Organizations Books

Walter Dorn has assembled an insightful and provocative set of essays that offers a convincing portrait of current problems of world order (and disorder). The volume presents a balance sheet of the political, institutional, cultural and spiritual capacities needed to address those problems. For readers in search of a striking combination of social science and spiritual vision, this is it. - Michael Doyle, Director, Center of International Studies, Princeton University, author of Ways of War and Peace

"World Order for a New Millennium" is a rare effort to link the practical concerns of global governance with spiritual insights from many of the world's major religions. The editor, Walter Dorn, brings to bear his considerable experience as a technical and political consultant to the United Nations to identify key problems facing the international system at the dawn of a new millennium. The contributors to this volume argue that formal or legal mechanisms for maintaining peace are inadequate to the task, unless they are informed by cultural and spiritual values that accord a high priority to justice as well as stability. This is an important argument that introduces a welcome moral dimension into debates about the future of global order. - Matthew Evangelista, Professor of Government, Cornell University

Few books of this type are as comprehensive yet readable as this two vol. set. Every Protestant pastor should have a set, especially those in the Wesleyan family of churches. As a United Methodist Pastor I found this the best training and discussion series on worship I have ever seen. Learn it and then teach it to your people. It will save them (and you) from a lot of wasted time and effort trying to create worship from a mixed bag of personal experiences, feelings, and impressions. There is nothing like knowing the theory, theology, history, and practice of worship from a solid foundation. This set is well worth the price.

This is the first volume of a two volume set entitled 'Worship Matters', edtied by E. Byron (Ron) Anderson. While this guide is specifically designed for United Methodists (the subtitle reads 'A United Methodist Guide to Ways of Worship') it nonetheless provides information and suggestions that are helpful across many denominations, and I find the books useful in my designing services at my chaplaincy, which is an ecumenical ministry.

Volume I has a theological orientation to it, broken into three sections. The first section examines theology, liturgy and worship. It examines patterns of worship from historical and theological contexts, the importance of sacraments of baptism and eucharist, keeping the central focus on proper subjects, and forges connections between liturgy and life. In the final essay of this subject, Anderson examines a topic he explores in other writings as well, such as the misconceptions about what liturgy really is, and how to make stronger ties between the 'work' on Sunday and the 'work' on Monday.

The second section looks at issues of theology, worship and culture. Part of this deals with looking at different cultures present in North American society - African American, Asian American, Hispanic - and part deals with other cultural issues, such as feminist issues and asking the basic question, whose worship is it anyway? Contributing author Karen Westerfield Tucker points out that no individual exists in only one culture, unaffected by others around her or him. Christian worship is always multicultural on multiple levels.

The final section of this volume examines in greater detail the theological considerations of the different 'functions' in worship and liturgy. What does it mean to preside? What does it mean to assist? Who gets communion? There are some practical considerations here, to be sure, but largely these questions are addressed from the theological standpoint. For example, in the section of media in worship, the contributing author Thomas Boomershine examines the history, the current state, the future of and appropriateness of various media in worship contexts. (It is in volume II where the reader will find the 'how to...' questions addressed.)

The two volumes are books meant to be read together, and really used - to this end, permission is given to photocopy sections for sharing in congregations and worship groups. Groups and communities reading together can gain insight and build upon this common ground for enriching and deepening their own worship experiences. The writing is engaging, educational without being unnecessarily academic or theoretical, and in many ways inspirational, as familiar and traditional things are examined in new ways.

The editor, E. Byron (Ron) Anderson, also contributed several articles to the work. Honesty requires me to declare my bias - he is a friend of mine, and I had several courses with him both as instructor and as his teaching assistant over several years. He was at the time of writing professor of worship and director of community worship at my seminary. He has since gone on to Garrett Theological Seminary in Chicago, where he continues to educate future leaders in the skills and importance of liturgy, worship, spirituality and theology.

Simple and to the point! If you have anything to do with planning your worship service, this book is what you need for a great resource. I became acquited with this book for a Worship Class I was taking and have incorporated alot from this book, it has breathed new life into what became a cookie cutter worship service, and I learned it's okay to mix it up a little

Dan Boone is a powerful writer and communicator. This book is a wonderful book that helps make worship on Sunday mornings fluid, narrative and understandable. It serves as a great book for pastors, worship leaders and planning teams.

This is definitely a must read!

The book cover is a work of art. It shows ACLU members crowding into the ACLU manger to worship the prince of PC. (Actually, it shows sheep milling around). In general, the book reveals how organizations deal with malcontents. Now, the ACLU is the putative defender of malcontents. Not so fast. Regretfully, good things happen to bad people and the ACLU acts like any other organization to preserve self interest for the favored few, i.e. the leaders. Leaders,of course,are more important than principles or the little folk. I think we all learned that during the last 8 years. What's more important than appearances? Morals, principles? LOL!!!

Wendy Kaminer's book strikes me more as a defense of the ACLU and its principles rather than an attack. Her argument is with those who appear to have taken over the physical structure without understanding the critical importance of the foundation. It is a well-argued book and one where she appears to present thoughtfully both sides of the issues in question, even though the other side appear at best arguments of expediency rather than principle.

I'm now about 2/3 of the way through the book, and it really has not been a difficult learning exercise. It gives a great overview of web servers, and the included videos really are a great learning tool - nothing like seeing someone actually telnet into Apache and fake out a browser request. There are some errors in cross reference to the CD-only book, and some audios are out of place, but that'e life. Well worth the money.

This multimedia volume is well worth the purchase price. Exceptionally written using real-world examples, this volume creates a virtual education factory for webserver training. As a partner at a major e-services firm I require this volume be used by all my web practicioners.

This book contains 90 activity sheets that aid middle-high school students in fine-tuning their writing skills with particular emphasis on word selection & precision. Some of the covered items include parts of speech, pronoun problems, positive & negative adjectives, language conciseness, connotations, using words effectively etc. The added bonus is that the activities are brief [about a page long each],and fun.

The 90 activities in this book will stimulate students and help them to become more confident and proficient writers. Within these pages students can review parts of speech, utilize effective brainstorming and proofreading techniques, and become more acquainted with the various types of writings, including the descriptive, persuasive, classification, and definition essays. All of this is done in a creative and useful way. Middle school and high school students are the intended audience. The author effectively reaches both levels. A good buy!!

Robinson's book gives a fascinating perspective into the political dynamics behind both Saudi Arabia and OPEC. For anyone interested in the human aspects to energy policy, a must read.

shows thorough research and an in depth understanding of his subject, as well as of the economics of the world of oil at the time, which is clearly explained at different points

This is a wonderful book to help parents, teachers, principals, and community members understand and address bullying problems. I appreciated the knowledgeable and thoughtful approach so different from the "one size fits all" technique books. This comprehensive book covers everything from how to talk to your child about bullying, how to empower your child to handle bullies, to talking to the school personnel, when it is time to remove your child from the problem situation, and how to work on bullying problems at the community level. I especially loved the "myths about bullying section."

Peter Sheras, a prominent psychotherapist and expert on youth and schools, has provided us with a practical, research-based, accessible guide to dealing with bullies and bullying. Parents and children will resonate with the vivid examples of the variety of situations in which children and adolescents experience bullying. These examples are so true-to-life that one case of parents seeking the support of other parents in addressing their child's victimization was identical to the experience of my friends. In this example (and with my friends), the parents of the witness refused to enlist their child's help in support of the victim. Peter Sheras offers practical and developmentally appropriate advice for the parents and educators of victims, bullies, and bystanders. I particularly liked the chapter on child empowerment, because it provides strategies for optimal child development that would help children cope with all of life's challenges, not just bullying. I would highly recommend this book to ALL parents and teachers. It is likely that the majority of children today will witness or experience tyranny or harassment and this book provides not only understanding of the situation but procedures to deal with it effectively.

Is your church healthy and growing or stagnant and dying? If your church is afflicted with remnant theology, spiritual naval gazing, pastoral timidity, hyper-cooperativism, or terminal ethnikitis, changes are it's already dying on the vine. On the other hand, if your church is growing it's probably ad healthy church. "Healthy churches, like healthy people," says the author, "exhibit certain vital signs." Wagner has his own list of 7 "signs" that lead can be taken as leading to good health and gives many illustrations of churches that exhibit and/or don't exhibit those signs. [Good material for preaching here.]

Very few books that I have read as a church planter have encouraged me as much as Wagner's "Your Church Can Grow". Originally written in the 70's and updated in the early 1980's, the principles shared in this book are timeless. Church planters in the 21st century will be given a SOLID foundation and understanding of what it takes to launch successfully and as important GROW your church. In fact, those pastors and lay leaders looking for a starting point to begin the plan to grow your church will not find a better book to begin with. Along with leadership development, understanding the "science" as Wagner explains it, of church growth will allow church leaders to fill their toolbox with the right right equipment! How do I know? I am the pastor of The Pointe in Albany, Georgia - a new church start (March 2006)that in its first year has grown to an average of over 630 in weekly worship attendance. The principles in this book helped us start with a solid footing to build The Pointe. A must read for new church planters and leaders looking for effective strategies in growing their congregations.

Addresses every possible issue in a up-to-date and easy to understand format. High recommended.

A perennial guide to the problems and opportunities of taxation for ministers, the Zondervan 2005 Minister's Tax and Financial Guide is once again one of the best sources of information for the layman. Written in a simple, clear style with lots of illustrations and examples this is the essential guide for the non-accountant. In addition to walking the reader through the maze of tax laws he also provides basic financial planning for the minister. Newly updated for 2004 returns, the Zondervan 2005 Minister's Tax and Financial Guide should be read and understood by all ministers and church financial committees.