Christianity Incorporated

Christianity Incorporated PDF 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.

Christianity Incorporated

Christianity Incorporated PDF Author: Michael L. Budde
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1725218593
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 192

Get Book Here

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.

The Business of Church

The Business of Church PDF 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

The Coming Revolution in Church Economics

The Coming Revolution in Church Economics PDF Author: Mark DeYmaz
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1493420224
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 158

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Book Description
Our entire understanding of funding and sustainability must change. Tithes and offerings alone are no longer enough to provide for the needs of the local church, enable pastors to pursue opportunities, or sustain long-term ministry impact. Growing financial burdens on the middle class, marginal increases in contributions to religious organizations, shifting generational attitudes toward giving, and changing demographics are having a negative impact on church budgets. Given that someday local churches may be required to pay taxes on the property they own and/or lose the benefit of soliciting tax-deductible gifts, the time to pivot is now. What's needed is disruptive innovation in church economics. For churches to not only survive but thrive in the future, leaders must learn to leverage assets, bless the community, empower entrepreneurs, and create multiple streams of income to effectively fund mission. You'll learn why you should and how to do so in The Coming Revolution in Church Economics.

The Marketplace Christian

The Marketplace Christian PDF Author: Darren Shearer
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781940024493
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Approximately 85% of working Christians spend the majority of their waking hours working in a for-profit company. We are marketplace Christians called to transform the marketplace for the glory of God.In The Marketplace Christian, Darren Shearer provides practical and personalized strategies to help you fulfill your specific transformational ministry to the world of business. In this book, you will learn...- The specific spiritual gifts God has entrusted to you for ministry in the marketplace- Strategies for using your spiritual gifts in a business setting- Examples of 23 marketplace Christians who have (and are) using their spiritual gifts in businessYou will also learn...- How the author, Darren Shearer, went from Bible school to running his own business for the glory of God- How to identify your God-given marketplace ministry assignment- 9 reasons why the marketplace is a great place for Christians to serve God- How business can be your "full-time ministry"How to transform your industry for the glory of GodThe Marketplace Christian includes the "Spiritual Gifts in the Marketplace Assessment" that will help you to discover the unique abilities God has entrusted to you for fulfilling His purposes in your sphere of influence in business. You will also learn about other marketplace Christians who have used each of the 23 spiritual gifts discussed in this book as well as specific suggestions for how you can use your own gifts for marketplace ministry.

Simple Church

Simple Church PDF Author: Thom S. Rainer
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
ISBN: 0805447997
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
Now in paperback, this multi-awarded national best seller shares a clear message from case studies of 400 North American congregations: church is done best when it's kept simple.

Unlimited Partnership

Unlimited Partnership PDF Author: Bob Yandian
Publisher: Destiny Image Publishers
ISBN: 1606838652
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 72

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Book Description
How would you like to have a business partner who never fails? He will work for your business as if it is the only business in the world. He works tirelessly and yet never goes to sleep. He sees the future and always knows when and how to invest. He is more interested in your success than you are. This business partner is God Himself. You have...

Unchurching

Unchurching PDF Author: Richard Jacobson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780692749951
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
Millions of believers are currently leaving the organized church, without giving up their faith. Sadly, many are only defining themselves by what they don't do, as Christians who simply "don't go to church." It's time for these believers to catch a vision for genuine spiritual community, outside the walls of organized Christianity, a way of being the church without going to church. Unchurching: Christianity Without Churchianity will challenge everything you thought you knew about church. Unchurching boldly examines whether organized churches are even biblical. It thoroughly deconstructs the idea of special church buildings, paid pastors, weekly sermons, mandatory tithes and offerings, gender inequality in church leadership, and much more. Unchurching is intended to empower believers who are done with organized church but aren't ready to abandon their faith. It will give non-churchgoing Christians a vision for genuine spiritual community that simply functions like an extended spiritual family. And it will equip them with the language to finally articulate that vision to others. Here's what others are saying about Unchurching: "Lots of books that invite Christians to follow Jesus outside of the four walls of churchianity are filled with harsh judgment and criticism of how others 'do church.' But not this book! Unchurching by Richard Jacobson is full of love and grace. There is no judgment, condemnation, or guilt-casting of any kind. Beginning with the Trinity of God, Jacobson presents a grand vision of what the church can be and how we can truly have community as followers of Jesus. Read this book and be encouraged to take the next step of your journey!" Jeremy Myers, author and blogger at RedeemingGod.com "Unchurching: Christianity without Churchianity validates and empowers the rapidly growing number of people who are in the transition between traditional church and an informal community of disciples meeting outside the four walls of the church building. Richard Jacobson has been on both sides of this shift and is uniquely qualified to write about it-which he does well, with insight, humility, and scholarship. I especially valued his comments on the freedom that women have to do and be everything God is calling them to. Highly recommended." Felicity Dale: author, An Army of Ordinary People; co-author, Small is Big "Unchurching presents us with a picture of a church that is all about one person-Jesus. As I read this book I felt my pulse quicken and my heart leap for joy because everything Richard writes about is centered on, around, and in relation to the One who would rather die than live without us. Anyone who loves Jesus and who longs to take hold of Him in a gathering where He is the focal point will delight in this book. It's truly amazing what happens when we get out of the way and allow Jesus to take center stage. This book shows us what that can look like, if we are willing to let go of our traditions and embrace the living, breathing Christ who longs to share His life with us throughout eternity, starting right now!" Keith Giles, author of This Is My Body: Ekklesia As God Intended; author of Jesus Untangled

The Language of Heaven

The Language of Heaven PDF Author: Sam Storms
Publisher:
ISBN: 1629996076
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 276

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Book Description
Few other issues have separated the church more than the issue of tongues. Sam Storms focuses on this controversial subject with his signature insights to theology and the gifts of the spirit. What does the gift giver say about the gift He gave? Storms seeks to bring balance to this subject in The Language of Heaven as he wrestles with this s...

Evangelicals Incorporated

Evangelicals Incorporated PDF 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.

Maximizing the Midsize Church

Maximizing the Midsize Church PDF Author: David J. Peter
Publisher: Kregel Ministry
ISBN: 9780825445651
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
Nearly one in four congregations in the United States is a midsize church (150-400 worshippers per week), and the midsize church has its own distinctive culture, dynamics, and characteristics. Drawing on years of research and pastoral ministry, David J. Peter has written a comprehensive handbook for pastors and staff who direct these churches. Peter covers the most important issues leaders encounter, including: - The important role they play in advancing the kingdom of God - Common cultural characteristics - Typical problems and productive solutions - Advantages over both small and large churches, and how to capitalize on them - Practices for developing healthy programs - The responsibilities of the pastor - Guidance for hiring staff and recruiting volunteers Pastors of midsize congregations will find effective resources and encouragement for successful leadership.