Author: John W. Wimberly,
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 156699649X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 201
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Book Description
Pastors are called to be not only leaders with vision, but also managers of congregational systems, says John Wimberly in The Business of the Church. Drawing on his thirty-six years in ordained ministry, Wimberly weaves the realities of congregational dynamics and faith-centered purpose together with practical, proven approaches to business management. A student and friend of Rabbi Edwin Friedman, Wimberly builds on Friedman's systems theory as he helps readers avoid common pitfalls and put into practice effective techniques of congregational management. The book begins with a foundational discussion of how a systems approach helps congregational managers identify areas of dysfunction and effective solutions. Managing the critical 'inputs' of people, facilities, and finances has a direct bearing on the desired 'outputs' of proclamation, pastoral care, and mission. A strategic plan, through which a congregation sets its goals and identifies and prioritizes resources, is an essential management tool for both pastors and lay leaders. The author's conversational writing style and many real-life examples make a seemingly complicated, mysterious topic for some an engaging and easily applicable read.
Author: Laura Nash
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
ISBN: 9780787960728
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0
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Book Description
Guidebook contains ideas for reflection, discussion, and action based on the chapters in the main text.
Author: Michael L. Budde
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1725218593
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 192
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Book Description
These days "getting religion" is generally considered a rather quaint thing of the past. "Getting spirituality," on the other hand, is the hottest thing on the market. In fact, corporate-sponsored spiritual salve is becoming the most popular prescription for the overworked and soul-weary employees. But for many Christians, this antidote has become its own epidemic. How is this epidemic infecting the church? How should the church respond as a community of believers? According to authors Michael Budde and Robert Brimlow, the church must resist becoming the "chaplain to capitalism." Christianity Incorporated reminds us that Christ-centered discipleship is fundamentally at odds with consumer capitalist priorities. The church must have a mission and a voice in society that is distinct from, rather than in chorus with, watered-down corporate spirituality. Christianity Incorporated is a wake-up call for all Christians. Courageous, current, and accessible, this book will provide guidance and insight to anyone concerned with pursuing Christian discipleship in our consumer culture.
Author: Daniel Vaca
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674243978
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 337
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Book Description
A new history explores the commercial heart of evangelical Christianity. American evangelicalism is big business. For decades, the world’s largest media conglomerates have sought out evangelical consumers, and evangelical books have regularly become international best sellers. In the early 2000s, Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life spent ninety weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list and sold more than thirty million copies. But why have evangelicals achieved such remarkable commercial success? According to Daniel Vaca, evangelicalism depends upon commercialism. Tracing the once-humble evangelical book industry’s emergence as a lucrative center of the US book trade, Vaca argues that evangelical Christianity became religiously and politically prominent through business activity. Through areas of commerce such as branding, retailing, marketing, and finance, for-profit media companies have capitalized on the expansive potential of evangelicalism for more than a century. Rather than treat evangelicalism as a type of conservative Protestantism that market forces have commodified and corrupted, Vaca argues that evangelicalism is an expressly commercial religion. Although religious traditions seem to incorporate people who embrace distinct theological ideas and beliefs, Vaca shows, members of contemporary consumer society often participate in religious cultures by engaging commercial products and corporations. By examining the history of companies and corporate conglomerates that have produced and distributed best-selling religious books, bibles, and more, Vaca not only illustrates how evangelical ideas, identities, and alliances have developed through commercial activity but also reveals how the production of evangelical identity became a component of modern capitalism.
Author: Stephen D. Lentz
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781946615725
Category : Church management
Languages : en
Pages : 80
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Book Description
"Studies have shown that most pastors enter the ministry to "help people" and "preach the Word of God", yet 80-90% of their time spent in the ministry has nothing to do with either of these noble desires! Most of your time as a pastor is spent managing the business of church! The vast majority of my pastor friends are failing miserably in this area. Why? Seminary does not teach business principles! In this book, you will identify crucial business areas that can have an incredible impact on your local church! Successfully addressing the crucial concepts in this book can ensure the sustainability, reach, and ultimate success of your church!"--Back cover
Author: Tony Merida
Publisher: The Good Book Company
ISBN: 1784986097
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 140
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Book Description
How to grow in love for your church. God calls us to be "devoted to one another in love" (Romans 12:10). What does this look like for us today? How can we be the kind of church member who makes a real difference? This engaging book by Tony Merida explores what church is, why being part of it is exciting, and why it’s worthy of our love and commitment. He sets out eight privileges and responsibilities of a church member: to belong, to welcome, to gather, to care, to serve, to honour, to witness and to send. As we see how wonderful it is to belong to God’s family and be a part of his amazing witness to both the earthly and the heavenly realms, we’ll grow in our love for and commitment to our local church. This is a great book for every churchgoer to read, whether they’re new or have been attending for some time but need re-energising with God’s vision for the local church. With a discussion guide at the end of the book, Love Your Church is also a great resource for small groups.
Author: Philip D. Kenneson
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 159244296X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 177
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Book Description
Marketing the church is hot. For many church leaders, marketing might even be the first article of their creed, which goes something like this: We believe that our church determines its identity and mission through the tactics of marketing strategies. Theologians Kenneson and Street offer a thoughtful and provocative protest, with a foreword from Stanley Hauerwas. The authors expose the theological presuppositions that inform the marketing project. . . and help us to see that the marketer's presumption that form can be separated from content of the gospel betrays an understanding of the gospel that cannot help betraying the gift that is Christ. The authors propose an alternative, constructive account of the church's mission and purpose that is not based on exchange of value but on reminding us that the gospel is always a gift - a gift that makes impossible any presumptions that there can be an exchange between human beings and God that is rooted in the satisfaction of our untrained needs. The cross and resurrection challenge the world's understanding of what our needs should be.
Author: Mark Smith
Publisher: Dust Jacket Press
ISBN: 9780982881484
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 268
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Book Description
In The Church Leader's MBA: What Business School Instructors Wish Church Leaders Knew about Management Dr. Mark Smith, Ed D and Dr. David W. Wright, Ph D teach you how to take proven management principles from the business world and apply them in your local church. Unfortunately, most ministerial preparation programs do little to provide business and organizational tools to aspiring ministers. This book is written by ministers and organizational managers for church leaders. The Church Leader's MBA focuses on four areas of professional management skills that we believe ministers must develop: - The ability to develop an organization - The ability to lead people effectively - The ability to manage the operational elements of the organization - The ability to manage one's own ongoing professional development. The church is both a human organization and a spiritual community. Our point in this book is that successful ministerial leaders understand both elements of this identity and master a set of tools related to the leadership of both of these elements
Author: Amanda Porterfield
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190694599
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 265
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Book Description
Business has received little attention in American religious history, although it has profound implications for understanding the sustained popularity and ongoing transformation of religion in the United States. This volume offers a wide ranging exploration of the business aspects of American religious organizations. The authors analyze the financing, production, marketing, and distribution of religious goods and services and the role of wealth and economic organization in sustaining and even shaping worship, charity, philanthropy, institutional growth, and missionary work. Treating religion and business holistically, their essays show that American religious life has always been informed by business practices. Laying the groundwork for further investigation, the authors show how American business has functioned as a domain for achieving religious goals. Indeed they find that religion has historically been more powerful when interwoven with business. Chapters on Mormon enterprise, Jewish philanthropy, Hindu gurus, Native American casinos, and the wedding of business wealth to conservative Catholic social teaching demonstrate the range of new studies stimulated by the business turn in American religious history. Other chapters show how evangelicals joined neo-liberal economic practice and right-wing politics to religious fundamentalism to consolidate wealth and power, and how they developed marketing campaigns and organizational strategies that transformed the American religious landscape. Included are essays exposing the moral compromises religious organizations have made to succeed as centers of wealth and influence, and the religious beliefs that rationalize and justify these compromises. Still others examine the application of business practices as a means of sustaining religious institutions and expanding their reach, and look at controversies over business practices within religious organizations, and the adjustments such organizations have made in response. Together, the essays collected here offer new ways of conceptualizing the interdependence of religion and business in the United States, establishing multiple paths for further study of their intertwined historical development.
Author: Jeff Simmons
Publisher: Moody Publishers
ISBN: 0802473199
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 138
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Book Description
When Jeff Simmons started in ministry, he was surprised at how much of his time involved business. Yet business was never a part of his theological education. He’s not alone. Most people in ministry receive little or no training in this area. When faced with multiple business decisions and tasks a day, leaders can become discouraged or frustrated. We need help and guidance to become effective and wise stewards of the money and resources entrusted to us by God. Pastor and entrepreneur Jeff Simmons equips you with the training you need to have the greatest kingdom impact. When pastors and nonprofit leaders are good at the business side of their ministry, more people can be blessed and supported. Simmons explores topics such as: The Tension between Faith and Business The Importance of Strategic Planning Financial Transparency Resources and Buildings Work and Life Balance Developing a Community—and more This book will help every ministry, church, and nonprofit maximize their resources for greater kingdom impact.
