The Church's New Front Door introduces Christians to the critically important concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, an era that will be dominated by powerful technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced robotics. While the Fourth Industrial Revolution is powered by technological developments, it has far-reaching political, socio-economic, ethical, and spiritual implications as well. To be missional, the church needs to be relevant; and in order to be relevant in the twenty-first century, believers must engage with novel technologies and the impact they are having on areas like work, education, and healthcare. Each chapter includes discussion questions and suggestions for further reading, making this book an accessible resource for diverse audiences, including church members, ministry leaders, and students at Christian colleges and seminaries. Whether you agree or disagree with the author's description of how our world might change in the next ten to twenty years--this book will make you think!
Most church members don't see their churches clearly. In almost all of Thom S. Rainer's consultations, church members perceive their church to be friendly. But as he surveyed guests, he found that the guests typically saw church members as unfriendly. The perception chasm existed because the members were indeed friendly . . . to one another. The guests felt like they crashed a private party. Bestselling author Thom Rainer (I Am a Church Member, Autopsy of a Deceased Church) has a game plan for churches to become more hospitable. In a format that is suitable for church members to read individually or study together, Rainer guides readers toward a practical framework for making a difference for those who visit their church. Churches may use Becoming a Welcoming Church to assess and audit where they are on a spectrum between welcoming and wanting. Additionally, churches can use the companion book We Want You Here to send guests home with a compelling vision for what pastors want every guest to know when they visit.
Acclaimed church leader, blogger, founder and chief strategic officer of The Unstuck Group, Tony Morgan unpacks the lifecycle of a typical church, identifies characteristics of each phase, and provides practical next steps a church can take to move towards sustained health. Think about your church for a moment. Is it growing? Is it diminishing? Is it somewhere in between? Acclaimed church leader, blogger, and founder and chief strategic officer of The Unstuck Group, Tony Morgan has identified the seven stages of a church's lifecycle that range from the hopeful and optimistic days of launch, to the stagnating last stages of life support. Regardless of the stage in which you find your church, it carries with it the world's greatest mission—to "go and make disciples of all the nations . . ." With eternity at stake the Church should be doing most everything within its power to see lives changed forever. The Church should strive for the pinnacle of the lifecycle, where they are continually making new disciples and experiencing what Morgan refers to as "sustained health." In The Unstuck Church, Morgan unpacks each phase of the church lifecycle, and offers specific and strategic next steps the church leader can take to find it's way to sustained health . . . and finally become unstuck. The Unstuck Church is a call for honest an assessment of where your church sits on the lifecycle, and a challenge to move beyond it.
A lift-the-flap board book all about church from the creator of Open the Preschool Door, Open the Barn Door, and Open the Garage Door! Little ones will love lifting 11 fun flaps to find a smiling Sunday school teacher, their friends and family, arts and crafts, and much, much more in this bright and engaging board book. With a simple story and colorful and inviting illustrations, this is the perfect way to introduce children to what a day at church can be like.
Pastors and church leaders are constantly faced with strategic questions. How much staff does the church need? How many workers are needed in the nursery this month? When is the right time to start a second worship service? How many people should we train for evangelism this year? How does seating and parking impact worship attendance? When church leaders have questions about planning, running, or growing their churches, they need answers fast! What Every Pastor Should Know offers pastors and leaders 101 valuable rules and "sacred" laws to help answer real-life ministry questions. From advertising to facilities to visitation, this valuable book offers the practical help that leaders need, just when they need it most. This comprehensive guide will become one of the most valuable books in a leader's library. Never again will they wonder if they based critical decisions on the right information. They'll get the answers they're looking for all in one place.
Why is it important to rethink the church? Today many leaders focus on how their ministries can be run more efficiently. But the foundational question, according to James Emery White, should be Why do we have this ministry? and then, Why do we do this ministry the way we do? Is it effective? Rethinking the Church helps pastors and lay leaders work through questions that must be answered if a church is to rethink evangelism, discipleship, ministry, worship, community, and the structure of the church. Break old molds, check assumptions, and be sensitive, says White. He uses the language and aims of "seeker-targeted" churches but urges readers not to tie themselves to any model without understanding the individual purpose of their church. Now thoroughly revised and expanded, Rethinking the Church contains more emphasis and key material on how to move from rethinking to transition. White blends biblical reflection and hands-on experience and uses the early church as described in the Book of Acts as the ultimate example.
This book is not intended for everyone to read or for everyone to like; it is for the millions of people who have been unjustly raped in the church, without any type of human justice or foreseeable biblical justice. This book is for those who have been hurt or abused in the natural, psychological, mental, physical, and the spiritual realm. If you are a new convert, do not read this book, because some things may shock you or even shake your faith in your local lay members or clergy, who do not deserve any unjust criticism. Some stories may seem unreal but they are based on real life events of everyday people who you see or are seen in the sanctuary worshiping God never knowing what they are going through or why they leave the church today, some even convert to other religions. As a result of hurt and frustration many never return to the organized church and prefer a relationship with God through television evangelist. I am not targeting Christianity but most of the stories and events are from people who are or once was a Christian, I must say in all fairness I must say that I‘m a Christian and this book is written from a Christian point of view. It’s written to heal as well as inform that not everyone in the church is of the church, meaning the kingdom of God. To the clergy and lay members please remember this the Lord said (woe unto the Shepherd that scatter MY Sheep), he said that we are the sheep of his pasture. Many people in leadership today seem to forget that very important fact, that we are not theirs to command and bid as they see fit. If you choose to read this book, you will always have an awareness of what is going on with those who have been spiritually raped. Some people may not believe you when you tell them what you have read and what you learned which is fine. Remember they did not believe Jesus either. Finally as one pastor once said to me many years ago (that education stuff isn’t going to get you anywhere), he/she didn’t know that the bible has been translated by some of the best scholars of our time, and our theology has had may contributors throughout history. From the Quakers, Shakers, Lutheran, Catholic, Jews, and even Mormons. The lord said that knowledge would steadily increase, and if a man lacks knowledge or wisdom let him ask God who gives limberly and upbraids not.
