Subscribe to the
monthly PDL e-zine:

Remove your Email

We will not share your information with anyone. Ever. Never. Period.

The Best of The Emerging Church 2007

During 2007, I read some 70+ books in the faith & culture genre. This section contains the books that have blessed me the most during 2007 that I wholeheartedly recommend to you. In fact, I would urge you to read these books. Reinvigorate your passion for the lost art of reading in the postmodern world. God's voice is heard in the pages of these works of art. We encourage you to explore the abundant seas of literature that are designed to increase your appetite for The God of More, Jesus Christ. Enjoy!

#1 - unChristian - What A New Generation Thinks About Christianity - And Why It Matters – by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons – Baker Books – Published November 2007. If there is one book that you must read that should guide the dialog in 2008, this is it. Unequivocally, the most important book of 2007. unChristian captures the essence of the challenge for Christians, Christianity, and the Church in North America in the 21^st century. The implications for the faith and the faithful on a global scale are here. My review is here. My interview with David is here.

#2 – Wide Open Spaces – Beyond Paint by Number Christianity – by Jim Palmer – Thomas Nelson Publishers – November 2007. Hands down the best literary voice in the faith & culture genre today. Jim speaks plain truth for the common man, amidst all the noise and commotion. Period! The ability of an author (or any artist) to follow their first work, (Divine Nobodies – Shedding Religion to Find God and the Unlikely People Who Help You), with a second that rivals the first --- well, that’s just plain giftedness. Give yourself or others a gift – Read Jim Palmer. My review is here. My interview with Jim is here.

#3 – The Shack – by William P. Young – Windblown Media – Without a doubt, The BEST work of fiction I have read in years. I urge you to enjoy a truly transforming trek with God. ‘Paul” Young is a master story-teller. My review is here. Also see http://www.TheShackBook.com.

#4 – Mark Scandrette - SOUL GRAFFITI – Making A Life In The Way Of Jesus Published by Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint, San Francisco, CA Copyright 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. An Epic, Emerging Way Contribution. One of my difficulties with the emerging church movement is that I can’t find enough stories about people who are actually living what they say they yearn for. The “conversation” and the “dialogue” seemingly take precedence with many who yearn for a way of life with Jesus on this planet, in this lifetime that is somehow more meaningful than their former spiritual practices, relationships, affiliations and beliefs have delivered.

Mark Scandrette’s book, SOUL GRAFFITI – Making A Life In The Way Of Jesus is a first, hopefully not last, model of what’s been missing, addressing the fundamental concern I expressed above. Jossey-Bass should be congratulated for their foresight in producing this work as part of A Living Way: Emergent Visions Series.

#5 – The Trouble With Islam Today by Irshad Manji - Author Irshad Manji is now one of my favorite authors and socio-political activists. A book Christian thinkers must read due to the parallels with the reforms essential within the Christian faith.

#6 - Tie - Jim & Casper Go To Church - Frank conversation about faith, churches and well-meaning Christians by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper. This book is something Christitution needs more of. Buy it. Savor it. Pray about it. Then act upon it. Change. Grow. Be challenged. Thanks to Jim and Matt for irrigating the pastures of Christitution with challenging ideas. Will this change the ways we flock together, our grazing practices, our behavior as observed by those who wander into the pastures of faith? Perhaps new ways of growing in spiritual sustenance are emerging outside the confines of the existing mainstream structural pastures of Christitution in the U.S.? Then again, maybe it's all about us, the sheep who need to change, as Jim says: "We are the ones who need to change---not our guests" (p.149).

#6 - Tie - Everything Must Change - Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope by Brian McLaren. For me, it's Brian's most important work to date. My review is here and interview with Brian is here.

#7 – Tie - Signs of Emergence by Kester Brewin – A treasure. I can’t tell you how wonderfully I was blessed by Kester’s work. I am not going to say a whole lot about it, other than read it. There are numerous reviews of this work on-line.

#7 – Tie – The End of Religion – Bruxy Cavey – Wow --- I needed this one. Listen to Bruxy. I adored this work.

#8 - Spotting The Sacred - Noticing God in the Most Unlikely Places by Bruce Main. Bruce Main is a superb story teller who has the uncanny gift of combining stories of a servant's life (his) with faith truths that ONLY one who has lived them is able to share. The following quote really captures the essential essence of this book for me:

#9 - This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley. It’s rare that I read a book in bed until 3:00AM simply because I am invigorated and inspired by the author to such a degree that sleep becomes irrelevant. That’s the effect this book had on me. This guy is onto something. So are those he hangs with. They live it. Rick writes, “One of the biggest challenges to following Jesus into His kingdom is not a lack of direction but a lack of desire. Most of us really don’t want to do it.” (p.50). When you’re done with this book, you will be filled with the desire to “move out.” Buy This Book! Then act upon what Rick says.

#10 (Tie) - Hear His Call - Meeting God Amidst Creation By Jon Plunkett

#10 (Tie) The Battle For God by Karen Armstrong - Armstrong's Magnum Opus treatment of the history of fundamentalism. This book is a MUST READ for those associated with the emergent movement today. Sorry, I don't have time to write the appropriate review this work deserves. There are more than enough reviews on Amazon.

1. Best PDL Article ‘Quote in’ 2007 – Phil Wyman - The most poignant quote we published in 2007 is from an article by Phil Wyman: “Sometimes I am what’s wrong with the church. At our best, sometimes we are still what’s wrong with the church today. Just because we talk about being 'open,' and 'relational' doesn't mean that we are. Is it possible that we express those terms in a way which fosters a fear of being something other, or a pride about being something better? Sometimes we are what’s wrong with the church today.”
2. Best New Voice in 2007 – William P. (Paul) Young - Author of “The Shack.”
3. Best Publisher – Editor for 2007 – Unequivocally, Sheryl Fullerton at Jossey-Bass. The selection of authors, subject matter and the quality of the editorial contribution Sheryl and her team make, day-in and day-out are extra-terrestrial. Plus, she’s one very cool lady. Close second --- Thomas Nelson. Any publisher who found Jim Palmer is worthy of an award.
4. Best ezine for 2007 - Next-Wave - Thanks again, Charlie Wear.
5. Best Storyteller of 2007 – William P. Young – “The Shack” -
6. Best Conference in 2007 - Hands Down!!! Off-The-Map in Seattle, WA USA. Fantastic job Jim Henderson and team!
7. Best Undiscovered Graphic Artist 2007 – Anne Goodrich
8. Best illustrator/cartoonist 2007 - Rob Woodrum
9. Best Book About God and The People Who Claim The Name of God – Karen Armstrong – The Battle For God.
10. It's About Time - 2007 – David Kinnaman’s “unChristian.” I've watched, listened and learned from the Barna Group for many years. With David as President and the publication of this book, I remain confident about the tremendous contributions the Barna Group will continue to make for many, many years to come.
11. Holy Smoke! Award for 2007 – Kester Brewin’ book, Signs of Emergence.
12. Encore! Award for 2007: Jim Palmer – Wide Open Spaces – Beyond Paint by Number Christianity.
13. Can’t Wait for 2008 Award – Tony Jones and Doug Pagitt’s new books coming out in 2008. Look for a flip-side follow-up from David Kinnaman as well.
14. 2007 Best Book by a Lay-Person (Anyone without an MDiv., in seminary, paid by a church or parachurch, unemployed former pastor/missionary, seminary drop-out etc.) about the issues of God and daily life - No Award - Why - Because publishers continue to publish from the top down, when this revolution is about bottom-up.
15. Best Book I Read in 2007 That You Probably Won't - - Jon Plunkett – Hear His Call.
16. 2007 Can't Wait For Your Next Book Award - Four-way tie between William P. Young, Jim Palmer, and Jim Henderson and David Kinnaman.
17. Transformation Award - 2007 – Tie between William P. Young’s “The Shack” and David Kinnaman’s unChristian.
18. Follow The Leader Award for 2007 - Charlie Wear – During 2006, Charlie left his law firm in L.A. and moved to Tampa with his family. In late 2007, Charlie and family returned to L.A. "Just following God," he said….again. Look for Charlie’s new TV show on CNN later this year: “CW 360.”
19. Best Bloggers 2007 – John Smulo, Pam Hogeweide, Helen Mindenhall, Erin Word, Jim Palmer.
20. Best Ditty in 2007: “Mr. Nobody” by Todd Baio.
21. The Coolest People I Met in person in 2007: Jim Henderson, Parker, Erin Word, John Smulo, Brian McLaren, Sheryl Fullerton, Tony Jones, Nate Bettger, Bob Pierson, Pat & Brian McGaffigan, Kyle, Stephen & Rachel and Pam Hogeweide.
22. People I’d like to hang with in 2007 whom I’ve never met in person: Jim Palmer, Kester Brewin, George Barna, Gabe Lyons, Bruxy Cavey, Mark Scandrette, Eboo Patel, David Kinnaman, Bob Hyatt, Rick McKinley, Paul Young, Ingrid Perlongo, Kelly Hughes Tammy Schooch, Jeff Jacobsen, Anne Goodrich, Irshad Manji, Becky Garrison, Mike Morrell and Todd Baio…the people who sent prayer requests to me when their lives were on fire. Thanks for providing us with the privilege of praying for you.
23. Best Literary PR Firm Award - DeChant-Hughes & Associates - Chicago, IL - Nobody's in their league (Kelly and Ingrid RULE!).
24. Watch-out Award - Windblown Media
25. Best Unpublished Authors - John Smulo, Pam Hogeweide, Erin Word & Jeff Jacobsen.
26. Best Band - Hey, it's still Byword in my book.
    

The Porpoise Diving Life Guest Editors for 2008:

During 2008, Bill Dahl will be writing a new book. However, The PDL ezine will continue to be published on a monthly basis. Guest Editors will take over the responsibility for putting the publication together.

We are looking for new voices to take this opportunity to prepare each monthly publication. Our preference is for “ordinary folks” to take advantage of the Guest Editor opportunity. If you have an agenda that involves money, speaking engagements or personal aggrandizement --- well, there’s better places for you to contribute.

I wrote Days 41-80, you folks write Days 81-120 during 2008.

If you know of people who you think should be heard by a broad, global audience, have them get in touch with Bill at wsdahl(at)bendbroadband(dot)com.

Welcome! | The Book | On the Horizon | Dahl - Writings | Portions | PodWorks | Prayer Requests | Links | PDL Store | Bubbles

© 2005/2006/2007/2008/2009/2010 Bill Dahl | site design by IDCI

No part of this site and/or the contents herein may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. All rights reserved. Requests for permission to reproduce or disseminate any part of any material on this site should be mailed to: Permissions Department, Bill Dahl Redmond, OR.