Nature as Spiritual Practice

by Steven Chase

Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmanns. 286 pages

reviewed by SARAH SCHERSCHLIGT

On a morning walk, I caught sight of a bird circling over a pond. I was awestruck to witness it plummet into the pond and emerge with a catch.

Will There Be Faith? A New Vision for Educating and Growing Disciples

by Thomas H. Groome

New York: Harper Collins. 384 pages

reviewed by JAMES F. CUBIE

Thomas Groome is a wise practical theologian who has written a superb book on how to do educational ministry that gives both a compelling, systematic vision of the theology that should support any practical effort to educate and grow disciples, and leads its reader through a series of personal and communal questions that relate directly to how a church operates day-to-day.

Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good

by Amy L. Sherman

InterVarsity Press Books, 272 pages

reviewed by JANICE HORTON

This book hits the spot. The “Vocational Sweet Spot” that is. Defined by Amy Sherman as “that place where our gifts and passions intersect with God’s priorities and the world’s needs,” it’s the place Christians ought to be aiming for when they consider their life’s work.

Indigenous Christianity in Madagascar

by Cynthia Holder Rich

Peter Lang Publishing, 188 pages

reviewed by JOELA RANAIVO

Cynthia Holder Rich provides a volume with a huge historical and informative value, tracing the Fifohazana, a spiritual revival movement in Madagascar, from its genesis in the late 19th century until now.

by Peter Bush

The Alban Institute. 138 pages

reviewed by MARY HARRIS TODD

“No, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” Peter cried when Jesus declared that the way to life led through death.

by James C. Howell

Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, Ky. 178 pages

reviewed by ROY HOWARD

I  have read plenty of books on the art of preaching. I would sacrifice most of them for this one by James Howell.

by Wendy Farley
Westminister John Knox Press. Louisville, KY. 438 pages

reviewed by DEBRA AVERY

Anyone who comes to this book with the hope of finding THE answer is likely to be surprised.

by Benjamin T. Conner
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Paperback. 129 pages

reviewed by JEFF KREHBIEL

Two of the most important movements in the mainline church in recent decades have been the focus on Christian practices represented by the Valparaiso Project on the Education and Formation of People in the Faith (represented by Practicing Our Faith, 1997), led by Dorothy Bass and Craig Dykstra, and the emergence of “missional” theology out of the Gospel and Our Culture Network, led by Darrell Guder and George Hunsberger (represented by The Missional Church, 1998).

by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson
Wm. B. Eerdmans, Minneapolis. 312 pages

reviewed by JOSEPH DELAHUNT

Wesley Granberg-Michaelson stepped down recently from his position as general secretary of the Reformed Church in America.

by Timothy Beach-Verhey
Baylor University Press, 320 pages

reviewed by ROGER J. GENCH

In this fine book on public theology, Timothy Beach-Verhey seeks to find a way for American Christians to contribute to public discourse without seeking to dominate it (as in the past) or to accommodate to its assumptions (our current temptation).