Eric O. Jacobsen, Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith. Brazos Press, 2003. Related volume: Jacobsen, The Space Between Referenced in: Urban Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is not a book on urban ministry, but will help those involved in urban settings by conveying the special and desirable features of urban life over
William T. Cavanaugh, Jeffrey W. Bailey, and Craig Hovey, Editors, An Eerdmans Reader in Contemporary Political Theology. Eerdmans, 2011. Referenced in: Christian Perspectives on Politics and Church-State LifeandLeadership.com Summary For many in the missional and emergent conversations today, the relationship of Christianity and politics is a major concern. This perspective is not shared by all.
Robert Linthicum, Transforming Power: Biblical Strategies for Making a Difference in Your Community. IVP Books, 2003. Referenced in: Urban Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary Linthicum encourages us to possess a “power” that is rooted both in nutritive relationships with the needy and exemplary and influential relationships with decision makers toward making a difference in our communities. From
Robert D. Lupton, Renewing the City: Reflections on Community Development and Urban Renewal. IVP Books, 2008. Referenced in: Urban Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an inspiring story on urban renewal taken from the Old Testament narrative of Nehemiah. From the Publisher When an expatriate bureaucrat toured a devastated city, he saw more than ashes and
Gary A. Haugen, Just Courage: God’s Great Expedition for the Restless Christian. IVP Books, 2008. Related volume: Haugen, The Good News About Injustice Referenced in: Theological and Philosophical Foundations of Social Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an excellent introduction to the real and pervasive social evils that exist internationally, and a call to be courageous
Alvin C. Bibbs, Crazy Enough to Care: Changing Your World Through Compassion, Justice and Racial Reconciliation. IVP Books, 2009. Referenced in: Strategies for Social Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an excellent 12-lesson small group study curriculum that helps awaken perspectives and practices for social justice. As the title suggests, it divides social ministry into three
Tim Stafford, Shaking the System: What I Learned from the Great American Reform Movements. IVP Books, 2007. Referenced in: Strategies for Social Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary In an attempt to help today’s activists be more historically informed, Stafford takes a look at four significant American social reform movements of the past: abolition, prohibition, women’s suffrage, and
Kevin Blue, Practical Justice: Living Off-Center in a Self-Centered World. IVP Books, 2010. Referenced in: Strategies for Social Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an excellent introduction to social justice for those who are sheltered from it but feel impulses toward it, yet do not know where to start in making a difference. Blue is disturbing
Mark Labberton, The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus. IVP Books, 2010. Prequel: Labberton, The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice (2007) Referenced in: Missional Lifestyle, Discipleship, Spirituality Social Ministry Strategies LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is as a prophetic but gracious, gentle, theologically informed, and personal
Charles E. Gutenson, Christians and the Common Good: How Faith Intersects with Public Life. Brazos Press, 2010. Referenced in: Perspectives on Political Theory and Church-State Relations LifeandLeadership.com Summary The aim of this book is to elevate God’s kingdom vision for justice and the common good of his creation, and let this guide Christians on issues
