I recently had the chance to catch up in person with a friend who wants to plant a church at the intersection of the
Emergent Church Movement and the Creation Spirituality of Matthew Fox, Thomas Berry, and others.
In addition to some of the obvious choices, she asked me to recommend some resources that came to mind, and I’m sharing them here for others who may be interested.
Possible Congregational Studies
- The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism by Andrew Harvey
- Altar in the World, An: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor
- A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life by Parker J. Palmer (Palmer’s book could be a great place for starting almost any group. It’s all about how to form what Palmer calls a “Circle of Trust.” There’s also a Sounds True CD supplement and a free DVD with the book. Additionally, there a free related podcast: http://www.soundstrue.com/podcast/parker-palmer-living-the-undivided-life.)
- Nova: Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene (To me, this DVD shows the scientific/obejective reasons why the mystics have been right all along from their subjective experience.)
- A New Climate for Theology: God, the World, and Global Warming by Sallie McFague
- Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault
- Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life by Dennis Linn, et al
- The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality by Carl McColman
- Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West by Daniel James Ladinsky
- Out Beyond Ideas – Songs For Peace Project David Wilcox (This CD is based on the above Ladinsky book.)
- The Wisdom of Your Dreams: Using Dreams to Tap into Your Unconscious and Transform Your Life by Jeremy Taylor
- Natural Spirituality: Recovering the Wisdom Tradition in Christianity by Joyce Rockwood Hudson
- Process Theology: A Guide for the Perplexed (Guides For The Perplexed) by Bruce Epperly
Free Podcasts with Spiritual Leaders
Music
- Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians by Jann Aldredge-Clanton
Worship Planning
- If Darwin Prayed: Prayers for Evolutionary Mystics by Bruce Sanguin
- The Luminous Gospels: Thomas, Mary Magdalene, and Philip by Lynn C. Bauman
- The Circle Way: A Leader in Every Chair by Christina Baldwin
- Curating Worship by Jonny Baker
- Creating Uncommon Worship: Transforming the Liturgy of the Eucharist by Richard Giles
- The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation by Priests for Equality
What other resources would you suggest? I welcome feedback in the comments section.
The Rev. Carl Gregg is a trained spiritual director, a D.Min. candidate at San Francisco Theological Seminary, and the pastor of Broadview Church in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Follow him on Facebook (facebook.com/carlgregg) and Twitter (@carlgregg).
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