Author: Leslie H. Brickman
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1591601673
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 358

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Author: J. Fred Lehr
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1532635427
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 88

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Why are 80 percent of our congregations stagnant or dying? There are a variety of reasons. This book dives deeply into one of the main reasons--the failure to adapt to the cultural changes of our day. When the Reformation began 500 years ago it sparked a number of radical changes (like worshipping in the vernacular rather than in Latin, etc.) that shocked the church. Over time many saw the merit of those changes and adapted. In the very same way today, major cultural changes are taking place. Is the church open to understanding those changes? And are congregations making the necessary effort to appropriately adapt to them without compromising our central message, the Gospel of Jesus Christ? This "transformational manual" addresses the cultural shifts and provides practical and experience-based ideas to appropriately respond while keeping a strong emphasis on the Gospel of Jesus. Are you ready to become a 21st century church?

Author: William A. Beckham
Publisher: Touch Outreach Ministries
ISBN: 9781880828267
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Author: Judy Morris D Min
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781475058802
Category : Christian leadership
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description: The collective work of twenty Christian leaders known for their expertise in Christian education, this book is an up-to-date, comprehensive resource on Christian education, with the emphasis on making disciples as Jesus instructed. This volume addresses spiritual formation for all age groups and gives guidance on how to develop an effective church discipleship ministry. The book shows church leaders how to provide for the spiritual formation of all age groups, including people with special needs, who are often neglected. The aim of the book is to forge a strong connection between what happens on Sunday and how people live every day. The goal is discipleship, stressing how to develop a congregation that is on mission rather than merely a group of people who convene on Sundays. The book contains a strong emphasis on missions as an integral part of church identity and activity. Church leadership must provide ways for growing and encouraging disciples in being on a mission for Christ. At the core of the book is Jesus' command to his disciples, including church leaders today, "Go . . . and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB). As we enter the third millennia of the Christian church, church leaders must learn and practice ways to truly obey Jesus' command. This comprehensive book provides guidance and inspiration for doing that. The Christian leaders who authored this resource also point to the urgent need to equip and involve lay people in all the work of the church. The authors call for church leaders to involve church members in planning, decision-making, and action rather than to promote, on purpose or by default, a spectator mentality. Citing Ephesians 4:11-12, the authors emphasize that a church's staff members exist to equip and deploy all believers in the mission and ministry of Christ. The book stresses guiding Christian leaders to move their church from a school-with-pews mentality to a place that heeds the biblical call to develop disciples. Instead of just maintaining members, church leaders must focus on making disciples in order for their congregation to be on a mission as a vibrant force for change in their community and around the world. WHO NEEDS THIS BOOK? University and seminary professors will find this volume a good choice for a textbook for preparing ministers for church ministry. It will also be a valuable tool for pastors, general staff leaders, and practitioners for the various age group staff and key volunteer leaders in the local churches.

Author: Kenneth J. Tate
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1449005624
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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The goal of this book is to raise the consciousness of the state of being of the institutional church, and the importance of mobilizing the Christian church as a family preparation center for daily Christian living. For the African-American church, this means that the social and spiritual welfare of the congregation must be open for change. Serious attention needs to be given to providing adequate teaching and training on survival skills as well as spiritual empowerment. It is my desire that this book will aid all churches on how to have a dynamic, productive ministry beyond morning worship. The research in this book is not a model for African-American churches only, nor is it the norm for all churches in general. The book is in no way a thesis on all the problems and answers that the church must address in the 21st century, but it does offer some thought provoking ideas and some realities that we as a Christian community must confront and address.

Author: Joel Comiskey
Publisher: CCS Publishing
ISBN: 193578952X
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 169

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We know that the goal of the Christian life is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. While this is God's ultimate plan, does he have a particular purpose for the cell-based church? I've been wrestling with this question for the past twenty-two years. This question confronts me every time I coach a pastor or pastors. In preparation for coaching, I ask myself, "What is my principal objective in helping this pastor?" "Where am I guiding this church?" "What am I trying to do?" I've come to the conclusion that the primary goal of cell ministry is to make disciples who make disciples. Christ's last command to his disciples was for them to repeat the process and to reproduce new disciples. But how were they supposed to do that? This book answers these questions.The early church followed Christ's pattern by making disciples through the house churches that periodically celebrated together in public worship. In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul tells Timothy to continue the discipleship process by passing on the pure gospel message to faithful men and women. Even though the term "disciple" is later replaced by words such as "brothers," "sisters," "Christians," and "saints," the concept remains the same. We in North America and the Western world often project our own cultural bias into Christ's great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Most discipleship books, in fact, assume that discipleship is an individualistic endeavor--between me and God. And yes, there is an important individual aspect (e.g., personal devotions, etc.). Yet in Matthew 28, Jesus was talking to a group of disciples. He wanted them to follow his example by making disciples in a group. Jesus molded twelve disciples in a group and then sent them house to house. So how does the cell church make disciples? In this book, I show how the cell (small group) works together with the cell system to make disciples who make disciples. In the cell, a potential disciple is transformed through community, priesthood of all believers, group evangelism, and team multiplication. In the cell, potential disciples are formed through learning how to love one another, exercising their gifts, evangelizing together as a group, and then sent forth as teams to start new groups. Discipleship is a group process in the New Testament, and God is calling his church to re-emphasize this truth. The cell system ensures each leader has a coach and that training (equipping track) happens. Then the cells gather together to worship and grow through the teaching of God's Word. All three aspects are essential to form disciples. Training is needed because disciples won't learn all they need to know in the cell. Coaching ensures that each leader is cared for and receives shepherding. The celebration service brings the cells together to hear God's Word, worship, and receive fresh vision. The goal of the two-wing cell church is to make disciples who make disciples. The cell church today makes disciples by following the early church pattern of cell and celebration. Recommendations: I’ve read all of Joel Comiskey’s books, but Making Disciples in the Twenty-First Century Church is his best work yet. In this book Joel reminds us that the real call and challenge of the Church is not developing leaders or numerical growth, but "making disciples who make disciples." He also helps us understand why that is best done in a cell or small group context, and gives us great insight about how to make that happen. I’m looking forward to having all of our Pastors, Coaches, and Cell Leaders and Members read this book in the near future. Dennis Watson Lead Pastor, Celebration Church of New Orleans ____ I am so excited about Joel Comiskey’s new book, Making Disciples in the Twenty-First Century Church. When I’m asked what makes a cell church thrive, I always say, “discipleship.” Thank you, Joel, for unpacking discipleship; not just as an endeavor for individuals, but as the critical element for creating a church community and culture that reproduces the Kingdom of God all over the earth. I pray this book won’t only be read, but lived out as we were made to make disciples. Jimmy Seibert Senior Pastor, Antioch Community Church President and Founder, Antioch Ministries International ____ I really like that Joel asked the Why question before the How question. He even takes on the What question which is just as important. The interest in discipleship is greater now than anytime in the last fifty years. I fear however that we are using the same words but are not speaking the same language. I recommend this work, I cheer Joel on, he joins many of us who are masters of the obvious. It seems so obvious that our purpose is to be disciples and make disciples. I cheer him on because he goes beyond the What and Why and does address the How. This will help any person who reads it and I pray that there will be many. Bill Hull, Author of Jesus Christ Disciple Maker, Disciple Making Pastor, Disciple Making Church, and The Complete Book of Discipleship, Adjunct Faculty at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University __ The history of the cell church movement in Brazil has many names of great man of God. Joel Comiskey certainly is one of them. We see how over the years his understanding of the New Testament Church has deepened. Again Joel surprises us with this jewel. He covers many aspects of cell church life, showing us how discipleship relates to the broader scope of it, and how to shape followers of Jesus. He takes us to the heart of the matter of the cell church as he states it: “The purpose of cell ministry is making disciples who make disciples.” Excellent book. The movement in Brazil, certainly, will be blessed through this book. Enjoy it. Robert Michael Lay Cell Church Ministry in Brazil Pioneer in the cell movement in Brazil, and publisher of Joel’s books __ In his tremendously helpful new book, Making Disciples in the Twenty-First Century Church, Joel Comiskey cuts directly to the core purpose of cell ministry, which is “making disciples who make disciples.” Then he tells us how to do it through the Cell-Based Church. Like Joel’s other books Making Disciples in the Twenty-First Century Church is solidly biblical, highly practical, wonderfully accessible and is grounded in Joel’s vast research and experience. Great job Joel! Dave Earley, Lead Pastor, Grace City Church of Las Vegas, Nevada Author, Eight Habits of Highly Effective Small Group Leaders Adjunct Professor, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary __ For more than twenty years Joel Comiskey has served the cell church movement. He has helped scores of congregations move from being traditional churches to communities where edification and harvest occurs. Twenty years! Now he combines two decades of observation as his capacity as a researcher. He has scoured many books to assemble wise counsel for us. His discussion of how community varies from culture to culture is indeed penetrating. As I read through the pages I mentally noted specific Christian workers who need to read these pages. Thanks, Joel, for the way you allow the King to speak through you to enlarge His Kingdom on earth! Ralph Neighbour, Jr, key pioneer of the cell church movement. ____ “Joel Comiskey continues to deepen our understanding of the cell-based church. In Making Disciples we are equipped to carry out the Great Commission at maximum capacity. Get ready to have your vision for ministry strengthened and expanded!” Andrew S. Mason, Small Groups Pastor Thrive Church, Elk Grove, CA Founder, SmallGroupChurches.com ____ As one of the world's leading experts on cell-based churches, Joel Comiskey is well placed to show how New Testament-style disciple making works. His decades of experience in fields of ministry all over the world confirm that every-member ministry and personal investment in disciples are God's pathway to true maturity and expansion of the kingdom of God. This well-written book deserves attention from every serious Christian! Dennis McCallum, Author, Organic Discipleship

Author: Dr. Charles Jackson
Publisher: FriesenPress
ISBN: 1460252764
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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“...after much prayer and meditation, God spoke to me.” I combed through scriptures, reading about the church and more about Jesus and His relationship with his disciples, especially focusing on Peter and his bond with the church. What was its purpose? Why couldn't the thoughts of the church, the Body of Christ, the pure meaning of its intent be left alone? My brothers and sisters, after countless days of tumultuous soul searching and restless nights, God has revealed to me that the transformation begins with the acceptance of His Son. However, at times we are alienated and an enemy of Christ, destitute by the wicked works of our minds. Conversely, through his sacrificial death, He has reconciled us, to present us “holy, unblameable and unreproveable” to himself. When you journey through the pages of this book, allow the process to continue. Jesus works from the inside out. The mind is the center for change. As you continue to walk in Christ, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. Let this book be the compass that guides you back on course so that you too, can become the church that Christ intended you to be!

Author: David P. Gushee
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1441231684
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 350

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Book Description
Encouragement for students to reflect on the nature and task of ministry in the 21st century and to seek education to equip them for ministry.

Author: Gary E. Tangeman
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780875087122
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
What is an effective church? Those responsible for the spiritual development of others will greatly profit from this insightful and practical work on the purpose of the church and the ministry of the believer.

Author: Peter McHugh
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780958077149
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description
Peter (along with his wife Lyn) is the founder and senior minister of Stairway Church Whitehorse. A pursuer and lover of God he models a lifestyle of intimacy with the Lord that is both deeply personal and publicly observable. Peter longs for people to be released into the fullness of God through experience and intimacy with Him.