I Am A Follower // Leonard Sweet

I Am A Follower: The Way, Truth, And Life Of Following Jesus by Leonard Sweet is a great book on returning to the way of following Jesus. Sweet takes the simple words of Jesus and applies them the leader-centric Christian culture showing that we are not called to be leaders, but followers. There are three main sections to I Am A Follower, from which Sweet shows how we are to live out the words of Jesus. He uses a more poetic form of writing revealing that creativity is part of the following Jesus, unlike the rigid forms of Step 1-10 of how to lead.

I Am A Follower was a good book that I would recommend to those looking for a decidedly different route to the walk of Christianity. I was raised by an excellent Pastor who lead through the servant perspective. There isn't a time that I thought my dad was being selfish and leading to gain a following or win personal favors. It was through his attitude and lifestyle that many other people became followers of Jesus

Sweet's poetic writing is enjoyable at times, and others over the top. I appreciate that he uses this writing tool to show that the world isn't a stringent list of steps to following Jesus. Following Jesus is an art. An art that is experienced differently by each person, and is participated in uniquely by every artist.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

The Management Methods of Jesus // Bob Briner

The Management Methods of Jesus, by Bob Briner, takes the life, words and deeds of Jesus and applies them to the world of business. Briner uses the life of Jesus in the gospels to show how the world of business would benefit from his example. Each section is short enough to read as a daily inspiration for anyone in the modern business place.

I was not very impressed this book at first. However after finishing it, I found that TMMJ is a decent book for anyone in the business world. I found that many of the sections seemed elementary in their theological topics, but that is exactly what Briner is aiming for. The gospel, at it's core, is a very basic concept. Man is sinful, God is holy, Jesus came to restore mankind. It was when I began to read from this perspective that I found this book helpful.

The Management Methods of Jesus was a good quick read. I think that anyone who has a hard time finding things to read because of their work schedule would benefit from Briner's writing. If you're looking for a good gift for that business person in your life go grab The Management Methods of Jesus.

Exponential // Dave and Jon Ferguson

Exponential, by brothers Jon and Dave Ferguson, is a manual on how you and I can start a missional church movement. Sharing their stories of small beginnings at local diners writing dreams on napkins to the explosion of small groups into networks of churches in Chicago and the nation (and abroad), Exponential is a wake up call to the church of America. Using the simple and biblical concept of reproduction, Jon and Dave pave the road for future church planters, small group leaders, and Christians who want to follow the mission of Jesus.

This book was amazing and terrible at the same time. How, you might ask, can a book be amazing and terrible at the same time? Well, good sirs and madams! It is incredibly amazing to see how I, a mere man, could accomplish the mission Jesus entrusted to his disciples and everyone of his followers. It is terrible in the sense that I am now responsible for the knowledge I have.

Exponential is based on one simple idea. Reproduce, reproduce, reproduce. Constant reproduction. And after you have reproduced, you reproduce again. It's really simple. Anything that is alive reproduces. Plants, animals, people...everything that lives reproduces; therefore, it only makes sense that Christianity, a faith based on a living God, reproduces itself.

I am a Christian and I am a wretch. It's God's grace that allows me to be a part of the greatest story ever told. As a Christian I am responsible to reproduce, through God's strength, people who follow Christ who produce people who follow Christ. I, along with most American believers, have not taken seriously the commission of Jesus. After reading Exponential, I know I am responsible. I know I can do it. And as Jon and Dave Ferguson say time and time again, "You can do it!" too!

I am driving to Chicago on Wednesday to attend a conference based on the training of reproduction. I appreciate any and all prayers, encouraging comments, and random supportive Facebook messages regarding my trip. I'll get to hang with an old friend, Kevin Davis, from my dad's church plant in Colorado Springs, CO.

Next Book: The Management Methods of Jesus by Bob Briner