Community Growth

In this third book in the Apprentice Series, James Bryan Smith helps us know how to live in relationship with others as apprentices of Jesus. "Apprentices of Jesus are not part-time do-gooders," he writes. "They live in continuous contact with the kingdom of God, and are constantly men and women in whom Christ dwells. They do not sometimes tell the truth, sometimes live sacrificially or sometimes forgive. There are myriad opportunities for us to impact the world in which we live."

Why does true Christian transformation seem fleeting? And why does church often feel lonely, Christian community shallow, and leaders untrustworthy? For many Christians, the delight of encountering Christ eventually dwindles - and disappointment sets in. Is lasting joy possible? These are some of the questions Michel Hendricks has considered both in his experience as a spiritual formation pastor and in his lifetime as a Christian.

In The Soul of Desire, psychiatrist Curt Thompson suggests that underneath all our longings is the desire to be known - and what's more, that this fundamental yearning manifests itself in our deep need to make things of beauty, revealing who we are to others. Weaving together neuroscience and spiritual formation to open up new horizons for thinking not only about the nature of the mind but about what it means to be human, The Soul of Desire is a mature, creative work.

A Best Non-Fiction Book of 2024 from The Next Big Idea Book Club and National Bestseller. From Seth Godin, one of the world's most influential business thinkers and bestselling author of This is Marketing, comes an essential guide to thinking strategically in a complex, ever-changing world...

Everyone wants to belong. But what does belonging—to God, ourselves, and each other—look like in the context of living within an empire and its ideologies? In Liturgies for Resisting Empire, Cuban American writer Kat Armas explores this question both for the New Testament church and for us today. Armas gives listeners a sense of hope and belonging in their daily lives—belonging to ourselves, God, each other, and the earth—in ways that resist the lies of empire. Each chapter begins with a brief liturgy.

Known for his authoritative, dynamic style, John Eckhardt combines instructive, narrative teaching about the role and power of the prophetic in the lives of believers today with succinct, powerful truths that will impact listeners' lives. The author incorporates stories of his own and others' experiences into the book. He builds on the foundation of the Word of God and encourages listeners to operate and function within the scope of God's plan for using the powerful gift of prophetic to build strong believers.

Ten years ago, Bell Hooks astonished readers/listeners with Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom. Now comes Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope - a powerful, visionary work that will enrich our teaching and our lives. Combining critical thinking about education with autobiographical narratives, hooks invites listeners to extend the discourse of race, gender, class and nationality beyond the classroom into everyday situations of learning. Bell Hooks writes candidly about her own experiences.

While there are many books about writing, none deal firsthand with the intersection of songwriting, storytelling, and vocation, along with nuts-and-bolts exploration of the great mystery of creativity. In Adorning the Dark, Andrew describes six principles for the writing life: serving the work, serving the audience, selectivity, discernment, discipline, and community. Through stories from his own journey, Andrew shows how these principles are not merely helpful for writers and artists but for anyone interested in imitating the way the Creator interacts with his creation.

A groundbreaking book redefining success to show listeners how they can create truly abundant and fulfilling lives by following Sharma’s model of the eight forms of wealth—growth, wellness, family, craft, money, community, adventure, and service—from the #1 international bestselling author...

Fellowship among believers is more than just talking over coffee after church service. Biblical fellowship in New Testament times - or koinonia - had rich and varied meanings, including covenant relationship, partnership in the gospel, communion with God and others, and the sharing of earthly possessions. In True Community, best-selling author Jerry Bridges guides you through koinonia and its implications for today’s church.

**Discover the Zen of Growth and Mindfulness with "Bonsai Philosophy"** In a world brimming with hustle and haste, "Bonsai Philosophy" emerges as a transformative force, bringing the ancient wisdom of bonsai into the heart of your daily existence. Venture into this enlightening eBook and embark on a journey that transcends mere horticulture, guiding you toward inner peace and balance through the delicate art of bonsai. **Delve Deep Into the Roots of Serenity and Self-Reflection** Your odyssey commences with an exploration of bonsai's storied past - understanding its historical underpinnings...

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A collection of one hundred deeply personal stories—covering love and heartbreak, growth and resilience—brought to life by the creator of the wildly popular TikTok account @HunterProsper. Every person has a story. Dick knew that it was love at first sight...

Unpack the secrets of strong, thriving communities and relationships. When we enter relationships with the illusion that people are normal, we resist the truth that "normal" does not exist and that the very idea of normality runs counter to Scripture. We enter an endless attempt to fix others...

Wondering how to train, equip and motivate your people to invite their friends & family to your church? Are you searching for practical strategies to revitalize your church's outreach? Do you feel your church could do more to welcome and engage new members? Are you curious about navigating the challenges of building an invite culture in today's digital age? In today's rapidly changing world, many churches are at a crossroads, struggling to grow and connect with their communities. "Unlocking Your Church's Invite Culture" by Rich Birch provides a groundbreaking solution to this challenge. ...

A series of shifts are happening in our economy: Millennials are trading in conventional career paths to launch tech start-ups, start small businesses that are rooted in local communities, or freelance their expertise. We are sharing everything, from bikes and cars, to extra rooms in our homes. We now create, buy and sell handcrafted products in our local communities with ease. CEO of Imperative Aaron Hurst argues in his latest book that while these developments seem unrelated at first, taken together they reveal a powerful pattern that points to purpose as the new driver of the American economy.

Are you and your church making a difference in your community? Are you meeting needs in a positive, proactive, and loving way? Too often when churches are presented with a need outside their walls, they operate on the principle of "Say no unless you have to say yes." Don't want that to be your church's legacy in your community? Drawing on more than 30 years of service to the community surrounding Faith Church in Indiana, pastor Stephen Viars shows you how to develop a giving relationship with your community, one in which your natural response to needs is "Yes! How can we help?"

UnClobber reexamines what the Bible says (and does not say) about homosexuality in such a way that breathes fresh life into outdated and inaccurate assumptions and interpretations.

Discover the power of collective healing in this research-based and real-world guide to moving past trauma and adversity—together. Adversity comes in many forms, and can make us feel alone in our pain, even years after the fact. But as wellness coach and licensed therapist Minaa B. observes...

Brian Buffini, an Irish immigrant who went from rags to riches, shares his strategies for anyone who wants to achieve the American dream in this New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. Brian Buffini embodies the classic rags to riches tale: born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, he...

Imagine a place where your customers don’t just buy once—they gather, return, and bring their friends. Where your message spreads without expensive ads because members feel a personal stake in your mission. In today’s business landscape, communities like these are more than a marketing tactic; they are the new competitive moat. This book reveals how to transform a casual audience into a thriving tribe that buys forever.