Chris Elrod

My New Store

After being encouraged by the Compass Point Monday night "Pub Club" and several dozen readers of this blog, I have put together a special ChrisElrod.com Amazon store.  It features books, compact discs and dvds that I highly recommend.  The first page of the store displays resources I'm currently checking out or have recently been featured on this blog.  You can also use the links to right to check out other resources that have inspired me or educated me in the areas of church planting and Christian leadership.

I'm Digging This Book

I'm not a big fan of books on leadership, church growth or how-to books for churches.  However, I'm totally digging Simple Church: Returning To God's Process For Making Disciples by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger.  One of my favorite bloggers, Ben Arment has been blogging about this book over the last two weeks.  Simple Church is really straight forward and has some fairly revolutionary ideas about simplicity in making disciples.

Compass Point has suscribed to the "simple church" mentality since we began almost three years ago.  I've taken some hits from denominational leaders for our "simple" approach to things.  Yet, for us, it works.  It also lends itself to longevity.  We have always concentrated on a simple process since day one.  We have not had explosive growth over the years, but we have had steady growth.  At no time has Compass Point experience a loss in attenders or took any steps backwards.  I attribute this to God's providence, incredible volunteer leaders that are constantly seeking God's direction and keeping things simple.

I would suggest all church planters or lead pastors check out Simple Church.  It is well worth your time to read it.

Finally Answered My Tag

In all honesty, my new ESV Journal Bible would be the answer to quite a few of these questions. However, in an effort to avoid giving “Sunday School” answers and in keeping with the spirit of this tag I have listed other books than the Bible.

1.  One book that changed your life: Getting Things Done by David Allen

2.  One book that you’ve read more than once: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

3.  One book you’d want on a desert island: U.S. Marine Corps Survival Manual

4.  One book that made you laugh: Confessions Of A Reformissional Reverend by Mark Driscoll

5.  One book that made you cry: Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck

6.  One book you wish you had written: The Purpose Driven Life (for the royalties)

7.  One book you wish had never been written: A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren

8.  One book you are currently reading: Truth Matters by John MacArthur

9.  One book you’ve been meaning to read:  Desiring God by John Piper

10. Tag 5 others: I don't think so . . .