Book Reviews

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The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
This book by Seth Godin is for every leader out there who's ever wanted to know how to decide to stick with something through hard times or to walk away in pursuit of a better ambition. Odds are that covers almost every leader out there. This pithy book gives readers quick, memorable cues to help ease the typically hand-wringing decision of "to quit or not to quit?".

Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard
Nobody ever said that change is easy, but this new book from Chip and Dan Heath contains strategies to make it more manageable. With advice on how to change your mindset, motivate your emotions, and set yourself up for success, this book is a potentially powerful tool for leaders and their staff

The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery
As leaders, we often strive to construct an identity based on our achievements. What God desires is for us to define our identity based on our relationship with him. This book gives leaders tools to discover the unique people God intended them to be.

Unbroken
The true story of World War II soldier Louie Zamperini is almost beyond belief. He was stranded at sea, captured by the enemy and dehumanized through torture only to return home to a new host of interpersonal struggles. It is a great story that shows God's faithful hand in a life that was far from smooth sailing.

Fake Work
We have all worked with someone who always tries to "look busy," but did you ever think that the work you do might not be truly be efficient or productive? Greg reviews a book that examines the difference between "real work" and a common phenomenon called "fake work" that has implications for the church as well.

Necessary Ending
Modern psychology has made us shy away from closure and finality. However, without pruning unhealthy or obsolete elements from our lives, we prevent new growth from occurring. Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud explains the importance of being able to bring an end to the things in life that hinder us.

Tribal Leadership
Effective leaders take what they learn from every experience at the helm and use it to propel their career, capabilities and team forward. Tribal Leadership examines this tendency of highly skilled leaders. How this book applies to the church environment is both enlightening and startling.

Beyond the Broken Image by Debra Cooper
Anorexia and bulimia are difficult diseases to think about, let alone discuss and treat. Remuda Ranch Treatment Programs Chaplain Rob Heinrich reviews Beyond the Broken Image, a book that unflinchingly looks at the personal side of eating disorders in order to educate and enlighten readers about this taboo subject.

Radical by Daniel Platt
The western, modernized version of Christianity that is practiced in one version or another in today's churches looks nothing like Christ's vision for the church, and it's time we did something about it. This sentiment is the premise of Daniel Platt's book, Radical. This direct, challenging and insightful book will make you examine if and how you are putting the pedal to your ideological metal.

Rework by Jason Fried
Forget everything you think you know about running an organization, church or not. Now go read Rework. This small book packs a powerful punch as it exposes all of the bad habits of the business world, and gives advice contrary to the status quo that will certainly change the way you lead.

Iconoclast by Gregory Bern
Greg applies a Christian perspective on neuroscientist Gregory Bern's book about the brains of history's radicals, rebels and mobilizers.

Linchpin: Are You Indispensible? by Seth Godin
After reading this book, I realized why my work ethic was so different from my father’s. It was not that I was unwilling to work hard, but rather I was unwilling to work hard for something I did not feel passionate about.

Winning on Purpose by John Kaiser
Many churches fail because their structure does not match their mission. In this book, John Kaiser outlines a new model of biblically based church governance.

The Workplace is a Captive Audience, and the Prisoners are Listening by Rick Yeatts
It's no secret that being a believer in the workplace can be tough. Trials will come that test the limits of our faith. What does God desire from his people in these difficult times? How do our trials impact the lost that surround us at work? This article provides some advice and encouragement for when your faith is put to the test.

The House Church Book by Wolfgang Simpson
The modern church is humankind's imperfect interpretation of God's divine blueprint. Throughout history, people have strived to determine what God wants for his church on earth. One movement gaining momentum is the house church format.You may recognize my name as editor of the Emerging Leader e-Newsletter, but this is my first time as contributor. As a current member of a house church, Al asked me to review Wolfgang Simpson's new book on his vision for the future of the house church movement. Enjoy!

Tribes
Sometimes the riskiest thing a leader can do is to play it safe, and the safest thing a leader can do is to take a risk. Tribes by Seth Godin addresses the changing nature of groups -- from businesses to churches -- and how sticking to the status quo might spell extinction. Vivid lessons for the church abound in this secular book.

The Making of a Leader
A leader's journey rarely follows the same path as another. However, there are similar milestones along that path that are common to all leaders. Dr. J. Robert Clinton's book describes these milestones, helping to give leaders some perspective as they navigate a life of ministry.