Reviews

REVIEWS

BOOKS

Working through grief

One Step at a Time, Mourning a Child, by Betty Madill. Floris Books £6.99

“THERE is no right or wrong way to grieve the death of a child – there is only our way” is the comforting message of this practical book written 14 years after the accidental drowning of three-year-old Lisa.

The pain which settles in after the initial shock is tangible, like no other, yet Betty Madill is able to show bereaved parents that there are ways of living a life which feels as if it has no purpose left, even though it may take years to work through the grief-accompanying emotions.

Self-help groups such as those set up by The Compassionate Friends are described as being invaluable. The bereaved will often be surprised at their response to loss, especially if they have previously considered themselves unflappable.

Bereavement counselling can address issues such as feelings of confusion, isolation, loss of self-confidence and self-respect, preventing possible long-term bitterness. The author describes her own walk with God.

Avoidance of the bereaved is not unusual but is understandably hurtful, increasing feelings of isolation. Equally unwelcome are those who would impose their own methods of coping on to the bereaved. Ways that family and friends can be most helpful are clearly presented.

A small but invaluable book for both the bereaved and those who find themselves alongside such a tragedy. Support agency names and addresses are also included.

Wendy Illiffe is a retired nurse and married to a full-time children’s evangelist

Starter kit

Rebuild - Small groups can make a difference by Fran Beckett with Steve Chalke, Rob Warner, Joel Edwards and others. Crossway Books, £4.99

In his book The Mustard Seed Conspiracy, American futurologist Tom Sine encouraged the Church worldwide to grasp the vision of how small groups of believers can transform local communities by thinking, praying and acting redemptively.

Twenty years later, Rebuild takes that principle and makes it both feasible and accessible for even the smallest of churches in the UK. This is a no-nonsense, straightforward, starter kit for church groups looking at not just talking about the love of Jesus but demonstrating it in their communities.

It is very simply set out, easy to read and its various authors cover a broad range of subjects from family support to debt relief, from homelessness to literacy work. It tackles the issues with welcome brevity and provides the reader with lots of stories of good practice around the country.

Perhaps the best feature of the book is its very helpful list of dos and don’ts under each subject and great contact lists of where to obtain further advice and resources.

It’s certainly not a book for anybody who has done much thinking in depth on the issue of church involvement in the community, but it is an ideal book to shape homegroup study or to help a group of leaders reflect on the issues for the first time before deciding upon a course of action.

Andy Hickford is pastor of Maybridge Christian Fellowship in West Sussex

MUSIC

Innovative package

The Survivor Songbook, Survivor £16.99
Survivor Songs - One/Two (Survivor Records), CDs £12.99 each, cassettes £9.99

Hymnbook publishing arrives in the computer age with this 200-song collection for contemporary/youth-orientated worship teams. Not a crotchet or quaver in the songbook itself – just lyrics and guitar chord sheets, but the enclosed CD-ROM provides full sheet music (in non-editable Acrobat format), plus acetate masters and text files of the lyrics.

Providing you have a CCLI Music Reproduction Licence and a suitable computer, this makes good sense – simply print whatever you need. Always remember to plan ahead though.

Logically enough, The Survivor Songbook leans heavily towards writers signed to Survivor Records – no less than 55 songs by Matt Redman and 34 by NFI’s Paul Oakley, with other Soul Survivor worship leaders, Ken Riley (YFriday) and James Gregory (Heat) also featuring strongly. Amongst the rest are 19 from Delirious?, plus popular material from a variety of Vineyard sources. Six articles on the hows/whys of worship are a valuable adjunct to the songs.

The release of a parallel series of CDs/cassettes makes building a repertoire easier too. Survivor Songs – One/Two have 20 songs apiece, and two further volumes will be available soon.

Tracks have been edited down where necessary, but the CDs are compiled from original studio recordings or ‘live’ festival albums – superb value, if you don’t already have access to the material in question.

An innovative and useful package.

Peter Dilley is a bass guitarist and co-ordinator/mentor for a support scheme for young people with learning disabilities for the charity InterAct

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		REVIEWS BOOKS Working through grief One Step at a Time, Mourning a Child, by Betty Madill. Floris Books £6.99 “THERE is no right or wrong way to grieve the death of a child – there is only our way” is the comforting message of this practical book written 14 years after the accidental drowning of three-year-old Lisa. The pain which settles in after the initial shock is tangible, like no other, yet Betty Madill is able to show bereaved parents that there are ways of living a life which feels as if it has no purpose left, even though it may take years to work through the grief-accompanying emotions. Self-help groups such as those set up by The Compassionate Friends are described as being invaluable. The bereaved will often be surprised at their response to loss, especially if they have previously considered themselves unflappable. Bereavement counselling can address issues such as feelings of confusion, isolation, loss of self-confidence and self-respect, preventing possible long-term bitterness. The author describes her own walk with God. Avoidance of the bereaved is not unusual but is understandably hurtful, increasing feelings of isolation. Equally unwelcome are those who would impose their own methods of coping on to the bereaved. Ways that family and friends can be most helpful are clearly presented. A small but invaluable book for both the bereaved and those who find themselves alongside such a tragedy. Support agency names and addresses are also included. Wendy Illiffe is a retired nurse and married to a full-time children’s evangelist Starter kit Rebuild - Small groups can make a difference by Fran Beckett with Steve Chalke, Rob Warner, Joel Edwards and others. Crossway Books, £4.99 In his book The Mustard Seed Conspiracy, American futurologist Tom Sine encouraged the Church worldwide to grasp the vision of how small groups of believers can transform local communities by thinking, praying and acting redemptively. Twenty years later, Rebuild takes that principle and makes it both feasible and accessible for even the smallest of churches in the UK. This is a no-nonsense, straightforward, starter kit for church groups looking at not just talking about the love of Jesus but demonstrating it in their communities. It is very simply set out, easy to read and its various authors cover a broad range of subjects from family support to debt relief, from homelessness to literacy work. It tackles the issues with welcome brevity and provides the reader with lots of stories of good practice around the country. Perhaps the best feature of the book is its very helpful list of dos and don’ts under each subject and great contact lists of where to obtain further advice and resources. It’s certainly not a book for anybody who has done much thinking in depth on the issue of church involvement in the community, but it is an ideal book to shape homegroup study or to help a group of leaders reflect on the issues for the first time before deciding upon a course of action. Andy Hickford is pastor of Maybridge Christian Fellowship in West Sussex MUSIC Innovative package The Survivor Songbook, Survivor £16.99 Survivor Songs - One/Two (Survivor Records), CDs £12.99 each, cassettes £9.99 Hymnbook publishing arrives in the computer age with this 200-song collection for contemporary/youth-orientated worship teams. Not a crotchet or quaver in the songbook itself – just lyrics and guitar chord sheets, but the enclosed CD-ROM provides full sheet music (in non-editable Acrobat format), plus acetate masters and text files of the lyrics. Providing you have a CCLI Music Reproduction Licence and a suitable computer, this makes good sense – simply print whatever you need. Always remember to plan ahead though. Logically enough, The Survivor Songbook leans heavily towards writers signed to Survivor Records – no less than 55 songs by Matt Redman and 34 by NFI’s Paul Oakley, with other Soul Survivor worship leaders, Ken Riley (YFriday) and James Gregory (Heat) also featuring strongly. Amongst the rest are 19 from Delirious?, plus popular material from a variety of Vineyard sources. Six articles on the hows/whys of worship are a valuable adjunct to the songs. The release of a parallel series of CDs/cassettes makes building a repertoire easier too. Survivor Songs – One/Two have 20 songs apiece, and two further volumes will be available soon. Tracks have been edited down where necessary, but the CDs are compiled from original studio recordings or ‘live’ festival albums – superb value, if you don’t already have access to the material in question. An innovative and useful package. Peter Dilley is a bass guitarist and co-ordinator/mentor for a support scheme for young people with learning disabilities for the charity InterAct © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.