The Books of the Bible by the International Bible Society
This innovative presentation of the Bible is hot off the press. Copies can only be ordered directly from the International
Bible Society. I received my copy this week.
The innovation is a return to the ancient text, in a way. The Bible is presented without chapter and verse numbers or
editorial titles. Also, the books are reordered (since the order of the books in our Bible is not part of what we consider
to be inspired, the reordering of the books offers a different kind of insight in itself). The "First Testament" is ordered
more like the Hebrew Bible (though not completely) and the New Testament is ordered by author, chronology and recipient (though
once again, not completely). Unusual, but helpful to the reader who is not so familiar with some of the backgrounds of the
books.
So far I have read Micah and Song of Songs. Without the verse markers both books read more smoothly, though I am realizing
how much I rely on the editorial titles. The TNIV text is highly readable. I am finding it wonderful for devotional reading.
I highly recommend The Books of the Bible, but don't expect it to take the place of your more traditionally
formatted copy. The numeration is so ingrained in our Church culture that it will take years for anyone to find communal use
of the Books of the Bible practical, especially among Christians who value their favorite translations.
But don't let that stop you from enjoying a copy. It is currently available in paperback for less than $10. It is a refreshing
new way to read the Bible for the first time all over again.
Launch by Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas
Here in South Jersey we are praying about whether God wants us to plant a church. As a part of that process, we are doing
some reading. I read Launch.
Fact one: It's a good book. It encourages great enthusiasm and faith in the venture of launching a church. It advocates
strong leadership and specific goals. It gives good advice for the health and spiritual well being of the pastor. It gives
strong warning of the calling necessary and the hard work.
The book pulls no punches about fund raising, though it could get more detailed. The nuts and bolts of planting churches
is not about bible studies and singing, it is about outreach and hard work, including massive fund raising.
On the down side, it seems to me that the model for the church plant is about a decade behind. It is a Purpose Driven,
Seeker model that will still bear strong fruit and have a great deal of success, but I suspect that the demographic will be
a little older than the church planter may wish to target. My guess is that they will attract 40 somethings.
Also, the model focuses hard on numbers. This can be seen as good or bad. Launching Large, with multiple staff right
up front is a risky venture, but also one that requires faith and can therefore lead to wonderful supernatural success. On
the other hand, the model leaves out the charisma of the central leader. I think that if the leader does not have a specific
type A personality type, he or she may find herself struggling, wondering what they are doing wrong.
On the whole, I learned some valuable things from Launch. Our South Jersey plant will need some very active
and assertive, very called people on the team. Fund raising is going to include a number of avenues that each team member
will need to contribute to. The pastor is very important and must be identified before we take too many steps.
Since there is more reading to be done (leaders are readers) other models will contribute more specific advice to our
South Jersey endeavor. Launch is good, but it has some specific assumptions which may not work for every team.
Treble always knew he wasn't supposed to sleep on the pillow. This is his surprise at being caught when the light was
turned on. I am a little afraid that Treble isn't coming back. We've had him for over 10 years. He left late Sunday night,
and we haven't seen him since. We miss him already. The places he usually rests are empty.
