Martin Luther and John Calvin challenged Roman Catholicism; John Wesley, George Whitefield, and Jonathan Edwards challenged spiritual lethargy; and now Carson challenges the Christian Church to look at the root causes of the contemporary church's failures.
Martin Luther and John Calvin challenged Roman Catholicism; John Wesley, George Whitefield, and Jonathan Edwards challenged spiritual lethargy; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged America’s social injustice; and now Dr. Dana Carson is challenging the Christian Church! The Doors of the Church are Closed is one of the most relevant 21st century writings to the Church. Statistics suggest nearly 4,000 churches are closing with only 1,200 to 1,800 opening annually. Less than 20% of Americans attend church and 97% of churches didn’t win one convert last year! Yet, the Church has exchanged its mission of Kingdom expansion for popularity and wealth. The Doors of the Church Are Closed! This book identifies the root causes of the contemporary Church’s failures and raises some monumental challenges to believers. This book is a must read for the Body of Christ and those who desire to fulfill the will of God in their lives.
Gail Cafferata was heartbroken when the church she pastored voted to close its doors. It may have been the right decision, but it led to a million questions in her mind about her call, leadership, and future. She began to think that other pastors who close churches perhaps go through this same experience. This led her to conduct a sociological study of over 130 pastors in five historically established denominations (Episcopal, Lutheran, United Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ) who were called to serve churches that closed. This book tells the results of that study, which consisted of many interviews, and the hard-won lessons learned by these courageous pastors.
A guide to investing in heaven and being “rich toward God” Christians often hesitate to talk about money in spiritual contexts, but in the gospels Jesus talks more about money than about “religious” topics like prayer and heaven. Money Matters advocates following Jesus’s lead in engaging with matters of economy and finance in a faith-driven way, in both our individual and our corporate lives. The authors draw on their contrasting life experiences to offer a well-rounded look at money in the twenty-first century. Paul Stevens, who grew up well-off in Canada and worked as a carpenter, a banker, and later a pastor and professor of theology, finds a complementary voice in Clive Lim, who grew up without money in Singapore, and now works there as an entrepreneur and head of a family investment firm. With frequent scriptural references, Stevens and Lim offer insight into navigating the economic systems of today, aiming to help individuals, churches, and societies become faithful stewards who store up “treasures in heaven” by investing in the kingdom of God. Money Matters is a comprehensive yet accessible guide to integrating one’s faith with one’s approach to money. Just as the Bible variously treats money as a blessing, a sacrament, and a problem, so do Stevens and Lim approach this matter judiciously—avoiding the prosperity gospel on one side and the demonization of material wealth on the other. Capitalism is treated as what it is: a system that has created widespread opportunity and relieved poverty for millions while also exacerbating the gap between the haves and the have-nots. The authors’ wisdom is at turns theological, historical, and practical—and always focused on what it means to live with faithful integrity in our contemporary global economy.
The book of Revelation pronounces a blessing upon everyone who "reads" or even "hears" it read. Yet, many treat it as a mysterious book that should not be read and cannot be understood. S. N. Haskell has opened the book of Revelation up in an easily read style that explains it and its relation to our day. This facsimile, originally printed in 1905, makes an excellent study book for young and old.
The key to growth as a church, youth ministry, or a business is getting first-time guests to come back. And as any good manager of a hotel, a store, a restaurant, or an attraction knows, the key to getting guests to come back is not actually the rooms or the product or the food itself; it's how guests feel when they're there. It's about hospitality. No matter how much effort and time we spend on excellence--stirring worship time, inspiring sermons, a good coffee blend in the foyer--what our guests really want when they come to our churches is to feel welcome, comfortable, and understood. Written by a church consultant and a hospitality expert, The Come Back Effect shows church, ministry, and even business leaders the secret to helping a first-time guest return again and again. Through an engaging, story-driven approach, they explain how service and hospitality are two different things, show how Jesus practiced hospitality, and invite leaders to develop and implement changes that lead to repeat visits and, eventually, to sustained growth.
"This chapter sets the stage for the book and follows a conventional path, increasing the likelihood of reader engagement and that it will influence community practice, which quite frankly, is the bottom-line. I do not subscribe to the axiom of advancing knowledge for the sake of knowledge. I am much too practical! Some readers, however, may beg to differ. Books challenge readers to entertain new ways of thinking on a subject, supplying a rationale for the subject's importance. Books need major time, financial, and intellectual commitment to a subject, bringing heightened expectations and serving as a key motivator for action. Readers have a right to have lofty expectations from a book because of the time invested, and that must be confirmed and met by an author! It is impossible for an author to suspend their experiences and worldviews from the task of writing a 300 or so page document. The more an author uplifts their values, motivations, biases, limitations, and experiences (both good and bad), it allows readers to have a better grasp of why a topic is framed in a particular manner. This stance ascends in significance in this journey and more so when it covers religion. Readers may ask about my personal stands on religion, religious beliefs, and houses of worship. More specifically, although raised Catholic up to my late teenage years, I am a member of a Church of Christ congregation because of the values that this church embraces. This church, too, is facing its challenges with dwindling congregations and closures. Suffice it to say, I respect people's religious/spiritual beliefs that are different from mine, although I am not a "very" religious person by nature, it is fair to say"--
In the grip of serious numerical decline, American Evangelical churches are now experiencing a missional movement. God is calling his people to return to a biblical lifestyle that goes full circle in continual worship, discipleship, and missions. Mark Powers connects the dots between these three main elements of authentic Christian living. He presents a theology of missional worship, a detailed discipleship plan, and a strategy for local music missions. Going Full Circle uses everyday language to present a simple thought process to move worshipers and worship leaders to become worshiping disciples on mission. Are you a casualty of worship wars? Are you worried about the decline of your church? Are you thrilled with fast growth churches but sense there must be something more than spectator worship? Are you confused by the word "missional" that seems to be popping up everywhere? This book is for you and your friends. Read it, share it, and join the movement!