Building Strong Congregations

Building Strong Congregations PDF Author: Bruce Wrenn
Publisher: Autumn House Publishing
ISBN: 0812704908
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 562

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Book Description
You probably have a fairly good idea of what it took to construct the building in which your congregation meets. First, there was a recognized need for a building, followed by a budget, blueprints, fund-raising, construction workers, and building materials, and voil! The structure proudly stands as a monument to the effective implementation of a well-thought-out plan.

Building Strong Congregations

Building Strong Congregations PDF Author: Bruce Wrenn
Publisher: Autumn House Publishing
ISBN: 0812704908
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 562

Get Book Here

Book Description
You probably have a fairly good idea of what it took to construct the building in which your congregation meets. First, there was a recognized need for a building, followed by a budget, blueprints, fund-raising, construction workers, and building materials, and voil! The structure proudly stands as a monument to the effective implementation of a well-thought-out plan.

Reclaiming Rural

Reclaiming Rural PDF Author: Allen T. Stanton
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1538135256
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 137

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Book Description
As rural America continues to undergo massive economic and demographic shifts, rural churches are uniquely positioned to provide community leadership. Leading a rural congregation requires a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing these communities, as well as a strong theological and community-focused identity. Allen T. Stanton describes how in establishing this identity, rural leaders build a meaningful and vital ministry. Reclaiming Rural explores the myths and realities of rural places, and how those common narratives impact the leadership of rural churches. Ultimately, rural congregations must practice a contextual understanding of vitality, which understands both the strengths and challenges of leading in a rural setting. Arguing for a practice of evangelism imbued with this mission of vitality, Reclaiming Rural promotes the church as a leader in economic and community development, modeled upon a Wesleyan theology of grace. Acknowledging the many challenges facing rural churches, this book is an energetic and encouraging guide to overcoming social and economic obstacles to build a thriving congregation.

Slow Church

Slow Church PDF Author: C. Christopher Smith
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830841148
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 251

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Book Description
In today's fast-food world, Christianity can seem outdated or archaic. The temptation becomes to pick up the pace and play the game. But Chris Smith and John Pattison invites us to leave franchise faith behind and enter the kingdom of God, where people know each other well and love one another as Christ loves the church.

The Purpose Driven Church

The Purpose Driven Church PDF Author: Rick Warren
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310294088
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 401

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Book Description
The issue is church health, not church growth—if your church is healthy, growth will occur naturally. So how do we make healthy churches, driven by purpose? In order for any church to thrive, it must be built around the five New Testament purposes given to the church by Jesus Christ. In this classic of Christian church stability, pastor and bestselling author of The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren unpacks this proven five-part strategy that will enable your church to grow: Warmer through fellowship. Deeper through discipleship. Stronger through worship. Broader through ministry. Larger through evangelism. Every church is driven by something. Tradition, finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Warren will show you how to concentrate on building people and let God build the church. In other words, healthy, consistent growth is the result of balancing the five biblical purposes of the church. And The Purpose Driven Church will show you how to do that. “The Purpose Driven Church has brought focus and direction to more pastors and church leaders than you can count. What a gift!”—John Ortberg, bestselling author.

Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church

Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church PDF Author: Mark DeYmaz
Publisher: Fortress Press
ISBN: 1506463401
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 243

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Book Description
Through personal stories, proven experience, and a thorough analysis of the biblical text, Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church illustrates both the biblical mandate for the multi-ethnic church and the seven core commitments required to bring it about. Mark DeYmaz, pastor of one of the most proven multi-ethnic churches in the country, writes from both his experience and his extensive study of how to plant, grow, and encourage more ethnically diverse churches. He argues that the "homogenous unit principle" will soon become irrelevant and that the most effective way to spread the gospel in an increasingly diverse world is through strong and vital multi-ethnic churches. Apart from ethnically and economically diverse relationships, we cannot understand others different from ourselves, develop trust for others who are different than us, and/or love others different than ourselves. Apart from understanding, trust, and love, we are less likely to get involved in the plight of others different than ourselves. Without involvement, nothing changes, and the disparaging consequences of systemic racism remain entrenched in our culture. Surely, it breaks the heart of God to see so many churches segregated ethnically or economically from one another, and that little has changed in the many years since it was first observed that eleven o'clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in the land.

Beyond the Ordinary

Beyond the Ordinary PDF Author: Cynthia Woolever
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
ISBN: 9780664226930
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
Taking an intricate look at vitality and health in congregations based on information gathered from the 2001 U.S. Congregational Life Survey, the authors conclude that congregations have ten strengths, and that by building upon these strengths, congregations can transform their futures.

Help for the Harvest

Help for the Harvest PDF Author: Gloria J. Bell
Publisher: Review & Herald Publishing
ISBN: 9780828027342
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
"Designed to help anyone achieve greater success at soul winning, with specific emphasis on the short-term evangelistic series."--Back cover

... As I Follow Christ

... As I Follow Christ PDF Author: Dwain Esmond
Publisher: Review and Herald Pub Assoc
ISBN: 0828027242
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 139

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Book Description
Whether you are leading a ministry, an organization, or a family, God has given you a special mission. To fulfill that God-given purpose, secular leadership principles won't be enough: you need to know the biblical principles of leadership. In As I Follow Christ, some of the most notable leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church share what they've learned about effective leadership. Drawing from the Bible, the writings of Ellen G. White, proven practices, and personal experience, each writer reveals a unique perspective on what it looks like to be a leader who follows God.

Small on Purpose

Small on Purpose PDF Author: Lewis A. Parks
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1501827332
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 126

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Book Description
Small on Purpose: Life in a Significant Church is a joyful and honest look at the kingdom-enriching characteristics of small congregations. Lewis Parks demonstrates how to see and build upon those strengths. His premise is not better/worse. Instead, Parks shows us how life in a small congregation is profoundly significant and the important role these churches play. This book includes clear instructions on how leaders can streamline ministry to maximize the unique and powerful contributions small churches make in their communities. This book is inspiring and practical, a refreshing point of view for the church and church leaders. “Small on Purpose reimagines what it means to be a congregation of ninety, sixty, or thirty by not focusing on size. I especially appreciate Lewis Parks’s attention to why ‘soul care’ is critical for congregations under 150 as a means of discipleship and outreach. Parks sees soul care as a countercultural act that creates meaning for many who are seeking family-like relationships. This book challenges all congregations to take seriously the small things they are doing—like soul care—as a compelling way to move into the future.” —F. Douglas Powe Jr., Managing Director for The Institute for Community Engagement, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC; author of New Wine, New Wineskins and Not Safe for Church from Abingdon Press “Lewis Parks writes with pitch-perfect tone about the life of small churches. He appeals to the experience of smaller congregations as gathering places of worship and service. There he sees signs of the Spirit moving, of tradition revivified through song and word, of pastoral care shared across a congregation. Above all, he offers transformative words and perspectives with which small churches can claim their distinctive witness.” —Thomas Edward Frank, University Professor and Chair of the Department of History, Wake Forest College, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC “In a time when the culture is becoming more and more individualistic, Lew Parks strikes a chord for the great value of the gathered community of faith that is strengthened week by week through their faithfulness to the gospel and to one another. Gather in your small church and read this together. Your life and your community will be enriched.” —Bill McAlilly, Bishop, Nashville Area Episcopal Office, The United Methodist Church

Leading the Congregation

Leading the Congregation PDF Author: Roger Heuser
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1426711395
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 510

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Book Description
A complete and definitive guide to the practice of church leadership--newly revised