Church Ministry

Why do youth ministries crumble? And what is the cost to students, parents, volunteers and church staff? Is a sustainable youth ministry possible, even after a youth pastor leaves? Youth ministry expert Mark DeVries knows the answer is yes, because he helps build sustainable youth ministries through his coaching service called Youth Ministry Architects. So take heart: No matter what state the youth ministry at your church is in—in need of a leader and volunteers, full of battles and stress, large or small in number—it can be built to survive and to last for the long haul.

In Sticky Church, author and pastor Larry Osborne makes the case that closing the back door of your church is even more important than opening the front door wider. He offers a time-tested strategy for doing so: sermon-based small groups that dig deeper into the weekend message and tightly velcro members to the ministry. It's a strategy that enabled Osborne's congregation to grow from a handful of people to one of the larger churches in the nation - without any marketing or special programming. Sticky Church tells the inspiring story of North Coast Church's phenomenal growth and offers practical tips.

Church growth models have often been long on promises and short on disciple-making. We continue to watch consistent church attendance shrink, and our desire to reach the lost is infected with a need for self-validation by growing our numbers at any cost. If we believe that God wants his church to grow, where do we go from here? What is the future of the church?

Practical and Gospel-centered thoughts on how to have a fruitful ministry by one of America's leading and most beloved pastor. Many church leaders are struggling to adapt to a culture that values individuality above loyalty to a group or institution. There have been so many "church growth" and...

The average Christian in America does not know what his own religion teaches, nor does he care. He may call himself “Christian”, but he lives his life exactly as he wishes, making no attempt to conform his conduct to the commands and tenets of his religion. Daily Wire writer Matt Walsh confronts his fellow Christians in this bold, clear-eyed book that serves as an urgent reminder of Matthew 7:13 - "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."

When church members are equipped to do the work of ministry, they are quicker to volunteer. The Bible instructs its leaders to equip their members for ministry. This book, in its 8.5” X 11” format, is easily reproducible on your copier to make training in Breaking Growth Barriers, using Spiritual Gifts, Assimilation, Evangelism, Usher & Greeter Training, Church Health, and MORE, in over 200 pages - easy, fun, and exciting. You can start training your church right away, using this book.

EXPERIENCE THE EARLY CHURCH. After a devastating series of personal tragedies, Rut isn’t sure what she believes and chooses to devote herself entirely to what she knows: her work as a skilled weaver. When Rut meets Lydia, a seller of fine purple goods, she is immediately intrigued. Rut agrees to travel with her to Philippi even though it means saying goodbye to everyone and everything she knew before. While on the journey, Rut begins to forge a new identity for herself, never expecting the past to catch up to her in the way it does. Hektor feels an instant pull toward Rut, recognizing in ...

In his most powerful book yet, Pastor Francis Chan digs deep into biblical truths, reflections on his own failures and dreams, and stories of ordinary people God is using to change the world.

Church history is important because it shows us how God's faithful dealings with His people in the Bible continue in the ongoing life and work of Christ in our world. If you have ever wished for a short book highlighting church history's most important events that will enlighten your mind and pique your interest, this is the one you've been waiting for. Three prolific church historians collaborate their efforts in Church History 101 to present you with a quick listen of church history's high points.

Dangerous Calling reveals the truth that the culture surrounding our pastors is spiritually unhealthy—an environment that actively undermines the well-being and effectiveness of our church leaders and thus the entire church body. Here is a book that both diagnoses and offers cures for issues that impact every member and church leader, and gives solid strategies for fighting the all-important war that rages in our churches today.

"This is, in my opinion, the best book on the complementarian / evangelical egalitarian debate. Buy a copy, buy copies for friends, lend it widely. It highlights the truth that the gospel sets the oppressed free. The Bible from cover to cover is good news for men and women." —Dr. Kevin Giles, author of What The Bible Actually Teaches on Women "Terran Williams develops a meticulous case that shows God’s moral compass always points to the unity of men and women, in creation, in the church, and in Christ. A terrific resource for anyone wrestling with this topic.” —Dr. Michael Bird, ...

In his four decades of urban ministry, Robert D. Lupton has experienced firsthand how our good intentions can have unintended, dire consequences. We fly off on mission trips to poverty-stricken villages, hearts full of pity and suitcases bulging with giveaways - trips that one Nicaraguan leader describes as effective only in "turning my people into beggars." In Toxic Charity, Lupton urges individuals, churches, and organizations to step away from these spontaneous, often destructive acts of compassion and toward thoughtful paths to community development.

If you long to reach kids and see their lives changed by God, this updated, comprehensive guide shows you how. Purpose Driven Youth Ministry will do for youth ministry what Rick Warren's Gold Medallion award–winning The Purpose Driven Church is doing for pastoral ministry. It's an...

Waiting to be rediscovered in the British Library is an ancient manuscript of the early Church, copied by an anonymous monk. The manuscript is at least 1,450 years old, possibly dating to the first century, Jesus' lifetime. And now, The Lost Gospel provides the first-ever translation from Syriac into English of this unique document that tells the inside story of Jesus' social, family, and political life. The Lost Gospel takes listeners on an unparalleled historical adventure through a paradigm-shifting manuscript.

Should we actually practice church discipline today? Is it unloving? Once an ordinary part of church life, churches gradually stopped practicing church discipline in the 20th century. But Jesus commands it. Paul practiced it. And churches benefit from it. Why practice church discipline? It shows love for the individual caught in sin, love for the whole church, love for non-Christian neighbors, and love for the glory of Christ.

Since a global pandemic abruptly closed places of worship, many Christians have skipped church life, even neglecting virtual services. But this was a trend even before COVID-19. Polarizing issues, including political and racial strife, convinced some people to pull away from the church and one another. Now it’s time to recommit to gathering as brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Book of Mormon is a religious record of three groups of people who migrated from the Old World to the American continents. These groups were led by prophets who recorded their religious and secular histories on metal plates. The Book of Mormon records the visit of Jesus Christ to people in the Americas following his resurrection. A 200-year era of peace followed that visit of Christ.

This is the third book in a series on the life of a Seer and the gracious gift of God’s pictorial language to His bride, the Church. In this volume we will explore the Gift and Office of the Seer Prophet.It’s a timely work. We live in exciting times! Everywhere you turn God is pouring out the Spirit of prophecy and revelation upon his people, often through the language of dreams and visions. Dreams and visions are one of many methods God uses in communication to His children while they do the works of the kingdom and pray for the sick.This series is for the everyday Christian, the ...

Securing Church Operations is a seven-step plan for ministry and safety leaders. If you are just starting a church security program or have had one established for many years, the seven steps will encourage and engage you to look deeper into the governance and accountability of your church operations, no matter the size of your church. Hurdles such as culture, environment, beliefs, and denial are some of the things that are challenging to govern in security ministry. The seven steps provide the answer in how to maintain an open and welcoming church environment but secure your operations. ...

In Trauma Redeemed, Dr. Julie Ganschow offers a compelling biblical framework for understanding and addressing catastrophic suffering, challenging the secular medicalization of trauma. As terms like PTSD dominate modern culture, this book calls biblical counselors and Christians to return to the sufficiency of Scripture for healing the soul. Exploring the roots of suffering in the fall of mankind, Ganschow redefines trauma as distress of the soul, providing a gospel-centered model of care that addresses the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Through practical guidance, case studies like...