Matt Pritchard » Books http://www.mattpritchard.com Connecting People and Communities Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:11:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore? http://www.mattpritchard.com/2007/05/04/so-you-dont-want-to-go-to-church-anymore/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2007/05/04/so-you-dont-want-to-go-to-church-anymore/#comments Fri, 04 May 2007 16:06:41 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=79

So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore

Rating: 4 out of 5

Author: Jake Colsen

Year: 2006

Publisher: Bodylife Publications

ISBN: 0964729229

The writing in this book is frankly quite bad, however the content is amazing and inspired. It offers a strong challenge to the institutional church and paints a radical transforming picture of the Church.
]]>

So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore

Rating: 4 out of 5

Author: Jake Colsen

Year: 2006

Publisher: Bodylife Publications

ISBN: 0964729229

The writing in this book is frankly quite bad, however the content is amazing and inspired. It offers a strong challenge to the institutional church and paints a radical transforming picture of the Church. Even better, you don’t have to by it. It’s available for free download.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2007/05/04/so-you-dont-want-to-go-to-church-anymore/feed/ 0 Irresistible Revolution Audio Book http://www.mattpritchard.com/2007/01/23/irresistible-revolution-audio-book/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2007/01/23/irresistible-revolution-audio-book/#comments Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:32:11 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=76

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Shane Claiborne

Year: 2006

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 0310266300

]]>

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Shane Claiborne

Year: 2006

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 0310266300

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2007/01/23/irresistible-revolution-audio-book/feed/ 0 Love Your Enemy http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/12/02/love-your-enemy/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/12/02/love-your-enemy/#comments Sun, 03 Dec 2006 02:33:00 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=54 I’m speaking with Brandy about my difficulty in loving some people. I’m someone who loves almost everyone. I find it quite easy to love the large majority of people. There are a few people I don’t and I believe that those are the people I should particularly be seeking to love. Still I fail.

Yet the Bible calls Christians to an even higher standard. One should seek to “love your enemy as a yourself.” So often I think of this as a personal and heart thing. “I love my enemy in my heart.” This is certainly wrong. Christ is calling us to actively love our enemies. To love our enemies in action and heart. What an incredible thing for Christ to tell us to do. How rediculous in the world’s eyes?!?! What does it truly look like to do such a thing? I pray that I may learn to actively love my enemies as myself.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/12/02/love-your-enemy/feed/ 0 A Generous Orthodoxy http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/11/29/a-generous-orthodoxy/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/11/29/a-generous-orthodoxy/#comments Wed, 29 Nov 2006 20:29:45 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=89
Not as good as Velvet Elvis and even more married to the Constantinian model of church.
]]>

A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/calvinist, … anabaptist/anglican, metho (Emergentys)

Rating: 3 out of 5

Author: Brian D. McLaren

Year: 2006

Publisher: Zondervan/Youth Specialties

ISBN: 0310258030

Not as good as Velvet Elvis and even more married to the Constantinian model of church.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/11/29/a-generous-orthodoxy/feed/ 0 Tithing http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/10/01/tithing/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/10/01/tithing/#comments Mon, 02 Oct 2006 03:01:00 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=31 While at the CCDA conference I got to hear from a group that I was first introduced to at the PAPA Festival.

Relational Tithe seeks to relationally distribute tithes in accordance with scripture. Much of their work is fueled by an essay by a megachurch teaching pastor entitled, “Embezzlement: The Corporate Sin of Contemporary Christianity?” In it Ray Mayhew, quite against his own best interests, seeks to examine the purpose of tithes using scripture and documents of the early church. It is an amazing, hard teaching and a very worthwhile read.

I increasing realize the need for a complete examination of church practice and that many of the problems of the church are directly related to an incorrect view of evangelism. I am working on a paper examining evangelism and plan to post it in the next few weeks. My hope is that it will serve to begin a series on a vision for the 21st century Church.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/10/01/tithing/feed/ 0 Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/09/03/velvet-elvis-repainting-the-christian-faith/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/09/03/velvet-elvis-repainting-the-christian-faith/#comments Sun, 03 Sep 2006 20:24:43 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=88 Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Rob Bell

Year: 2005

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 031026345X

I just finished “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell on audiobook. It was great! The author has a keen understanding of where God is calling the Church.

Rob Bell is the senior pastor at Mars Hill, a megachurch attended by thousands. Now, I know what many of you are thinking, Matt Pritchard is singing the praises of a megachurch pastor, what’s going on? Well, I’m still firmly in the camp of the importance of reflecting the intimacy of Christ in our fellowships.

That said, it was fun to hear Bell use the exact same language I have been using of late–maybe it’s a Holy Spirit thing. Though Bell is a little too institutional for my taste, he thoroughly comprehends the need for the church to embrace reality instead of religion, love instead of legalism, and a powerful Christ worth living and dying for instead of a palatable, easy god worth only saying a phrase of allegiance to.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/09/03/velvet-elvis-repainting-the-christian-faith/feed/ 0 Theirs Is the Kingdom http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/06/29/theirs-is-the-kingdom/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/06/29/theirs-is-the-kingdom/#comments Thu, 29 Jun 2006 20:37:21 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=91

Theirs Is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Robert D. Lupton

Year: 1989

Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco

ISBN: 0060653078

Robert Lupton artfully relates a variety of stories from his experiences in urban ministry. The short chapters make this book perfect for devotions.
]]>

Theirs Is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Robert D. Lupton

Year: 1989

Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco

ISBN: 0060653078

Robert Lupton artfully relates a variety of stories from his experiences in urban ministry. The short chapters make this book perfect for devotions.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/06/29/theirs-is-the-kingdom/feed/ 0 Kingdom Works: True Stories About God and His People in Inner City America http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/06/29/kingdom-works-true-stories-about-god-and-his-people-in-inner-city-america/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/06/29/kingdom-works-true-stories-about-god-and-his-people-in-inner-city-america/#comments Thu, 29 Jun 2006 20:34:15 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=90

Kingdom Works: True Stories About God and His People in Inner City America

Rating: 4 out of 5

Author: Bart Campolo

Year: 2001

Publisher: Vine Books

ISBN: 1569551952

Kingdom Works provides a wonderful group of devotions on urban ministry by one of mission year's founders, Bart Campolo.
]]>

Kingdom Works: True Stories About God and His People in Inner City America

Rating: 4 out of 5

Author: Bart Campolo

Year: 2001

Publisher: Vine Books

ISBN: 1569551952

Kingdom Works provides a wonderful group of devotions on urban ministry by one of mission year’s founders, Bart Campolo.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/06/29/kingdom-works-true-stories-about-god-and-his-people-in-inner-city-america/feed/ 0 Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Disciplines http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/03/29/mudhouse-sabbath-an-invitation-to-a-life-of-spiritual-disciplines/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/03/29/mudhouse-sabbath-an-invitation-to-a-life-of-spiritual-disciplines/#comments Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:22:30 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=94

Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Disciplines

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Lauren F. Winner

Year: 2007

Publisher: Paraclete Press (MA)

ISBN: 1557255326

Lauren Winner delves into her Jewish roots to explore 11 spiritual practices that help us understand the character of God.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/03/29/mudhouse-sabbath-an-invitation-to-a-life-of-spiritual-disciplines/feed/ 0 The Irresistible Revolution http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/02/07/the-irresistible-revolution-2/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/02/07/the-irresistible-revolution-2/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2006 20:16:10 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=87

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Shane Claiborne

Year: 2006

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 0310266300

As I have traveled the country talking with fellow 20-somethings, it has been clear that God is speaking to us in a united voice, however it has been difficult to find the words that correspond with this calling. Shane Claiborne artfully articulates what so many in our generation are hearing. A theologian who truly lives out the Call, he challenges the Church with exceptional love and truth. The only negative is that in chapter 11, I felt he crossed the line from solidarity with the poor and oppressed to political action. At any rate, it's a difficult path to navigate and Claiborne does it exceptionally (both in his writing and life)! I have given away over 150 copies. A must read!

]]>

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Shane Claiborne

Year: 2006

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 0310266300

As I have traveled the country talking with fellow 20-somethings, it has been clear that God is speaking to us in a united voice, however it has been difficult to find the words that correspond with this calling. Shane Claiborne artfully articulates what so many in our generation are hearing. A theologian who truly lives out the Call, he challenges the Church with exceptional love and truth.

The only negative is that in chapter 11, I felt he crossed the line from solidarity with the poor and oppressed to political action. At any rate, it’s a difficult path to navigate and Claiborne does it exceptionally (both in his writing and life)!

I have given away over 150 copies. A must read!

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/02/07/the-irresistible-revolution-2/feed/ 0 Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/01/29/real-sex-the-naked-truth-about-chastity/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/01/29/real-sex-the-naked-truth-about-chastity/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2006 22:19:03 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=93

Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Lauren F. Winner

Year: 2006

Publisher: Brazos Press

ISBN: 1587431971

Lauren Winner does an excellent job Biblically examining sexuality, shaking off the victorian and Hollywood views of sexuality so prevalent in today’s cultural christianity to expose the beautiful, normal sexuality God has called us to.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2006/01/29/real-sex-the-naked-truth-about-chastity/feed/ 0 From Brokenness to Community http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/10/29/from-brokenness-to-community/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/10/29/from-brokenness-to-community/#comments Sat, 29 Oct 2005 19:33:32 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=82

From Brokenness to Community (Harold M. Wit Lectures)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Jean Vanier

Year: 1992

Publisher: Paulist Press

ISBN: 0809133415

In this extremely short book (actually a transcript of a lecture he gave at Harvard), Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche, discusses the importance of community. It is in community that we realize our own brokeness and only in community that we can find healing.
]]>

From Brokenness to Community (Harold M. Wit Lectures)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Jean Vanier

Year: 1992

Publisher: Paulist Press

ISBN: 0809133415

In this extremely short book (actually a transcript of a lecture he gave at Harvard), Jean Vanier, founder of L’Arche, discusses the importance of community. It is in community that we realize our own brokeness and only in community that we can find healing.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/10/29/from-brokenness-to-community/feed/ 0 Under the Overpass http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/08/25/under-the-overpass/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/08/25/under-the-overpass/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2005 12:50:28 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=98

Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Mike Yankoski

Year: 2005

Publisher: Multnomah

ISBN: 1590524020

This is a great chronicle of a student who felt called to spend 5 months on the street as a homeless man. Wow!
]]>

Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Mike Yankoski

Year: 2005

Publisher: Multnomah

ISBN: 1590524020

This is a great chronicle of a student who felt called to spend 5 months on the street as a homeless man. Wow!

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/08/25/under-the-overpass/feed/ 0 Remember Me, Rescue Me http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/06/29/remember-me-rescue-me/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/06/29/remember-me-rescue-me/#comments Wed, 29 Jun 2005 22:30:31 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=97

Remember Me, Rescue Me

Author: Matt Roper

Year: 2004

Publisher: Gabriel Resources

ISBN: 1850784795

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/06/29/remember-me-rescue-me/feed/ 0 Street Girls: Hope on the Streets of Brazil http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/05/29/street-girls-hope-on-the-streets-of-brazil/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/05/29/street-girls-hope-on-the-streets-of-brazil/#comments Sun, 29 May 2005 22:29:55 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=96

Street Girls: Hope on the Streets of Brazil

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Matt Roper

Year: 2004

Publisher: Authentic Media

ISBN: 1850785961

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2005/05/29/street-girls-hope-on-the-streets-of-brazil/feed/ 0 The Silence of Adam http://www.mattpritchard.com/2004/06/29/the-silence-of-adam/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2004/06/29/the-silence-of-adam/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2004 22:02:55 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=92

The Silence of Adam

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Larry Crabb

Year: 1998

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 0310219396

Unlike Eldridge's combination of Nietschean masculinity with cultural christianity in Wild at Heart, Larry Crabb thoughtfully and Biblically explores what it means to be a Godly man in this excellent work.
]]>

The Silence of Adam

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Larry Crabb

Year: 1998

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 0310219396

Unlike Eldridge’s combination of Nietschean masculinity with cultural christianity in Wild at Heart, Larry Crabb thoughtfully and Biblically explores what it means to be a Godly man in this excellent work.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2004/06/29/the-silence-of-adam/feed/ 0 Blue Like Jazz http://www.mattpritchard.com/2004/03/29/blue-like-jazz/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2004/03/29/blue-like-jazz/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2004 19:29:07 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=81

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

Author: Donald Miller

Year: 2003

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

ISBN: 0785263705

Many of my friends really like Blue Like Jazz, I read a few chapters and just didn't get into it.
]]>

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

Author: Donald Miller

Year: 2003

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

ISBN: 0785263705

Many of my friends really like Blue Like Jazz, I read a few chapters and just didn’t get into it.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2004/03/29/blue-like-jazz/feed/ 0 Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger http://www.mattpritchard.com/2004/01/29/rich-christians-in-an-age-of-hunger/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2004/01/29/rich-christians-in-an-age-of-hunger/#comments Thu, 29 Jan 2004 22:27:04 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=95

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Ronald J. Sider

Year: 2005

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

ISBN: 0849945305

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2004/01/29/rich-christians-in-an-age-of-hunger/feed/ 0 Blinded by Might http://www.mattpritchard.com/2003/10/29/blinded-by-might/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2003/10/29/blinded-by-might/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2003 20:04:47 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=86

Blinded by Might

Rating: 4 out of 5

Author: Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson

Year: 1999

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 0310226503

Written by two former leaders in the "Moral Majority," Blinded by Might argues that seeking the Kingdom through political means in problematic.
]]>

Blinded by Might

Rating: 4 out of 5

Author: Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson

Year: 1999

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 0310226503

Written by two former leaders in the “Moral Majority,” Blinded by Might argues that seeking the Kingdom through political means in problematic.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2003/10/29/blinded-by-might/feed/ 0 Discipleship http://www.mattpritchard.com/2003/09/29/discipleship/ http://www.mattpritchard.com/2003/09/29/discipleship/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2003 19:37:00 +0000 Matt http://www.orangewombat.com/blog/?p=83

Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Vol. 4)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Year: 2003

Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers

ISBN: 0800683242

My favorite book. In this incredible work, Dietrich Bonhoeffer dispels the myth of cheap grace and calls us to extreme devotion.
]]>

Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Vol. 4)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author: Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Year: 2003

Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers

ISBN: 0800683242

My favorite book. In this incredible work, Dietrich Bonhoeffer dispels the myth of cheap grace and calls us to extreme devotion.

]]> http://www.mattpritchard.com/2003/09/29/discipleship/feed/ 0