st thomas' weekly bulletin letters
This is an archive of the St Thomas' "Weekly Bulletin" letters, written by Simon Manchester and other St Thomas' ministers.
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Dear Friends, Some important information about books... (1) Very soon — at the back of our church building — there will be a new table of books. The clever idea behind this table is that most of us read some basic Christian books and then they sit on our shelves at home. We are hoping you will generously give those books that helped
you...so they can help others...for free. This will be a free bookstall!
We are not looking for ‘any’ books but those classics
that we never have enough of, such as: Will you help us stock a table with the key books so we can keep helping people who are seeking or beginning to know Christ? (2) Before I became a Christian I had no time or appetite for reading — now I aim to read at least 2–3 books a week. I don’t understand people with no appetite for Christian learning any more than I understand people with no appetite for food. This is especially true if you want to be someone growing and helping others to grow. I knew a minister who virtually read nothing all week and his preaching was as stale as last year’s bread. I always knew what he would say in his sermons because he scraped the same empty brain every time. How I thank God for those in the church who are feeding themselves and have fresh truth to talk about! How I thank God for those in the church who have started reading groups and are getting through great Christian books regularly. Please keep us informed with what you are reading — if it should be made available to more. (3) How do you pick good books? Of course there are trusted authors like Packer and Carson and Piper and Colson, etc. But there are trusted publishers too, like Crossway and Evangelical Press and IVP and Banner Of Truth. Look for books from key authors and faithful publishers and you will generally be well served. Some writers — like musicians — have classics but then a few ordinary offerings. The book being reviewed at 10am today, ‘The Fight’ by John White is such a classic. When it came out 20 years ago it was a huge help to me on ‘practical Christianity’ and I’m so glad it’s around today in a new cover — at the bookstall. If it’s not helpful to you I’ll refund your money! (4) Finally, if you have one of my books — and I know who you are — I’m missing some of my favourites... Yours in fellowship, |
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