Books

From time to time our church staff will read a particularly compelling or insightful book that they will, in turn, recommend for the rest of the church family. If you're interested in purchasing, simply click on the image and it will direct you there.  Likewise, we'll try to have a few copies on hand in our church library in the main lobby if you'd rather borrow. Keep in mind that we will be adding books and other media as we go, so check back to see what's new.
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Happy Lies: How a Movement You Probably Never Heard of Shaped our Self-Obsessed World by Melissa Dougherty
Have you ever wondered how we ended up in a world where personal feelings could become the authority for reality? Or why so many of us are on a relentless pursuit for happiness yet somehow feel more exhausted and sadder than ever? You're not alone.  The author deftly traces the roots of today's social chaos back to a little-known (but very influential) 1800s philosophy known as 'New Thought.' A former follower of its teachings, Ms. Dougherty provides clarity and compassion mixed with a dash of loving snark as she exposes New Thought's deceptions and its many concerning tendrils within the church and our "self-help" culture.  You'll be shocked, grieved, and encouraged as you learn:
     -How you can experience true freedom, hope, and peace instead of the world's counterfeits
     -How an anti-God ideology so easily hijacked Christian-sounding ideas
     -Why thinking positively is entirely different from the unbiblical and burdensome "positive thought" movement
     -Why fake "authenticity" short-circuits real redemption
     -How understanding the New Thought mindset can help us share our faith more effectively
Uncover a dangerous ideology that nearly everyone has met, yet few of us can name, in order to better understand our culture and joyfully live faithful to the gospel that is so much better than our world's Happy Lies.
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Jesus and My Gender by Dale Partridge
In this rhyming book, geared for children ages 3-10, but incredibly useful for all ages, pastor Dale Partridge masterfully lays out a cohesive theological presentation of biblical gender. The content of each page is supported by Scripture references and, at the end of the book, is a 5-question biblical catechism to instill these truths in the minds of young, and not-so-young, people.
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 Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe by Voddie Baucham Jr.
As a wave of violent riots protesting the death of a Black man at the hands of police shook the nation in the summer of 2020, most Americans were shocked. Christians nationwide, eager to fulfill their God-given calling to bring peace and reconciliation, took to pulpits and social media in droves to affirm that “Black lives matter” and proclaim that racial justice “is a gospel issue".
But what if those Christians, those ministers, and those powerful ministries don’t know the whole story behind the new movement that’s been making waves in their congregations? Even worse: What if they’ve been duped into adopting a set of ideas that not only don’t align with the kingdom of God, but stand diametrically opposed to it?
In this powerful book, pastor, professor, and leading cultural apologist Voddie Baucham explains the sinister worldview behind the social justice movement and how it has quietly spread like a fault system, not only through our culture, but throughout the evangelical church in America. He also details the devastation it is already wreaking - and what we can do to get back on solid ground before it’s too late.
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Another Gospel. A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth In Response To Progressive Christianity by Alisha Childers
A Movement Seeks to Redefine Christianity.   Some Think that It Is a Much-Needed Progressive Reformation.  Others Believe that It Is an Attack on Historic Christianity.    Another Gospel? describes the intellectual journey Alisa Childers took over several years as she wrestled with a series of questions that struck at the core of the Christian faith. Raised in a Christian home, the author had seen her mom & dad feed the hungry, clothe the homeless, and love the outcast. She had witnessed God at work in her own life as a worship leader and as part of the popular Christian band ZOEgirl.
All that was deeply challenged when she met a progressive pastor, who called himself a 'hopeful agnostic'.  One thing she never thought she would do was question her faith. After everything she had ever believed about God, Jesus, and the Bible had been picked apart, she found herself at the brink of despair . . . until God rescued her, helping her to rebuild her faith, one solid brick at a time.  In a culture of endless questions, we need solid answers. If you or someone you love has encountered the ideas of progressive Christianity and aren’t sure how to respond, Alisa’s journey will show you how to determine -- and rest in -- what’s unmistakably true.
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Another Jesus Calling by Warren B. Smith
Inspired by the New Age book God Calling, Sarah Young claims to be receiving messages from Jesus Christ which she compiled into what is now her best-selling book, Jesus Calling. Author Warren Smith carefully documents his concerns about her book, her “Jesus,” and the New Age implications contained in many of Young’s devotional messages. He also warns about the danger of contemplative prayer and in elevating spiritual experiences over the Word of God. “Another Jesus” Calling is his call for much needed discernment in these very deceptive times.
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Unoffendable - How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better by Brant Hansen
Unoffendable offers a unique viewpoint, challenging the idea that Christians can ever harbor “righteous anger” or that there even is such a thing for believers.  It seems like a radical, provocative proposal to consider; That we have no right to anger!? We are to get rid of it, period? Completely? Is that even possible!?
Through Hansen's light-hearted, humorous, and conversational style, this book will not add another thing to do on a stressed-out Christian’s ever-growing list; it actually seeks to lift religious burdens from readers’ backs and allow them to experience the joy of gratitude, perhaps for the first time, every single day of their lives.
(Note: Brant Hansen reads his own books and is particular good on audio-book)
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The Chocolate Soldier - Heroism: The Last Chord of Christianity by C.T. Studd
Author C.T. Studd (1860-1931) ​was a missionary to China, India, and Africa in days when it was very difficult indeed.  His words are simple but each phrase is packed with a punch that leaves you reeling, convicted, and yet, oddly inspired. If Studd argued that the early 20th-century was filled with "namby-pamby, lukewarm, chocolate" Christians, we are left wondering what he might say of our generation, today. And yet his call couldn't be more needed: be a true soldier of Jesus Christ and plunge headlong into the world in the power of His Spirit, to proclaim the Gospel and live out the true, historic, and victorious Christian life.
(Note: This book is available here  for free for Kindle through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Soldier-Christianity-deeperChristian-Classics/dp/1943592284/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1533248351&sr=1-1&keywords=chocolate+soldier )
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Blessed Are The Misfits - Great News for Believers Who Are Introverts, Spiritual Strugglers, or Just Feel Like They're Missing Something by Brant Hansen
Christian talk-show host Brant Hansen opens the book by explaining that he had never felt comfortable with modern church culture and had come to the point of assuming he was just a misfit who never would.  It’s compelling as he unpacks the ‘why’ of his disconnection, because in the reading you begin to realize that he represents a considerable number of people who either attend church but struggle deeply with not fitting in or, worse, simply move on, unable to overcome the disconnect. They are often made to feel like there’s something wrong with them, especially as they are regularly urged to being more expressive and outgoing.  This book brings peace to the Strugglers and insight for the outgoing.
(Note: Brant Hansen reads his own books and is particular good on audio-book)
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The Church Awakening by Charles Swindoll
 In a book born out of his own leadership failures, Charles Swindoll calls the American church to return to it's fundamental and Biblical roots. The wisdom of his six decades of ministry coupled with his humble desire to serve Jesus makes this not only compelling, but essential reading for any Christian who has a deep and abiding heart to follow and obey Jesus in every part of their personal and corporate lives.