The development of meaningful relationships, where every member carries a significant sense of belonging, is central to what it means to be the church. So why do many Christians feel disappointed and disillusioned with their efforts to experience authentic community? Despite the best efforts of pastors, small group leaders, and faithful lay persons, church too often is a place of loneliness rather than connection. In this revised and updated version of his best-selling book, Randy Frazee shows us how church can be so much...better. More intimate and alive. The answer may seem radical today, but it was a central component of life in the early church. First-century Christians knew what it meant to live in vital community with one another, relating with a depth and commitment that made "the body of Christ" a perfect metaphor for the church. What would it take to reclaim that kind of love, joy, support, and dynamic spiritual growth? Read this book and find out.
The development of meaningful relationships, where every member carries a significant sense of belonging, is central to what it means to be the church. So why do many Christians feel disappointed and disillusioned with their efforts to experience authentic community? Despite the best efforts of pastors, small group leaders, and faithful lay persons, church too often is a place of loneliness rather than connection.Church can be so much better. So intimate and alive. The Connecting Church tells you how. The answer may seem radical today, but it was a central component of life in the early church. First-century Christians knew what it meant to live in vital community with one another, relating with a depth and commitment that made "the body of Christ" a perfect metaphor for the church. What would it take to reclaim that kind of love, joy, support, and dynamic spiritual growth? Read this book and find out.
Joining in with the Spirit makes the connection between mission as the work of mission agencies overseas and mission as the activity of a local church. It shows how, through the global flows of scholarship, missionary movements and migration, mission initiatives in different parts of the world impinge on the churches in Britain, which are but part of a world church. Joining in with the Spirit is an accessible introduction to mission studies - the history, theology and issues of mission, which is up-to-date and supported by contemporary scholarship. It also offers a theological framework for mission, which applies both globally and locally, to help the reader discern the movement of the Spirit of Christ among the many other spirits of this world. This text illustrates the impact of the 1910 Edinburgh world missionary conference and shows how the churches in Britain as a part of a much wider movement of the Spirit of Christ that is world Christianity.
Tim Kimmel gives a comprehensive strategy to churches for family ministry as well as a plan for parents seeking to pass their faith to the next generation. He shares valuable tools for the church to use to build a strong family ministry.A child who has seen grace lived out in front of him at church and at home is much more inclined toward staying committed to a relationship with God into adulthood. So Kimmel shares what a grace-based family ministry looks like in the local church. He also teaches parents how to translate every part of ministry they are exposed to at church to translate into spiritual training at home. The Family Ministry Map, created by Kimmel, is explained in detail, and examples of the program put into practice are given. This book gives a vital message to church ministry leaders and parents equally, making this a must-read for all involved in sharing faith with the next generation.
We are in a new era of communication. The internet and social media have changed the way we connect and communicate with each other. As the body of Christ, it is important that we understand these changes, so that we can effectively serve others. Whether you are an established organisation or an individual starting your ministry, this book will help you understand these global, technology-enabled changes and how they impact churches, nonprofits and individuals in ministry. The four-part communication model and the six-step framework presented in this book will help you successfully implement a social media and digital ministry program, laying a strong foundation for the future of your ministry. Section I - Why the Church should use Social Media: In the first section, the book talks about the importance of using digital, online and social communication medium. The book explores the evolution of a new type of audience - the connected audience and helps the reader learn the biblical basis of social media marketing and its relevance to the Great Commission. Section II - The Communication Model: In the second section, the book introduces the four-part communication model. The author lays out a broader vision of a smooth, seamless communication within the Church, as one body using social media and technology. Section III - The Framework for Implementing the Communication Model: In the third section, the book moves from visioning mode to action mode. The author presents a six-step framework as a practical means to implement the communication model in your ministry. This is a hands-on implementation section that examines management strategies, marketing strategies and operational details. Section IV - Future Trends that will Impact the Church: In the fourth and final section, the book returns to a visioning mode as the author identifies key future trends and discusses ways in which churches, nonprofits and ministries can prepare themselves for the future. Foreword is written by Mark W. Schaefer - Social media keynote speaker, college educator, consultant, and best-selling author of six marketing books including Known, The Content Code, Social Media Explained and The Tao of Twitter. Introduction is written by Rev. Sam P. Chelladurai - Senior Pastor of AFT Church. He is one of the most prominent and respected Bible teachers in India.
This newly revised The Christian Life Profile Assessment Workbook by Randy Frazee helps Christians evaluate their beliefs, practices, and virtues in order to develop a plan for spiritual growth in a small group setting. Includes a catalog of additional resources.
The most vital mission field of the church is growing fast - and growing up all around us. How will we connect today's children to the full impact of the Gospel while we can still reach them? God created children in His image. That alone give them inherent worth, and means God has expectations about their dignity and development. In fact, God's goal is nothing less than "life to the full" for each one (John 10:10). A full life means a whole life. Yet as Dan Brewster makes clear in Future Impact, many children today face almost overwhelming barriers, like poverty and prejudice, that deny them the wholeness for which God created them. Our challenge? The church is uniquely called to remove those barriers for the children in our midst and around the world. Join Dan Brewster in this insightful study of children and their rightful place in the church's mission strategy. In this book, you'll explore: -The theological foundations of ministry to children -The ethics of child evangelism across cultures -The components of biblical, holistic child development -Practical applications of church-based child development programs -Why childhood years have proven to be the prime time for people to both hear and respond to the gospel -Unexpected resources to enhance the effectiveness of your outreach to children Discover why children have been, and continue to be, one of God's most cherished resources in advancing His kingdom. You'll never see a child in the same way again.
In this brief, practical book Harold Percy helps congregations answer critical questions about their mission and ministry. Percy lays out the four main groups of people that represent the congregation's best opportunity to lead people to become committed disciples of Jesus Christ. He offers solid, easy-to-follow advice on how churches can understand the needs of these groups and reach out to them.
We can't ignore color, class, or culture. Instead, we must engage race with a different posture. Responding to ongoing problems of prejudice and injustice, the original seven sayings of the gracist now become eight in this revised and expanded edition that revives the biblical model for showing special grace to those on the margins.
