Out of the 51 books that I reviewed in 2009, which is the best? There were many good books. The Bottom Billion by Paul Collier provides a scientific but readable treatment of the reasons why the world’s poorest countries are failing. Sticky Church by Larry Osborne demonstrates the importance of small groups as a retention strategy for churches. Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo provided a strongly-worded and controversial call to change in the way we help the poor.
It’s Our Turn to Eat by Michela Wrong provides a gripping account of the recent history of corruption in Kenya. The Monkey and the Fish by Dave Gibbons shows how important it is for churches to embrace third-culture attitudes. A Sense of Urgency by John Kotter provides a well-written guide for overcoming obstacles to organisational change. Africa by Richard Dowden gives extraordinary insights into many African countries.
But the winner of this year’s Choosethecross.com Book of the Year award is Servolution: Starting a Church Revolution Through Serving, by Dino Rizzo. When you start a new church, how do you get people to show up? Dino and his wife DeLynn decided to reach the poor and hurting by doing whatever they could to serve them. The book has an inspiring story line while also providing great advice which can be followed by any church.