Friday, February 28, 2014

Three books on getting things both done and known about

1. Platform: Get noticed in a noisy world by Michael Hyatt: I was chatting to someone in our church who heads up communications for a Christian ministry. She is currently navigating her way through the world of hash tags, blog posts, tweets and followers and hopes she is doing it all for the glory of God. I have recommended this book to her (and to you) if you are someone concerned about getting your message out in a noisy world. This is particularly important for churches and mission organisations as they try to be heard in an increasingly complex 'social media' oriented world. In days gone by, 'Head of the Liturgical Commission' may have been the most crucial job in the C of E but now it is probably 'Head of Comms'. Whoever does that job would do well to read this book as would many others on the evidence of most C of E church websites.

2. Contagious: Why things catch on by Jonah Berger: Why do some social media things catch fire and some not? On you tube one film can have 2m hits while a very similar one has 563. Why the difference? This book offers some helpful insight into why posts, websites and clips go viral.

3. What's best next: How the gospel transforms how you get things done by Matt Perman:  I have an advanced copy of this book which I have been looking forward to for sometime and have agreed to review here next week.  I love a 'productivity' gadget or a book on time management and this book endeavours to explain why it matters that Christians 'Get things done' (to coin Dave Allen). With this book, Matt Perman attempts to bring the message of the gospel and the need to get on with things and make stuff happen together under one heading. It has the potential to be the go-to book on matters GTD.

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Saturday blog-sweep

 Some interesting books for pastors The State we're in Attack at dawn Joseph Scriven Joy comes with the morning When small is beautiful