Books, Books, and more Books

I am buried under a pile of books that I want to read, should read, and must read.

My next class is starting on Monday: World Church Growth Principles & Strategies. Reading is 50% of my grade. My class is 7 weeks long. I have 5 books to read and 3 major projects to do, in order to complete this class (this does not include the weekly online discussions and book reports that also must be done). I am now going to crawl into a hole and read my life away. Let me share what's on the agenda:

• Reap the Harvest: How a Small Group System Can Grow Your Church by Joel Comiskey
• The New Global Mission: the Gospel From Everywhere to Everyone by Samuel Escobar
• Truth to Tell: the Gospel as Public Truth by Leslie Newbigin
• From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya by Ruth Tucker
• Missions on the Way by Charles Van Engen

I'm excited about this class even though I'm now doing my pre-class "I think I can, I think I can..." mental exercises and anything else to calm the overwhelmed-by-syllabus feeling.

In addition to this, I have just agreed to once again oversee the church's summer book club. Those who join read the book in June and participate in the book club meetings in July. This year, we have decided to change things up a bit. Instead of offering one book, we are going to offer three! The theme of all three have to do with living boldly or counter-culturally, as the Lord calls us to in the Scriptures. Two books will be non-fiction and one is fiction; the options are:

• The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus OR Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt (Both sound good...has anyone read either of these books and can give my your input???)
• In the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson
• In His Steps by Charles Sheldon

Simply put, there is no way I will be able to read all three prior to the meeting in light of my upcoming class requirements. I have read the last one and will endeavor to read another. My role will be to organize the program, a final event activity, and the meetings, to a degree. As for coming with questions for the meetings, that is where I'll need creativity (and help).

On top of all this, is the ever-lingering thesis paper where I have at least 8 books awaiting my attention. This will have to hold for a bit longer, methinks!

This list make me a bit tired before I even start. It's a very good thing that I like to read. All that is needed are comfy pajamas and coffee and off to reading I go! Wish me luck!