Tag Archives: Book Review
Book Review: The Checklist Manifesto
Posted on 17. Nov, 2011 by Kenny.
As this year is wrapping up, I’m spending more time than usual looking over all that has been done in 2011. One thing I am proud of is that I’ve read many more books than I have in past years. I truly think this can be attributed to the kindle app on my iPad. Although it has been the busiest year of my life, I’ve made more time to fill my mind with new ideas (as well as a little time to escape). So, in the coming weeks I hope to write a few reviews of the books that have made a difference for me this year).
Over a month ago, I wrote this post about checklists. It was inspired by Sam Luce’s review of the Checklist Manifesto which I had read at his recommendation.
Unlike a lot of other books, as soon as I finished reading it… I had to call someone. I immediately called Sam and spent the better part of an hour on the phone with him discussing the implications of this book on Children’s Ministry. I’ll get to that a little later though.
The premise of this book though is about the importance of checklists. It’s not that we’re stupid and we need checklists, but it’s that because we are often caught up in higher-level thinking that sometimes little things get missed because we’re solving complex problems. Often times these little things that are missed can make the difference of life and death.
Atul Gawande, the author of this book and a surgeon recognized how many other professions where precision and perfection make the difference of life and death utilize checklists. Every pilot follows a series of checklist before flying, before landing and there are checklists for emergencies. Whenever a new situation arises, new checklists are developed and pilots are equipped with the data. Atul wrote about the recent plane crash in the Hudson river a few years back. What helped cause everyone to survive was the crew that worked together and followed the protocol set up for them through checklists. The same was true with the building of massive skyscrapers. Every day’s work is managed by a very complex set of checklists. Without adhering to the checklists, these buildings wouldn’t stand. When’s the last time you’ve heard of a building collapsing on itself? Checklists work.
Atul noticed the lack of checklists in the medical profession. However, he began experimenting with them. Although there are thousands of variables in the operating room where no two operations are the same, a simple checklist was devised and over the course of months and years, thousands of lives were saved from overlooked mistakes and tragic infections. Checklists work!
One of the things discovered is that the use of a checklist improved results with absolutely no addition of skill. It got me thinking, how much more effective could our volunteers be if they had a set of checklists to follow. Although you can’t “checklist” a relationship, you can create a checklist around how often and when a leader engages relationally. We can create classroom checklists and task checklists. So, this book has influenced me and I know that the coming months may see the creation of new checklists in my ministry… and I’m sure I’ll share them with you here. Regardless, I do recommend you pick up this book. Get your own copy right here.
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Book Review: Lead the Way God Made You
Posted on 05. Jul, 2010 by Kenny.
I never had any intention of reading this book. Never is such a strong word. Actually, the cover and title of this book is very intriguing. It draws you in. You want to know more. That was the case when I first saw this book in the bookstore almost five years ago. I opened it up and started skimming the chapters. Drama Coach? Director? Production Assistant? Ummmm, that’s okay, I don’t do productions as a part of my weekend experience. I have a lot of books on my list to read and this one wouldn’t be the best use of my time.
That was my first experience with this book.
One time I even discouraged someone from reading this book. I told him that it wasn’t really a book about leadership, but about leading children’s ministry productions. Sorry Larry.
I’ll say it.
I was wrong.
A few months ago Larry Shallenberger asked for people to review this book for his blog tour. I’m not even sure why I agreed because I had already made up my mind that this book wasn’t for me. I think it was the promise of a free book. 
Well, I’m glad I got to review it because it may end up being one of the most important books I read this year.
This IS a leadership book that happens to tell a story as a narrative that illustrates the lessons being taught. The story happens to be about a Children’s Musical Production. While skimming, I missed the point and made incorrect assumptions.
More importantly, this book spoke to some of they areas where I’ve felt “stuck” as a leader. It spoke to my frustrations as well as some of the frustrations my team has been feeling. There are many different styles to leadership and no one possesses them all. Perhaps part of the reason I feel stuck is becasue I’m not allowing my team to lead the way God made them which in turn isn’t allowing me to lead the way God made me.
I’m not going to get into the details of the book here. All I can say is that as I read this book I often found myself nodding in agreement, “Yes! This makes perfect sense!” I also found myself getting really hopeful about the way things could be if people on a team actually led this way. Plenty of light bulb moments. I’ve already been talking to my staff about the concepts and we’ll be reading the book as a team this month. We’ll experiment with some of these concepts this summer and fall and if we see certain results, me may look into some organizational restructuring. It’s very exciting!
So, order this book right now! You may have a packed out reading list, but do yourself a favor, pop this book at the top of your list.
Oh, I also have an extra copy of this book to give away. I’ll make this really simple. This post went live on Monday morning, July 5th. The last comment on this post today (Monday) gets a copy of the book. So, leave a comment!
Also, spread the word, I’ve got another copy to give away. The last person to tweet a link to this post with the #kidmin tag today (Monday) will get a book. This should be fun, so tweet away.
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A “not-so-new” (but great) leadership resource
Posted on 30. Jun, 2010 by Kenny.
Leadership is an interesting thing, isn’t it. Some of us are born with a natural “know-how.” Others of us have to work really hard at it. All of us get stuck at certain places. As people who oversee ministries, we need it, need to know how to grow it and how to cultivate it. All of us know what our limitations are as a leader. I know mine. At times I’m embarrassed by mine. It’s good to know that this isn’t the end of the story, there’s plenty of time to develop and plenty of time to grow.
So, there’s a book out there that I want to point you towards. It’s called “Lead the Way God Made You.” I’ll be honest, it really spoke to where I am right now as a leader in many different ways. I’m doing an official review for this book on Monday, July 5th which I’m writing right now. It’s a holiday weekend and I’ve got a feeling that a lot of my regular readers will be soaking in some rays as opposed to reading my blog. On Tuesday, be sure to log in and read the review. I’m kinda excited about what this book might mean for me as a leader. Maybe if it helps me, it will help you.
Larry Shallenberger published this book five years ago and to celebrate the anniversary, he’s organized a blog tour. So far you can read Larry’s summaries here as well as the first few stops of the blog tour here, here and here.
If you haven’t read the book yet, go ahead and pick up a copy or two right here, I highly recommend it!
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Does this stuff drive you nuts?
Posted on 17. Mar, 2010 by Kenny.
The other day I headed over to Phil Vischer’s site (since I subscribe to his blog). He was writing about some of the reviews he has gotten surrounding his new DVD series “What’s in the Bible.” One review in particular was written by the Book Center at the Dallas Theological Seminary. It’s a great review. I’m really glad a seminary chose to do a review on a children’s ministry DVD. Kevin Stern, the author of the review, called the DVDs two of the most life-changing titles this year. That’s awesome!
Then came the part that drives me nuts. The comments, which I can only assume are seminary students. Click here to read the comments.
Seriously! The reviewer just wrote a glowing review about a much needed resource in the world of Children’s Ministry which really could provide a dynamic tool for parents to engage with their kids in biblical discussion and two of the three comments seemed to be wrapped up in concerns about creation not being portrayed as a literal event or following Augustine’s viewpoint on creation. I’m a huge fan of theology and making sure that doctrine is right and accurate, but is this getting a little ridiculous? When I was at my Christian university, I’d seem to always pass by the same group of students who were eternally locked in debate about deep spiritual issues. As pure as their motives seemed to be, they always seemed to be more engaged in religious debate rather than ministry in action. I’m not saying this is who these commenters are, but comments like these seem to deflate the positive nature of this post, a glowing review.
I haven’t yet watched the DVDs. I’m sure I’ll like them and I’m sure the portrayal of the creation story is one that won’t insult my child’s intelligence or spoil his doctrinal viewpoints of Genesis.
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I read just read The Shack
Posted on 30. Oct, 2008 by Kenny.
My mom brought me her copy of The Shack. I hadn’t heard of it until about two months ago. Apparently I’ve been living in a hole. The only thing I’d really heard about it was that it was stirring up quite a bit of controversy, but the masses were loving it.
I read it in about a week. It was the first book I’ve ever read that caused me to cry. Okay, maybe that is a little bit of a stretch. My eyes misted over and I got the little lump in my throat. That’s what happened. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a hard-hearted dude. Every time I watch Homeward Bound or even the Fox and the Hound, I cry like a baby. But a book? I’ve never read a book that induced that kind of emotion… but maybe it’s my choice of book, huh?
So, I totally had no idea of what to expect. I was a little shocked when I met Papa. I didn’t expect that at all. However, I can’t say I didn’t fall in love with the three main characters (outside the main person). I must say that there were many parts where I totally connected with the characters and I thought, “Wow, God really does want to connect to me just like that.” I think that God is too far removed from our experience, and The Shack as a good reminder of how near God is and how he wants to relate to us.
The negatives? There were a few parts where the dialogue got a little long. I felt like I was in a systematic theology class where the professor was trying to explain something really complicated in a way I could understand, but the explanation went way longer they time allowed. I know that there were some theological leaps taken in this story. A lot of people say that this is the perfect book for a non-believer. I’m not sure I’d give it to a non-believer. Yeah, it sets a good start on how a person can relate to God, but maybe not quite the same way this book does. The front cover compared this book to “Pilgrim’s Progress.” I think that’s a little bit too wishful thinking. Was it good for my faith though? Absolutely! What an amazing story of forgiveness.
So, if you get a chance to read it, I totally recommend it. It’s refreshing, fun and though provoking. Just don’t read it with your systematic theology text.
You can pick up the Shack at Amazon right here: The Shack
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Book Review: The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School
Posted on 20. Apr, 2007 by Kenny.
The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School by Aaron Reynolds
I can think of only one word to sum up what I thought of this book: Fabulous!
Honestly. Last week someone on my staff gave me this book. Although I have a creative streak, usually my administrative tendencies crowd out that part of my personality. Knowing that Willow Creek highly values and usually sets the standard on using the “arts” in ministry… I initially wasn’t interested. I figured this would be a book I would skim. No, really. Any book that is purposely filled with funny and weird sketches on almost every page is enough to make we want to sit in front of CSPAN all day. I think my deal was that I just don’t like using drama and arts in the context of children’s ministry because from my experience, it is usually crappy! So, I wasn’t really interested. [...]
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