On July 23, Bishop James Swanson hosted 11 African-American leaders of the United Methodist Church in a meeting at the Holston offices in Alcoa, Tenn. The newly created Ebony Bishops' Task Force on the Black United Methodist Church discussed leadership and new church development. We asked six participants, "What book is lying on your nightstand?"

Rev. Fred Allen
Executive director
African American Initiatives and International Outreach
United Methodist Publishing House
Nashville, Tenn.
The Rising River, by Athol Dickson


Rev. Gary George
District superintendent
Central District
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Philadelphia, Pa.
High Impact African-American Churches, by George Barna and Harry R. Jackson Jr.


Rev. Candace Lewis
Pastor
New Life Community UMC
Jacksonville, Fla.
Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits, by T.D. Jakes


Bishop Alfred Norris
North Texas Conference
Plano, Texas
Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life,
by Tony Dungy, Nathan Whitaker, and Denzel Washington


Rev. Jacqueline Rose-Tucker
District superintendent
Rome-Carrollton District
North Georgia Conference
Rome, Ga.
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, by Robert Schnase


Cheryl Walker
Director
African American Ministries
General Board of Discipleship
Nashville, Tenn.
Focus: Living the Lord's Prayer, by Tyrone D. Gordon