Growing in Grace: Resources, Winter 2025, Vol. 10

Quarterly mini book reviews for Christian leaders

Christian Leadership 

Coleman M. Ford and Shawn J. Wilhite,  Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls: Learning the Art of Pastoral Ministry from the Church Fathers (Crossway, 2024).

Pastoral ministry is not new. Ford and Wilhite draw a direct line between current issues and the writings and experiences of leaders like Irenaeus and Augustine. What an encouraging and practical blend of old and new!

Bible Study as a Means for Understanding the Times

Esau McCaulley, Janette K. Ok, Osvaldo Padilla, Amy L. M Peeler, The New Testament in Color: A Multiethnic Bible Commentary (IVP, 2024).

God’s word is for all tribes and tongues. McCaulley and his co-authors let us look at the New Testament from eyes that are not simply white and Western. The commentary is well-written, helpful, and not unnecessarily polemical.

Education 

Craig Ott, Teaching and Learning Across Cultures: A Guide to Theory and Practice (Baker Academic, 2021).

Ott, an experienced professor of mission and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, provides a well-researched, readable and practical book. His topics include different types of thinking, cognitive styles, worldviews, social priorities, and methods can enhance effective teaching. The two chapters about online learning are also insightful and applicable.

Evangelism

Sam Chan, How to Talk about Jesus (Without Being That Guy): Personal Evangelism in a Skeptical World (Zondervan, 2020).

Evangelistic methods popular in the twentieth century may not reach the skeptical, non-religious people of 2025. But the response is not to quit sharing the gospel. Chan offers practical ways to bridge the culture gap and help unbelievers experience both the community of Christ and the message of salvation.