Religion Community

Escape the enemy's deadly trap! The Bait of Satan exposes one of the most deceptive snares Satan uses to get believers out of the will of God - offense. Most people who are ensnared by the bait of Satan don’t even realize it. Don’t be fooled! You will encounter offense, and it’s up to you how it will affect your relationship with God. Your response will determine your future. If offense is handled correctly, you will become stronger rather than bitter. John Bevere shows you how to stay free from offense and escape the victim mentality.

God’s people are called to a togetherness and commitment that transcends all natural boundaries ― whether ethnic, generational, or economic. But such a community can be enjoyed only when it relies on the power of God in the gospel. In The Compelling Community, pastors Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop cast a captivating vision for authentic fellowship in the local church that goes beyond small groups.

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 every position of power lies the potential for life-giving leadership or destructive corruption. Driven by sinful pride or opportunism, many people abuse their God-given influence, harming the ones they’re called to lead and contributing to an intense angst against authority. The answer to bad authority, however, is not no authority, but good authority—the kind that, according to Scripture, causes those under it to flourish. In this compelling guide from 9Marks, Jonathan Leeman shows that authority, done biblically, is not only good, but is essential to human flourishing.

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.

Millions outside of Asia become curious about Tibetan Buddhism through hearing and being touched by the words of the Dalai Lama, reading a book about Tibet, seeing images, or watching films. Many who are curious about Buddhist ideas eventually find themselves reaching a point where they are exposed to aspects of Tibetan Buddhism but are unsure what participating in the tradition and its practices entails. In this candid, practical guide from a longtime practitioner, Bruce Newman offers guidance. Special emphasis is placed on the pitfalls and benefits of the guru-disciple relationship.

Imagine a place in twenty-first century America where kids grow up milking cows by hand and still prefer “hide and seek” to video games. Where families laugh together around the dinner table every day. Where gardens bloom, children splash in the creek, and newborn lambs bleat in the springtime. Where divorce is unheard of and friendships last a lifetime. Where the aged and infirm are cared for by loving family, not institutions. Where children are educated by parents and trusted friends, not strangers.

Have you joined a church or small group in hopes of experiencing real life change, only to be disappointed? Have you sat through inspiring sermons about what is possible when Christians gather together in mutually edifying relationships, only to recognize how cynical you have become after many failed attempts? Community may be one of the most over-promised, under-delivered aspects of the Christian life today. Individuals remain selfish and stuck in their ways.

What if your church mattered to your city as much as the fire department? Not just on Sundays, but every day-meeting people in crisis, in pain, and in need. As the world grows more skeptical of religion, the Church's most powerful witness might not be a sermon-but presence. Real impact doesn't start with bigger crowds. It starts by running to the broken.

Every church, every organization, has experienced them: betrayal, deception, grumbling, envy, exclusion. They make life together difficult and prevent congregations from developing the skills, virtues, and practices they need to nurture sturdy, life-giving communities.

The Quaker Coalition for Uprooting Racism (QCUR) strives to support Quaker communities in addressing patterns of racial wounding and in adopting practices that support patterns of racial justice. In this pamphlet, two members of the QCUR steering committee, Lauren Brownlee and Zenaida Peterson, explore Quaker patterns of conflict avoidance, “guardians of the status quo,” denying oppression exists within Quakerism, performativity, and inattention to right relationship with time. They offer guidance on how to recognize and shift these harmful patterns. Discussion questions are included.

One part Educated, one part rebuttal to Hillbilly Elegy, On Fire for God explores the ways evangelical Christianity has preyed upon its followers while galvanizing them into the political force known today as the Christian right. “Of all the books I've read about young people devastated by the...

Put on your armor - it’s time to fight. We are in a spiritual war, William Gurnall reminds us, and “the Christian’s safety lies in resisting. All the armour provided is to defend the Christian fighting, none to secure him flying; stand, and the day is ours; fly or yield, and all is lost". This hard-hitting volume is packed with biblical wisdom for day-to-day Christian living, as helpful today as it was when first published nearly 400 years ago. Although history left us little knowledge of William Gurnall’s life, it preserved this book.

Communicate boldly and effectively like never before with the help and guidance of a #1 New York Times bestselling author and trusted Bishop. In Don't Drop the Mic, Bishop Jakes speaks to readers about communication and how the ways we speak and interact with others can be part of our everyday...

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.

Have you ever felt like following Jesus meant trying harder, doing better, or figuring everything out on your own? Wondering why God sometimes feels distant? Have seen people make decisions in Jesus’ name that seem directly opposed to who Jesus is? You’re not alone. Many sincere believers, and even pastors and ministry leaders, experience church leadership burnout, spiritual exhaustion, or spiritual abuse that comes from carrying faith, decisions, and responsibility alone.

In 1978, when Jamiyla was two years old, her mother, Ummi, quit her job, converted to Islam with her husband, and moved into an exclusive Muslim society in Brooklyn. Once inside the Community, the family was separated by its powerful and charismatic leader, Dwight York, who was hiding behind the name Imam Isa. Instead of the devotional refuge they’d imagined, the Community was a nightmare of controlled abuse and unspeakable secrets. Forty years later, Jamiyla was ready to excavate and understand a past buried in bad dreams, disturbing memories, and inexplicable rage.

It is woven into the fabric of modern evangelicalism. The subject of numerous books, conferences, and sermons every year, it’s promoted as essential for a vibrant relationship with Christ, and a measure of the maturity of your faith. What is it? Hearing God speak personally, outside of Scripture.

Angeles Arrien was an anthropologist and teacher whose work combined cultural anthropology, psychology, and comparative religion. The Four-Fold Way is an educational experience that demonstrates how to “walk the mystical path with practical feet” and emphasizes four major principles that...

A timeless source of wisdom for people looking to lead a life of simplicity, purpose, and serenity The Rule of St. Benedict has governed monastic communities for centuries, but it is far more than a standard religious text. The Rule is, above all, a handbook for living a deliberate life—no...