John Drane 
RRP $30.00

In ‘The McDonaldization of the Church’, John Drane critiqued church trends toward ‘fast food’ spirituality while offering suggestions for change. In this long-awaited sequel published in 2008, Drane addresses key questions for Western Christianity in a global context. He argues that increasing numbers of people are turning to ‘spirituality’ even while church attendance has continued to decline in the US and Europe, and that the continuing impact of globalization and consumerism has been joined by a post-9/11 culture of fear and a search for truth. In light of these developments, Drane presents a case for a more practical theology, a reinvigorated style of ministry, and a restatement of classic Christian beliefs for the twenty-first century. This accessible book will appeal to church and culture readers, pastors, and those interested in the emerging church. (From the Publisher)

Conversation Starters on Life and Faith

Andrew Dutney
RRP $14.95

Each of the short essays in this stimulating collection originated in

another place. Some began as conversations which Andrew Dutney

enjoyed with listeners while he was a guest on ABC radio. Others began as articles in The Independent Weekly, New Times, or Australian Leadership. Others are drawn from university classes and seminars, including at the University of the Third Age.

Whatever its source, each essay is what it claims to be. A conversation starter. About God. About where God intersects with ordinary and everyday life. Backyard theology.

The result is a mixed bag, and its not always clear for whom the essay was written. Some raise questions for all of us. The place of religion, and public discourse about religion. Science and theology. Miracles. The Bible. But others seem to be written for a Christian audience, and raise issues that may not be of wider concern. Denominational leadership in post-denominational times. Missional mentoring. Theology and leadership.

I was left wondering about who I might give this to ...

Nevertheless, these essays will provoke conversation. They are honest and refreshing. They are insightful. They are stimulating. Certainly I found them well worth reading.

Alan Dutton
June 2011

Marcus Buckingham
RRP $18.95

• Helping you set a direction for your life without fear that you’ve chosen the wrong one
• Revealing how to handle the responsibilities on your shoulders without guilt that you aren’t doing enough
• Guiding you to build fulfilling relationships with your boss, your co-workers, your spouse, and your kids without resenting what they are demanding from you.

Robin McGraw No. 1 New York Times Best-Selling Author says : Marcus gets it! I’m the kind of woman who is always looking for new ways to live healthier and happier, and Marcus has a direct line to the heart and mind of women. This is an insightful and empowering message – you must read Find Your Strongest Life.

Finding Our Way Again
Brian McLaren
RRP $25.00

Brian McLaren, internationally known speaker and author, says most of us suffer from spiritual disorientation.  Our souls are untended.  And in this fragmented world, a soul left untended quickly loses direction.  It forgets itself and becomes on  insubstantial thing, disoriented and unavailable to the truth.  And neither scientific secularism nor religious fundamentalism nor vague spiritualities have been able to offer any real answers.

In Finding Our Way Again, Brian McLaren serves as guide to a wide variety to a number of disciplines, showing how they form character, awaken us to life and help us to experience God, and each other, in new and fresh ways.

Robert Schnase  
RRP $30.75

From Publisher's reviews: 
“People are searching for a church shaped and sustained by Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity. These fundamental practices are critical to the success of congregations. Their presence and strength demonstrate congregational health, vitality, and fruitfulness. By repeating and improving these practices, churches fulfill their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Robert Schnase astutely weaves theological insight, practical advice, and exemplary stories into an inspiring book for pastors and laity alike.” — L. Gregory Jones, Dean and Professor of Theology, Duke Divinity School

“Stimulating. Challenging. Uniquely helpful. Bishop Schnase gives us powerful language, rich examples, and practical suggestions for fulfilling the mission God gives us.” —Janice Riggle Huie, Bishop of the Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church

Comments provided by Alan Dutton, Rural Resource Minister, MRN

Rob Stoner
$9.95 each (or $8.00 each for 10 or more copies)

Since returning from a two week exploration of the Fresh Expressions movement in England this report has been prepared for the Uniting Church SA. It contains:

* Discussion of the terminology used in the UK and how that translates into the work of the Uniting Church
* Reports on fresh expressions we saw in action plus key findings from conversations with their leaders about their experience of commencing, developing and sustaining their particular model.
* Implications for the Uniting Church SA including the quality and calling of the people involved, the education and training of those called to work on the edge of the church, the support and funding required, helpful processes for discipleship, and development of leaders within a fresh expression.
* A Discussion Guide for use in congregations.

In the excitement and exhaustion of becoming parents, the first thing that can get overlooked is your relationship. You might spend less time together, argue over little things, drift apart...In the UK, one in five children see their parents separate before the end of their first year at school. Almost one in two children experience family breakdown before they finish school. But it doesn't have to be like this. Most family breakdown IS avoidable. In Let's Stick Together, relationship educator and father of six Harry Benson guides you through three simple habits that research shows make or break new mums and dads. Illustrated with real-life examples from Harry's own back-from-the-brink marriage and those of other couples, 'Let's Stick Together' highlights simple principles that will make your relationship the best it can be and give your children the best start.

- Publisher

Richard Foster 
RRP $32.00

Eugene Peterson  says: ‘A huge gap yawns in our culture between reading the Bible and living the Bible. Many read it. Not nearly as many live it. Richard Foster’s purpose is to close the gap. The writing is lucid, inviting, and friendly. Read this and experience for yourself the closing of the gap.’

This is a book and a resource kit exploring the beatitudes, in everyday language for an everyday response. Author of Plan Be, Dave Andrews, was our guest speaker at the Synod & Presbytery meeting on 27 February, 2010.

This resource is recommended to congregations as a study resource for 2010.

Click below for information on ordering the kit.

Re-Enchanting Christianity: Faith in an Emerging Culture
Dave Tomlinson
RRP $25.00

The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third-culture Church 
Dave Gibbons
RRP $19.95

Clowns Storytellers Disciples: Spirituality and Creativity for Today’s Church 
Olive M. Fleming Drane
RRP $25.00

Olive recounts her pilgrimage from personal tragedy to an international clown ministry.  She not only offers an inspirational account of God at work, but also provides plenty of practical suggestions for creative ministry.  The book contains specific ideas for interactive Bible study, as well as clear guidance on how to use the arts with theological integrity.

Rick Richardson 
RRP $22.95

“Sometimes talking about Jesus with friends can feel like trying to close a deal on a sales call, pushing something on people they may not really want. What if it was more like inviting friends in a spiritual journey?

“Imagine being free to be yourself and free for the Spirit to work in you. Imagine that it doesn’t depend on your alone but that you can be an important part of a witnessing community. Imagine telling people stories instead of trying to download content. Here is your invitation to reimagine what evangelism could be for you.”  (From the Back Cover)

“I’m thankful for Rick Richardson and this book. If you read it – alone or, even better, with a group – you’ll find yourself more ready, and more motivated, to be there for people ...
I hope you’ll take this book to heart and put it to practice in your life.” (From the Foreword by Brian McLaren)

For a review by Alan Dutton, Rural Resource Minister, MRN

Rusty Loses His Loop
Josie & Matthew Wright-Simon
Illustrated by Robin Green
River Murray Urban Users Local Action Planning Committee, 2006

Price is $18.95.
Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the MurrayCare Foundation.

Book Review by Judyth Roberts.

This is a wonderful picture story-book for young children about the impact humans are having on the River Murray and the Coorong as told through the migratory bird Rusty, the red-necked stint.

Each year Rusty flies from Siberia to the Coorong. He relies on food sources which have become scarce through salination.

The Coorong has become too salty; plants are getting sick and the birds are getting hungry. Each year the situation is getting worse. More fresh water is needed for the Coorong to become healthy.

The book invites readers to become part of the solution. By saving water we may also save the Murray River system and Rusty. Rusty's plight will help children draw a link between how they use water and the effect this has on the environment.

The book has been published by the River Murray Urban Users Committee, a local community group which works to raise awareness in schools and the wider community of the River Murray.

Locally written and designed, the book also draws on the culture of the Ngarrindjeri people of the Coorong area.

 Educational booklet (1.05 MB)

Olive M.Fleming Drane 
RRP $28.00

Olive Drane’s book is packed with reflections, ideas, prayers and stories providing a 24/7 spirituality for our 24/7 lifestyle.

Wendy M Wright comments as follows: “Fresh and insightful, Olive Drane’s ‘Spirituality to Go’ peaks the imagination by encouraging us to recognise that even the most mundane moments of life can be charged with meaning if we just mark them ritually. Too often we think of ritual as something habituated and routine but Drane reminds us that is not the case: ritual can provide a sense of identity and community for those who otherwise have none. From acknowledging changes (like getting a passport, blending a family, warding off illness or becoming a grandparent), to defusing contentious relationships, to taking a holiday, to facing our inner fears, ‘Spirituality to Go’ looks at ordinary life anew and suggests surprising ways that we can enhance our experience through simple ritual practices.”

How to Mentor the Spiritual Development of Children
RRP: $35.00

This is a good companion to Children and the Theologians. Teaching Godly Play is a revised and expanded, second edition of a book published in 1995. It begins by discussing why serious-serene play is important to nourish children's spirituality and then moves the reader through the process of how to mentor children so they can enter adolescence with an inner working model of the Christian language system. This system includes sacred stories, parables, liturgical action, and contemplative silence. It needs to be internalized and functioning by adolescence so it is available in a deeply rooted, yet open and creativeway, to help young people to fashion a new, larger, more conscious, and increasingly

flexible identity during this important time in life. They need the security and creativity of "playful orthodoxy" to encounter new situations, new people, new ideas, and other religions in constructive ways without becoming uprooted. This method is used in combination with the Godly Play curriculum.

Jerome W. Berryman

Preview at Google Books