A Likely Lad:
The life of Norman Lesser, Archbishop of New Zealand.
Judy Mills.
Pbk 316pp. ISBN 9781988572314.
Philip Garside Publishing Ltd (2020).
$40.00.
[2 in stock, then allow 4 weeks]

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How did Norman Lesser, a boy from a terrace house in Liverpool, become the Archbishop of New Zealand?

The answer lies in sheer native ability, great energy, a talent for leadership, a happy outlook on life and a bit of luck – or if you prefer, the Grace of God.

Following effective ministry in different English parishes, he served as Provost of Nairobi Cathedral for seven eventful years before coming to be Bishop of Waiapu in 1947.

Lesser’s 24 year tenure saw the building and consecration of the Cathedral in Napier, the establishment of several old people’s homes and rapid growth in the parishes.

A gifted preacher and speaker, and blessed with the common touch, his quickness of mind, sense of humour and dramatic story-telling are still vividly remembered. As Archbishop he guided the church through the tumultuous changes of the 1960s and for years was at the forefront of Church Union negotiations.

Norman Lesser’s world might seem different from ours. But the values of faith, resolution and compassion that we see in his life-story are still relevant today, offering challenge and inspiration.

“As someone who would not ever have made it to ordination without the support and encouragement of this man, and as his eventual successor, I’m personally grateful for this book. It will help all who followed him to learn just how rich a legacy he left us.” John Bluck, former Bishop of Waiapu

The Words of Her Mouth:
Psalms for the Struggle.
Martha Spong ed.
Pbk 160pp. ISBN 9780829820249.
Pilgrim Press (2020).
$40.50.
[Allow 4 weeks].

This collection of 150 psalms is a balm in this season of spiritual strife and political struggle. Each original psalm invites the reader into honest space in which lament is heard, love is affirmed, and the body is unashamed before God.

As Martha Spong explains in the book’s foreword, “I wondered what women writers might say in conversation with the psalms in this season of child separation and climate change and #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter. I invited nine women whose faith and writing I value to join me in discovering what the psalms say to us and what psalms are inside us.”

The contributors are: Martha Spong, Mihee Kim-Kort, Beth Richardson, Alicia Crosby, Marilyn Pagán-Banks, Julia Seymour, Kentina Washington-Leapheart, Jennifer Garrison Brownell, Katie Mulligan, and Layton Williams.

The Art of Hospitality:
A Practical Guide for a Ministry of Radical Welcome.
Debi Nixon; Yvonne Gentile.
Pbk 144pp. ISBN 9781501898822.
Abingdon Press (2020).
$40.50. 
[Allow 4 weeks].

Zondervan Essential Companion to Christian History.
Stephen Backhouse.
Pbk 224pp. ISBN 9780310599487.
Zondervan (2019).
$47.00.
[Allow 3-4 weeks].

This highly informative, broad-ranging book provides vital facts on the growth and impact of Christianity from the apostles to the present day not only in the Western world but also globally.

Following a brief introduction that outlines the key events of the New Testament era, there is a chapter devoted to each century of Christian history beginning with the year 100 and ending roughly at the year 2000.

Each chapter flows chronologically featuring:

• A brief overview, highlighting the main threads and issues running through the relevant century
• Key historical developments explained
• Thematic connections between centuries
• Color-coded sidebars on Persons, Ideas, or Events
• Persons: key figures either within or without the Church who have impacted Christian history significantly or who otherwise deserve special mention
• Ideas: important Christian books, as well as heresies, doctrines, or political movements
• Events: world-historical occurrences such as battles, natural disasters, inventions, or elections that have affected the development of Christianity in the world

The final chapter, devoted to the present century concludes the companion identifying key themes that the Christian Church is presently dealing with and suggesting future issues. A select Glossary of terms is provided at the end of the book, as well as a bibliographic list of suggested reading.

The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021:
Worship Planning Resources for Every Sunday of the Year.
Mary Scifres, B. J. Beu. Pbk 304pp.
ISBN 9781501896651.
Abingdon Press. (2020).
$59.99.
[Allow 4 weeks].

The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2021:
Planning Sermons and Services for Fifty-Two Sundays.
Tanya Linn Bennett.
Pbk 192pp. ISBN 9781501896637.
Abingdon Press (2020).
$59.99.
[Allow 4 weeks].

This book is lectionary-based and follows the calendar year (January–December). Each week’s entry includes:

• Primary Theme
• Secondary Themes
• Worship Helps.

It also includes essays on preaching topics, full sermons, and sermon series ideas. This book will stir the preachers’ imaginations; offer fresh, intriguing ideas; and point preachers in a good direction.

The Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor:
Hearing Justice in John’s Gospel.
Kathleen Rushton.
Pbk 256pp. ISBN 9780334059059.
SCM Press (2020).
$72.00.
[Allow 4-6 weeks].

Building Bridges Not Walls:
An Engineer’s Guide to Theology.
Peter Bold.
Pbk 210pp. ISBN 9781789590944.
Sacristy Press. (2020).
$40.00.
[Allow 4 weeks].

Having trained and worked as an engineer, Peter Bold left his original profession at age 28 to study theology in preparation for ordained ministry.

He tells his story of how lessons learnt as an engineer, such as laying solid foundations and the importance of communicating with others who are not experts, helped him to discover in theology a useful resource for developing a mature faith.

Readers will be encouraged to approach the world and some of its main questions with confidence, and learn to engage with other Christians who may hold views different from his own.

The Jesus Way:
Learning to Live the Christian Life.
Peter Walker.
Pbk 256pp. ISBN 9780857219602.
Monarch Books (2020).
$52.00.
[Allow 4 weeks].

The Little Book of the World’s Religions.
Ross Dickinson.
Pbk 128pp. ISBN 9781787832510.
Summersdale Publishers (2020).
$28.00.
[Allow 4 weeks].

Religion flourishes around the globe in diverse forms, each uniquely fascinating and multifaceted, playing a central role in the lives of billions.

From the five biggest faiths to the lesser-known creeds, this pocket guide offers an engaging introduction to world religions, exploring their history, beliefs, practices and personalities.

It’s a starting point for anyone seeking deeper understanding of humanity’s spiritual side.

The Compact Brick Bible:
A New Spin on the Old Testament Reissued.
Compact format: 23cm  x 15cm.
Brendan Powell Smith
Pbk 272pp. ISBN 9781510752580.
Skyhorse Publishing (2020).
$47.00.
[Allow 3-4 weeks].

The Compact Brick Bible:
The New Testament: A New Spin on the Story of Jesus
Reissued.
Compact format: 23cm x 15cm.
Brendan Powell Smith.
Pbk 272pp. ISBN 9781510752573.
Skyhorse Publishing (2020).
$47.00.
[Allow 3-4 weeks].

This book has 1,000 photographs of LEGO sets designed by artist Brendan Powell Smith, depicting the story of Jesus. From the life of Jesus – his birth, miracles, and parables – to the famous last supper scene and the crucifixion; from the fate of Judas to the life of Paul and his letters to the Ephesians; and on to the book of Revelations, this is the New Testament as you’ve never experienced it before.

Smith brings to life the teachings and prophecies of the most popular book in the world with the graphic novel format in fun and surprising ways.