Essential Church

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

30 Years of Research. 3 Years of Development. The Definitive Case for the First Priestess of the Church. What if the most vital component of the spiritual path was intentionally obscured? For two thousand years, a "Masculine Frequency" mandate has governed our understanding of the sacred. By shifting the historical narrative of Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother, the early Establishment did more than change a story—they altered the very way we connect with the Divine. They bypassed the essential "Sacred Feminine" of spiritual authority. In The Forbidden Bride of Jesus, Valentino St. ...

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 book is a masterful description of the distinct difference biblical leadership makes. Mike Ayers has addressed this issue in a scholarly, yet very practical way. We have needed these pages that focus so clearly on the Word of God and the biblical description of leadership.” —James T. Draper Jr.President Emeritus, LifeWay Christian Resources" "In Power to Lead, Mike Ayers shares a wealth of practical wisdom, but he goes first and foremost at the most important component of biblical leadership—the heart. This challenging and insightful work is a must-read for anyone wanting to ...

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...

In today's world, basic Bible doctrine has been watered down to such an extent that the average person struggles to identify the biblical characteristics of faith. Church services and Sunday school have become event-driven, leaving many believers undiscipled in the doctrines and teachings of Jesus Christ. This dilution has resulted in a weak Christianity, where community is emphasised over substance. "What Every Christian Should Know" is a call to return to the foundational truths of the Christian faith. This book aims to equip the average believer to think deeply about their faith and ...

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...

“An excellent small group study.” – Rev. Travis Knoll In a time of upheaval in the largest denomination of the Methodist movement, this classic explanation and defense of Methodist Christianity by its founder is required reading. Pastor David Wentz has updated Wesley’s 18th-century language, deleted references to no-longer-relevant theological disputes, and added an introduction that sets the work in context. The result is a clear, easy to read text that is enjoyable and understandable for modern readers of all levels of theological interest and expertise. This short book is ideal ...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

The church is said to be a mystery according to Colossians 1:25,26 “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hidden from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” What is this Mystery - this is something that was hidden in the past during the Old Testament period but now in the New Testament it is revealed to us. This mystery is that the Gentiles should be partakers with the Jews in the gospel and be in the same church. This Book Teaches ...