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Hallelujah! The History of Contemporary Worship in 100 Songs

Oct 13, 2026 | 2026 - Winter - Free, Book Reviews

Hallelujah! The History of Contemporary Worship
in 100 Songs

Author Les Moir
Publisher SPCK £19.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9780281090754

Here we have a fascinating account of how each of 100 most beloved worship songs came to be. The author’s passion is to increase our love of Jesus in our worship. The book is clearly presented and the full lyrics of each song accompany their remarkable stories. There is also a QR code offering instant access to performances on YouTube. Delving into this book will increase your understanding of just why these songs continue to resonate with thousands of worshippers all over the world. Reading about each worship song, its unique history and story, and about the lives of those involved will, I am sure, open up in all of us a deeper joy and faith as we sing and lift up our prayers to Jesus. An inspirational and joyful read that is also useful for sermons.

Reviewed by JANE SLINGER

Worship

 

Belonging Without Barriers

Oct 13, 2026 | 2026 - Winter - Free, Book Reviews

Belonging Without Barriers

Author Triona Brading, Lois Bunyan and Claire Wood
Publisher BRF Ministries £14.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781800394209

The authors present a vision of inclusion and full belonging for people who have additional needs. The book explores the theological basis for this vision, before considering accessibility in practice in different experiences of additional needs. They maintain that accessibility is a gospel imperative, and that removing barriers reflects the heart of a God who welcomes all. Accessibility is not just about doing something extra for a minority, rather it is about reshaping our communities so that everyone can participate fully. Each chapter includes modern research, personal accounts, interviews and a range of actionable ideas. All three co-authors have experience in this field, sometimes of a personal nature. There is a comprehensive bibliography for further exploration of this topic. This is an important book, and my recommendation is that all PCCs should appoint someone to read it, report on it, and facilitate appropriate action.

Reviewed by MICHAEL FOSTER

Inclusivity

 

A Deep Dive into OCD

Oct 13, 2026 | 2026 - Winter - Free, Book Reviews

A Deep Dive into OCD

Author Rebekah Keen
Publisher Grove Books 2025 £5.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788275149

Keen is a pastoral counsellor and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) sufferer. This is an engaging, succinct and readable account of OCD and how it can dominate and disrupt the daily lives of sufferers. It is aimed at Christians in leadership positions, those involved in pastoral care, Christian OCD sufferers and their families. The booklet guides us through the complex and disturbed life of the OCD sufferer and highlights areas when Christianity can both help and hinder pastoral care. There is ‘a complicated relationship between OCD and Christianity – it can both trigger and cure OCD’. Keen comments that OCD is often called the ‘doubting disease’ and sufferers need to be built up in their true identity in Christ. Those of us with an interest in OCD will find this booklet invaluable – highly recommended.

Reviewed by ROGER THORNINGTON

Mental Health

 

How to Read Galatians

Oct 13, 2026 | 2026 - Winter - Free, Book Reviews

How to Read Galatians

Author David A deSilva
Publisher Grove Books 2025 £5.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788275125

After reading this short book I read Galatians in the NRSV, which deSilva implies translates Paul’s ‘striking wordplay’ better than most translations, apart from his own. Reading Paula Fredriksen’s book Ancient Christianities had given me a flavour, but deSilva has enabled me to digest the full context of confusion that Paul addresses in his letter. Many religious leaders were struggling to integrate the new ‘good news’ of the Jesus movement into the contemporary religious beliefs and practices, one of which was Judaism. Paul’s Galatian converts had been greatly impressed by his preaching but when Paul moved on, they began to revert to Jewish practices. They had not appreciated that, while being anchored in the Torah and God’s covenant with Abraham, the Jesus message was deeper, broader and more radical.

Reviewed by DAVID SELLICK

Sadly, David died on 18 June 2026. This was his final review and is published by permission of his daughters.

Bible study

 

Breaking Not Broken

Oct 13, 2026 | 2026 - Winter - Free, Book Reviews

Breaking Not Broken​

Author Timothy Goode
Publisher SCM Press £30
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334063162

As Christians we can carry a distorted picture of our own goodness and may not be sufficiently aware of our failings to see the effect we have on those who encounter us. This book challenges us to examine our acceptance of ableism. The author has been disabled since the age of six and experienced ableism not just in Christian attitudes but in architecture, liturgy, ecclesiology and heritage. What if our cathedrals had been designed for bodies that limp or flinch or tremble? What if our liturgies had been written in rhythms of pain or protest? The author argues that the church should abandon its distorted picture of ableism and embrace the risen wounded body of Christ so that disabled people are recognised not as guests in God’s church but as co-builders of the kingdom. This book is a reminder that God does not see anything lacking in us but accepts that each in their own way reflects the image of the Creator.

Reviewed by DAVID GILLIES

Inclusivity

 

Twelve Lessons on Stickability in Ministry

Oct 13, 2026 | 2026 - Winter - Free, Book Reviews

Twelve Lessons on
Stickability in Ministry

Author Sally Nash
Publisher Sacristy Press £16.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781789594294

This is a fascinating and eminently practical book offering ‘wisdom for flourishing over the long haul’. It is supportive of a variety of ministries and blends theological reflection, valuable comment and real life experiences to confront and resolve the most challenging yet everyday situations of those in leadership and/or responsible roles. Among the issues tackled are identity, vocation, boundaries, vulnerability, lament and resilience. There are commentaries, questions for the reader to consider and learning from Nash’s experience in her various roles. This book is a calm acknowledgement that the pressures faced by those in ministry are real and universal, and can be met with compassion, sharing experiences, and sound advice to move forwards in the midst of ever increasing demands and anxieties. It is recommended as a supportive companion for those seeking ways out of isolation, or anyone ‘holding fast in difficult times’.

Reviewed by ROSEMARY WALTERS

Ministry

 

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