Wow, the year is flying by. I only managed to finish 1 book in October. I read bits and pieces of many books while researching for an essay I handed in earlier this week. I’m also currently reading a few other books, just haven’t managed to finish any of them yet.
The one book I did mange to finish:
Outer Order Inner Calm: declutter and organize to make more room for happiness by Gretchin Rubin
It was a book that I saw at the library. The title caught my attention & I’ve enjoyed other books by Gretchin Rubin. This was a quick, easy read with lots of different tips and ideas. I actually read most of it in a few hours. It was due back at the library so I needed to finish it.
In true Gretchin Rubin style she gives lots of ideas to suit different types of people. I copied a few pages as I wanted to remember the ideas. One idea which I haven’t tried yet is to clear some clutter if you can’t sleep at night. I have nights where I have trouble sleeping, so might give this a try.
Some of the books that I partially read or revisited for my essay were:
The New Parish: How Neighborhood Churches are Transforming Mission, Discipleship and Community by Paul Sparks, Tim Soerens and Dwight J. Friesen
It’s about working with other churches and the people in your community, which is going to look different for each context.
Sentness: Six Postures of Missional Christians by Kim Hammond and Darren Cronshaw
The church was meant to be sent.
Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community and Worship by Holly Catterton Allen and Christine Lawton Ross
This is a comphrehensive book that looks at why we should bring the generations together and gives practical ideas on how to do this.
Reimagining Faith Formation for the 21st Century: Engaging All Ages & Generations by John Roberto
Provides a vision that is open to the past but is embracing the future and encourages the use of technology in faith forming practices.
Children’s Ministry in the Way of Jesus by David M. Csinos and Ivy Beckwith
Nurturing children’s spiritual formation by mixing together meaningful participation, radical hospitality with an intergenerational community.
This was my essay topic:
Imagine that all church buildings have been closed by law for a fixed period of 20 years. Practicing faith of any kind is not illegal, but no religious groups are permitted to own property. How might this affect, impede or enhance the faith of our children?  What plans, practices and priorities would you advise Christians to put in place?
My lecturer wrote a blog post based on this idea.
So with one book finished in October, this brings my total to 38 books read in the year so far.
What have you been reading lately?
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Wow, what an interesting essay topic. What are you studying? Decluttering is one of my grand plans but only after reading, tv and sleep :p … one day
Jen, I’m studying a Graduate Certificate in Children’s and Family Ministry. Yes, my decluttering usually gets put off until one day, as well.
I may have to look up that decluttering book – I much prefer books with practical tips than just a lot of theory or hard-to-implement concepts. I believe a cluttered bedroom make sit harder to sleep so decluttering when struggling to sleep makes sense to me!
I recently read Eragon (my son got it for his birthday so I gave it a go and loved it!)
It was a practical simple to read decluttering book. I might check out Eragon,though I have many books in my TBR pile!