My Five

Posted on 5 Jan 2010

SPECIAL VISION / LEADERSHIP / MISSION LETTER

January 2010

From Ned Berube

I’m writing this on the last day of 2009 and for the past week or so, I have been assaulted by “Top Ten Lists” on just about every subject from politics to entertainment to technology.  So, I’m in that “listing” mode, and I’m curious about the books that have shaped your life in pastoral ministry.

Let’s do just 5.  Here are my top 5 (I think!)

  1. The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman—a profoundly simple detailing of the training of the 12 by Jesus.  To this day, I mentally reference specific instructions from this very short book.
  2. Knowing God by J.I. Packer—this was the book that made me much more serious about theology and how crucial it is for fruitful ministry that endures.  Packer is both winsome and brilliant.
  3. The Community of the King by Howard Snyder—this is the sequel to The Problem With Wineskins but is much more focused on practical ecclesiology and it is very accessible for those of us who stumble with the more arcane theological works.
  4. The Continuing Conversion of the Church by Darrell Guder—this is part of the Missional Church series and is very compelling in its call to engage the Word and Spirit for missional fruitfulness.
  5. Dynamics of Spiritual Life by Richard Lovelace—if I must pick “the best” out of these five, this book would be number one, so allow me, for a few moments, to try to edge you toward actually reading it.

Here’s what one reviewer wrote of Lovelace’s book, “Unlike some of the books I referred to above, this is not a ‘feel good’ book.  The painful reality of the church’s lack of renewal and vitality is not far below the surface of each chapter.”

What is so compelling about this work is the way Lovelace marries sound evangelical theology with clear missional implications, all done against a backdrop of very helpful analysis of renewal movements in church history.  I am now completing four decades of life in Christ and His people, and I have witnessed a flood of spiritual uprisings and “enthusiasms” (a la Ronald Knox), some genuine and helpful, some deeply defective and some utterly apostate.  I’m quite sure that the flood will become a tsunami.  Jesus’ warnings in the Olivet Discourse are so clear:  “See that no one leads you astray.  For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray  . . . and many false prophets will arise and lead many astray . . . for false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect ” (Mt. 24:5, 11, 24).  Toward the end of that teaching Jesus asks, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?” (Mt. 24:45).  That’s an immense and fearsome question, isn’t it?  I clearly remember early on in pastoral ministry, the Holy Spirit sat me up straight with this: “I am holding you responsible for what you let in to this people and what you keep out.”  I don’t think I have been entirely successful in this matter but I rarely am too far away from the realization that I am a steward of Jesus’ blood-bought flock and the words of truth that must be carefully handled.  Leaders will have an additional reckoning at the end of all things.  That’s why I appreciate Lovelace.

He is very clear headed about what is primary and secondary (and for those with Roman Catholic backgrounds, tertiary!).  Many of the off base movements of the past 40 years took secondary and tertiary elements and forced them into primary focus.  They often did it with the erroneous assumption that the true primary elements were well secured, but they usually were not secured well and often woefully absent.  For instance, most of the communal movements spawned in the late ’60’s and ’70’s were severely deficient in theological foundations (especially regarding justification by faith and the Trinity) and often placed a moralistic burden upon folk that was unsustainable for fruit that would endure.  You can’t call people to deep communal relationship without a sufficient weight being given to what it means to be joined to Christ and empowered by His Spirit.

This is what gives me pause about the present IHOP [International House of Prayer] movement.  I am loathe to be seen as an opponent of 24-7 prayer, but from what I can see, the major theological weight of this movement is derived from two books—the Song of Solomon and Revelation.  This is simply wrong headed, however spiritual it may seem or feel.  However exciting or “prophetic” things may appear at present, it is not sustainable.  It has a short shelf life.  Many folks are headed for disillusionment and disengagement from the mission of God.  Evangelistic movements as well are unsustainable if the mission of evangelism is not properly rooted in what Lovelace calls the Primary Elements of Renewal: Depth Presentation of the Gospel:

  1. Justification : You are accepted
  2. Sanctification:  You are free from bondage to sin
  3. The Indwelling Spirit: You are not alone
  4. Authority in spiritual conflict: You have authority

He calls the secondary elements the “Outworking of the gospel in the church’s life.”  Those secondary elements he defines as:

  1. Mission—presenting the gospel of Christ into the world via proclamation and social demonstration
  2. Prayer—expressing dependence on the power of the Spirit both individually and corporately
  3. Community—being in union with the body of Christ both in micro- and macro-community
  4. Disenculturation—being freed from cultural binds
  5. Theological Integration—having the mind of Christ

Lovelace’s book is now 30 years old and in modern evaluation might easily be seen as “out of date,” even archaic.  But it is not.  In the face of all the emergent, organic, “deep”, and alternative stuff out there, this rings out with the far clearer bugle call.  I think Lovelace is a faithful and wise steward who is giving us some “food at the proper time.”

So that’s my book recommendations for 2010—an oldie, but goodie—and what the doctor ordered for what presently ails us.

Looking forward to seeing many of you at the April ARC Conference in Toledo,

Ned Berube

P.S. What about your “Top 5″ (or one or 2 for that matter) books that have influenced your walk with Jesus and ministry to His people? Use the comment button to let us know what you list of most influential books and feel free to briefly explain why.