August 20, 2010
Book Review: Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John C. Maxwell
Effective communication and "connecting" are subjects near and dear to a missionary's heart. Almost everything he does--from church-relations to on-field ministry--rises or falls on his ability to connect with others. Therefore, John C. Maxwell's latest offering, "Everyone Communicates, Few Connect", is timely and relevant for all involved in missions. Without a doubt it is valuable for just about any other line of work as well.
Maxwell is an acknowledged "leadership guru" and prolific author, whose flagship book "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" has become a classic in that field. With this latest volume he focuses on the subject of communication.
But this time there's a twist.
Before the book was published, Maxwell made the manuscript available online and invited readers to contribute. The result is a collaborative effort that brings the experiences of a host of "regular folks" to the table.
"Everyone Communicates, Few Connect" is divided into two sections of five chapters each. The first section deals with "connecting principles", and the second with "connecting practices". In reality, I found the entire book to be very practical. It has made a difference in how I approach our visits to supporting churches while home on furlough.
For example: common missionary wisdom dictates that one make a video presentation, or at least a quality Power Point presentation that is presented at all churches. However, based a principle Maxwell brings out in his book, I have made a special presentation for each church we have visited so far. The result? Our time has ceased to be a "report" and become a time of family sharing.
That is just one example of how I have benefited from this book. If you work with people in any way (and unless you are stationed at a one-man observation post in the arctic, chances are good you do) you will benefit from it too.
Talk back to the missionary: What principles do you follow to connect with those around you? Share them with us in the comments section.
Related Posts:
The Missionary and Social Media
Your Very Own Mission Field
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August 13, 2010
Book Review: Patton, The Pursuit of Destiny by Agostino von Hassel and Ed Breslin
On a hilltop in France during World War One two men, possessors of gigantic egos, stood chatting casually as enemy shells burst around them. Neither one wanted to be the first to leave and be seen as the less courageous of the two. One of these men was Douglas MacArthur, who went on to distinguish himself as commander of the Pacific theater during the second world war.
The other was George S. Patton.
Perhaps no other military figure in American history is shrouded in as much legend as Patton. In their book Patton, The Pursuit of Destiny, authors Agostino von Hassell and Ed Breslin attempt to separate fact from fiction. The resultant biography is no where near as complete as, say, Manchester's tome on Macarthur. Still, it is helpful in sorting out the real Patton from the Hollywood version.
And according to the authors, the real Patton was a man of contrasts. He was a highly disciplined man whose mouth consistently got him in trouble. He demonstrated great personal courage and had an obsessive fear of death. He gave profanity laden speeches while at the same time writing tender missives to his wife back home. He went beyond the call of duty in his personal care of wounded soldiers, and yet almost lost his career because he slapped on one but two of them.
The authors do a skillful job of bringing out these complexities and analyzing their roots. The first chapters explore his family history (Confederate war heroes, Virginia aristocrats) and early influences. The rest of the biography deals with the major events of his life.
As a side-note, there is an aspect of authors' style that frustrated me. On not a few occasions the authors relate the result of a conflict, then go back and rehash the details, giving the result again at the end. Other than that annoying detail, the writing was crisp and well-paced.
I would recommend this book to all who are interested in the life of this American hero, as well as to any who study the principles of leadership. The best and the worst of said principles can be found in Patton.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Talk back to the missionary: Who is your favorite World War Two personality? Leave your choice in the comments section.
Related Posts:
American Ceasar
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Brazil in World War II
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July 31, 2010
Book Review: The Revolutionary Paul Revere by Joel J. Miller
Known primarily for his "midnight ride" in the primordial days of the American Revolution, Paul Revere actually had led a full and influential life, of which the event immortalized in Longfellow's poem is but a small part. Patriot, innovator, industrialist, Freemason, soldier, father, husband--Paul Revere stands as one of the giants of early American history. In The Revolutionary Paul Revere, author Joel Miller sets out to give us a more complete picture of the great man. In this he is largely successful.
Miller's writing style is simple, quick-paced, and attention-grabbing. He spices up the narrative with unexpected turns of phrase, and the lengthy, purposefully wordy chapter headings give the book an eighteenth-century feel. I was easily drawn into the story, and came away with a much deeper knowledge of Revere and the times in which he lived.
Did you know, for example, that Paul Revere made the copper fixtures used in the USS Constitution? Or that he also supplied copper for the steam engines of one Robert Fulton? Or that when he died in 1818 (at 83 years of age) many of the bells that tolled in Boston were of his manufacture? I knew none of this until I read The Revolutionary Paul Revere.
One of the parts of the book I appreciated most was Miller's insistence on putting Revere's life and actions into the context of the things going on around him. Also, while obviously an admirer of Revere, he does not shy away from recounting some of the less-than-attractive events of his life. I appreciate an author who can write an admiring biography without feeling the need to make his subject the very paragon of every conceivable virtue.
If you are interested in American history, and want to learn more about Paul Revere, this book should be on your list.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Talk back to the missionary: Any interesting facts about Paul Revere? Share them with us in the comments section.
Was this review helpful to you? You can find more here.
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May 8, 2010
Book Review: The Revived Puritan
Ever since my teenage reading of Dalimore's two-volume biography of George Whitefield the eighteenth-century revivalist preacher has been at the top of my "heroes of the faith" list. My recent reading of The Revived Puritan: the Spirituality of George Whitefield (Classics of Reformed Spirituality)
reinforced that position.
In this book Michael Haykin collects and edits several letters from Whitefield to friends and inquirers. These letters--while far from complete, represent a cross-section of his ministry. They also provide a window on the soul of this great man, revealing--among his imperfections--the depth of his spirituality.
Of particular interest to me were the letters to Wesley at the height of their conflict over the doctrine of Election. Whitefield demonstrates a firmness in his beliefs coupled with a deep and genuine desire that their friendship not suffer due to their differences.
Would that today's Christians could demonstrate the same attitudes.
This book was a great benefit to me, both ministerially and spiritually.
Talk back to the missionary: Who is your spiritual hero? What books would you recommend about his/her life? Let us know in the comments section.
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April 22, 2010
Book Review: The Great Jesus Debates
If you have ever wanted a clearer understanding of how our orthodox positions on the person and work of Christ were formed and cemented, The Great Jesus Debates: 4 Early Church Battles About the Person and Work of Jesus
After a somewhat lengthy introduction in which he lays the historical and theological framework for the debate, Johnson divides his book into four chapters, each one having to do with one of the great theological conflicts: The Gnostic and Marcionite Controversies, The Trinitarian Controversy, The Christological Controversy, and The Controversy Over Grace. Each of these sections is treated in an easy-to-read manner, and from an orthodox perspective.
The Great Jesus Debates: 4 Early Church Battles About the Person and Work of Jesus
Talk back to the missionary: What is your favorite period or personality of Church history? Go all historical in the comments section.
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