next level

Taking Your Church to the Next Level: What Got You Here Won't Get You There
$16.99
This book was an excellent overview of the transitional aspects of a growing congregation. As a congregation develops in the size of the people attending, the organization of the congregation changes. The methodology of the church at one size point seems to be inadequate to deal with the forces of the larger size. The programs change, the networks change, the minister's roles change, and the planning of the church changes. A congregation will not remain a certain size forever. A church has to make the organizational changes if the church is to continue to be faithful to the great commission of reaching the lost. The dynamics of growth are important to understand. This book gives an overview of each shift. It provides a few ideas to help make each transition, but realistically a person would have to read more specialized resources for whatever transition they are attempting to make. The book is a good introduction to the topic of growth. The information about the 200 barrier was the most important to me. This is one of the first books I would read if you are looking to make the size transition in your congregation.

The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level
$25.99
Reading this book changed my life! I recommend it to all of my private practice clients because this simple book can give you insight and speed up recovery in every area of your life. It's written in simple language and gives simple excercises that can be implemented immediatly. One of my favorites of all time!

Take Your Photography to the Next Level: From Inspiration to Image
$39.95
I think Mr. Barr was spot on in his topic of improving the quality of the image we produce, even if the images presented aren't of subjects we would choose to photograph. A skim of the photos on first perusal did not seen spectacular, but as I read the text and critically reviewed the the images I appreciated the subtlety of his creations and the brilliance in the composition and detail captured. This text is not a technical photography book with rules to be followed to achieve perfection, but rather an introspection for the reader to critique their own level of competence and thereby improve their level of competence. I intend to read this text again and attempt to apply the levels of competence he introduced to my own work.

I have read several books on photography and this is a must for all amateur photographers and probably even the professional, of which I am not one!!

The Next Level: A Parable of Finding Your Place in Life
$12.99
I purchased this because I really enjoyed David Gregory's other books "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger" and "Day with a Perfect Stranger". Unfortunately this one never really grabbed my attention. The premise that Gregory uses is interesting, but I thought that the story got off to a slow start. In the end, the point (having a relationship with Christ) isn't made clear.

If you own a Kindle I suggest that you download a chapter and read it for yourself before buying this.