CHOA works with many partners.  We embrace each individual, with their talents and gifts.  We gain strength and insight from each of them.  Additionally, we are influenced and gain from authors –books and articles– as well as from podcasts.  Below are a list of readings and podcasts of authors that highly influence us and the CHOA effort.  We think you will benefit from reading these as well.

Books

1. Making Housing Happen (Jill Shook): Jill is amazing, so knowledgeble about housing, and so focused to make positive housing change for 20 years in Pasadena with Making Housing and Community Happen.  We are so honored to learn from her. Her book may seem to be a book only about how we have such a homelessness and affordable housing crisis in the US.  But this book also shows a rich variety of how groups of people came up with imaginative ways to come up with housing solutions.  This is a book on how people of faith made ways for mercy, compassion, and hope.  It’s very inspiring.

2. The Prophetic Imagination (Walter Brueggemann): This book was first published 40 years ago.  It’s still eye-popping.  Walter is so good is reminding us, God is always doing a new thing.  Are we prepared to allow it to occur?  Are we listening to the cries of the people?  Do we allow for many voices — even critical ones — to be heard?  Will we bring energy to the new things God is doing?  In this book, we are pushed to imagine faithful alternatives.

3. Transforming Power (Robert Linthicum): Mike was able to go to a few seminars Bob created for the Presbytery in the San Gabriel Valley in the early 2000’s.  (Bob was a pastor at La Verne Heights Presbyterian Church.) He has worked for a long time to activate Christians into public policy, using community organizing techniques.  This book shows so many ways a group of individuals can make a difference, by gaining and using power…for good.

4. The Way of the Heart (Henri Nouwen): Advocating is connected to speaking, so others can hear.  In the Christian tradition, there are times when speaking should cease, seeking times for prayer, silence, and solitude.  Henri Nouwen was both a Catholic priest, and had a Dutch doctoral degree in psychology (and taught at Harvard and Yale), and was a prolific writer.  In this book, Henri uses his clear and straight-forward writing style to share how the fathers back in the 4th and 5th century went to the deserts, searching to hear God.  This discipline to go hear what God has to say is so vital.  If we lose that, we lose everything.  And when we hear God, we truly have something to say to others.  This is a humble and reflective (and short) book, to help us seek God’s voice, and direction.

5. Golden Gates (Conor Dougherty): In 2018, Conor wrote about the housing advocates in San Francisco, what they tried and what they did.  Some of these were warning signs.  Some are inspirational work to repeat.  The book details the many facets of housing, all the different players in government, business, advocates, residents, and yes, the church.  There were successes and failures.  We all need to learn, and keep moving forward.  This is a very helpful book on recent history of housing advocacy.

6. The Cross and the Lynching Tree (James Cone): It took Mike 50 years to get to this book.  I was so sick reading this.  How in the world did it take me this long to read this?  How has the faith community in the US so completely failed our Black brothers and sisters?  Are we blind?  Do we continue to be blind?  This book reminds us to carefully listen, and to partner and encourage our Black brothers and sisters.  This treatment of our Black brothers and sisters directly connects to the housing situation system we have now.  This books helps us reflect, and ask: 1) are we actively addressing a major crisis in our city/nation (like housing)?, 2) are aware how the people on the margins are affected?

7. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (Dee Brown): This is not a religious book, but after reading a few pages, you begin to be reflective, more aware, and be concerned for the country we call the USA.  Each life is so precious, and our US history is unfortunately filled with taking land away from those who were here first.  Who owns the land?  What are the agreements?  Can we keep our promises, and look for the benefits of all that live here?  These are open questions for us all.  How do we move forward, and use land more inclusively?

Articles

1. “Justice in the Bible” (Timothy Keller): Tim Keller is known for church growth, and his work with Redeemer Church in New York.  Of course, he is also a pastor.  This article reinforces a lot of what the books above have mentioned.  Tim adds some emphasis that others have not covered.  This is a long article, and we highly recommend you to review this slowly and carefully.  It is a call for each of us to re-exam what we care about, and what we should do next.

Podcasts

1. Parody and Subversion (Bert Newton): Mike has known Bert for 12 years now.  Bert works on so many efforts, and is on the staff with Making Housing and Community Happen.  Bert is so good at clearly and carefully explaining how Scripture shows God and Jesus so deeply cares for those on the margins.  Scripture also urges us to also care…and act.  Bert’s Podcast are small chunks of review of the Bible.  You can take this all in…while running…walking…driving to work.

2. Making Housing and Community Happen Podcast: Making Housing and Community Happen just created there podcast, in July 2023.  They are sharing what they are up to in Pasadena…making affordable housing become a reality.