Proclaimer Blog
EMA Books (2)
For the next few days, we want to replay the EMA stage recommendations in terms of books, particularly for those who were not able to make it. These are not all the books our BookPanel liked – that would be too long a list – but instead those we wanted to particularly identify as being worthy of some reading time. In each case, there is a very brief review, but the main purpose of the posts is to highlight the titles.
Chris Brauns’ Unpacking Forgiveness is really helpful reading for pastors. You don’t have to be in ministry long to realise we live in a very messy world and there are two particular touch points for us to address. First, we need to understand forgiveness for ourselves. Ministry is a front line business, and we are constantly under attack, some of those attacks showing themselves in even from within the church. If we cannot forgive others and know precisely what that means, then we will find ministry a long, painful and ultimately deadly road. But there is more for us. As we preach to others and counsel them we need to be able to help others forgive. The two are not disconnected, of course: if we cannot forgive ourselves, we are unlikely to be able to help others do the same. Chris’ book is a real help. You may find, reading this book, that even your view of what forgiveness actually is, is challenged. And that may be no bad thing. This is, at times, convicting and uncomfortable reading, as books which realign our radars often are, but it is worth it.