Making the Dean’s List

Walking with the Poor: Transformation

by Bryant Myers

“How do we best offer care to people who are poor?” is a common question in social work and one that church leaders ask as well. A response grounded in theology, sociology and economics, Myers’ influential book argues that healthy relationships are essential for human thriving: relationships with God, self, others, and society. We often seek to address a person’s relationship with God, but that relationship cannot be made whole if the other relationships are not whole, if people are surrounded by ineffective social, political or economic systems. The goal of being “on mission” with God is not to do things, to make things, or to fix things; rather, it is to pursue a process of holistic reconciliation alongside the poor, in light of our brokenness and our broken systems. As a result, we are all better equipped for right relationships with one another and with God. Why are we in ministry? Is it because of relationships and our desire to participate in God’s holistic ministry of reconciliation? If so, then what does such an approach to ministry look like? Myers points the way and it is worth the read.

The Road Back to You

by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile

While caring for others is central to my sense of calling and the work we do in social work, discernment of calling and developing a spirit of compassion are foundational requirements for living out our faith. An ancient tool that has become popular in recent years is the Enneagram. This personality-related resource is at the heart of Suzanne Stabile’s ministry and the subject of her new book with Ian Cron. Stabile leads workshops at Baylor each year focused on Christian spiritual formation using the Enneagram, and her new book introduces readers to the question, “What is your number?” The Enneagram points us to one of nine paths of personality that has shaped us and gives us a way to let go of some of the trappings of personality to discover who God truly desires us to be. Stabile’s book, and the podcast that goes with it, are great ways to learn more about this ancient tool and what it means for our faith journeys.

Leadership from Inside Out: Spirituality and Organizational Change

by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson

There are countless books on leadership, each with a top-ten list of skills to build your leadership capabilities. Leadership, however, has more to do with character-building and while knowledge about leadership is a good start, wisdom rooted in the power of God’s Spirit in our lives is essential for this work. This spiritual rootedness, the author writes, requires an openness to vulnerability and a climate of trust in order to identify values, build trust and sustain vision. In order to embark on the outer journey of public service that reflects these traits, an inner journey that allows us to listen for the presence of God in our lives is a must. A practical guide to leadership that focuses on the interior life of service is what has made this book a resource in my library for years.