The City Church family, both near and far, have a few book releases we wanted to take a moment to mention. This is a great occasion to celebrate with some of our friends and learn from each other while we do.
Chuck DeGroat isn't a new name to most of us. The Newbigin House co-founder and Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Western Theological Seminary was also a teaching pastor at City Church for many years. His newest book, Toughest People to Love: How to Understand, Lead, and Love the Difficult People in Your Life--Including Yourself is, fortunately, not an account of all the difficult people he encountered during his time at City Church. Instead, it taps into DeGroat's experience as a pastor, professor, and therapist to help people learn to navigate difficult relationships. The book is especially meant for leaders whose relationships with the difficult people they lead could use a fresh infusion of energy and care. And as we all learn how to lead ourselves, this will be a handy tool along the way.
Our very own Micha Boyett just released her first book, Found, on Tuesday. As the subtitle tells us, the book is a story of questions, grace, and everyday prayer. "My first year of motherhood I lost prayer," Boyett writes, and the rest of the book gives us her journey back into prayer--coming to a new understanding of what it is, holding fast to God even when her understanding of faith is shifting, entering into the Rule of St. Benedict as a means toward prayer. She talks with great lyricism and beauty about life as a mother, youth minister, and person of prayer who is on a journey not so much to find as to be found. The book is an invitation into the presence of God for all of us who are not sure where we find ourselves; an extension of grace to all travelers. There will be a book release party this Sunday, April 6th--click here for more information.
Finally, although he is not a member of City Church, we are so glad to be hosting NT Wright on May 10th for an evening on The Ancient Wisdom of the Psalms (click here for tickets and more information). His most recent book, The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential, reminds the reader of the power of praying the Psalms, which reorient us to the rhythms and legacy of the Christian life. We can, in fact, not only pray the Psalms--we can also sing them, lament with them, and live into them in our own spiritual development. The use of Psalms in ecclesial and personal worship are at the heart of the Christian tradition, and Wright opens them up for us in remarkable ways.