Book Recommendations

Volunteer Management, Urban Ministry, Calling and Short Term Urban Missions Book Recommendations

Volunteer Management
Leadership and Management of Volunteer Programs: A Guide for Volunteer Administrators (Jossey Bass Nonprofit & Public Management Series)
Describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of professional managers to effectively involve volunteers in the work of organizations. Offers thorough guidance on how to perform key tasks such as staffing, recruitment, motivation, program evaluation, and managing relationships between paid staff and volunteers.
Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them
 Provides specific, practical information. Slim and eminently readable, it's packed with guidelines, suggestions, and forms readers can use immediately.
  Invite Ignite Unite: Recruiting, training and mobilizing volunteers for ministry
 Find book here.
  Volunteers for Today's Church: How to Recruit and Retain Workers
 Find book here.
The (Help!) I-Don'T-Have-Enough-Time Guide to Volunteer Management
 Presents a step-by-step framework for creating a team approach to volunteer management. With this realistic, no-nonsense book, you'll learn how to map the boundaries of your job and clarify expectations; find administrative volunteers and put them to work in vital ways; and share ownership--and the work of the volunteer program with everyone in your organization.
The Volunteer Recruitment (and Membership Development) Book
 Crammed with innumerable recruitment ideas and recommendations! Starts with designing assignments attractive to new volunteers and continues by addressing organizational image, where to look for volunteers, why people volunteer or do not, how to select the right recruitment technique, what "diversity" means to an organization, and the impact of trends in volunteering today. 
The Virtual Volunteering Guidebook
 An online book on how to apply the principles of real-world volunteer management to online service. To download the PDF of the book, click the image to the right.

Urban Ministry
The Bridge Over the Racial Divide
This book is one of the best overviews of the current social and economic issues facing the United States (and is intended for a general audience rather than just a Christian audience).  In particular it looks at the transition of the economy from an industrial based economy to an information based economy.
Divided by Faith
This book also includes a brilliant, concise history of evangelical thought about race from colonial times to the civil rights movement. Clearly written and impeccably researched, this book ranks among the most compassionate and critical studies of contemporary evangelicalism
More Than Equals
Spencer Perkins and Chris Rice set out a bold, practical plan for racial reconciliation which has as its motivation more than harmonious living--namely, a witness to the truth and power of the Gospel.
  Restoring At-Risk Communities
Dr. John Perkins
This book provides a framework for pursuing effective urban ministry and community development.  This book serves as the "manual" for the Christian Community Development Association, from which TechMission draws much of our values and approach to ministry. 
The YouthLearn Guide: A Creative Approach to Working With Youth and Technology
This guide is an easy-to-use, hands-on manual with more than 160 pages of lessons, worksheets, and sample activities on how to set up a new learning program or enhance an existing one. The guide helps practitioners combine new technologies and proven teaching techniques in ways that will make your work even more rewarding for you and the children you serve.
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?
 A pivotal book in understanding racism, how it manifests itself in our society (individually, culturally, and institutionally), how it impacts all of us in terms of racial identity, and ultimately what each of us can do to interrupt the cycle of racism. While it focuses most on black and white racial identity development, this book is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the dynamics of race and power in the U.S.
Theirs Is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America
 Timely, informative reflections on the relationship between poverty and Christianity, the responsibilities of the haves and have-nots, and the lessons Christians can learn from the poor.
Urban Disciples: A Beginner's Guide to Serving God in the City
A Theology As Big As the City
How does God see the city? What does Scripture have to say about urban ministry? These are the questions Ray Bakke has systematically addressed, beginning with Genesis and continuing through to Revelation. Here is a biblical theology that will constantly surprise and challenge as you get a glimpse of how big God's view of the city really is.
Signs of Hope in the City: Ministries of Community Renewal

Short Term Urban Missions
How to Be a World Class Christian
 "If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the challenges of our world, both near and far, Paul Borthwick has some good news for you. He’s reduced the enormous and complex needs of people next door or across the world into manageable chunks so that an individual, small group, Christian education class, or an entire church can get excited about personal involvement." From the foreword by Robert A. Seiple – Former President, World Vision
The Essential Guide to the Short Term Mission Trip
 In The Essential Guide to the Short Term Mission Trip, David Forward helps prepare leaders and members on the team for their experience as volunteers for the cause of Christ. Be prepared with this complete guide.
Mack & Leeann's Guide to Short-Term Missions
 Today the world is as close as an airplane flight. Thousands take advantage of this, going for short visits to other countries to be more involved in God's worldwide mission. How can you prepare for such a trip? What are the hazards to avoid and the opportunities to embrace? Here is field-tested advice you should not leave home without! 
Short-Term Missions: From Mision Tourists to Global Citizens
It includes * Concise summary of crosscultural principles * Help in facing spiritual warfare * Tips on avoiding a tourist mentality * Spiritual preparation through individual or group Bible study * 8-week course for teams to do together You'll get a biblical perspective on the world, gain crosscultural understanding and even prepare for reentry when you return.
Maximum Impact Short-Term Mission: The God-Commanded, Repetitive Deployment of Swift, Temporary, Non-Professional Missionaries
Serving with Eyes Wide Open; Doing Short-Term Missions with Cultural Intelligence
Jesus Says Go
An unusual book for anyone exploring short-term or long-term cross-cultural mission. It is a book about sacrifice.