If you have looked at Eden bookstall recently you would have noticed that there has been some attempt to have available titles related to the month of evangelism. Such much loved classics as Basic Christianity and Mere Christianity appear alongside Exploring Christianity (the book of the course). Christian biography is represented, too, with Jackie Pullinger's Chasing the Dragon and Nicky Cruz's Run Baby Run - both recently published in new editions. While another recent republication, of a book that has seldom been out of print since its first appearance in 1930 and remains ever popular, is Frank Morison's Who Moved the Stone?
John Blanchard's Ultimate Questions is available free of charge, and there is a selection of Daily Bible Reading notes, as well as some of the Good Book Company's excellent Young Disciples material, aimed particularly at the teenage market.
But the question I should like to put to you all is: What would you recommend as helpful reading for new, or young Christians? To put it another way: What titles do you have on your bookshelves at home, ready to pass to anyone who comes asking questions? It would be really helpful to have a checklist of books that you have found useful. Who knows? - it might just be that it is time for you to review your stock of such books. I'd be glad to help you do that.
On a slightly different tack, may I recommend Peter Hicks' What Could I Say? (IVP £9.99). This is not so much a book to lend out, or give away, as one that explores the questions you may be asked and situations that may confront you, offering biblically centred advice as to what you might say and do in response. As 'a listening Christian friend' what should you say when your best friend, or someone in your house group, or a member of your family pours out their troubles to you? Hicks suggests Bible passages to point to and lays down principles for sharing Christ's love. At the same time he emphasises practical considerations and above all gives careful guidance about when to involve expert help.
This is an important resource for all in Christian leadership, but also one that we all might find helpful to consult - to learn, even in the hardest situations, what we could say.
Look out for Eden's Summer Sale of new and second-hand books coming soon. It will include some books for children.