What We’re Reading

All of us on the leadership team at Sunshine Cathedral are continuous learners. We’re excited to recommend books that are capturing our attention. 

Email us if you’re reading something you’d like to share.

Here’s what Durrell is reading:

Drama/Theatre/Performance: the New Critical Idiom by Simon Shepherd and Mick Wallis

The Queerest Art: Essays on Lesbian and Gay Theater edited by Alisa Solomon and Framji Minwalla

The Underground Church: Reclaiming the Subversive Way of Jesus by Robin Meyers

If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus by Phiip Gulley

The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament by Bart D. Ehrman

Here’s what Brian is reading:

A Course in Miracles Workbook by Course in Miracles Society

Faith in the Valley by Iyanla Vanzant

Song of the Phoenix: The Hidden Rewards of Failure by John Lord

Living Buddha, Living Christ by Tich Nhat Hanh

Here’s what Mona is reading:

Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening, by Diana Butler Bass. This book was just published on February 14, 2012. In it Diana Butler Bass (who holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Duke University) compiles recent statistics that indicate Christianity as we have known it is in decline as a religious movement. Yet the number of people who indicate they are ‘sprititual’ is on the rise. She argues that we are at a critical stage in a new spiritual awakening that is moving toward individual and cultural transformation.

The Great Good Place, by Ray Oldenburg. In this book Oldenburgh talks about ‘third places’ (outside of home and work) such as cafes, coffee shops, bookstores and bars which are public places people gather for community. He argues they are essential for community building and are at the grassroots of a democracy.

Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer, by Richard Rohr. Rohr’s explanation of contemplative prayer helps us to widen the way we see ourselves, other people and the world. In this seeing we discover there are no dualisms and that everything belongs.

Here’s what Robyn is reading:

Women Food and God by Geneen Roth (How can I resist a book where chapter one begins with the words “I turned to Hostess Snowballs when I gave up on God”

Rethinking Stewardship: Our Culture, Our Theology, Our Practices (Word and World Supplement Series 6, ed. Fred Gaiser)

A New Climate for Theology: God, the World, and Global Warming by Sallie McFague

Here’s what Robert is reading:

How to Break Growth Barries: Capturing Overlooked Opportunities for Church Growth by Carl George (This is a re-read)

First, Break All the Rules, by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman

Kicking Habits: Welcome Relief for Addicted Churches by Thomas G. Bandy

Leading Change, by John Kotter

Leading at a Higher Level: Leadership and Creating High Performing Organizations by Ken Blanchard

Baldwin: Early Novels and Stories (Go Tell It on the Mountain, Giovanni’s Room, Another Country and Going To Meet the Man) by James Baldwin (This is a re-read)

Here’s what Katy is reading:

Mentoring in the Ensemble Arts: Helping Others Find Their Voice by Tim Sharp

Sing You Home by Jodi Piccault

An Equal Music by Vikram Seth

The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey

Speak, So You Can Speak Again: the Life of Zora Neale Hurston by Lucy Anne Hurston and The Estate of Zora Neale Hurston

Evoking Sound by James Jordan