Focused Community Strategies
FCS Team

FCS Team

FCS Team

FCS Team

5 Books for Summer Reading

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by FCS

Summer is just around the corner, and here in Atlanta, there are moments it feels like it’s already arrived! The summer is a great time to slow down and catch up on reading, while you’re sitting in the shade of a big tree or hosting a neighborhood book club. If you are looking for suggestions to add to your reading list, here are five books we’re reading this summer!

1. Rethinking Incarceration

With five percent of the world’s population in the United States, but twenty-five percent of the world’s incarcerated people, the US criminal justice system could use some work. Dominique DuBois Gilliard shares how the church has contributed to the bias and unjust practices in the justice system. He then explores possible creative restorative justice solutions in this thought-provoking book.

2. Start, Love, Repeat: How to Stay in Love with Your Entrepreneur in a Crazy Start-up World 

Launching, or even being part of, a ministry can take a toll on a family. In this book, we hear from Dorcas Cheng-Tozun as she shares about maintaining a strong relationship through the stress of the ups and downs of life with an entrepreneurial partner. This is a unique look at how marriage and family life are affected by careers and callings.

3. Neighborhood Mapping: How to Make Your Church Invaluable to the Community

At FCS, we answer lots of questions about how to love our neighbors and neighborhood well. We say that moving in and getting to know your neighbors is a great place to start. If you’re looking for more guidance, we’d suggest checking out this book about getting to know your neighbors and coming to our Open House!

4. Mending the Divides

Does our nation feel more divided than ever? Jon Huckins and Jer Swigart suggest that we can start finding peace by heading into conflict and then seeking restoration. This book provides practical steps to engage with those around us by viewing peacemaking as the mission of God.

5. Barking to the Choir

At FCS, we are big fans of Gregory Boyle and his job creation and gang-intervention programs. In his second book, he shares stories of love, pain, forgiveness, and joy from the lives of those with whom he lives, works, and shares ministry. The anecdotes of this book can’t help but elicit an empathetic and compassionate response.

We’re looking forward to diving into this list. We’d love to hear from you if you pick up any of these books for your summer reading! What else is on your reading list?

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