Disciples Coaching

Book Recommendation: The Church in an Age of Secular Mysticisms: Why Spiritualities without God Fail to Transform Us.

Here is a great podcast on Andrew Root's new book where he explains why the self has become so important yet so burdened with guilt--and how we should think about both. To help us understand our confusing cultural landscape, he maps spiritualities using twenty of the best memoirs from 2015 to 2020 in which "secular mystics" promote their mystical and transformational pathways. Root concludes with a more excellent way--even a mysticism--centered on the theology of the cross that pastors and leaders can use to form their own imaginations and practices.

079: Being the Church in an Age of Secular Mysticisms (Dr. Andrew Root) In a secular age offering a buffet of spiritualities, all focused on the self and personal transformation, how is the Christian view similar or different tha...

Book Recommendation: To leave everything behind, as Paul urges us in Philippians 3:13-14, we need to understand our past.

"Unlocking Your Family Patterns: Finding Freedom from a Hurtful Past" is a book written by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, who are clinical psychologists and authors known for their work in the field of personal and relational development. In this book, they explore the impact of family dynamics and patterns on an individual's life and provide insights on how to break free from negative family patterns.

The book covers the following key themes:

Understanding Family Patterns: Cloud and Townsend begin by helping readers recognize and understand the patterns and dynamics within their families of origin. They explain how these patterns can shape a person's beliefs, behaviours, and relationships throughout their life.

The Impact of Family History: The authors discuss how the family environment in childhood can influence one's self-esteem, decision-making, and emotional well-being. They emphasize the importance of identifying and acknowledging the effects of these family patterns.

Breaking Negative Patterns: Cloud and Townsend provide practical guidance on how to break free from destructive family patterns. They offer strategies for establishing healthy boundaries, setting limits, and making positive changes in relationships.

Recovery and Healing: The book also addresses the healing and recovery process from the wounds and traumas associated with negative family patterns. It emphasizes the importance of seeking support and counselling when necessary.

Building Healthy Relationships: Cloud and Townsend discuss how understanding and working through family patterns can lead to healthier and more fulfilling relationships in the present and the future.

"Unlocking Your Family Patterns" is a self-help book that aims to empower readers to confront and transform the negative influences of their family history. By providing practical advice, insights, and real-life examples, the authors help individuals recognize how their past experiences have shaped their present lives and offer guidance on how to create a more positive and emotionally healthy future. It is a valuable resource for those seeking personal growth and healing from family-related issues.

Book Recommendation to become aware of how the church has been complicit in various social injustices.

"Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith" is a book written by Mae Elise Cannon, Lisa Sharon Harper, and Soong-Chan Rah, with contributions from Troy Jackson and Peter Heltzel. The book is an exploration of the need for confession and reconciliation within the Christian faith, particularly in the context of issues related to social justice and the church's historical complicity in injustices.

The authors of "Forgive Us" acknowledge the ways in which the Christian church has been complicit in various social injustices, including racism, colonialism, sexism, and economic exploitation. They argue that the church needs to confess its historical failures and seek reconciliation, both with marginalized communities and with God.

The book is structured around confessions, with each section addressing a specific area of injustice or compromise. These confessions include confessing the sin of racism, the sin of silence, the sin of injustice, and others. The authors reflect on the church's historical involvement in these issues and encourage readers to engage in a process of confession and reconciliation.

"Forgive Us" is a call to action, urging Christians to confront their complicity in social injustices, work toward reconciliation and justice, and live out their faith in ways that align with the teachings of Jesus. It challenges believers to examine their own lives, the history of their faith tradition, and the current state of the church, in order to foster a more authentic and just expression of Christian faith.