Essential Church

Why do so many young adults (18 to 22) leave the church, and what will it take to bring them back? This important question is examined and duly answered in Essential Church?, a follow-up to Thom S. Rainer's best-selling Simple Church and cowritten with his son, research expert Sam Rainer.

Small Church Essentials is for leaders of smaller congregations. It encourages them to steward their role well, debunking myths about small churches while offering principles for leading a dynamic, healthy small church. Based on the popular six-hour lecture that Karl Vaters delivers to church leaders across the country, Small Church Essentials will affirm small church leaders and show them how to identify what they do well and how to do it even better.

Churches are losing both members and vitality as increasing numbers of young people disengage. Based on groundbreaking research with over 250 of the nation's leading congregations, Growing Young provides a strategy any church can use to involve and retain teenagers and young adults. It profiles innovative churches that are engaging 15- to 29-year-olds and as a result are growing - spiritually, emotionally, missionally, and numerically.

This book is designed to give hope and guidance to churches: leaders, ministers, and members. Anyone who wants to believe again.

Modern readers of the New Testament often notice its varying ideas about women. Some passages encouraged women to be submissive and remain silent. Yet in others, women characters owned property, headed households, or spoke with approval. Women in the New Testament World helps listeners understand this conflicting evidence. It argues that social norms of the time encouraged traditional feminine virtues. However, as Susan Hylen argues, women in the culture enacted these virtues in a variety of ways, including active leadership in households, associations, and cities.

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.

Where can a person go to learn how to become a better team player? Your choices are definitely limited. John C. Maxwell takes the pain out of knowing what makes a team tick. If you want to have a better team, you have to develop better players. Great team players, like great teams, are formed...

In Hero Maker, you will learn how to bring real change to your church and community by developing the practical skills to help others reach their leadership potential. Drawing on five powerful practices found in the ministry of Jesus, Hero Maker presents the key steps of apprenticeship that will...

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...

An overview of the life and controversial teachings of W. Carl Ketcherside (1908–1989), as reflected in his journal, Mission Messenger, and the numerous books he published over the years. Much of what Ketcherside wrote can be found in the writings of the fathers of the Stone-Campbell restoration movement, from which this book quotes extensively in support of his position. It is significant to note that division among Christians in early nineteenth-century America arose from differences in doctrinal deductions or interpretations, as expressed in various creeds. The Campbells proposed that ...

Discover Your Roots Whether you drive a truck, wait tables, work in an office, or ferry the kids to and from soccer practice, Chuck Swindoll understands that your world is practical, earthy, tough, and relentless. Growing Deep in the Christian Life takes theology out of the ivory tower and...

This is a study of intentional-disciple-making. It will be of value to church leaders, Bible study leaders, or church members with a calling to make disciples. Disciple-making is not an option. Jesus gave his Church four tasks: go, make disciples, baptize and teach. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)To be effective, all Christians should all have adequate, accurate and ...

FAIRACRES PUBLICATIONS 050 These seven letters were addressed by St Antony (251-356 AD) to his disciples. This hermit of the Egyptian desert draws our attention to those things which are essential in the spiritual life. Among the main themes are the witness of the Holy Spirit in the conscience of each person, the need for self-knowledge, the call to follow Christ, the unity of the Church, and our mutual co-inherence as members of the Body of Christ.

When everything around us is shaking, the Church must stand firm on truth that cannot be moved. Unshakable Foundations calls every believer back to the bedrock of apostolic doctrine, the timeless truths that form the framework of authentic Christianity. Through clear exposition and heartfelt devotion, Bishop Myron T. Powell leads readers through the essential pillars of the faith: the Oneness of God, the new birth experience, holiness of life, the hope of Christ’s return, the kingdom of God, the infallible Word, and more. Each chapter unveils the biblical “mysteries” that anchor the ...

Perhaps no subject about church generates more opinion and passion than worship. Walk with the typical church-going family on their way to the car after the service and just listen. Everybody really does talk about worship. Now, veteran worship leader and experienced ministry coach Mike Harland offers the tools worship leaders need to build biblically-faithful and effective worship ministries without bringing the disruption that often accompanies change.

John C. Maxwell breaks down the personal characteristics necessary for becoming an effective team player. Leadership expert John C. Maxwell follows his bestselling The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork with this powerfully succinct companion book. Stating that great team players are developed...

The Zondervan Biblical and Theological Lectures series provides a unique audio learning experience. Unlike a traditional audiobook’s direct narration of a book’s text, Zondervan Essential Companion to Christian History: Audio Lectures include high quality live-recordings of college-level...

Culinary historian Anne Willan “has melded her passions for culinary history, writing, and teaching into her fascinating new book” (Chicago Tribune) that traces the origins of American cooking through profiles of twelve influential women—from Hannah Woolley in the mid-1600s to Fannie...

The Field Guide for Small Group Leaders provides basic training and support to help small group leaders succeed in the critical mission of leading others toward spiritual growth and transformation. The premise of serving as a small group leader sounds simple: Invite people to join you in...

In today's world, there are way too many unfathered children. A father's love is needed in a child's life. A mother can be a superwoman, but she cannot replace the role of a father. A father or father figure is needed to bring balance. Too many unpastored pastors try to lead followers when they have never been followers themselves. This book explains the dangers of being unfathered and unpastored and also discusses how to correct this. "The Danger of Un-Pastored Pastors," written by Bishop Adrian R. Rodgers and Bishop Ron Webb, is a collaborative masterpiece that will educate you on God's ...