The best new books I’ve read in the last month are
- (5+) Between the Listening and the Telling: How Stories Can Save Us by Mark Yaconelli (Broadleaf Books, 2022)
- (5.0) Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church by Katelyn Beaty (Brazos Press, 2022)
- (4.5) After the Ivory Tower Falls: How College Broke the American Dream and Blew Up Our Politics and How to Fix It by Will Bunch (William Morrow, 2022)
- (4.5) Divine Laughter: Preaching and the Serious Business of Humor by Karl N. Jacobson and Rolf A. Jacobson (Fortress Press, 2022)
- (4.0) Into the Mess: & Other Jesus Stories: Reflections on the Life of Christ by Debie Thomas (Cascade Books, 2022)
- (4.0) Hybrid Hope: Church of the Future for Churches with a Future curated by Michael Piazza (Michael S. Piazza, 2022)
- (4.0) Pandemic, Inc.: Chasing the Capitalists and Thieves Who Got Rich While We Got Sick by J. David McSwane (SImon & Schuster, 2022)
- (3.5) The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown by Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr (Harvard Business Review Press, 2022)
Between the Listening and the Telling
One of the roles I often say I perform in my work as the Executive Director of White Rock Center of Hope is Chief Storytelling Officer. As someone who spent a few decades serving local congregations, I come to this current work with considerably experience and thoughtfulness. Mark Yaconell’s new book was the professional development opportunity I wasn’t actively seeking yet gratefully received. Between the Listening and the Telling rekindled my passion for good storytelling, affirmed the importance of the craft, and provided me with new insight I began using immediately.
In a world filled with more stories than any time in human history, it is more essential than ever that we tell compelling stories. And, while facts matter, facts without a story often fail to connect. Or, as Yaconnelli writes, “. . . facts can’t hold us together. Facts can’t inspire us beyond our present sufferings. Facts can’t answer the deep cry within us for meaning. Not unless you line them up in a story first” (p.169).
Repeat Appearances
One author included on this month’s list has appeared previously on So What Faith: Michael Piazza – Vital Vintage Church: How Traditional Congregations Thrive (2016). This book was named one of So What Faith’s Top 10 Books of 2016. Piazza has also been featured in multiple blog posts for his work as a pastor and church consultant.