Invite Welcome Connect Summer Reading List

A list of books and resources to help you enhance your personal theology of evangelism, hospitality, and belonging.

📖 Evangelism

 

Transforming Evangelism—David Gortner An Episcopal priest’s biblically rooted, spiritually enriching approach to outreach for our time.  Buy on Church Publishing

Embracing Evangelism—The Episcopal Church & Virginia Theological Seminary Structured program inviting participants to see, celebrate & invite others into Jesus’ presence.  View on EpiscopalChurch.org

A Credible Witness—Brenda Salter McNeil Mainline perspective on power, evangelism, and race—the healing of evangelism in multiracial context.  Buy on Amazon

Biblical Perspectives on Evangelism: Living in a Three-Storied Universe—Walter Brueggemann Theologian Brueggemann frames evangelism as narrative invitation, rooted in Israel’s story and God’s mission.  Buy on Amazon

The Agile Church: Spirit-Led Innovation in an Uncertain Age—Dwight Zscheile A guide to faithful experimentation in evangelism and church growth for mainline congregations.  Buy on Church Publishing

Becoming Barnabas: A Ministry of Coming Alongside—Robert E Logan and Tara Miller Becoming Barnabas focuses on practical questions:on how can you serve as a "Barnabas," a son or daughter of encouragement. Buy on Amazone

🏠 Hospitality

 

Invite Welcome Connect: Stories & Tools to Transform Your Church—Mary Foster Parmer Tools and personal testimonies for cultivating radical welcome in Episcopal congregations.  Buy on Foreward Movement

Holy Hospitality—Clayton L. Morris From an Episcopal priest: welcoming all as central to baptismal life.  Buy on Church Publishing

Radical Welcome (Revised)—Stephanie Spellers Episcopal theology and practices for transformative, inclusive welcome, updated to 2021.  Buy on Church Publishing

Harvesting Abundance: Local Initiatives of Food & Faith—Brian Sellers-Petersen How Episcopal churches across the country embody hospitality through food ministries.  Buy on Church Publishing

🤝 Inclusion & Digital Ministry

 

Unabashedly Episcopalian—Andrew Doyle A bishop’s hopeful vision for Episcopal identity, mission, and inclusion.  Buy on Church Publishing

Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus—Michael Curry An energetic call to inclusive, Jesus-shaped love and witness in today’s world.  Buy on Church Publishing

Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer—Rowan Williams Simple, profound reflections on core Christian practices by a former Archbishop of Canterbury.  Buy on Amazon

Evangelism in the Digital Age: Strategies for Digital Outreach and Online Ministry Kindle—Mark Kessel This comprehensive guide provides pastors, ministry leaders, and individual believers with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to effectively spread the Gospel online. Buy on Amazon

Click2Save Reboot: The Digital Ministry Bible—Elizabeth Drescher & Keith Anderson A comprehensive and pastorally grounded guide to digital ministry practices.  Buy on Amazon

Go BIG with Small Groups: Eleven Steps to an Explosive Small Group Ministry—John Atkinson and Bill Easum A model for vibrant small-group ministries that lead to congregational growth. Buy on Amazon