Christian books to help you

Reviews on evangelism, communication and web books

We have chosen a small range of books to help you understand more about Web Evangelism and broader Internet and gospel communication issues. We believe they are among the very best on these topics. These are widely available in bookshops and libraries, and you can also order them online using the links on this page.

Hover the bookshop links to see a preview of that site in a ‘snap-shots’ popup box (adverts in these popups are chosen by snap.com). Clicking on bookshop links, or links in the ‘snap shots’ popup, will usually open that link in a new browser window or tab. To return to this page, close the tab or new browser window.

Also listed are eight free e-book downloads, and links to a range of downloadable research studies. You can convert these into formats suitable for the Kindle mobile reader.

If you want to look at these topics in more depth, check this detailed college-level reading list.

Availability

We have tried to give a worldwide coverage, though not all titles are available in all countries. However, mail order even on an international basis is surprisingly quick and cheap, and books do not usually attract customs duties. The Christian titles on this page are available in North America from ChristianBooks.com [www.christianbooks.com] and Amazon; from the UK-based Chrisitan EdenBooks;and from the other online bookshops listed for Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. You can also use price comparison tools such as Froogle (USA) and similar nationally-based sites in other countries. (Be aware that they only compare selling price – costs of postage will often make an apparently good price less competitive.)

For reviews of other key new titles, often within the subject areas of evangelism and communication, see Christian Book Summaries.

Church bookstalls and libraries

If you operate a church bookstall or library, you may consider obtaining one or more of these titles in advance of IE Day, and include a focus on these books to tie in with a web evangelism emphasis. You could select a title as church ‘Book of the Month’ and review it in your church newsletter.

Many of these books are ideal for group study/discussion and contain study guides.

Buying cheaply secondhand

Our Amazon US, Canadian and UK links for each title also offer second-hand pricing on these books – follow the link that looks something like ‘20 used and new available from $0.50.’ Second-hand books are so cheap and widely available in USA that it is frequently well worth ordering them via Amazon.com (USA) even if you live elsewhere in the world. You can also try ABE Books. [Currency converter]

The Internet and evangelism

The Rough Guide to the Internet
Duncan Clark, Peter Buckley
Rough Guides
ISBN 9781843538394

If you or those in your church or organisation are not web experts, a secular guide to the Web is very useful. This is a good example. Written in plain English, it covers everything from getting online for the first time to newsfeeds, Internet telephony and advanced tips and tricks guaranteed to turn casual surfers into Net gurus. This fully revised guide covers all the latest sites and crazes, including Skype, blogging, MySpace and other social networks and online video. Although you can buy previous editions of the book secondhand, be aware that the Web has changed so quickly that some of these innovatons barely existed even two years ago. There are also Rough Guides on several other related topics including MySpace, iPods and iPhones.

e-Ministry – Connecting with the Net Generation
Andrew Careaga
Kregel Publications, USA
ISBN 0-8254-2370-8

Today’s teens and children inhabit an electronic world – one still perhaps foreign to many church leaders. How should the church respond to a generation that seeks spiritual guidance from Web sites and chat rooms? In eMinistry, author Andrew Careaga offers a cutting-edge look at the creative use of online technology to reach the “Net Generation”. e-Ministry examines the trends and technology of this cyberworld, and also dispenses solid counsel on embracing the online culture while avoiding its moral pitfalls. The book covers more than just youth outreach, with many insights into the nature of online evangelism in general, although the Web moves so quickly that this book was written before Facebook, YouTube and Second Life existed.

Careaga’s first book, E-vangelism – Sharing the Gospel in Cyberspace is out of print, but still available second-hand.

21st Century Internet Evangelism
Dan Henrich (editor)
Streamed videos/DVD set/free e-book download

The entire program for a recent web evangelism conference is available in free streamed video (or on DVD, for a very modest sum) and book form. This is a remarkable resource with sessions from some of the most experienced workers in this field. We highly recommend that you download the e-book in PDF format. At 6Mb, allow time for download by dialup. If you prefer to order it in book form, rather than printing it yourself, it is stocked by Amazon.com (but no other outlets). Professor Henrich has also written Media Strategy and Christian Witness.

Free book download and video links online: International | Buy as book: Amazon US

Impact of Internet and computing on society

Hooked on the Net
Andrew Careaga
Kregel Publications, USA
ISBN: 0-8254-2382-1

Andrew Careaga, a self-admitted Internet junkie, examines Internet addiction from a solid Christian perspective. He carefully balances the pros and cons of the Net while giving useful and realistic suggestions on saying “good night” when the party never ends.

The Millennium Matrix
Reclaiming the Past, Reframing the Future of the Church
M Rex Miller
Jossey Bass ISBN
9-7879-6267-8

Miller’s compelling thesis is that the church has been located in four different communication cultures over the last 2000 years, and that each one has profoundly influenced the entire fabric of the church - the way it is organized, relates together, and communicates to the outside world. For the first 1500 years until the invention of the printing press, society lived in an ‘oral communication culture’. Then from about 1500 until 1950, ‘print culture’ predominated, with far-reaching effect.

From 1950 onwards however, he proposes that the influence of TV has led to ‘broadcast culture’, bringing in a whole new mindset. And finally, he suggests that we are rapidly moving into ‘digital culture’, with further dramatic changes resulting from the computer revolution. His ‘matrix’ is a table suggesting how these four cultures have impacted the church in different ways.

OK, your inner teenager may ask, “Whatever. But how, exactly, is this meant to affect me?” Because each communication culture functions differently. If we try to use the methods of the previous culture, or the one before that, just because they used to work and have therefore gained an imagined sanctity, we may end up communicating very inadequately.

Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do
B J Fogg
Morgan Kaufmann Publishers
ISBN 1-55860-643-2

This secular book gives an excellent and readable understanding of how computers communicate. Professor Fogg’s research offers many insights that also relate to Christian use of the Internet.

Habits of the High Tech Heart – Living Virtuously in the Information Age
Quentin J. Schultze
Baker Academic
ISBN 0-8010-2781-0

A scholarly, deep book focusing more on the negatives and limitations of the computer revolution than the potential and actual benefits that we often perceive.

Media and Technology: The Rainbow, the Ark & the Cross
Lausanne Occasional Paper
Free online PDF booklet

The 2004 Lausanne Conference in Thailand brought together many of the top mission and communication visionaries from around the world. The papers from the different working groups are now published here. This Media and Technology paper relates particularly to media and web evangelism. This paper prints out at around 60 pages and covers essential issues about the nature of communication through the Web and media. Not light reading – but it’s insightful and covers in depth ideas you may not have thought through before.

Available free online: Download here

Research papers
There are a wide range of research studies and dissertations relating to the Web, evangelism and communication. Many are in downloadable PDF or Word format.

Available free online: Read and download here

Evangelism books: many lessons transfer directly to the Web

Finding Common Ground – How to Communicate with Those Outside the Christian Community While We Still Can
Tim Downs
Moody Press
ISBN 0-8024-40096-7

The biblical concept of ‘sowing’ as compared with ‘reaping’ is explained. The book demonstrates how to:

bring up spiritual subjects with busy and distracted people.
use secular movies and books to talk about biblical ideas.
overcome prejudice and stereotypes in our listeners.
keep open doors of communication with even hostile opponents.
move everyone we meet a step closer to the Gospel.

This highly-recommended book offers priceless insights into effective evangelism. These insights are also vital for any type of web outreach which is to touch people who are not already seekers.

Evangelism Outside the Box – New Ways to Help People Experience the Good News
Rick Richardson
Inter-Varsity Press (USA)
ISBN 0-8308-2276-3

Within a rapidly-changing and secular culture, we need new ways of telling people the old, old story. Richardson explains how to get outside the box of ideas and practices that are sacred to us but not sacred to God. He provides fresh perspectives on relying on the Holy Spirit, awakening spiritual interest in others, and appealing to what they value (instead of what we think they should value). It is foundational to any type of evangelism in the modern world, and illuminates key strategies that are needed in web outreach.

Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary
Lee Strobel
Zondervan
ISBN 9780310375616

Understanding how non-Christians actually think is essential to effective evangelism.

unChristian:
What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters
David Kinnaman, Gabe Lyons
Baker Publishing
ISBN 0801013003

Every year, there are one or two titles published which draw together truths or research which are vital for the church to understand. This is such a book. Unless we understand how outsiders perceive the Christian faith, and their reasons, we will never be able to reach them. The ‘unChristian’ in the title actually refers to us, not to outsiders! Visit book site and view videos. A valuable set of discussions questions are available.

Jim & Casper Go To Church
Frank conversations about faith, churches, and well-meaning Christians
Jim Henderson, Matt Casper
Barna/Tyndale Publishing
ISBN 1414313314

This book complements unChristian, by explaining the journey of Jim (a pastor) and Matt (atheist) as they visit unannounced (rather like a ‘mystery shopper’) a range of churches. Their observations need to be taken on board, discussed, and acted upon, by every church, everywhere!

Permission Evangelism – When to Talk, When to Walk
Michael L Simpson
NexGen Books (Cook Communications, Colorado Springs)
ISBN 0-7814-3908-6

What is ‘permission evangelism’? It doesn’t mean we can only evangelize those who want to be evangelized! Instead, it demonstrates how to connect with non-Christians, and use an approach which aims to lead them into giving us permission to offer progressively more information about the Gospel in an appropriate way.

Because any visitor to an evangelistic website is in complete control of choosing the pages he or she views, the principles of permission evangelism adapt clearly to online outreach.

Out of the Saltshaker – and into the world
Rebecca Manley Pippert
Inter-Varsity Press (USA and UK)
ISBN 0-83082-220-8 (USA)
ISBN 0-85111-646-9 (UK)

Pippert’s classic has been radically updated and expanded in this new edition. It goes to the heart of what evangelism should be: not something we do, but a way of life. She wants us to laugh at her mistakes, identify with her failures, and find out how to really be salt in the world. Practical, deep, insightful angles on any form of evangelism.

I Hate Witnessing
A Handbook for Effective Christian Communication
Dick Innes
Acts Communications
ISBN 0-9642525-0-3

It’s not what it sounds! This is not a manual of ‘what to say’ through gritted teeth when ‘out doing witnessing’. Instead, the book initially shows how to get off the ‘Guilt Trip’ of wrong motivation for evangelism. It goes on to show what things actually communicate Christ effectively to others; how to get past closed minds; and examines the methods Jesus used in building bridges – using personalized and appropriate ways to reach individual people through their felt needs. These essential lessons in evangelism are highly relevant to online witness also. Two chapters are available online on the ‘International’ link below, and can be syndicated into any other website with a few lines of easy-to-copy Javascript code.

An excellent 70-minute talk by Dick, taking up many of the themes of the book, is available here:
Listen in Real Audio
Hi-fi Part 1 | Hi-fi Part 2

Serve Him With Mirth
Leslie B Flynn
Zondervan 1960

Even in these more relaxed days, many Christians do not understand just how much humor is embedded in the Bible. Humor is valuable for communicating the Gospel and we have a biblical mandate to use it. This classic book by Flynn remains one of few that cover the subject in depth. And we offer it as a free download in PDF, HTML, DOC and MS E-book formats. For more about the biblical nature of humor, and reviews of other humor-related books, go here.

Available free online: Download here

Evangelism for the Tongue-Tied: How Anyone Can Tell Others About Jesus
Chap Bettis
Pleasant Word
ISBN 1-4141-0141-4
Free PDF download

It is said that only 25% of evangelicals succeed in sharing their faith verbally in any one year. It’s obviously a big hurdle for many of us, and Chap Bettis isolates the issues and shows how to:
• pray effectively for evangelistic opportunities
• build genuine relationships with non-Christians
• develop the stories of God's work in our lives
• recognize evangelistic doors that God is opening
• easily transition to spiritual matters
• followup after a conversation
These lessons can also apply to chat room witness and other web contacts, as well as face-to-face evangelism. The hard copy book is available through the usual outlooks, but Chap Bettis has generously also made it available as a free PDF download for personal use. A separate study guide is also available.

Available free online: Download book here | Download study guide here

Impact Eternity
Self-study/group study missions course
English, French, Portuguese and Spanish
Online and free PDF download

A self-study and group study course from a partnership of major mission groups. See the challenge of the needs of the world, and your place in it. See our training page for other online courses.

Available free online: View/download course here |

Understanding and relating to contemporary culture
Most of the books in the previous evangelism section emphasize how we must understand the culture around us. The course and books in this section explain the concept in more detail at two levels:
• the underlying assumptions in today’s culture (postmodernism)
• the importance of using popular culture (books, films, media) as an evangelistic bridge

Facing the Challenge
Discussion courses from Focus Radio, UK
Booklets and PowerPoint

These acclaimed group-study courses are available as downloads, or by post. Although intended for group study and discussion, you can also use them for personal study. The course ‘Facing the Challenge of our Times’ is thoroughly biblical in outlook and demonstrates how we are mandated to relate to the culture around us. Other courses cover TV, other faiths, and relating to a hostile world.

Available online: International French version français

Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from its Cultural Captivity
Nancy Pearcey
Crossway Books (Good News Publishers, Wheaton)
ISBN 1-58134-458-9

Pearcey brings remarkable scholarship and perceptive insights to this vital book. She demonstrates the importance of worldview; how different worldviews have impacted Christians and the proclamation of the Gospel; and how we have often yielded ground to secular worldviews because we have not attempted to understand them.

The Death of Truth
Dennis McCallum – General Editor
Baker Book Publishers
ISBN 1-55661-724-0
Zenos Fellowship distribute the book, plus a related study guide, CD, tapes, and online RealAudio presentations. Their price for purchase and shipping outside US is often cheaper than buying from a local retailer or online store.

Christianity and Christian ethics are under attack as never before. But so often, we are like a blind-folded child in a party game: we know someone is hitting us, but we don’t understand who, why, or the nature of the attack. This book is probably the best available for explaining ‘postmodernism’. Don’t be put off by this technical term! It really just means ‘mood of the age’. The book is very readable, yet analizes clearly the scary progress of the world’s agenda. Postmodernism, the guiding spirit of our times, teaches that things like reason and rationality are cultural biases, and that truth, especially God’s truth, doesn𔄋t exist. This book shows how Christians can serve and love effectively in a culture that is witnessing the death of truth. Their site also offers streamed audio presentations.

Available online: International – from Zenos Fellowship, may be cheaper than buying locally in most cases. | ChristianBooks | Amazon US

Damaris Trust
Southampton
UK
Study guides, books, CDs, games, newsletters

Damaris are a leading Christian ‘culture-watch’ group who help Christians (and non-Christians) understand developments in contemporary culture. Their resources also include material for teachers and youthworkers, books and evangelistic CDs.

Available online: International | French | Norwegian

Churches, the Web and church growth

Growth by Accident, Death by Planning
How NOT to Kill a Growing Congregation
Bob Whitesel
Abingdon Press ISBN 0-687-08325-7

We believe that the Web has enormous potential in facilitating church growth. But a church which does not understand the spiritual dynamics of growth may fail to grow despite an apparently good evangelistic program. Bob Whitesel is a church doctor/consultant. There are very few people with his sort of ministry. Most of us see things happening, for good or bad, in the lives of our churches, and have no idea what is driving these events, or how to change them. Whitesel has the insight to see the causes, explain them clearly, and propose solutions.This book covers the issue of churches which grow, then plateau, or decline. It is packed with common-sense spiritual wisdom and practical steps that churches can take. Only church leadership teams which have no interest in growing, don’t care if they decline, lose members or have generational gaps, should avoid buying this – and Whitesel’s other two books A House Divided: Bridging the Generation Gaps in Your Church and Staying Power: Why People Leave the Church Over Change and What You Can Do About It.

Church Planting Movements
David Garrison
Office of Overseas Operations
International Mission Board
of the Southern Baptist Convention
P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767, USA
Available free in different forms

This significant booklet explains the principles of planting self-replicating churches. Although primarily focusing on non-Western situations, it also has revealing insights for church-planting in the West. It is available as as a free HTML download, and can also be ordered as a free printed booklet.

Available free online: Download here

Purpose-driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
Rick Warren
Zondervan
ISBN 0310205719, paperback 0310210747 (plus other editions)

Rick Warren’s best-seller has led to transformation of individual Christian lives and church ministry, as it has shown people that God has a specific fulfilling plan for their them. And one part of that, of course, is fitting into His evangelistic strategy for the world. [Purpose-Driven Life site.] [www.purposedrivenlife.com/]

Drama is a powerful way of communicating, both to Christians and non-Christians.
Books, links and free scripts here.

Facebook for Pastors
and
25 Free Ministry Marketing Tools that You Can Use Right Now
Chris Forbes
Free PDF e-books

Facebook for Pastors explains how Facebook works, and how pastors, Christian leaders, and web evangelists can use it, both to maintain relationships with church members and also to share with non-yet-Christians.

25 Free Ministry Marketing Tools gives a range of ideas for being more effective as a church.

Available free online: Ministry Marketing Coach

Web design and usablity

Don’t Make Me Think!
A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
Steve Krug
New Riders
ISBN 0-7897-2310-7

This is probably the best book available on how to build usability into a website. ‘Usability’ means: enabling visitors to find what they are looking for, and present it to them in an intuitive way they can easily understand. Few websites implement all Steve’s common-sense recommendations, and lose out as a result. He also provides a vital section on how to use other people to test a website. Despite the price, this is an essential read. (Try Amazon’ second-hand links, usually less than half-price, or your library.) Read sample chapter online.

Homepage Usability: 55 Websites Deconstructed
Jakob Nielsen & Marie Tahir
New Riders
ISBN 0-7357-1102-XM

Jakob Nielsen is a leading world expert on how to make websites truly usable, and his Alertbox [www.useit.com/alertbox/] email newsletter has helped many web designers to understand these issues. This book looks at the mistakes – and good points – of some leading websites. It shows us examples to follow, and faults to avoid.

Writing for the web

Writing for the Web: Writer’s Edition
Crawford Killian
Self-Counsel Press, North Vancouver, BC
ISBN: 1-55180-207-4

Hundreds of books have appeared recently on how to design new web pages and jazz up existing sites with graphics, sounds, and links. But effective sites contain much more than far-out videos, graphics, and sounds – they also contain text that people will want to read. This book offers sound principles that writers should use, plus exercises to strengthen writing skills and eliminate bad writing habits. Even the experienced web writer will learn much from it, and for those just starting out on writing web-pages, it is totally foundational.

This book is also published as a ‘Geeks Edition’ at a higher price (ISBN 1-55180-303-8). This contains an extra 50 pages, mainly a writing style guide. The rest of the content is virtually identical. Your choice – but you can get our style guide free online!

Plain English Campaign
Fighting for crystal-clear communication

The Plain English Campaign campaigns against gobbledygook, jargon and misleading public information. They encourage writers to use meaningful words. Their free downloadable guides in PDF format explain the principles. Particularly useful for a web writer are their two general guides: How to write in plain English and The A-Z of alternative words.

Available free online: Download here

Net Words – Creating High-Impact Online Copy
Nick Usborne
McGraw-Hill
ISBN 0-07-138039-6

We have a lot to learn from the people who make a living by communicating on the Web in e-commerce. Not, of course, that Christian writing should become glib sales patter. However, Usborne’s book is not merely about sales techniques. It reveals much about the nature of the Web and the expectations of web users, and how it differs from other mediums. Usborne also explains techniques for writing clearly. Dr Ralph Wilson, who is both a web marketer and a pastor, says: “The best book I’ve seen on writing for the Web.”

The SEO Book
Aaron Wall
Published online only

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the art of understanding how to legitimately get your site to have a high ranking in the search engines. This is sadly something that many Christian sites do not bother to understand or implement. Aaron’s 120-page book in PDF format is normally sold, but he generously offers it free to “certified non-profit, charity, church, open software developer, or school” users. Just submit a polite request to him via the website link.

Available free online: Download here