YAC Reading

Recommended Reading...
"The following books are really, really good. I promise."
- Jon

Blue Like Jazz
Donald Miller
This book is incredible. Both highly entertaining and honest, Donald Miller's writing really captures the questions and concerns many young adults have as they approach their God, and deals with Christianity in all it's beauty and roughness. Without a doubt, it is one of the most life-changing books I have ever read.

A New Kind of Christian
Brian McLaren
Another great one. Do yourself a favor and skip the Preface and hit Chapter One where the story actually begins. This book is a necessary read for anyone in church ministry, or anyone who has been involved in church for a long time. Very encouraging and helpful, Brian's book addresses the frustrations we have with the institution of church, while uncovering the pearl that lay within (should we choose to find it).

The Message
Eugene Peterson
I can't believe I actually put a Bible on a Suggested Christian Reading List. Actually a great study aid. Nowadays even the good ol' NIV is starting to get antiquated in its choice of vocabulary and dialect. This provides a great accompaniment to any Bible translation, giving an accurate, modern, American English interpretation of the Bible. Better yet, get a KJV/Message parallel Bible and a Strong's Concordance never buy another Bible again.

The Story We Find Ourselves In
Brian McLaren
Part two of the "New Kind of Christian" trilogy. The story follows the characters from the first book as they befriend a female who is a staunch scientist/evolutionist. Part three is great too if you get around to it. It is called, "The Last Word and the Word After That". I read the first two just to get to the last one, because I knew it would address the questions I was wrestling with at the time...I think I need to read these two again......

Searching for God Knows What
Donald Miller
I promise I read more than these two authors, but they are so good! This book really cuts hypocritical Christianity off at the knees in an introspective way.

The Great Divorce
Clive Staples Lewis
A quick, easy read. Even though it's fiction, it quickly sets to rest cartoon versions of Heaven and Hell by showing the immediacy of each reality.

For more info about the Young Adult Connection Ministry, please contact Jon McConnell.