack Dennison's book, CITY REACHING, is a seminal work which provides a strong biblical basis, historical precedent, and international testing for his city reaching model.

I ordered and distributed cases of this book to leaders including the 225 Divisional Superintendents in the U.S. I believe CITY REACHING will provide the platform for experimentation and a growing body of literature that will inform a return to reaching our cities. I will continue to use this book as our primary resource for city reaching information.