March and April Reviews

I took two courses during March and April required for my entry into the doctoral program in July.  These two courses dominated my reading time, but the reading was very interesting.

For these courses I read:

• The Power of Vision by Barna
• Spiritual Leadership by Blackaby
• Lead Like Jesus by Blanchard and Hodges
• The Christian Educator’s Handbook for Adult Education by Gangel and Wilhoit
• Developing the Leader Within You by Maxwell

Each of these books were very valuable in the information they contain.  I would recommend Maxwell’s book to anyone in leadership, but the other three leadership books were specifically helpful to those in the church.  I could see a church staff reading Barna’s book together over a period of transition.  Lead Like Jesus could be used likewise, or by a group of deacons, just looking to develop more of a servant-leadership within the church.  I highly recommend Blackaby’s work to pastors.

Gangel and Wilhoit might be a bit too much of a textbook for your small group leaders and lay teachers to get into.  However, for those looking to understand adult education in depth, it was very good.  I appreciated it for its linking of many disciplines like sociology and psychology to the practice of teaching.

Now, I hope to have a little time to read some of the books on my list before I get the doctoral syllabi for the summer seminars.