Worship: A History of New Zealand Church Design
by Bill McKay and illustrated by Jane Ussher.

Reviewed by Wayne Matheson

It is a little hard to know where or how to start a review of this stunning and beautiful book. It sets out to be a tribute to 200 years of church architecture and design. Architectural historian McKay thoughtfully explores the history and diversity of church building, while photographer Ussher captures an array of churches the length of the country.

McKay’s forebears were Presbyterian Scots who came to Waipu. He wants the churches to show the chronological development of church buildings in New Zealand, and tells that story by reverse chronology!

One has the sense that there is a little more that underlies this work. Continue reading →

The Emotionally Healthy Church: Updates and Expanded Edition: A Strategy for Discipleship That Actually Changes Lives. By Peter Scazzero

Reviewed by Richard Dawson

Peter and Geri Scazzero founded a church in the poorest part of Queens, New York 26 years ago. They were then and still are committed to a vision of the church which was both multicultural and active amongst the poor and dispossessed. Today that Church is made up of people from 73 different countries and is pastored by Rich Villodas of Hispanic heritage.

After working incredibly hard to establish the church Peter and Geri went through a huge crisis of faith in the mid 90’s because of the demands they had placed on themselves to ‘make this church work.’ In short they’d worked themselves to a standstill Continue reading →