Featured Books

About a year ago, I asked several friends for recommendations of books they enjoyed. Dr. Dennis Proctor recommended this book to me, and just as enthusiastically, I recommend it to others.

The church is concerned, as many other organizations are, about growth. One way for us to measure growth is by increasing numbers. Naturally, those of us who are concerned about how to add numbers to the church roll would be attracted by the idea that the title presents. When you read this book, however, you are in for a surprise. It is an easy read, very brief, but holds a powerful message.

Selling Swimsuits in the Arctic weaves us into its concepts by telling us a story, the story of Bob, a man who is heading to Barrow, Alaska, to sell swimsuits there. He was optimistic about his opportunities, even if they seemed a little far-fetched. His wife, dutiful and faithful, accompanied him on this new journey, ready to use her skills, having earned a doctorate in linguistics which she believed would assist them as they made their home among the Inupiat people.

The author makes the case that everything we do involves sales, from a job interview to our political elections, and evangelism is no different. We do not have to look disparagingly at this idea, but rather understand it. How can we "sell" the gospel, particularly when the people to whom we are selling it are about as interested in the product as the Inupiat people would be in buying swimsuits in Alaska? The question frames the main idea of this very good book.

As you can imagine, Bob tries everything that he can to increase his sales. After all, he wants his reputation as a good salesman to remain in tact, and certainly he wants to validate the confidence his company has in him by sending him to this challenging assignment. He is passionate and excited about his product (one of the keys Hamilton cites to sales), but the sales of swimsuits are going nowhere. But in what has to be the turning point of the story, Bob's sales increase when the people to whom he is selling swimsuits discover through an act of self-sacrifice that Bob actually sees them as more than just a potential market, and that in fact, he actually cares about them.

Selling Swimsuits in the Arctic is a book that will not take you a long time to read (just 59 pages), but its message will remain with you long after you finish it. For anyone interested in reaching those in your community or neighborhood, or for that matter your family, with the gospel of Jesus Christ in a fresh, effective way, this is the book for you.

About The Reviewer

Dr. Kenneth Q. James is pastor of Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Rochester, New York.

This book has been a blessing to me as I have struggled to prepare a healthy theological diet for my church over covering the Christian year. It is easy to preach on topics most meaningful to me. Rev. Hamilton shares his method of preparing a Spirit-empowered plan for preaching that is sensitive to the need, of the congregation and the truth of the gospel.

This book is written in a narrative style in order to make clear the principle needed to develop effective teams. I was not as impressed with the story as I was of the description of the model beginning on
page 187. Mr. Lencionis' description of the 5 dysfunctions as well as his prescription is worth the reading of the book. Many churches remain ineffective because congressional leaders ignore these dysfunctions.

1. Model the Way
2. Inspire a Shared Vision
3. Challenge the Process
4. Enable Others Act
5. Encourage the Heart

A book of considerable information, it will mentor and motivate leaders to pay attention to the details. Leadership is more than titles and personality. There are proven principles that will aid those called to leadership. This book could be used with a study guide for general leadership training.

William Bridges has written one of my favorite books on helping organizations change. The book, titled
Managing Transitions, offers a number of insights on the psychology of transition. As a pastor, I have failed to understand the necessity of helping people let go of the old. The temptation as a new pastor of a local church is to rush ahead with your "God inspired" vision at the expense of the old failing ways that you have inherited. The church expects a new direction from a new pastor, right? So let's get moving! The reality is that it takes time to let go of the old and the pastor can lead in such a way that minimizes conflict. "Be careful that in urging people to turn away from the past you don't drive them away from you or from the new direction that the organization needs to take." (Bridges, p. 35)

George G. Hunter, III tackles the ongoing debate over the language of leadership within the church in his book Leading and Managing a Growing Church. Dr. Hunter blends the current topics of leadership within the business community with the examples of successful church growth. He weaves the modern stories of Spirit-empowered  leadership with  obvious biblical models.   Dr. Hunter moves the  tired  semantic debate between management and leadership to biblical principles that have application in every type church.

Jay Ferguson, a seasoned pastor in the United Methodist Church, is an avid reader. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Bluefield State College in Bluefield, West Virginia and a Master of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.