Books available

Please contact Kris LoFrumento, Program Coordinator of YA Resources if you would like to check any of these books out.

Reimagining Spiritual Formation

By Doug Pagitt and Solomon’s Porch Community

A view of Solomon’s Porch – a holistic, missional, Christian community in Minneapolis, Minnesota – throughout a typical week of gatherings, meetings, and meals. The book explores what spiritual formation looks like in a church that has embraced its parts as its whole – worship, physicality, dialogue, hospitality, belief, creativity, and service.

Emerging Worship                                                                         By Dan Kimball

Dan Kimball writes of ways for churches to find the 18-35 year olds that are missing from most congregations. In this book Kimball lists ways to create multi-sensory worship services, ways to create new types of worship gatherings, ways for congregations to rethink how they do church and he does so in a way that will equip the reader with practical approaches.

Leadership Wisdom from Unlikely Voices                       By Dave Fleming

This book is designed to help the leaders amongst us put the ideas in these pages to work for themselves and in their leadership role. With areas titled “Pause”, “Ponder”, and “Practice” there are concrete ways to add wisdom from those who have lead before, into the reader’s life.

Adventures in Missing the Point                           

By Brian D. McLaren & Tony Campolo

This book tackles some heavy issues (salvation, the Bible, Social Action, Homosexuality, Sin, and more) that most, if not all Christians deal with at some point in their lives. Each chapter is written by one of the authors and then commented on by the other providing two views on each topic. Pick a topic, read the chapter, process your own beliefs, talk to worship leaders about their beliefs, begin a dialogue.

The Coffeehouse Gospel                                                         By Matthew Paul Turner

This is a guide to being able to become an evangelist. This book helps those who want to share their faith, but don’t know where to begin.

Understanding God’s Will How to Hack the Equation without Formulas

By Kyle Lake

This book, geared towards 20-somethings, who are trying to figure out what God’s intentions for them are, could be used as a small group discussion. Lake writes in a personal way, giving examples and metaphors that fit our culture today.

Facedown                                                                                           By Matt Redman

A devotional resource to help worshipers surrender completely to God in an act of “reverent submission”.

 The Relevant Church A New Vision for Communities of Faith

Edited by Jennifer Ashley and written by 15 Leading Pastors

The Future is here for these 15 pastors as they write about how they have gone outside the traditional church to reach twentysomethings. These 15 essays tell of a wide variety of ways to worship, of places all over the country and abroad who have found ways to be relevant.

God’s Relentless Pursuit Discovering His Heart for Humanity

By Phil Strout

Strout pastors at the Vineyard church in Lewiston, Maine and has been a missionary in Chile and Brazil as well as being a church planter and mission organizer. The book focuses on recognizing God at work in each person’s daily life. This book is recommended by Relevant to be read by a group before going on a mission trip.

Making Sense of Church Eavesdropping on Emerging Conversations about God, Community, and Culture                                                      By Spencer Burke

As the creator of TheOoze.com Burke uses the message board contributions from the website to facilitate dialogue on postmodernism. The viewpoints are varied and numerous, but can easily facilitate discussion in a small group format. There is an application section at the end of each chapter to help further the conversation.

Summoned to Lead                                                                     By Leonard Sweet

This book is based on the premise that leaders are summoned forward based on circumstances and environments and aren’t necessarily born or raised. Sweet focuses on the needed ability of leaders to hear their vision, not just see it.

Miles to Cross A Spiritual Journey on the Open Road           By Mike Howerton

Most people dream of traveling cross country or backpacking through Europe, many college kids do it. Mike Howerton made that dream a reality as he explored Europe by train, America by motorcycle, Britain by hitchhiking, and Central America by river boat and jungle bus. In the book, Howerton shares his personal stories, pictures, and poetry as he traveled around the world and made his way on his own spiritual journey as well. This book is a great parallel for many college students and young adults who are on their own spiritual journeys.

Here I Am to Worship                                                                  By Tim Hughes

This is a resource designed to help worship leaders, pastors, and musicians. Hughes offers practical tips on incorporating music into worship – leading a band, choosing a song list, and more.

Single Focus Understanding Single Adults                     By George Barna

Barna, founder of the Barna Research Group Ltd, has provided a book packed with research about single adults. This book will be very helpful to anyone trying to connect with the single young adult demographic.

To Become One                                                                By Chris Seay & Chad Karger

This book, using the authors lives (and their wives perspectives), offers a guide for how to build a solid foundation for married life. Through stories, religious references, and thought provoking questions Seay and Karger have provided a resource that those contemplating marriage, newly married, or offering premarital counseling can find beneficial.

Following Jesus a non-religious guidebook for the spiritually hungry

By Dave Roberts

Look for the “ten challenges we must face” about the ideas Christians hold, then read further for the kind of Church Roberts is aspiring towards (both of these are in the introduction). Are you intrigued? Read on! This book can be used in small group discussions.

The Journey Towards Relevance Simple Steps for Transforming Your World  

By Kary Oberbrunner

Oberbrunner makes the argument that there are two main camps within the Church – separatists and conformists – who are at complete odds with one another. It is time for Christians to transform and become relevant and to find a way to balance culture and faith.

Rock Stars on God                                                                      By Doug Van Pelt

A cross section of musicians – some openly Christian in their music, others faithful personally, some more secular – are all interviewed by Van Pelt and all are asked very pointed and directed questions about their own beliefs. Become relevant mixing well known artists with questions about faith.

Blue Like Jazz                                                                                  By Don Miller

Miller presents “the funniest, most accessible explanation of life as a Christian ever written for this generation”. Read it for personal enjoyment, use excerpts in your sermons, pass it along to spiritual searchers.

Blessed Be Your Name                                                           By Matt and Beth Redman

The Redmans teach us about praising God despite our current circumstances. They include their own stories as well as those of others they’ve met who have faced the worst life has to offer and have kept their belief in God. If you’re feeling down and out or have in the past and want to feel a connection with others, this is a good read.

Velvet Elvis: repainting the Christian faith                      By Rob Bell

“Times change. God doesn’t, but times do. We learn and grow, and the world around us shifts, and the Christian faith is alive only when it is listening, morphing, innovating, letting go of whatever has gotten in the way of Jesus and embracing whatever will help us be more and more the people God wants us to be.” Rob Bell writes, “…this book is for those who need a fresh take on jesus and what it means to live the kind of life he teaches us to live. I’m part of a community, a movement of people who have been living, exploring, discussing, sharing, and experiencing new understandings of Christian faith.” Sound like you? Someone who’s exploring what it means to be Christian?

flashbang                                                                                           By Mark Steele

Steele, through this book, is trying to stop the flashbang…the sound of an explosion without the reality… and begin to dig deeper to walk in the way of Jesus.    

Friendlationships                                                                           By Jeff Taylor

A book designed with the intent to give insight on friendships and dating protocol for single Christian 20-somethings.

Walk On: Revised                                                                          By Steve Stockman

Do you love U2? Do you want to know what all the fuss is about? Get the low down on the spiritual lives of the band members and on the real meanings of many of their songs.

A Place for Skeptics                                        By Scott Larson and Chris Mitchell

This book is written as a 30-day spiritual journey and designed to engage and examine questions about God, the Bible, faith, and Jesus. Christians and non-Christians wrestle with skepticism in regard to their faith. How do leaders of the church find a place for the skeptic? This could be used as a small-group discussion topic.

With or Without You                                                                    By Cameron Conant

We live in a culture of divorce. What does it mean to be a divorced 20-something? What does it do to your faith? How do you find your place in the church community? A personal account of the fear and hurt and displacement that being divorced leaves in its wake.

God is Here                                                                                        By Steve Case

Case has unearthed the wisdom of Brother Lawrence, a 17th century monk and remixed it into a 21st century guide for everyday life. The basis for both of these authors is to find ways to connect with God moment by moment everyday.

Revolution                                                                                         By George Barna

Are you ready for your church to change? According to Barna, the church needs to ready itself because we are in a time of Revolution. More and more Americans are looking for God, but have stopped going to church on Sunday mornings to fill their spiritual needs. What does the future hold? Be prepared to be challenged…

Practitioners: Voices from within the Emerging Church

Edited by Greg Russinger and Alex Field

Culled from conversations, gatherings, on-line entries and more from some of the leaders in the Emerging Church culture, this book is filled with essays that could be conversation starters, small group topics, or more.

Redefining Life: My Career                                                         By Margaret Feinberg

Part of the Redefining Life series, this book focuses on the transition between college and career. Using Scripture and a question/discussion format the book pushes young adults into lively discussion and self-reflection.

Redefining Life: My Identity                                                           By Margaret Feinberg

Part of the Redefining Life series, this volume focuses on asking questions, such as Who are you? Through Scripture and other readings Young Adults are pushed to move beyond the surface and to delve into their core identity.

Redefining Life: My Purpose                                                        By Margaret Feinberg

Part of the Redefining .Life series, this book pushes Young Adults to be challenged by the question: What makes the difference between merely being alive and really living? How are you significant in the world?

Family: Finding Who We Are and How We Belong…20/30: Bible Study for Young Adults                                                                                   By James Hawkins

Organized into seven sections, this book challenges Young Adult learners to examine a biblical theme and its images and to explore how they might define and shape each person’s life. Easy to read with discussion questions and case studies.

Covenant: Making Commitments That Count…20/30: Bible Study for Young Adults                                                                                                    By David Otto

This volume discusses the concept of covenant, what happens when they are broken, how to have a faithful covenant, and a sacred covenant with God. Bible background is provided on this theme, as well as discussion questions, case studies, and other opportunities.

Community: Living Faithfully with Others…20/30: Bible Study for Young Adults

By David M. Easterling and Robert Warren

This volume organized in the seven session format, delves into the topic of community. Using Scripture and life examples the book helps Young Adults examine intimacy, work, family, and more in their lives.

Balance: Living with Life’s Demands…20/30: Bible Study for Young Adults

By Tracey L. Henderson

In this book the topic of balance in one’s life is the topic. How do you prioritize all the demands of life – work, school, family, friends, church, stuff like paying bills – and are they getting the right priority at the right time? Using biblical images, case studies, and other resources these seven sessions will help Young Adults figure out how to achieve balance.

Faith: Living a Spiritual Life…20/30: Bible Study for Young Adults

By Clifton F. Guthrie

This volume will help you examine your faith and to grow as a Christian. Is faith…belief? trust? moral behavior? Using bible background on the topic of faith as well as other resources, this book will help Young Adults discuss what faith means to them.

Love: Living a Spiritual Life…20/30: Bible Study for Young Adult

By Barbara K. Mittman

This volume will help to further the discussion and understanding of what love is. It will help Young Adults explore the many dimensions of love with God, family, friends, and a life partner using Scripture and case studies.

Explorations in Theology and Film         Edited By Clive Marsh & Gaye Ortiz

This book brings introductory questions and substantial theological evaluations of film together. Films discussed include: Edward Scissorhands, the Terminator collection, Groundhog Day, Dead Poet’s Society, and more.

Seeing and Believing: Religion and Values in the Movies By Margaret R. Miles

Miles uses a cultural studies approach to address her passions of religion and history combined with a love of the movies. The book explores what films from the 1980s and 1990s say about religion and about the values by which we live. Films profiled include: The Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus of Montreal, Thelma and Louise, Jungle Fever, and more.

Reading the Gospels in the Dark: Portrayals of Jesus in Film

By Richard Walsh

This book brings “Jesus-films”, the Gospels, and American culture together through discussion and insight. Walsh comments on the films themselves and on the American Jesus characters portrayed within them.

Scripture on the Silver Screen                                                         By Adele Reinhartz

Reinhartz explores the ways the Bible is often used in film – from a prop to a plot device. Each chapter of the book begins with discussion on the specific Bible passage, followed by a summary of the chosen film, and the films main themes. Films profiled include: The Truman Show, Magnolia, Dead man Walking, Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption, and others.

Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue                    By Robert K. Johnston

This book is a great read for anyone interested in the theological dimensions of contemporary film. Johnston uses over 200 films as examples throughout this work.

Catching Light: Looking for God in the Movies                               By Roy M. Anker

Anker writes to remind us that we don’t only watch films, but that we can be and often are affected and transformed by them. He profiles such films as, The Godfather saga, Tender Mercies, Star Wars saga, American Beauty, and others.

Lights, camera…faith!: a movie lectionary Cycle A

By Peter Malone with Rose Pacatte

For every week of the year, based on the lectionary, a film has been selected. The authors provide a summary of the film, commentary on the film, dialogue with the Gospel, key scenes and themes, as well as questions for reflection and conversation. The films offer a wide selection for multi-generational events and discussion.

Lights, camera…faith!: a movie lectionary Cycle B

By Peter Malone with Rose Pacatte

Same as above, except using Cycle B of the Lectionary and with all new film selections.

Practicing Our Faith                                                               Edited By Dorothy C. Bass

This book explores 12 central Christian spiritual practices. Each practice is explored in depth and is placed in its historical and Biblical context, is examined in regards to its relevance today, and it is demonstrated how the practice can give depth to daily life. The practices are: honoring the body, hospitality, household economics, saying yes and saying no, keeping Sabbath, testimony, discernment, shaping communities, forgiveness, healing, dying well, and singing our lives.

Gilead                                                                                          By Marilynne Robinson

This novel, the winner of the 2005 Pultizer Prize, depicts the life of Rev. John Ames, a congregational pastor. He details his life in journal form in hopes that his young son will one day want to get to know his father (Rev. Ames has a heart condition and knows he will not live to see his on grow up.) An intimate portrait of the life of a clergy person in middle America in the mid 1950s.

Good Ideas from Questionable Christians and Outright Pagans: An Introduction to Key Thinkers and Philosophies                            By Steve Wilkens

Wilkens writes to provide an introduction to philosophy by exploring a single issue from each of ten different philosophers. This book is written to engage students, thoughtful Christians and anyone who wants to explore some of life’s deepest questions.

The Gospel Reloaded: Exploring Spirituality and Faith in the Matrix

By Chris Seay and Greg Garrett

Delving into the trilogy of The Matrix films and all their details, religious undertones, and philosophies. These are postmodern epics calling us to seek and find. What’s real and what’s a mirage in each person’s life?

The Evolution of a UCC Style: Essays in the History, Ecclesiology, and Culture of the United Church of Christ                                                  By Randi Jones Walker

Walker addresses the ethos and culture of the United Church of Christ and addresses the themes of: inclusiveness, diversity of theological heritage, congregational polity, liberal theological approach, and ecumenical spirit.

The Difference a Day Makes: 365 Ways to Change Your World in Just 24 Hours

By Karen M. Jones

This book offers a new way every day to effectively change the world. The suggestions listed here generally do not cost anything and do not take much time. Lots of internet sites and resources are listed.

Real Sex: the Naked Truth about Chastity                                 By Lauren F. Winner

Winner writes candidly about sexual chastity. Her discussion is grounded in Scripture, but she also confronts cultural ideas about sex and about the way sex is talked about in church settings. This book is aimed at single Christians, married Christians committed to monogamy, and for all those who may counsel them.

The Bible for Dummies                               By Jeffrey Geoghegan and Michael Homan

The basics…what is the Bible about? who wrote it? and more! Written from an interfaith perspective this guide helps to answer the basic questions and present facts that bring the Bible to life.

20 Something, 20 Everything: A Quarter-Life Woman’s Guide to Balance and Direction                                                                                               By Christine Hassler

Written for women in their 20s and 30s who feel that they have done it all and don’t know what’s next and for those who don’t know what they want to do at all and everyone in between. Hassler identifies the “twenties triangle”: Who am I? What do I want? How do I get it? Through the book these questions become ways for individuals to find themselves and identify their dreams and values.

Religion and the Death Penalty: A Call for Reckoning

Edited By Erik C. Owens, John D. Carlson, and Eric P. Elshtain

This debate rages large in today’s American culture. The book gives a wide range of perspectives, many from a faith perspective on the death penalty and will challenge the reader to think critically about this social dilemma.

I am not, but I know I am: welcome to the story of God                   By Louie Giglio

Giglio’s book is his way of telling you that this is God’s story and each person is just a tiny portion of a much larger tale. Find your way to God, however, and your story will live on through the larger one, for eternity.

Confessions of a Caffeinated Christian                                              By John Fischer

A “caffeinated Christian” is one who is not afraid to show that they have been broken. This high octane Christianity is part of a life that’s “over the top with Jesus” and lived in the opposite manner of a decaf life, which is more appealing, but less real.