What a year it was for book reviews! In the past 12 months, we’ve featured 15 books, sharing what we loved about them and what was helpful for growing in godliness. I haven’t calculated the number of pages or words we’ve read, but it would be a lot! Here’s a short summary of all the books we think are worth popping into your luggage as you head off on holidays, or checking out as you browse summer conference bookstalls.
The Cheerful Giver by Des Smith
“[The book], which can be read in about an hour, essentially covers three areas in relation to giving: the why, the who, and the how much… As we are gradually transformed more into Jesus’ likeness, we will naturally be givers, because we are becoming more like our giving heavenly Father.” - Judy Adamson
The Team Leader’s Handbook: How to help Christians serve Jesus together by Dave Moore
When it comes to practical ministry, it is easy to encourage people to ‘do what I do’ and provide a detailed approach to ‘my method of ministry’ to copy. I think the author has worked hard to provide big picture ideas and principles, general and specific guidance and experience, while leaving space to explore and apply team leadership in the many different (and valid) models of living out church ministry in a practical way. - Peter Mayrick
Parenting in God’s Family by edited by Harriet Connor
As someone busy with young children, I appreciate that each chapter is stand-alone as it makes it easy for me to dip in whenever I have a spare half an hour. - Tara Sing
Motherhood by Jocelyn Loane
I’ve been especially encouraged by [Loane’s] reframing of popular ideas about parenting and mothering, speaking about them with rich biblical wisdom and challenging where society has it wrong. - Tara Sing
Fatherhood by Tony Payne
“In a society confused about what true fatherhood should be, Payne paints a picture from the Bible of the kind of fatherhood we see in God and should aim for in our own lives.” - Tara Sing
Getting Over Yourself – Developing a healthy self-reflection habit to serve those around you by Caroline Spencer
The book is easy to understand, the model easy to follow and apply, and it will be a helpful tool for many… in the end, the ultimate aim of the model is our growth in Christlikeness. - Rev Stuart Adamson
The Child in God’s Church by Tim Beilharz
Christian parenting doesn’t happen in isolation. Parents have the primary responsibility of raising children in the Lord, and we also have the immense privilege of sharing this task with our church family. - Tara Sing
Hey God, Can I Ask You Something? by Brad Emery
Written with primary school children in mind, Emery wanted to provide a resource with Bible-based answers that was easy to navigate and visually engaging. From creation, to the trustworthiness of the Bible, to suffering and the resurrection, it’s a great starting place for kids who are beginning to explore their faith for themselves. - Tara Sing
The Mythical Life of the Good Christian Girl by Polly Jane Butterworth
As a high school chaplain, Butterworth works with teenage girls everyday… She has written this book for every young Christian girl who has struggled with the feeling that they have a certain image to uphold. - Tara Sing
In the Province of the Dragon by Robert and Linda Banks
While [this book] focuses on Sophie Newton’s work and faith – amid numerous trials – it does take note of the other single women who laboured before her, beside her, and after her… It provides a wonderful cultural and faith window into China’s past (and Sydney’s), as well as great encouragement to us all to live in the light of eternity as servants of the King. - Judy Adamson
The heart of our faith by David Mansfield
It’s an explanation of John 3:16, designed as a book to give away to a friend and hopefully create a conversation about Jesus… It’s chatty in style – like listening to a friend explain the Christian faith. Even if the reader doesn’t know David, they will feel like they do. His warmth and humanity are on every page. - Rev Gary O’Brien
Single Ever After by Danielle Treweek
It is thoughtful, wise, practical, helpful and provides insights that I had not had the ability or the language to explore before. - Ruth Baker
Unshaken Allegiance: Living wisely as Christians with diminishing religious freedoms by Patrick Parkinson
His tone remains calm and informed – the very qualities one hopes for when surveying such shifting ground… In a time where freedoms once taken for granted are quietly shifting, Parkinson’s book is a timely companion – reminding Christians that thoughtful, principled action is always possible, and that love of neighbour need not be sacrificed in the pursuit of justice. - Rev Michael Kellahan
Picture book: I Can’t Believe My Eyes! by Joshua Cooley & Hannah Green
A book illustrated as beautifully as the truth it conveys, this is the kite-flying adventure of a father and son as they tackle the age-old question, “Is God real?”. - Tara Sing
Picture book: Wow God! Thank You, Sorry, Please by Simon Camilleri
When a children’s book comes along that has decent pace, clever word combinations and beautiful illustrations, I can’t wait to share it with my daughters. It’s my latest go-to gift for little people in my life. It’s great to have another tool in the toolkit for teaching kids about prayer. - Tara Sing
