Educational Resources: Books

What went wrong? How have we become a generation that is seeking God but rejecting organised religion? How can we rediscover the authentic message of Jesus? This challenging book explores the reasons behind the atrocities committed in the name of Christ. It offers the vision of Jesus as a source of radical renewal of individuals and societies. Author of "Can You Hear the Heartbeat?" and "Building a Better World", Dave Andrews shows how we can be inspired by the model of Jesus’ compassion, and his hunger for justice, to work with marginal groups for real transformation in our world.

"In this courageous and provocative study, Dave Andrews attacks Christian complacency and calls us back to the non-violent, yet radically subversive 'Way' of Jesus. [Christi-Anarchy] is certain to challenge and to stimulate serious reflection." -Professor Patricia Harrison, Tabor College, Sydney, Australia

"Dave Andrews, one of the leading prophetic voices of our time, brings all of his passion and insight to bear in a way which will both disturb and inspire. Christi-Anarchy has that uncomfortable air of a message crying out to be heard, and I hope it is widely read." -Mike Riddell, author of Godzone and columnist in Third Way

In Compassionate Community Work, Dave Andrews has provided a truly remarkable and comprehensive resource for teaching and learning about community development.

This “introductory course on community work for churches” is much more than a text book. It is an invitation to participate in an experiential, highly practical, spiritually rich, and potentially life-changing learning process.

This exceptional resource is the product of someone who has dedicated much of his life to nurturing in himself and others a commitment to work with those whom society so easily ignores, neglects, and sometimes even despises.

Dave’s course is utterly unique. Prayer, meditation, vigorous engagement with Biblical material, private and communal reflection are all central activities.

Behind it lies a love and respect for the church, but also a longing to see churches, in whatever shape they take, develop as rich communities where we love God, love and sustain one another, and truly love our neighbour.

For user-friendliness, this course ranks highly. Explanations and instructions are given with great clarity. Moreover, the material would be easy to adapt to different contexts. In producing this manual, Dave has done us a great service. Review by Steve Bradbury

INCITE provides user-friendly resources about justice and compassion issues for youth leaders and teachers to use throughout the year.

This book has 3 parts:

• Leader Feeders: challenging thoughts to focus and train you and your team
• Group Grabs: instant, ready-to-use youth group ideas with a purpose
• Bible Studies: to engage and inform you and your group

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Millennium Development Goal 8 Review Australia 2007

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In his acclaimed book, Christi-Anarchy, Dave Andrews recovered the vision of Jesus from the ruins of Christian history. In Not Religion, but Love, he shows how Christ's vision can be put into practice in the communities in which we live. It is a book to read at your own risk, for it may well change your life.

"He writes with a wealth of experience on issues that are dear to my heart" Jim Wallis, Sojourners "Dave Andrews, one of the leading prophetic voices of our time, brings all of his passion and insight to bear in a way which will both disturb and inspire." Mike Riddell, author of Sacred Journey and Deep Stuff

"Steve Bradbury's stories and reflections don't avoid the questions many consider hard, even unanswerable. His answers are steeped in biblical truths as well as stories of people he's met and situations he's experienced. He presents hard-hitting facts and statistics, which have to be dealt with, but they are surrounded by stories full of human hope and courage. I commend this book to you. I hope it inspires you to a deeper level of encountering and demonstrating grace in our spirit-hungry world."

-Tim Costello, President, Baptist Union of Australia 

 

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Plan Be rescues the 'beatitudes' from their obscurity as a poetic introduction to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and reframes them as a set of radical 'Be-Attitudes'. To quote these Be-Attitudes is religious - but to act on them is revolutionary, and the revolution begins with each one of us.

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A picture book that makes an excellent companion to "Working Together in an Indian Village" (A Kids4Kids resource pack also available from TEAR)
The Rich Farmer is a book from the "Stories Jesus Told" series by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen.
Cost: $9 each (GST included)

From Under a Leaky Roof exposes the myth that once refugees leave detention centres, it all works out. With insight gained from four years spent living and working in Afghanistan, Phil illuminates the conditions and issues facing Afghan asylum seekers. It is their compelling words that punctuate his detailed research and analysis to provide an engaging and easy-to-read spotlight on an Australian social and political crisis. He writes: "TPV holders began to get permanent visas... People who were declared terrorists, opportunists and queue jumpers, illegals, boat people and immoral were suddenly acceptable… it is safe to assume that all the issues still remain, and the need for changes are still as valid… Asylum seekers will come again and when they do, what response will they receive?" Review from the Publisher