Organizations Books

I enjoyed the format of this book. Each chapter was written by a different person on an experiential basis. Very well written and useful for all educators. I'll keep it close by for reference.

this book offers the hope that educational leaders who engage in lifelong learning have the potential to create opportunities for increased student success in their schools. Such leaders, by undertaking to change themselves, can change the world as well.

The review written by "A reader Rockford, IL" is a very accurate review and this book is definitely five star quality. If you didn't believe there are suffering souls in purgatory prior to reading this book you will truely be a believer after reading this book.

Father John A. Nageleisen has written the best book on Purgatory ever to come into our hands. Unbelievable the amount of knowledge and facts it contains. Proofs from Scripture on the existence, location and spiritual torments of Purgatory. Tells what the fire is like, how it torments, etc. Extremely sobering. Gives the conditions of the Suffering Souls as to pain, sense, consolations, position, and unknown punishments in Purgatory. Analyzes the credibility of departed souls that have returned to warn those on earth. Includes the means of relieving the Poor Souls - holy water, candles, mass, prayers, alms, fasting, Holy Communion, the Blessed Mother, the saints, etc. Covers the motives for helping the Poor Souls, and how they assist their benefactors in both spiritual and temporal affairs. How they assist us in death and before the Tribunal of Judgement if we have helped them. Contains novenas, prayers, litanies, rosaries and the Seven Offerings of the Most Precious Blood for the Suffering Souls. They await our charity. Beautiful illustrations. Imprimatur of several bishops.

Fred Birkett is not just writing about charter schools. He runs the first charter school in Harlem, New York. He is a committed instructional leader with hands-on knowledge about how to make charter schools work. Buy this book and take it from a pro.

Charter Schools, by Frederick A. Birkett, is a well-written and informative guide for anyone considering an alternative solution to traditional public school education. Like the subtitle implies, the book includes "everything you need to know to make the right decision for your child." Debate over quality education (or lack thereof) in our nation's public school system is finally drawing the attention it deserves. Although my own two children are grown and have completed their schooling, I was interested in knowing what charter schools were all about. The concept, barely 10 years old, was not in existence when my sons were in school. But, what about the next generation?

To find out about this new trend in education, I searched for that one "perfect" book that could answer all my questions. Birkett's Charter Schools was the ideal choice. In a simple, straightforward manner, the author addresses everything from "what is a charter school?" to the wide range of flexibility permitted under the charter system, and the different approaches that make each facility unique. Birkett's step-by-step process of what to look for in a system that best fits your child's needs, includes: individualized instruction, class size comparison, and overall quality. In addition, he is careful not to overlook important details as transportation and before- and after-school programs. Finally, the author offers three appendixes of valuable resource material, including--basic facts and figures; state charter granting agencies, websites, publications; and, a complete list of "existing" and "newly approved" schools. I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in the subject!

Absolutely amazing. This study is a must for all pastors, ministry leaders, lay leaders, elders, deacons, or leaders. Leadership cannot be fully understood or lived unless it deals with the issues of the past and unless there is a thorough self-awareness of who a person is...Andy facilitates this process to take place through is study.

How many books are out on the market on the topic of Leadership? Yeah, lots. But, how many are workbooks that you can take a team through? Very few. That's why this book is so practical and helpful. A leadership team can work through this book and plan strategy. Andy Seidel knows what all good leaders achieve: proven results.

Peter McLaren has long been recognized as one of the pioneering figures within the tradition of critical pedagagy and his body of work thus far has been hailed, rightfully so, as cutting-edge in his field. Yet what makes McLaren's work both provocative and unique is that it transcends the boundaries of any one discipline--in this case, education, and speaks to much broader concerns within critical social theory as a whole. His latest book to which this review is dedicated, "Che Guevara, Paulo Freire, and the Pedagogy of Revolution," is arguably his most powerful contribution not only to social theory but to progressive Left politics as a whole. After reading this inspiring text, I was immediately reminded of E.P. Thompson's famous treatise "The Poverty of Theory" penned more than twenty years ago. In that text, Thompson was, of course, mainly concerned with the influence of Althusserian Marxism and the tendency of intellectuals to become so immersed within the web of "scholastic argument," so immersed within their "pseudo-revolutionary dramas" in the realm of pure Theory (with a capital T), that they tended to ignore the actual material conditions of embodied, historical agents. Thompson condemned such intellectual exercises for being diversionist tactics which lended themselves to the elitist division between theory and practice. Thompson's book was also a clarion call for the "Left" of his time to honestly re-evaluate itself. McLaren's latest effort is another such clarion call and it comes at a time when it is desperately needed. Indeed, it is a passionate plea for committed Left scholars to reassess the most basic constitutive principles which have dominated Left intellectual discourse for the last two decades. The beauty of McLaren's book is that it demands progressives to take stock of regnant social relations. At a time when the "text" has become the marionette theatre of the political, at a time when the critical interrogation of capitalism has become unfashionable among the avant-garde of the "cultural Left," McLaren reminds us of "real" concrete struggles that are taking place all over the world. At a time when the subject has been decentered and textualized within contemporary "left" theory, McLaren reminds us of living, breathing, bleeding historical agents engaged in struggle and he does so by drawing on the remarkable legacy of Che Guevara. Of course, Che the icon has become part and parcel of mainstream popular culture--his signature beret has been placed on the head of Taco Bell's chihuahua to hawk fast food; the site of his remains has become a tourist attraction and yet among the cacophony of commercial messages that have attempted to make a mockery of Che's legacy, Peter McLaren stands firm. His Che is a revolutionary committed to human emancipation, unafraid to confront the powers that be and the enormity of forces that steadfastly guard the status quo. McLaren's Che is not a caricature but rather a vivid portrait of a dedicated human being--Che was not only an extraordinary revolutionary figure, he was also a brave humanist and McLaren fearlessly picks up that torch and demonstrates how Che's legacy can illuminate our thinking about contemporary global conditions. McLaren's book will, without a doubt, stir a great deal of controversy and it may very well be condemned by weak-kneed academics caught up in the scourge of "discourse radicalism"--those who strike radical poses without ever leaving the confines of the academy; those who believe that turning texts on their heads can change the world. Such posturing is to be expected for McLaren has clearly thrown down the gauntlet--this is clearly a challenge to those that fashion themselves as progressives and Leftists to put their proverbial money where their mouths are. This is a book penned by someone who is not only an exceptional scholar but a passionate activist as well; someone who is unafraid to challenge the scholarly inertia that has plagued the intellectual Left for far too long. This is a book that all committed Leftists must read regardless of field or discipline--it is intense, informative, invigorating, and above all--inspiring.

Che Guevara, Paulo Freire, and the Pedagogy ofRevolution

Reviewer: Robert E. Bahruth, Ph.D. from Boise StateUniversity, Boise, Idaho

In order to contextualize the significance of the contributions of both Che Guevara and Paulo Freire for American readers, McLaren makes the analogy to Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. respectively. Whereas Che, Malcolm X and Dr. King were all dealt with by assassination, Paulo died of heart failure at the age of 75. One might suspect that Paulo's end may have been more violent - and he certainly suffered persecution during critical periods in his lifetime, including a long exile - had his ideas not been rejected by anti-intellectuals in the American academy. Often his work was dismissed, without careful consideration, by professors who claimed that his ideas only applied to third world contexts. To this Donaldo Macedo often asked the critical question: Have you been to East Los Angeles, Roxbury, Harlem, East St. Louis or Camden, New Jersey, lately? One might wonder how the world today might have been a saner place for humanity had Che, Malcolm and Dr. King truly enjoyed the protection of the first amendment's freedom of speech "guarantee," thereby living longer lives and pushing the causes of common people's human rights. It has been claimed that the reason why Che was not allowed a trial in an international court was because the powerbrokers who financed his murder - there were CIA agents present to orchestrate his assassination, including the way he should be shot to make it appear as though he were wounded in combat - feared the power of his discourse and how it might play in the minds of the oppressed peoples of the world. To set the record straight and to dispel the many myths generated by status quo propagandists, McLaren's scholarship allows readers to look into the life and the machinations of the mind of Che, while simultaneously calling into question how contemporary revolutionaries such as Comandante Marcos in Chiapas, Mexico are both inspired by the lived example of commitment and love that Che provided, as they are equally persecuted for standing up for the rights of subsistence cultures around the world who are not interested in joining in the vulgar game of globalization, consumerism, and the politics of greed. Were Che alive today, with access to the high technology that Comandante Marcos and others so skillfully employ as they advance the cause of their post modern revolution, he might not have had to resort to violence which was then his only option. With the co-opting of corporate media, many are hoodwinked by the spin doctors who claim objectivity. Journalism has sunk to such depths of integrity and moral bankruptcy that they have found it necessary to invent terms such as investigative reporting. What does this imply about all other types of reporting? To counter the propaganda of corporate media, Comandante Marcos has demonstrated the power of the internet as a tool of organization, fund raising, and moral support from around the world, as well as the means to dispel myths while informing the world of the atrocities and lies of the status quo. Che would have had a field day with such luxuries! McLaren's other subject, Paulo Freire, is addressed with great love, honesty and devotion. He shows us the gentle man, dedicated as was Dr. King, to nonviolent humanism and the cause of democratic ideals. Education which is not commodified or politicized to reproduce the status quo, but rather a process of conscientization which invites all humans to participate as agents of history, as readers and writers of the word-world. Paulo provided a vision which expresses the possibilities for a future which is less violent and anti humane than the world we live in today. His was an invitation for teachers to rise above the technicism of skill, drill and kill which banters learners into silence and submission. Along with Chomsky, Giroux, Aronowitz, Macedo, bell hooks, McLaren, Chávez Chávez and others committed to "teaching to transgress," Paulo was an inspiration to us all. I have often said that the degree to which the status quo rejects a vision is in direct proportion to its power to create change. Clearly, Paulo has been marginalized in mainstream academia, but for world class scholars and extraordinary humans who are ontologically clear, Paulo's is a message of hope and possibility. McLaren has made a great contribution by keeping Paulo's vision alive and challenging all of us to awaken to social consciousness. In Peter's own words in a recent interview he states so well what is at stake:

"We cannot -- we must not -- think that equality can occur in our schools or society in general without at once and the same time demanding and participating in political and economic revolution. No sphere of domination must remain unassailed by the project of liberation. We need to remain steadfast, we cannot embark in a flight from being, that is, a flight towards the world of commodities that can only objectify being. We need to remember that we do not own ourselves, we don't belong only to ourselves. We belong to being. Because we belong to being, we need not covet the fruits of capital, for they are also the fruits of exploitation. Exploitation violates being. To find our multicultural soul is always an exercise of praxis, not ownership. It is an act conjugated with love in the interests of social justice. I am not trying to be metaphysical here since I connect objectified being with labor, with the laboring and toiling body, with the alienated worker, with the commodification of labor, with the exploited and the oppressed...

REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation by Eric Chipps, Chipps Management Consultants
In today's world of international conflicts, religious strife, North and South disparities, terrorism, extremism and unilateralism, harmony renaissance is the only common value universal solution. The tide of Harmony Renaissance is inevitable. All present will become pioneers of Harmony Renaissance. Harmony advocates non-violence. Its' premises are tolerance, acceptance, respect, equity, patience and humility. As powerful as we are we will not have nobility and hope unless we practice humility. This is the new global awareness. Harmony is the conduit to facilitate multi-directional cultural flow not just from West to East and North to South. Harmony is the all-embracing unifying force for unity in diversity.

Dr. Fung has initiated the World Harmony Organization in North America and has already attracted interest and support. It is a growing influence in North America, Europe and China from important figures in academic and social circles, economics and politics, as well as a growing number of concerned citizens in many countries.

Clearly, the policies of confrontation currently contributing so much to world tensions are unproductive, as well as damaging to the progress of society. By developing the ancient Chinese promotion of harmony, the Organization hopes to become again the third pillar in supporting democracy and religious principle as the foundation of a more peaceful and productive world.

More information can be obtained from the Organization's website at WorldHarmonyorg.net which allows a measure of the extent to which harmony is increasingly an influence. You may also contribute opinion via WorldHarmonyforum.blogspot.com By his talk today, Dr. Fung hopes to generate recognition among influential people of the role that a young, dynamic America, endowed with resources should be advocating harmony renaissance.



Excerpt from Jan 2007 speech by Hon. John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State, United Kingdom:
There's been a great deal of talk about harmony in recent times. In fact, the academic, Francis Fung, has argued in his recent paper "Chinese Harmony Culture: Old and New - Promise for a Less Confrontational World" that China is witnessing a harmony renaissance.
He claims that great debates are happening today in China over whether Socialism with Chinese characteristics can be Socialism with harmony. And Fung maintains that China's harmony socialism will provide an alternative model, as the leading system of governance in the 21st Century.
Indeed, I note that in October the Chinese Communist Party launched a national campaign to build a more harmonious society. In doing so, China appears to be reaffirming its own rich cultural tradition of harmony.
And now, opening the Sheffield Confucius Institute, I reflect on the fact that this emphasis on harmony between man and nature is part of a tradition of Chinese thought going back 2,500 years. This tradition has, of course, evolved and changed over time."



Blog Response by Morgan Steacy

I have been reading professor Fung's letters and articles, posted to his blog site for the last week, and have become comlpetely enraptured by the hope of future possibility that they bring. Although there is nothing that I could do physically, as I am in Toronto, and the World Harmony Festival is taking place in San Francisco, if there were anything that I could do from home to volunteer my time over the summer months, I would be thrilled to be a part of something that I have been advocating myself for some time privately.
I am currently a student at York University in Toronto, Canada, studying East Asia focusing on China. My main area of concern lies squarely within your realm of thought insofar as ascertaining the facets of Chinese thought that may be able to ameliorate the social situation of my country and the world at large. I am certain that I would be able to contribute to your organisation with great success.
Please feel free to contact me by any means, and I look forward to being in touch.



REVIEW OF HARMONY ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN RIGHTS
Francis C. W. Fung's most recent essay, "Harmony Essential to Human Rights" has struck a cord that I believe to be invaluable at this stage of human existence. His focus here is clear from the title but his approach to the topic is unique and insightful. With contributions to this topic as common as they are, it is difficult to find an article that sheds new light on the subject, but this is just what Fung has done.
Human rights are considered by most to be equal and inalienable for all people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or nationality. Fung has posited that, while this is an ideal goal to strive for, it is necessary to understand that each individual nation has limitations that create obstacles in the path of human rights development. He further notes that it is possible that behaviour that could be perceived as a human rights violation in one place may well be a legitimate course of action in another. China's one baby policy exemplifies his point perfectly because of the fact that this is a case where the seeming infringement of one's human rights is, in fact, a boon to the greater good.

Creating the elaborate web of infrastructure necessary to operate a fully functional society bereft of so-called human rights violations requires discernment of the needs of that particular society along with a stable economy. Given the fact that China's population crisis has created a situation wherein many are unable to provide the necessities of life for children due to a lack of facilities and resources, it seems unconscionable that the North American media should pass judgment so readily without sufficient knowledge or personal contact with the situation. The idea that a blanket of human rights, conceived by the Western world, is able to cover any situation is egocentric and more importantly inaccurate.

Having identified the problem as being an inability to understand the varied needs and values of nations as they relate to the implementation of human rights, Fung goes on to suggest that it is the imminent Harmony Renaissance that could reveal the solutions. Harmony requires that people allow for the differences between cultures without passing judgment. It requires that people take the time to ask questions and make decisions after they have heard the answers.

The concept of ritual is instrumental to Confucianism and may lend itself well to this discussion. The tenet holds that in carrying out ritual properly one becomes a human being. The performance of ritual requires genuine interaction with another individual or individuals. If we were to think of every moment as being ritualized, we would be forced to connect to the other that we intend to judge rather than simply imposing our own standards upon the other on whom those standards have no bearing.

Excusing nations for all violations of human rights is certainly not what is being called for. Nor is Fung necessarily claiming that each nation should independently determine the degree to which human rights can be provided. Rather the importance of what Fung is claiming lies in the acknowledgement and acceptance of difference. The manner in which a country behaves is determined by its history, its geography, its current socio-economic make-up and intangible cultural traits. Without a profound understanding of all factors involved it is impossible to understand decisions made. It is with this outlook that modern leaders and citizens must enter the global-political realm and replace careless judgments with calculated decisions based in the growing tide of harmony.
Morgan Steacy, York University, Department of East Asian Studies


Dear Francis,

Thanks for the update, I hope you and the family are well. I think it is wonderful to see the concept of a "harmony" paradigm being promoted in the media. So much of Western cultural history has been based on a conflict paradigm (crusades, competition for scarce resources, clash of civilizations, political struggle, etc.). It is extremely important to open people's minds to unity, universal love and harmony as governing principles of society, the world and the universe.
Best regards,

Peter Neumann



REVIEW BY MORGAN STEACY, YORK UNIVERSITY, TORONTO, EAST ASIAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Freedom, Democracy and Harmony Diplomacy: A Review by Morgan Steacy, York University, Toronto, East Asian Studies Department.

Have you ever heard someone say, "Can't we all just get along?", and thought that it sounded reasonable? This is exactly what I believe happened to Dr. Francis Fung, Director General of the World Harmony Organisation. Dr. Fung has written an article entitled, Freedom Democracy and Harmony Diplomacy that essentially asks this very question. The difference here is that he answers with a resounding, yes.
Up until now no one has ventured to explore the reasons that people have so often asked this question, but have never actually dealt with why the answer that should be YES seems determined to remain NO. So, how does this article evade the puerile nature of the question that it deals with?
Dr. Fung has chosen the USA, as the major world power, to be the primary focus of his urgings. He links historical downfalls of people quite succinctly with the current situation of the world. He describes a world that is so overcome with the notion of "spreading freedom" that there is never a moment to stop and think about the hypocrisy of deciding to "bring freedom" to another nation.
He describes this as "freedom diplomacy", a process which is detrimental to societies because of the fact that they are not determining their own freedom, making it inherently flawed. He further points out that while terrorists have acted in order to destroy our freedom, their success in actually doing so has been ineffective. He claims that it is our reaction to terrorism that has actually limited our freedom. He is not claiming that countries should eliminate counter-terror measures. The point he is making is that we are dealing with the symptoms of a problem rather than the problem itself.
Some believe that the answer to the problem lies in the style of governance that persists in regions where terrorists are able to survive. The answer, to these people, is simple. Spread democracy. If democracy's impact has been felt to the extent that it has in so many other parts of the world, then surely there is no reason for it to fail elsewhere. The truth, unfortunately, lies far from this simplistic view. It is impossible to deny that democracy has been a boon to many societies, and has even been the backbone of success in the modern world, but there are differences in the way that each nation practices democracy. The flexibility that democracy allows within a defined structure is one thing that makes democracy such an amazing concept. Unfortunately, it is often the case that narrow-mindedness and a lack of true cultural understanding inhibits the propagation of actual democracy, and it is only imperialism that perseveres.
Finally, Dr. Fung, having illuminated many of the problematic approaches currently being undertaken, leads the reader to the solution. Harmony is an approach that supports rather than censures, it is tolerant rather than judgemental and it is inclusive instead of being exclusive. Harmony is meant to encompass the fundamental principles that one ought to adhere to in all facets of life. Decision-making processes would be geared towards harmony, rather than personal gain, from an individual level all the way to a global plain.
Dr. Fung has taken a concept that is so seemingly simplistic and breathed a palpable life into it in this essay. The statement that he is making is direly needed and I hope that he continues to make statements like these so that people will start to realize that the solutions that are currently failing to solve the contentious issues of global peace will continue to fail until we realize that it is our very goal that is misguided. We need to establish global harmony before thinking about global peace. Harmony does not imply agreement, only tolerance. It is possible to bring harmony about quickly through education and compliance. Once the people of the world commit to harmony as a means to solve problems, the problems of the world will finally become manageable, and maybe then we will all "just get along".

Finally, Dr. Fung, having illuminated many of the problematic approaches currently being undertaken, leads the reader to the solution. Harmony is an approach that supports rather than censures, it is tolerant rather than judgemental and it is inclusive instead of being exclusive. Harmony is meant to encompass the fundamental principles that one ought to adhere to in all facets of life. Decision-making processes would be geared towards harmony, rather than personal gain, from an individual level all the way to a global plain.
Dr. Fung has taken a concept that is so seemingly simplistic and breathed a palpable life into it in this essay. The statement that he is making is direly needed and I hope that he continues to make statements like these so that people will start to realise that the solutions that are currently failing to solve the contentious issues of global peace will continue to fail until we realise that it is our very goal that is misguided. We need to establish global harmony before thinking about global peace. Harmony does not imply agreement, only tolerance. It is possible to bring harmony about quickly through education and compliance. Once the people of the world commit to harmony as a means to solve problems, the problems of the world will finally become manageable, and maybe then we will all "just get along".
Morgan Steacy,York University, Dept of Asian Studies

It's hard to believe that Stott wrote this book in 1976, yet, I read it in 1999 for a Christian Mission class, and it seems so appropriate today. Dr. Stott was on the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism, and has obviously thought about these and researched this deeply. He comes from an Evangelical Protestant heritage.

This is a particularly insighted book, an introduction to Christian Mission. The change from the plural, missions, to the singular, mission, is indicated by Stott as what all Christians should be doing, that is, both evangelism AND striving for social justice (that is, arguing the case of the orphan, widow, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, fighting against oppression, etc.).

Stott defines a number of crucial terms and places them within the context of Christian theology, for instance, evangelism just means 'proclaiming the Good News,' specifically that of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, Stott is very practical and uses biblical theology (such as the theology of the Incarnation gives us an example of what it means to be involved with others, to share their sufferings and concerns, and to understand their culture and be able to dialogue with them at where they are at). And Stott is very good at providing negative examples, or warnings, such as that Christians are also to be 'salt and light,' maintaining their identity as Christians; that the Gospel is not liberation theology (although the influence of the Gospel may be seen in the culture in fighting against social injustices), the Gospel does not ensure health and wealth. Salvation does mean freedom from sin, to serve and obey God.

The book is divided between 5 large chapters that have a number of topics discussed. The first is Mission -- what is Christian Mission? As mentioned, evangelism, theology, social justice are all discussed.

The second chapter is Evangelism, and the priority and meaning (even definitions) of evangelism, and what we as Christians should be doing.

This leads into dialogue, and how we are to dialogue with others. Stott is very practical at the end of the chapter discussing what are some different arenas of dialogue, for example, with Muslims, within Great Britain, and Hindus.

The next chapter is on Salvation, what it doesn't mean, and what it means.

This leads us into Conversion, and discussion on theology (as well as the individual's responsibility) in matters, such as the Christian doctrines of regeneration, repentance, and the effects of conversion on the church, society, culture, and the role of the Holy Spirit (and even the necessity not to be stupid, like assuming that the Holy Spirit will overcome my own stupidity or lack of preparation).

In all, a very solidly theological and practical work, as all of Stott's works are.

This book is typical of all of Stott's work: solid, Biblical, considerate and epistimologically sound.

Stott breaks down what 'mission' is, and places each 'piece' back into it's proper place according to Scripture. It is a calling back to 'true' Christianity, which is really no different than 'mission' in the first place.

This book is one that you'll want to keep handy, and read at least once a year, if not more (it's fairly short, and can easily be read in a single day). It is not overly academic, and can be understood by most laypeople.

Buy it... Unless you don't want change in your outlook to Biblical missions, you will not be disapointed.

I feel that this book should be on the shelf of every musician in America. It speaks on very modern topics. This book should be advertised all over the world.

Church musicians are not entertainers, but ministers of worship. This book affords perspective and focus to the varied aspects of this ministry of leading people in worship through song. Practical issues that confront the musician are here discussed; some of them an experienced musician would already know, some would give new insights and some others would provide a fresher approach.

The musician as a leader of worship has an enormous responsibility of leading the worshippers in prayer, which he shares with the other ministers. The different aspects of working with the pastor and possible difficulties are also discussed. If all the ministers kept in mind the fundamental principle that they work together for the people of God, tensions could be avoided. The contents of the book are relevant for anyone who is working at the act of worship in our churches including pastors, choir directors, organists, cantors, choir members etc. The scope of this book goes beyond any particular denomination. Any minister of a Christian church would find this book relevant, useful and interesting. The book has an Introduction by Martin E Marty and a list of books recommended for a musician's library.

I found this book extremely thought-provoking and encouraging. In particular, it introduced me to the work of James Fowler in modelling spiritual growth as stages of faith. The book challenges the prevailing view about church leavers and I felt has clear messages for both the individual feeling church is no longer for them, and for churches facing the departure of well-known members.

From the perspective of someone rethinking their religious faith, the most helpful aspect of the book was the level-voiced and non-judgemental survey work (drawn from Jamieson's doctoral thesis) showing why people stop attending churches. Jamieson develops a model showing why people leave and the summary, surprising to some, is that it's a matter of growth of faith rather than death of faith that makes the majority of leavers go it alone. The key message to the individual? "You're not the first to face this, and you're not on your own".

Like the related book 'The Post-Evangelical', Jamieson discusses the fact that faith systems today exist in the context of a culture completing the transition to a post-modern outlook. His challenge to church leaders is to see leavers not as the fallen but as pioneers. His research finds in the majority of cases individuals with insight into expressing faith in post-modern terms rather than in the modernist terms of the established churches. The key message to the church? "Culture is changing, and your leavers are your congregations's pioneers".

Overall this is a book that should be on every minister's shelf and which could offer relief to long-term church members and leaders suffering 'burn out'.

If you grew up in the church, are bored with or sick of church & shallow evangelicalism this book is awesome. It doesnt try to prescribe any solutions, it only observes why people leave evangelical churches and what happens to them afterwards. Best thing about the book: you know you are not alone and you understand what's going on inside of you.

A decade or so ago the authors of Civic Revolutionaries: Igniting the Passion for Change in America's Communities decided to bring the art of collaboration to the field of economic development. They even called their new firm "Collaborative Economics, Inc." to the amusement of many hard core industrial recruiters. This book is a result of their experience coupled with a sense of history and an idealism that is rare to find in a profession built on the principals of competitiveness.

The numerous examples of collaboration described by the authors go significantly beyond the details of the efforts. They are carefully woven into the Nation's revolutionary history by appropriate quotations and references to the role of collaboration as promoted by the authors of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as well as other notables in the "American Experience."

In addition, the illustrative examples drawn from the author's extensive and practical field experience working with collaborative efforts in all sections of the Nation over the past ten years are made particularly useful by describing not only results but discussing in detail successful collaborative processes that can be endlessly replicated in a variety of settings as well.

Due credit is given throughout the book to their mentor, John W. Gardner, through carefully selected and placed quotations and references. For example, Gardner is quoted in the introduction as saying "...the crucial task is to design a society (and institutions) capable of continuous change, continuous renewal and continuous responsiveness," a theme that runs throughout the book.

Henton, Melville and Walesh are optimistic about the future of collaboration and provide compelling evidence of its value in continuing the process of "dialog" which is the heart of the "American Experience." This book will be useful to anyone seeking to improve his or her community through collaboration. It will also be interesting for those with a more philosophic interest in the subject. It might even be worth the attention of hard core industrial recruiters.

In Grassroots Leaders for a New Economy (1997), the authors of Civic Revolutionaries identified a new type of leadership that has been emerging in regions that have been in the forefront of dealing with the problems and opportunities brought about by the new economy. They called these leaders "civic entrepreneurs." In Civic Revolutionaries: Igniting the Passion for Change in America's Communities, the authors have given us a compelling reason why this leadership model is essential in enabling regions to compete and prosper in the new economy.
By analyzing the complex problems that regions are confronted with today through the lens of the Federalist Papers and the debates between and among our nation's founders, they paint a picture that clearly demonstrates that traditional leadership is no more adequate today than it was in 1776. The authors have brilliantly made their case for regional stewardship taking the place of the traditional, top-down, command and control leadership that still persists in myriad communities throughout the United States. By focusing on the many tensions that exist within regions, such as the conflict between trust and accountability; change and continuity; individual rights and community, they leave little doubt that times have changed and the our concept of leadership must change as well.
I would recommend this book to anyone that is frustrated with the gridlock and inertia that still exists in many regions. A solution is at hand and it's called regional stewardship.