How do I find reviews on other books written for a Christian lay person who is enthused, Bible-knowlegable, and knows no NT Greek, on the following topics:

1. Church lay leadership (no knowledge of NT Gr).

1-a. Is local church decision-making structure USUALLY a primary influence in local church revival?

1-b. Are there excellent books to help me discover my spiritual gifts [Ro 12 etc]? I already know I have the gift of giving, and maybe the gift of the complement of mercies. It seems the local church in the NW would be seemingly best served by a higher portion of successful evangelists. My question is whether I have the gift of evangelism. (Does the Holy Spirit intend to save others through my proclaiming the gospel appropriately Col 4:3 a higher percent than other Chirstians equal to me in God’s perspective.)

1-c. The other side of the coin would be books (with summaries) that espouse Christians are God-talented, but there are no active spiritual gifts.

I get home Thur & Sat 4pm. Otherwise I am flexible. I have free long distance. Can you phone me, and I will return your call?

2. Previous “Hermaneutics” NBS textbooks. Might textbooks change?

3. Quote: [desires to recover and truly incarnate Christ’s kingdom mission]. Does “Recover” mean American Christians WERE better spiritually?

4. Is my pastor (NW Baptist Board Tom Ruhlman) and pastors on the Camp Gilead Board likely in the modernist culture? Where can modernists seek evidence that post-modernists exist in significant numbers?

5. Does the book deal with the stress of any infrastructure change in becoming a post-modernist local church? Does the book have a “How-to”
emphasis, such as the emphasis difference between those getting a Mdiv and a Mmin at NBS?

6. ACTION International, a non-demoninational group near Shoreline, has GARB doctrine and practice, except they allow volunteers without baptism’s necessary mode and charismatic movement (non-contentious) people. Might the book be applicable to their parachurch group?

7. Amoung my personal group of counselors (Prov says “in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom) is the cofounder of Overseas Radio and TV. ORTV’s leaders are too old to lead changes, but they are flexible and wise. Is this book of value for the two old leaders? ORTV leaders recognize they need to learn how to evolve their organization’s mission and infrastructure with the next generation of leaders.

8. Does the author primarily share observation about American Christianity, or does he equally analyze the Bible to conclude postmodernism applies to Western Christianity’s culture today?

9. Private business HAD a fad called “Management by Objectives”. Is the book perhaps a local church equivalent of MBO?

9. Quote [Beyond dispensing information: seeking spiritual formation rooted in Scripture;]
I have always heard at Tab, and even the American Baptist Church I attended as a teen, that the Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice. Below are 2 examples from Tabernacle Baptist Church 20 years ago that do not prove we lay people did not BELIEVE in Scripture’s role; we simply were not mature enough to apply Scripture in all cases.

I paid a teenager to survey non-pastor church attenders for their understanding of Ro 13:8 (Owe no man anything but to love one another). They said, “avoid voluntary debt”. They did not plan to comply with their understanding of Scripture!

Pastor Opfer once took me to visit a hospital patient. Pastor Opfer shared 1 Thess 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances … I asked why he did not mention Eph 5:20 (Always and for everything give thanks.) He answered, “That is usually beyond the limit of their faith.”

We have always espoused obeying God to the limits of our faith. Is the author commenting on local churches that have drifted toward the wrong side of the Battle for the Bible ? When Scripture is beyond the limit of a Christian’s current faith, that just shows an area for growth, not necessarily a rejection of doctrine.

10. The factor determing whether I buy the book: Has reading the book changed your life?

David Quey Ph 206.362-4095
15810 10 Ave NE, Shoreline WA ; 98155-6216
cell 206.371-9375