Religious institutions and organizations Books

Book SynopsisIn this frank and damning exposé of the Teresa cult, Hitchens details the nature and limits of one woman's mission to help the world's poor. He probes the source of the heroic status bestowed upon an Albanian nun whose only declared wish was to serve God. He asks whether Mother Teresa's good works answered any higher purpose than the need of the world's privileged to see someone, somewhere, doing something for the Third World. He unmasks pseudo-miracles, questions Mother Teresa's fitness to adjudicate on matters of sex and reproduction, and reports on a version of saintly ubiquity which affords genial relations with dictators, corrupt tycoons and convicted frauds. Is Mother Teresa merely an essential salve to the conscience of the rich West, or an expert PR machine for the Catholic Church? In its caustic iconoclasm and unsparing wit, The Missionary Position showcases the devastating effect of Hitchens' writing at its polemical best.Trade ReviewA dirty job but someone had to do it. By the end of this elegantly written, brilliantly argued piece of polemic, it is not looking good for Mother Teresa. * Sunday Times *Hitchens argues his case with consummate style. * New York Times *Quite possibly the most brilliant journalist of his generation * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisChristianity Today Book Award Winner Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Center Book Award You are what you love. But you might not love what you think. In this book, award-winning author James K. A. Smith shows that who and what we worship fundamentally shape our hearts. And while we desire to shape culture, we are not often aware of how culture shapes us. We might not realize the ways our hearts are being taught to love rival gods instead of the One for whom we were made. Smith helps readers recognize the formative power of culture and the transformative possibilities of Christian practices. He explains that worship is the "imagination station" that incubates our loves and longings so that our cultural endeavors are indexed toward God and his kingdom. This is why the church and worshiping in a local community of believers should be the hub and heart of Christian formation and discipleship. Following the publication of his influential work Desiring the Kingdom, Smith received numerous requests from pastors and leaders for a more accessible version of that book's content. No mere abridgment, this new book draws on years of Smith's popular presentations on the ideas in Desiring the Kingdom to offer a fresh, bottom-up rearticulation. The author creatively uses film, literature, and music illustrations to engage readers and includes new material on marriage, family, youth ministry, and faith and work. He also suggests individual and communal practices for shaping the Christian life.Table of ContentsContents1. You Are What You Love: To Worship Is Human2. You Might Not Love What You Think: Learning to Read "Secular" Liturgies3. The Spirit Meets You Where You Are: Historic Worship for a Postmodern Age4. What Story Are You In? The Narrative Arc of Formative Christian Worship5. Guard Your Heart: The Liturgies of Home6. Teach Your Children Well: Learning by Heart7. You Make What You Want: Vocational LiturgiesEpilogueFor Further Reading

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Book SynopsisWe''ve all got a lot of questions these days: In a world marked by division, how do we create bridges of meaningful connection? When despair runs rampant, is real hope possible? When competition is elevated, is compassion still relevant? And at the end of the day, can one person really make any impact at all?When the world''s problems loom large and your ordinary life stretches you thin, it is still possible to be a difference-maker--one small, intentional, extravagant act of kindness at a time.Rather than telling you to do more, The Simple Difference shows you how to see more: more of the people in front of you, more of God''s lavish love for you, more of his power within you. The Simple Difference will help you- stop getting buried in busyness and distraction and discover countless opportunities for impact right where you are- remove your perceived limitations and learn to see that your 'not-enough' is exactly what the wo

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Book SynopsisAwaken the dormant dreams in your heart and start paving a path toward freedom and healing.Sometimes life smacks us upside the head while we are looking the other way. We get knocked down and struggle to get back up. But your past struggles do not determine your future.Using the pain of her past, Nicole Crank walks you through the hurdles meant to keep you down, which will, in turn, bring you closer to God. I Will Thrive gives you the courage to look at your past and be able to declare freedom from fear--allowing a daring spirit to rise up in those who have forgotten how to be brave. This freedom awakens the fight that's inside of you to stand up to the enemy and dream again.Regardless of what happened to you or even because of you, God's plan for you always has a hope and a future, and it never changes. You'll learn to find healing and happiness in every day.

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Book SynopsisGeza Vermes, translator and editor of The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls and worldwide expert on the life and times of Jesus, tells the enthralling story of early Christianity and the origins of a religion. The creation of the Christian Church is one of the most important stories in the development of the world''s history, yet one of the least understood. With a forensic, brilliant re-examination of all the key surviving texts of early Christianity, Geza Vermes illuminates the origins of a faith and traces the evolution of the figure of Jesus from the man he was - a prophet in the tradition of other Jewish holy men of the Old Testament - to what he came to represent: a mysterious, otherworldly being at the heart of the official state religion of the Roman Empire. Christian Beginnings pulls apart myths and misunderstandings to focus on the true figure of Jesus, and the birth of one of the world''s major religions.Reviews:Trade ReviewThe subject is not exactly the Christian Church, which makes an appearance effectively only half way through the text; it is Jesus - what he was, what he said he was, and what Christians said about him after his crucifixion. For anyone puzzling over such questions, this is an exciting and challenging port of call, sweeping aside much of the fuzzy thinking and special pleading that bedevils the study of sacred scripture ... [a] courteously expressed and witty little book -- Diarmaid MacCulloch * The Times *This book represents the summation of [Vermes's] thinking about the early history of Christianity. It is a challenging and engaging book that sets out to retrace the route by which a Jewish preacher in 1st-century Israel came to be declared as consubstantial and co-equal with the omnipotent, omniscient only God -- Stuart Kelly * Scotsman *A major contribution to our understanding of the historical Jesus * Financial Times *A magnum opus of early Christian history and one of the year's most significant titles * Bookseller *A very accessible and entertaining read -- Gareth Williams * Scotland on Sunday BOOKS OF THE YEAR *

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Book SynopsisThis NKJV Large Print Thinline Bible is inviting to pick up and hard to put down. Unique to this edition, the words of Christ are highlighted in a restful blue ink that’s easy to read and colorblind-friendly.The slim design of the NKJV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible means you can bring it along, wherever your day takes you. This large print edition features Thomas Nelson’s NKJV Comfort Print®, designed to provide a smooth reading experience of the accurate and beautiful New King James Version. And with features including extensive cross-references, concordance, and full-color maps, you’ll still have the tools to get more out of God’s Word. Features include: Presentation page to personalize this special gift by recording a memory or a note Words of Christ in blue quickly identify verses spoken

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Book SynopsisThe devastating effects of toxic work environments are top news. Everyone seems to understand that healthy organizations nurture flourishing individuals and societies--flourishing that Jesus desires for all of us. How can Christian business and ministry leaders create a positive organizational culture and identity? Justin Irving has spent twenty years studying, teaching, and reflecting on organizational leadership. Drawing wisdom from the Bible, contemporary leadership theory, and the insights of over two hundred executive leaders, Irving provides a theological framework that makes human flourishing the driving motivation for leading organizations well. He helps readers invest in their own growth to become leaders who motivate, inspire, and nurture. But he broadens the view to help readers see how different levels of leadership--the dynamics and interdependence of teams and of the whole organization--work together. He then offers practical insights on building teams, culture, and effective communication and on navigating the storms of crisis and change.Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsPart 1: Wisdom for Organizational Leaders1. Defining Organizational Leadership2. A Vision for Human and Organizational FlourishingPart 2: The Leader and Thriving Organizations3. The Character of Healthy Organizational Leaders4. The Commitments of Healthy Organizational LeadersPart 3: The Role of People and Teams within Thriving Organizations5. The Care and Cultivation of Team Members6. Collaboration and Team AlignmentPart 4: Leadership Priorities for Thriving Organizations7. Communication, Clarity, and Conviction in the Thriving Organization8. Culture and Thriving Organizations9. Crisis Leadership and Facing Organizational Challenges and Threats10. Change Leadership and a Thriving Future for the OrganizationAppendix A: Overview of Codes, Categories, and Themes for the First Survey QuestionAppendix B: Priorities for Healthy LeadersIndexes

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Book SynopsisOpus Dei is perhaps one of the most controversial religious organisations of our time. For many years there was little information about its history and development. More recently attempts have been made to make its structure and organisation are now much more transparent. For some, however, the organisation is seen as a powerful and shadowy institution with wealth, influence and many dark secrets. This revealing book aims to find out the truth behind the myths and the speculation, and examines the faces and personalities behind its institution. This book presents a global perspective of the Opus Dei that considers its influence on a worldwide scale and reveals the truth behind this powerful institution.

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Book SynopsisThe team that brought you Sticky Faith reveals a landmark study to provide a customizable roadmap of six essential strategies of churches that engage and retain teenagers and young adults, thus invigorating the entire church.

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Book SynopsisSecurity for Holy Places is the first comprehensive security guide for religious associations and organizations. While focused on houses of worship (and schools and centers connected to them), the guide also provides important information on securing religious summer camps and its guidance can be used for any faith-based organization, senior center, day care, or school. The book includes chapters on: overall threat types of weapons used by intruders perimeter and inside security where to get professional help how to build a security plan what to know when hiring guards armed versus unarmed guards & volunteers gun laws mental health issues how to use volunteers effectively to strengthen security information on technology that can strengthen the protection of holy places and their immediate surroundings security for day and overnight camps guidance on how to organize security committees to strengthen security checklists for congregations and camps to use immediatelyTrade ReviewSecurity for Holy Places,” by Dr. Stephen Bryen. In this important book, Dr. Bryen hits it out of the park for a long awaited instructional for all holy places that are currently conditioned in fear by possibility of attacks by terrorists, racists, by deranged persons inspired by loose-mouthed politicians. No Rabbi leading a synagogue, no Priest or Minister responsible for keeping a church, no Nun responsible for care of a school building, no Imam caring for a mosque, and no big city or small town mayor should be without the information that this book provides. . . And given the great number of holy places in Europe and the Middle East, this book should be mandatory reading for every European and Middle East security official responsible for endurance of said holy sites. --Marvin Leibstone, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.). Editor and Publisher, World Affairs Notebook, former North America Editor in Chief, Military Technology Magazine and Nations Magazine.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Peter Marshall has written a fine history of a momentous time as seen from the bottom up, drawing on a wide range of primary sources and his evident scholarship. . . . A riveting account of the losers as well, the English zealots and cynics who wanted a better world, or an unchanging one.”—The Economist“A balanced and judicious account of the English Reformation.”—Arnold Hunt, Times Literary Supplement“An eminently readable narrative that avoids flattening out irregularities in the story. . . . Marshall’s analysis, his control of documentary material and his imaginative maneuvers between the corridors of power and the streets and alehouses is impressive.”—Malcolm Gaskill, Financial Times“A profound book with a light touch—and all the more impressive in that the author is covering almost a century of intellectual, social, and religious history. . . . It will be a long time before the book is surpassed.”—Michael Coren, Globe and Mail“With pleasing dispatch Peter Marshall’s compelling new history of England’s Reformation sweeps all the historians down into the footnotes and just tells the story as he sees it. . . . This is the human story within the grand narrative, written with fluidity and warmth, its scholarship providing a firm foundation without being intrusive, its analysis thoughtful, not polemical.”—Lucy Wooding, Literary Review“The joy of Peter Marshall’s book is that it makes this most hackneyed of historical epics feel fresh and unexpected. More so than any historian of the period working today, Marshall is equally sensitive and perceptive in dealing with both Protestants and Catholics. . . . It is a much-told tale, but I don’t think it has ever been told with more humanity, balance, atmosphere, wit and learning. I wish I’d written it. Buy it, and make time to read it.”—Alec Ryrie, The Tablet“Marshall has a knowledge of the personalities and the detail and texture of events which few living scholars can match. He makes masterly use of the enormous range of quotable texts to bring to life the dilemmas that his characters faced.”—G. R. Evans, Church Times“Marshall’s account of this seemingly well-worn topic never seems stale or perfunctory. There is a sense of real people being affected by real issues, the distant hubbub of which can still just about be heard in the pages of this insightful and immersive book.”—Mark Jones, Albion“A tour de force that transforms our understanding of, what Marshall himself terms, ‘one of the best-known and most widely discussed epochs in English history’: the Reformation of the sixteenth century.”—Henry Jeffries, Irish Historical Studies“This is a superb narrative history of the English Reformation. . . . If you want a book that tells the story in a powerful, effective way, held together with an excellent thesis and illustrative anecdotes, this will serve you well. I foresee that this will become a standard text for those who teach the English Reformation.”—Norman Jones, Renaissance Quarterly“Outstanding work. . . . Aagrand, sweeping view of the Reformation’s impact in England, perhaps the first large scale revisiting of a people’s history approach to the religious upheaval of the Tudor period since Eamon Duffy’s The Stripping of the Altars.”—Chris Skidmore, Books of the Year 2017, BBC History“An outstanding study of one of the most eventful periods in English history. . . . This is historical scholarship at its accessible best.”—Rev. Dr. Martin Wellings, Methodist Recorder“Heretics and Believers provides readers with a wonderful opportunity to expand their historical horizons. Peter Marshall does an excellent job in tracing the antecedents of the English Reformation, profiling key figures and institutions and tracing the chronological development of attempts at reform (and opposition to it).”—Philip Scheepers, Vox Reformata“This is an utterly reliable history of the English Reformation, but it is also its imaginative biography, treating the story as a single narrative, watching its birth, its growth, its growing complexity. . . . Marshall is a historian’s historian, probing the close-up warp and weft of the period with admirable curiosity and archival expertise, but he also enjoys an enviably light touch for the general reader.”—Diarmaid MacCulloch, Ecclesiastical History“The book contains a massive amount of detail, and it is well written” —Fiction’s Fan Book ReviewsWINNER OF THE WOLFSON HISTORY PRIZE 2018 “A beautifully judged account of the English Reformation. Marshall weaves a single narrative through a contentious century without loss of detail or depth of understanding. Full of wise and humane analysis, this is ambitious in scope and brilliant in execution.”—Wolfson Prize Judges“A remarkable book that will, without doubt, become the definitive narrative of the English Reformation for years to come. Marshall writes with deep understanding and great panache, moving us masterfully beyond tired debates about whether the Reformation was ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and bringing his subject vividly to life.”—Christopher Marsh, author of Popular Religion in Sixteenth-Century England“A commanding re-interpretation of a deeply significant process of change: analytically subtle, thematically all-encompassing, and full of real people.”—Steven Gunn, author of Henry VII’s New Men and the Making of Tudor England“In a field crowded with exceptionally able histories, Heretics and Believers stands out as a treasure.”—Mark Noll, author of Protestantism: A Very Short Introduction“A magisterial, panoramic and compelling new account of a phenomenon that was never just a top-down, institutionalised and ordered act of state. Peter Marshall reveals how the English Reformation was nurtured within the religious beliefs, culture and polity that it profoundly transformed, and thereby recovers its momentousness.”—Mark Greengrass, author of Christendom Destroyed: Europe, 1517–1648

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Book SynopsisThis NKJV Large Print Thinline Bible is inviting to pick up and hard to put down. Unique to this edition, the words of Christ are highlighted in a restful blue ink that’s easy to read and colorblind-friendly.The slim design of the NKJV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible means you can bring it along, wherever your day takes you. This large print edition features Thomas Nelson’s NKJV Comfort Print®, designed to provide a smooth reading experience of the accurate and beautiful New King James Version. And with features including extensive cross-references, concordance, and full-color maps, you’ll still have the tools to get more out of God’s Word. Features include: Presentation page to personalize this special gift by recording a memory or a note Words of Christ in blue quickly identify verses spoken

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Book SynopsisWhy the pundits want to spread a myth about the death of faith, particularly in Britain.Trade Review“A stimulatingly counter-intuitive take on the state of British Christianity, this should be read by anyone - believer or non-believer - who is interested in the future of religion in Britain.” -- Tom Holland, author of Rubicon and Millennium“This book offers a timely word of encouragement to British Christians and a robust challenge to the narrative of church decline … Anyone who has been enticed by the story of the decline of British Christianity will be forced to review their evidence and their assumptions.” -- Dr Jonathan Chaplin, Director of the Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics, Tyndale House, Cambridge“This small book raises big questions that need to be addressed. You will find in these pages provocative and challenging analysis. Have a read and then join the debate!” -- Dr Krish Kandiah, President of the London School of TheologyTable of ContentsContentsAcknowledgments 9Preface 11Introduction: Who Says the Church is Dying? 131. Green Shoots 272. There’s Life in the Old Dogs Yet 413. Squaring the Circle: Understanding the Figures 554. The Church in Public Life 735. Service and Power 956. Religion and Violence 1097. Who is the Enemy of Progress? 1238. Re-embracing the Church 1439. A Change of Perspective 163Notes 173

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Book SynopsisNew in the popular 9Marks series on healthy church life, Jonathan Leeman offers a short, readable book on why church membership is a critical element in every healthy Christian's maturation.

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Book SynopsisAn authoritative history of the Coptic Papacy from the Ottoman era to the present day, new in paperbackThis third and final volume of The Popes of Egypt series spans the five centuries from the arrival of the Ottomans in 1517 to the present era. Hardly any scholarly work has been written about the Copts during the Ottoman period. Using court, financial, and building records, as well as archives from the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate and monasteries, Magdi Guirguis has reconstructed the authority of the popes and the organization of the Coptic community during this time. He reveals that the popes held complete authority over their flock at the beginning of the Ottoman rule, deciding over questions ranging from marriage and concubines to civil disputes. As the fortunes of Coptic notables rose, they gradually took over the pope’s role and it was not until the time of Muhammad Ali that the popes regained their former authority. In the second part of the book, Nelly van Doorn-Harder analyzes how with the dawning of the modern era in the nineteenth century, the leadership style of the Coptic popes necessarily changed drastically. As Egypt’s social, political, and religious landscape underwent dramatic changes, the Coptic Church experienced a virtual renaissance, and expanded from a local to a global institution. Furthermore she addresses the political, religious, and cultural issues faced by the patriarchs while leading the Coptic community into the twenty-first century.Trade ReviewPraise for The Popes of Egypt series:“Based on serious research . . . . [shows] how the Coptic papacy has survived and served the Church through many difficult periods. In the present uncertain times its resilience will surely help it to fulfil its mission of leading the largest Church in the Middle East.”—Michael L. Fitzgerald, Proche-Orient Chretien“Focusing on some of the most influential leaders, the books trace the social, economic, political, and religious trends they negotiated.”— Nelly van Doorn-Harder, The Montreal Review"Essential reading for historians of ancient Christianity and for all scholars of Coptic Egypt." —David Brakke, Ohio State University on The Early Coptic Papacy"A lucid, meticulous, and highly accessible account of papal institutions in early Egyptian Christianity. . . . A critical read for any student of Christianity in Egypt and the Middle East." —Febe Armanios, author of Coptic Christianity in Ottoman Egypt on The Early Coptic Papacy“An excellent introduction to its subject and the relevant literature.”— Christopher van der Krogt, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517"Reading this well-researched and beautifully produced book is both sobering and encouraging."— Michael L. Fitzgerald OBE, on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517“A comprehensive yet very readable review of the history of the Coptic leadership in the Middle Ages.”— David D. Grafton, International Bulletin of Missionary Research, on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517“Extremely useful”— Alastair Hamilton, Church History and Religious Culture on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517“Magdi Guirguis is one of the very few scholars who has actually tackled the archives of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate and of the Dar al-Warth’iq al-Qawmiyya in Cairo and has consequently produced a series of excellent studies in which he breaks entirely new ground.”— Alastair Hamilton, The International Journal of Middle East Studies on The Emergence of the Modern Coptic Papacy"Substantiates the Coptic Church as a subject in religious studies with its own history worthy of study." —Midwest Book ReviewTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Editors’ Preface Technical Notes Part One The Coptic Papacy under Ottoman Rule (1517–1798)Magdi GuirguisIntroduction 1. Exercising Authority: Patriarchs and Public Policy (Pope John XIII to Pope Matthew III, 1484–1646)2. Contesting Authority: Patriarchs and Coptic Notables (Pope Mark VI to Pope Mark VIII, 1646–1798)Part Two The Modern Coptic Papacy (1798–2011)Nelly van Doorn-HarderIntroduction 3. Preparing for Reformation (Pope Mark VIII, 1797–1809; Pope Peter VII, 1809–52)4. Educating Egypt (Pope Cyril (Kyrillos) IV, 1854–61; Pope Demetrius II, 1862–70)5. Redefining Authority (Pope Cyril (Kyrillos) V, 1874–1927)6. Leading in the Midst of Political Change (Pope John XIX, 1928–42; Pope Macarius III, 1944–45; Pope Yusab II, 1946–56)7. Reviving Tradition, Reviving the Church (Pope Cyril (Kyrillos) VI, 1959–71)8. Negotiating Political Landscapes (Pope Shenouda III, 1971–)9. Reforming the Church for the Twenty-first Century (Pope Shenouda III, 1971–)Works Cited: Primary Sources Works Cited: Secondary SourcesNotes Index

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Book SynopsisAre churches looking for the wrong kind of leaders? The last decade has witnessed a rising number of churches wrecked by spiritual abuse--harsh, heavy-handed, domineering behavior from those in a position of spiritual authority. And high-profile cases are only a small portion of this widespread problem. Behind the scenes are many more cases of spiritual abuse that we will never hear about. Victims suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn.Of course, most pastors and leaders are godly, wonderful people who don''t abuse their sheep. They shepherd their flocks gently and patiently. But we can''t ignore the growing number who do not. We have tolerated and even celebrated the kind of leaders Jesus warned us against.We need gentle shepherds now more than ever, and in Bully Pulpit, seminary president and biblical scholar Michael J. Kruger offers a unique perspective for both church leaders and church members on the problem of spiritual abuse, how Trade Review'I have been waiting for a book like this that I can assign for my seminary courses on abuse. Michael has brought much needed clarity and wisdom to the devastating reality of spiritual abuse. Michael's perspective as a Bible scholar and seminary president is invaluable. He brings church leaders face-to-face with the destruction abusers cause. He does this to help us take spiritual abuse seriously, to foster the motivation to enact real change, and to fill us with compassion for those who suffer from abusive 'leaders.'' * Justin S. Holcomb, Episcopal priest, seminary professor, and coauthor of God Made All of Me *'Learned and wise, urgent and timely, biblical and hopeful--this book deals with a sensitive topic with enormous skill and care. I can think of no better book on the subject and hope it will be read widely.' * Sam Allberry, pastor and author of Why Bother with Church? *'Michael has written a courageous book for such a time as this. I pray he is a prophet who is accepted and welcomed in his own country, particularly within a Reformed and Presbyterian community not immune to this pervasive plague within the church.?' * Rev. Chuck DeGroat, PhD, professor of pastoral care and Christian spirituality at Western Theological Seminary *'Spiritual abuse is one of the greatest stains on the bride of Christ today. Too few with pulpits and platforms are willing to recognize the basic truths that Michael Kruger addresses clearly, convincingly, and biblically. I thought Bully Pulpit would be a book every pastor and Christian leader ought to read. But I changed my mind: every Christian from pulpit to pew needs to read this wise and timely work--for the sake of the church and her people.' * Karen Swallow Prior, research professor of English and Christianity & Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of On Reading Well *'The apostle Paul tells us the overseer of God's people is not to be a bully, but gentle (1 Tim. 3:3, CSB), and yet we too often overlook significant character issues or actions that should be disqualifying for ministry because of how God seems to be using an individual or growing a church. Bully Pulpit provides wise and measured reflections on the reality of shepherds who reject Christ's vision of leadership and leave spiritual destruction in the wake of their sin. I hope this important book prompts serious discussion among God's people.' * Trevin Wax, vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board and visiting professor at Cedarville University, author of The Thrill of Orthodoxy *'The topic of spiritual abuse needs careful attention and sober reflection, so I'm thankful for this thoughtful, wise, and biblical book. Dr. Kruger provides helpful clarity on a controversial subject while courageously cautioning ministry leaders about the kind of leadership that doesn't reflect the heart of Christ. Anyone who serves the spiritual needs of people should read this timely book.' * Mark Vroegop, lead pastor of College Park Church and author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy *'This book is not a reaction but a response. Reactions to spiritual abuse are understandably passionate, but often without constructive insight. Dr. Kruger responds with both passion and constructive insight into both how leadership dynamics often deny the character of our Lord Jesus and how building new dynamics will put that very character on vibrant display.' * Jeremy Pierre, Lawrence & Charlotte Hoover Professor of Biblical Counseling Chair, Department of Biblical Counseling and Family Ministry at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of When Home Hurts *'While exposing spiritual abuse has become commonplace in American Christianity, few offer constructive solutions or practical wisdom. In this book Michael Kruger diagnoses the problem of spiritual abuse, describes what it is (and is not), and equips leaders to prevent abuse as well as respond appropriately when it happens. I hope every pastor reads this book and that it leads to faithfully representing our Lord, who used his power to serve.' * Jeremy Treat, pastor for preaching and vision at Reality LA and author of Seek First *'Who would ever have thought we would reach a point in the life of the church where the adjective bully would modify the noun pulpit? Yet, sadly, we have arrived. This book is both urgent and timely, as the presence of domineering and abusive church leaders continues to make headlines. This book is not only for pastors and elders but should be read by all Christians who care about the life and health of the body of Christ. I highly recommend it.' * Sam Storms, lead pastor for preaching and vision at Bridgeway Church and author of Understanding Spiritual Gifts *'With prophetic courage and pastoral compassion, Mike Kruger has written an important book on a difficult subject. No one likes to think or talk about spiritual abuse, especially in the church, but if we neglect and ignore this very real problem and don't find the right ways to confront it, woe to us. So if you're a church leader who wants to shepherd the precious flock of God in the paradigm, pattern, and posture of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, pick up this must-read book, then listen and learn.' * Julius J. Kim, PhD, president of the Gospel Coalition *

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Book SynopsisA Close Look at What It Takes to Create an Irresistible Church.This isn''t a book about how to make your church bigger. This is a book about how to make your church more appealing to the people who don’t usually—or have never—gone to church.Deep and Wide provides church leaders with an in-depth look into North Point Community Church and its strategies, its goals, its methods, and its story. You''ll learn how to create a church that unchurched people absolutely love to attend. Pastor Andy Stanley explains: His strategy for preaching and programming to both mature believers and skeptics. North Point''s spiritual formation model: The Five Faith Catalysts. Three essential ingredients for creating irresistible environments. How to tackle the challenge of transitioning a local congregation.  Updated & Expanded edition includes discussion guide, church staffTrade Review'Couldn't be prouder of my son, Andy. And I couldn't be more excited about the content of this book. I wish a resource like this existed when I was starting out in ministry.' * Dr. Charles Stanley, Founder, In Touch Ministries *'Deep and Wide pulls back the curtain for all of us to see what is required behind the scenes to build a prevailing church. I was both challenged and inspired by this book.' * Bill Hybels, Author of Just Walk Across the Room *'It is completely false that churches must sacrifice quality to get quantity, must artificially choose between evangelism and discipleship, or cannot have depth and growth at the same time. Few prove this fact better than the ministry of Andy Stanley, who has grown North Point Community Church on purpose and with passion. No Christian leader can afford to miss this book.' * Rick Warren, pastor, Saddleback Church; author, The Purpose Driven Church *'The most common question I get from pastors is, 'How do I get the people in my church to be open to change?' From now on my answer will be, 'Read Deep and Wide by Andy Stanley.' Thanks Andy. Great book!' * Craig Groeschel, Pastor, LifeChurch.TV, Author, It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It *

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Book SynopsisUnderstanding Christian Leadership offers an examination of a distinctly Christian understanding of leadership offering a critical appraisal of insights from secular theories of leadership, exploring biblical and other theological insights into the nature and practice of leadership. Whilst arguing for a form of leadership which is widely dispersed and collaborative, the book seeks to explain the distinctive role of leaders within such a leadership economy. It also seeks to establish a proper relationship between sacred and secular leadership thinking, tackling some of the common philosophical and theological reservations to do with leadership discourse, whilst offering a critical framework for discerning the suitability for the Church of different sources of leadership thinking. Designed as core reading for leadership modules currently taught by the author across a large number of training contexts in the UK, this book is an indispensable text for those taking undergraduate or postgTrade Review“This is a significant and very spiritual contribution to our thinking about leadership: distinctively Christian, deeply rooted in the reality of local churches, and definitely life-giving!” -- Paul Harcourt, National Leader, New Wine England"Comprehensive, Biblically rooted, and grounded in practical experience, this is a book that all Christian leaders will want to have on their shelves. It faces the leadership task with wisdom, honesty and reflection on the whole-life character of Christian leadership in a way that will inspire and challenge, whether you are just setting out as a leader or have been leading for many years." -- Emma Ineson, Bishop of PenrithTable of ContentsAcknowledgements ix Foreword by the Most Reverend Justin Welby xi Introduction: Not Another Book on Leadership?! xiii Part 1 Understanding Leadership 1 Desiring Leadership: Why Leadership Matters 3 2 Defining Leadership 24 3 Leadership in the Christian Tradition I: Leadership in the Old Testament 58 4 Leadership in the Christian Tradition II: Leadership in the New Testament 77 5 Distrusting Leadership: Critical Reflection on the Practice of Leadership 111 Part 2 The Work of Leadership 6 Leadership and Organizational Culture 141 7 Animating the Body: Growing and Developing Others 164 8 Fostering Collaboration 192 9 Discerning Direction: Leadership and Vision 219 10 The Spirituality of Christian Leadership 251 References and Further Reading 262 Index of Biblical References 269 Index of Names and Subjects 272

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Book SynopsisGod intends for all of us to contribute to the mission of the local church and experience profound spiritual growth as a result. This book shows church members, pastors, and leaders what a healthy church member looks like.

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Book SynopsisSound doctrine is the life-blood of God's people, providing the foundation for the church's unity and witness. This short, readable book speaks to the importance of good theology for godly living. Part of the 9Marks Building Healthy Churches series.

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Book SynopsisIn this short book, Sam Emadi explains that church organization isn't just transactional; it's meant to be transformative. He describes how churches should reflect biblical authority, particularly members' responsibilities to one another, their elders, and deacons.

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Book SynopsisEryl Davies’ short guide to mentoring answers all the most common questions people have about being a mentor. Including the biblical examples of Jesus and Paul, Davies shows how a mentoring relationship is a close, real–life relationship that can supply us with the wisdom and encouragement we need. A mentor helps to apply biblical wisdom to family and work tensions, suffering, disappointments, difficult choices, bereavement, personal development, spiritual growth. Davies also includes testimonies from a number of people who have been mentored and are mentoring others, application questions to consider at the end of each chapter, as well as a reading list to examine how other Christians have actively mentored others. Trade ReviewThough largely unseen and likely under–utilised, mentoring is a highly valuable ministry. It is warmly explained and commended by Eryl and exemplified by those he gives voice to in this very helpful book. -- Jonny Raine (Minister, Pontrhydyrun Baptist Church, Wales & Editor, Evangelical Magazine )This is a helpful introduction and encouragement to form healthy mentoring relationships. The combination of biblical teaching and personal testimonies from a wide variety of contexts, provides a firm foundation from which to flourish. -- Jonathan Thomas (Pastor, Cornerstone Church, Abergavenny, Wales; author, ‘Intentional Interruptions: Learning to be Interrupted the Way God Intended’)This is an essential book for those who want to deliberately invest in the spiritual development of other believers. -- Paul Pease (Pastor, Hook Evangelical Church, Surbiton, London)This book is authentic and is the fruit of a lifetime Dr Davies has spent mentoring others, including myself. I was left challenged to deepen my faith, encouraged to mentor others, and equipped with how to do so well. Highly recommended. -- Laura Sanlon (Latin Link and Lausanne Europe)… Davies advocates prayer–driven, self–sacrificial, personal investment. The spiritual power of this model can be traced to a simple principle – it calls on mentors to be Christ–like so that their mentees can grow in Christ–likeness. -- Ben Fiddian (Pastor, Bonar Bridge and Lairg Free Church, Scotland)In our day of social media ‘influencers’ (many inexperienced and undignified), Davies pulls us back to Christian influencing in and for the sake holiness, wisdom, character and experience. Written by a true mentor, Davies practically models what he writes; chiefly as he calls us to listen to others as the Lord Jesus did. This book is an inspirational demonstration of the power of mentoring in the life of the Church. -- Natalie Brand (Bible teacher and author of ‘Priscilla, Where Are You? A Call to Joyful Theology’)Writing out of his own experience and out of the experience of many other Christians whose stories are shared in this book, Dr Davies encourages us to consider whether the Lord may be calling us to a mentoring role, whether in our own local community, or in the broader life of the Christian Church today. -- Hector Morrison (Principal, Highland Theological College, Dingwall)

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Book SynopsisInside the disciplined mind of John Stott Like many preachers, the great British evangelical leader John Stott was always looking for illustrations to include in his sermons and writings. Beginning in the 1940s and continuing until the early 2000s, when he came across something he thought he could use, he captured it on a note card, labeled it according to topic, and filed it away in his study. Editor Mark Meynell, who worked at All Souls Langham Place with Stott, has selected the best of these illustrations to be included in Pages from a Preacher's Notebook. Here we see Stott's fruitful and disciplined mind on display in hundreds of preaching notes and prayers on various subjects, all arranged topically. Whether you are a preacher or writer looking for a good idea, or an admirer of Stott who enjoys reading anything he writes, Pages from a Preacher's Notebook illuminates his careful working methods for the benefit of readers today.

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Book SynopsisDeals with all aspects of the role and responsibility of being a Churchwarden. The aim of this book is to encourage Churchwardens to approach their role with confidence, and with the knowledge that much can be achieved in their term of office. The C of E has 30,000 churchwardens, of which several thousand are elected for the first time every year. “Churchwardens are the great unsung heroes of the Church of England” says the Rt Rev Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, in his foreword to this book. “The great strength of Matthew Clements’ writing is that he sets the sometimes dry duties and responsibilities of wardenship within the warm context of human lives lived joyously and devotedly in the service of Christ and his beloved Church. All will find in this book practical wisdom, shrewd commonsense and indefatigable commitment to a noble cause.” The role of the churchwarden in the Anglican Church has not changed much over the years, although perhaps the respectability and authority of the role has diminished. It is a responsible and important role which, if done conscientiously, will augment the efforts of the clergy and encourage the congregation, thus strengthening the Body of the church. This book is for all current churchwardens as well as all those (sometimes reluctant) volunteers who are considering the possibility of becoming churchwardens in the future. Additionally, it will be useful for anyone else in the church who is able to admit to themselves that they don’t really know what the churchwarden actually does. Told with gentle humour based on solid experience and pragmatism, Matthew Clements details the extensive boundaries of a churchwarden’s responsibilities and gives many examples from his own experience of just what the job can entail. There are many pitfalls that await the unwary, and there are many joys as well.

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Book SynopsisA bestselling Catholic author pens this deeply personal introduction to the biblical theology and spirituality of Opus Dei, a highly secretive and powerful international organization. Hahn, a member of Opus Dei, describes the organization's founding, its mission, and its profound influence on his life.

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Book SynopsisThe history of the Episcopal Church is intimately bound up with the history of empire. The two grew in tandem in the modern era, and as they grew they developed particular ideologies and practices around race. As slavery was carried over into the new political formations of the United States, so too were racially based exclusions carried over in the Episcopal Church. Mission, Race, and Empire presents a new history of the Episcopal Church from its origins in the early British Empire up to the present, told through the lenses of empire and race. The book demonstrates the dramatic shifts within the Episcopal Church, from initial colonial violence to reflective self-critique. Jennifer Snow centers the stories of groups and individuals that have often been sidelined, including Native Americans, Black Americans, Asian Americans, women, and LGBTQ people, as well as the institutional leaders who sought to create, or fought against, a church that desired to be a house of prayer for all people.Trade ReviewHighly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals. * Choice *Table of ContentsIntroduction Section I Overview Chapter 1: Original Empire Chapter 2: Converting the Colony Chapter 3: A Conventional Religion Section II Overview Chapter 4: The Great Innovation Chapter 5: Slavery and Anti-Slavery Chapter 6: From Sea to Shining Sea Chapter 7: Exile and Education Chapter 8: Emancipation and Exodus Chapter 9: Westward the Course of Empire Section III Overview Chapter 10: Mission to the World Chapter 11: Turning Inward Chapter 12: Missio Dei Chapter 13: The Church for Others Chapter 14: Sexuality and Schism Conclusion Index

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Book SynopsisA timely critique of Milbank's theology of welfare and its influence on policy inside and outside the Church of England.Trade ReviewIn this wide-ranging book that does not shy away from bold policy suggestions, Joseph Forde offers a detailed exposition and critique of John Milbank, and a profound reflection on the Church's response to the reshaping of the Welfare State after the financial crash of 2008. Forde's lively and provocative book will stimulate all those who are interested in the Church's involvement with rebuilding society. Mark D. Chapman, Professor of the History of Modern Theology, University of Oxford An accessible, balanced and compelling account of recent theological and political history. Dr Forde recalls how John Milbank and Radical Orthodoxy re-connected Anglican social thought and political policy in ways not seen since the 1980s, but also outlines the challenge the Church of England now faces to think beyond the Blue Labour/Big Society paradigm to a theology of the State that can meet existential social threats such as climate emergency, growing poverty and global pandemics. Chris Baker, William Temple Professor of Religion, Belief and Public Life at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Director of Research at the William Temple Foundation John Milbank's influential political theology has played an important part in the current renewal of Anglican Social Theology. Forde expertly locates Milbank's work, scholarly and journalistic, in this Anglican tradition and assesses its contribution to debates on the 'Big Society' and the future of welfare. Anyone interested in Anglican Social Theology, Blue Labour, and the contribution of theology to public life will benefit from reading this book. Peter Scott, Samuel Ferguson Professor of Applied Theology and Director of the Lincoln Theological Institute, University of Manchester How does the Church, as well as thousands of voluntary agencies work alongside government to create a just, fair and compassionate society? This book puts this important question in a much larger historical and theological timeframe. It is a must-read for all interested in such concerns for the welfare of all our fellow citizens. Adrian Alker, Progressive Christianity Network, 5th July 2022 This book, the outcome of doctoral research by Joe Forde, is a substantial contribution to the study of the Church of England's attitude to welfare provision over the last hundred years. John Schofield, Centre for Radical Christianity Online, July 2022 The book draws on a remarkably wide range of sources and contains many wise reflections on a subject dear to my heart - the role of the Church in relation to poverty, inequality and welfare...I recommend Joe's book as shedding much fascinating light on the role of Church and state in our society today. David Price, Mark's Messenger - The Parish Magazine of St Mark's Church, July 2022 The book is a thorough going examination of the Church of England's approach to welfare, historically and, more specifically, since 2010... It is good and worth reading. But don't take my word for it. Ian K. Duffield, in Urban Theology Union newsletter, Autumn 2022 Forde has produced an extremely helpful and readable book which offers an excellent provocation for a return to a Temple-like advocacy of welfare statism. Forde's argument will help those from different strands of Anglican social thought to interrogate and clarify their position Revd Dr Matt Bullimore, in Modern Believing, Volume 64, Number 3Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Part 1: Locating John Milbank's Thinking on Welfare and the Church within the Anglican Socialist Tradition 1. Three Anglican Socialist Strands: Welfare Statist, Christendom, Revolutionist 2. Anglican Socialism and the Rise and Fall of the British Welfare State Consensus Part 2: John Milbank's Blue Socialist Thinking and His Perspective on the British Welfare State 3. John Milbank Writing in the Christendom Strand 4. John Milbank's Thinking on Welfare and the Church of England's Role in its Provision since 1945 Part 3: John Milbank, the 'Big Society' Project and the Church of England 5. The 'Big Society' Project and the Church of England: An Analysis of the Influences that Shaped GS1804 6. John Milbank and the Church of England's Future Approach to Welfare Conclusion Epilogue Appendix 1: GS1804: 'The Big Society' and the Church of England Appendix 2: List of Questions Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAn innovative analysis of the role of the Church in the political disputes of Queen Anne's reignTrade ReviewRender Unto Caesar is a remarkable study of the religious politics of the reign of Queen Anne, rooted in a profound knowledge of manuscript sources. Barry Levis has revealed how central the Church was to the period of 'the rage of Party'. It is further evidence that the Church was a source of passionate controversy in the early eighteenth century. William Gibson, Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Oxford Brookes University. Using an impressive range of archival and printed sources, Levis details the high politics of ecclesiastical policy politics in the early eighteenth century. Render Unto Caesar offers a reliable guide to the complex debates about the relationship between church and state in post-revolutionary England. Brian Cowan, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Early Modern British History, McGill University'. R.B. Levis grounds this first deep-dive regnal analytical narrative of Queen Anne's struggle to rule with moderation in a thorough exploitation of the extant sources, making especially effective use of the surviving fragments of the diary and correspondence of Anne's figurative confessor, the embattled Anglican moderate John Sharp, Archbishop of York. The result is a definitive study of Church-State politics for Anne's reign for our times and, one anticipates, for many years to come. R.O. Bucholz, Professor of History, Loyola University ChicagoTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction 1. Prologue, 1698-1702 2. The Tory Ascendancy, 1702-4 3. The Shifting Balance of Power, 1705-6 4. Strife in the North: A Case Study of Local Ecclesiastical Politics 5. The Whig Supremacy, 1706-9 6. The Sacheverell Trial, 1709-10 7. The Return of the Tories, 1710-14 8. Epilogue Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA clear and compelling discussion of how the church can better reach, support and champion black congregation membersTrade ReviewBen Lindsay’s book is a must-read for the UK church. He is lucid, punchy and deeply honest about the issue of racism in the UK today, and in the UK church. It is my prayer that we heed this call and respond together to the mandate to challenge discrimination in all its forms. -- Justin Welby, Archbishop of CanterburyThis is one of the most important books to be written in recent years and is essential reading for every Christian and especially every church leader in the UK. Ben puts on speakerphone the voices of people of colour which are often whispered or silent and invites us to listen. -- Selina Stone, Lecturer in Political Theology, St Mellitus CollegeThoughtful and well considered, Ben Lindsay tackles the space where race, religion, and culture intersect, in a book that is both insightful and relatable at once. -- Chimene Suleyman, The Good Immigrant USA co-editor, The Good Immigrant contributorToo often Christians have assumed that being colour blind is the best way to approach race and ethnicity in the church. Ben Lindsay’s compelling book opens our eyes to this naivety and challenges us to be willing to have a more serious conversation. At this critical moment in our national life where race, immigration and the UK’s relationship with the world is being negotiated, this important and timely book needs to be read, discussed and acted upon. -- Dr Krish Kandiah: Founding Director: Home for Good, author of God is StrangerBen Lindsay's book is a fascinating eye-opener around history and representation in the church. Ben shines a light on the struggle with being a black Christian and being black in a majority white church with sensitivity, fact and practical strategies to bring churches into the modern day conversation. A must read. -- Jasmine Dotiwala, Head of Youth Engagement, Media TrustBen Lindsay challenges Christians racialised as white to consider the legacies of white privilege in the contemporary church. Serious engagement with the contents of the book demand radical action in the composition of leadership, persistent Christian anti-racist practice, and exorcism from the demon of 'colour blindness.’ -- Robert Beckford, Professor of Theology, Canterbury Christ Church University.I am a black British born man and not only does Ben articulate the subject which is so personal to me, he is also fearless and faces it head on in this book by stating the obvious issues around race, colour and matters that are big in the wider church. -- Noel Robinson, Musician and Worship LeaderThis book should be read by all in senior leadership and those involved in theological education. Until this issue is addressed head on in the church and young black people are able to see visible images of themselves in senior leadership within the church, then the church’s mission will be seriously damaged and impeded. I will be telling lots of people about this book as it is more than an excellent read – it is geared for action. -- The Revd Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of CommonsDelivered with a perfect balance of truth and grace, this book will open the eyes of many. As a young black man navigating in a predominantly white world, this book is a timely weapon of wisdom and a game-changer. -- Guvna B, rap artist and author of Unpopular CultureBen Lindsay says we need to talk about race, and he's right. Through an impressive synthesis of Scripture, history, literature, pop culture, sociology and personal narrative, Ben invites us to have a much-needed conversation, and gives us a host of resources to help us. Provocative, frank and often challenging, this is also a pastoral and very human book, with insights to consider on virtually every page. -- Andrew Wilson, Teaching Pastor, King's Church LondonBen is a rarity. In his book he tackles some of the difficult issues that relate to race, such as white privilege and colour blindness. Through the careful use of life stories Ben highlights the perennial challenges faced by people of colour in predominately white churches and suggests possible ways in which such ongoing negative experiences can be addressed by the church. This is an excellent book. If churches can read this book with the openness it calls for, it can, over time, become a game changer for so many churches engaged in the complex world of building a ‘church for all nations.’ -- Wale Hudson Roberts, Baptist Union of Great Britain's first Racial Justice Co-ordinatorThis book reminds us and also challenges us to keep the conversation open about individual experiences, fears and deep concerns regarding race. I believe the church has come a long way but it has much further to go. This book will help in that process. -- Les Isaac, Co-founder of Street Pastors

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Book SynopsisA vision of church partnerships that will elevate churches to greater gospel fruitfulness and enable them to thrive.Networked churches are the primary church planting force in evangelicalism today—but what makes them so effective, why do they remain so under-appreciated, and what are the common pitfalls that can ensnare them?In Stronger Together, veteran church planter and pastor Dave Harvey draws from his experiences and study of networks to walk Christian institutions, church leaders, and planters through tested strategies for starting and sustaining healthy and biblical church partnerships.By focusing on key virtues and shedding light on the pitfalls that oppose them, Harvey unpacks seven dichotomies that offer a practical roadmap to healthy patterns: Conviction vs. consumerism Gifted leadership vs. isolationism Collaboration vs. radical individualism Renewal dynamics vs. institutionalism Trade Review'A timely and essential resource, Stronger Together gives you the heart and the strategy for starting and sustaining church networks. If you're a church leader--especially one who longs for a regional or city movement--this book is your go-to guide for humbly leading and stewarding church networks.' * Daniel Yang, director, Church Multiplication Institute *'As the leader of Acts 29, I am entirely convinced of the value of churches in partnership together, which is why I'm thrilled by the message of Stronger Together. This excellent resource is a model for choosing and thriving in church partnerships, and I commend this book to you.' * Brian Howard, executive director, Acts 29 *'Collaboration is a necessity for the fulfillment and completion of the Great Commission. Dave Harvey does a brilliant job reminding us that the mission is larger than any one church, network, or denomination. If we long to see true kingdom movement happen, relational networks outside of our tribe will be needed to ignite the fire. Stronger Together will help light the match.' * Will Plitt, executive director, Christ Together *'Dave Harvey draws on several decades of pastoral ministry, network leadership, and the teaching of the New Testament to coach us into a more collegial and fruitful way of leading--linking arms with other churches and watching the gospel surge forward more effectively than any single church could ever experience.' * Dane Ortlund, senior pastor, Naperville Presbyterian Church, and author of Gentle and Lowly *'Dave Harvey has gifted us with a humility-nurturing, Christ-accentuating, strengthening work for church and network leaders and pastors. His personal journey brings a gospel-soaked wisdom and a compelling vision for the issue of why churches are 'stronger together' in following Christ in his Great Commission.' * Sean Cordell, executive director, Treasuring Christ Together church planting network *'Dave Harvey provides a clear and compelling argument for the necessity of church planting networks to satisfy the Great Commission call. But he does so without diminishing the role of the local church. The wisdom displayed here will save many pastors and network leaders from falling into serious mistakes, including the growing tragedy of self-idolatry.' * Zach Nelson, executive director, The Pillar Network *'Dave Harvey writes with honest vulnerability and gospel centrality. Stronger Together will lead you toward an interdependent team approach in ministry. We all want that, but our self-serving habits are hard to break. I couldn't put the book down because of my passion for this kind of partnership in the gospel.' * Scott Thomas, executive pastor of church multiplication, Immanuel Nashville, and author of The Gospel-Shaped Leader *'God is honored by collaboration, and that's why I'm excited to recommend Stronger Together. Dave Harvey makes a strong biblical case for gospel partnership and collaboration, and he identifies the benefits of church partnerships and how networks can help the church produce more fruit. If you are passionate about Jesus and long to see greater impact on gospel outreach, read this book.' * Patrick O’Connell, global director, NewThing *'Grounded in Scripture and filled with examples and exercises, Stronger Together is essential reading for network leaders who want to lead more effectively, pastors who want to develop or deepen partnerships, and church members who want to understand how networks can strengthen church leaders and multiply church impact.' * Dave Owens, executive director, Harbor Network *'If we're blessed to see revival in our churches, I bet it will look a lot like the beautiful vision of partnership laid out by Dave Harvey. I encourage your church's leaders to work through this book together and trust God to develop a vision for growing stronger together.' * Collin Hansen, vice president of content and editor-in-chief of The Gospel Coalition *'In this masterwork, Dave Harvey makes a clear and compelling case for the necessity and power of gospel-centered partnerships among churches for the advancement of God's kingdom. If you pray, 'Your kingdom come,' this book will help you better understand how God wants to use you to be part of his answer to that prayer.' * Bob Lepine, teaching pastor, author of Love Like You Mean It, longtime cohost of FamilyLife Today *'No one I know is better qualified to write a book about gospel partnership than Dave Harvey. Dave has experienced firsthand the incredible missional benefits of cooperation and the difficult challenges associated with Christian cooperation. Stronger Together offers a thoughtful, biblical, and balanced case for partnerships that every pastor should read.' * Clint Clifton, founder, Praetorian Project, and author of Church Planting Thresholds *'Partnerships plant churches! I loved reading Stronger Together and being reminded that our mission as a church is more effective when we work together. If your heart beats for churches that are stronger together, you'll want to read this book.' * Chad Clarkson, executive director, Houston Church Planting Network *'Rarely will you find a book whose questions leave you reflecting for days on end, where the applications are so practical you can apply them immediately and the principles so clear that you find your biblical conviction renewed and passion reinvigorated. Stronger Together is one of those rare books.' * Dhati Lewis, founder and president, MyBLVD, and lead pastor, Blueprint Church *'Read carefully, examine yourself willingly, confess openly, and learn humbly because here is mature, gospel-rich, battle-formed ministry wisdom. In a season when the culture's individualism has tragically infected and weakened the church, this call to partnership in gospel ministry is an essential commitment that every pastor or leader needs to make.' * Paul David Tripp, pastor and author of Lead *'Striking a perfect balance between the practical and the ideal, Dave Harvey offers us a vision for collaboration that is rooted in Scripture and that reaches for the blue sky of the kingdom. This is the conversation and these are the tools we most need for the future of the church.' * Brian Sanders, founder, Underground Network, and author of Underground Church *'Stronger Together is an exceptional work on the partnership of churches in multiplication. I appreciated the virtue-vice structure of the book, which made it easy to digest and apply. Everyone interested in or actively involved in church planting should read this book as a resource for ensuring that our collaborations are healthy and helpful.' * Clayton Greene, director, Summit Collaborative *'Stronger Together makes a compelling biblical case for the necessity of collaborative gospel partnerships in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. This book is clearly the fruit of many years in the cauldron of learning and losses that produce practical wisdom. I'm grateful for Dave Harvey's humble and helpful counsel that prompts us to create strong, healthy networks for gospel saturation.' * Jeff Vanderstelt, founding leader of Saturate and the Soma Family of Churches and author of Gospel Fluency *'Stronger Together provides the rare opportunity to enter conversation with a seasoned leader who cares deeply about your calling and loves the gospel. Dave Harvey's words are wise, clear, and humble; they are biblically grounded and culturally astute. You will find empowering grace here.' * Zack Eswine, pastor, Riverside Church, and author of Imperfect Pastor *'This work from Dave Harvey provides a way for you to discover your position on the network matrix and to examine each quadrant's strengths and weaknesses. A book that celebrates virtue and warns against vices, Stronger Together will strengthen partnerships for kingdom advance across the country and around the world.' * Trevin Wax, author, The Thrill of Orthodoxy *'While many people long for unity in the church, Dave Harvey offers us a smartly written textbook on biblical collaboration. He speaks from years of experience as a network leader to offer us a field-tested guide for how to make networks work. If you believe that Jesus' prayer in John 17 was not just inspirational but also mission-critical, read Stronger Together and begin to live it out.' * Dave Ferguson, lead pastor, Community Christian Church, and author of B.L.E.S.S. *

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Book SynopsisWe are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in US history. It is greater than the First and Second Great Awakening and every revival in our country combined...but in the opposite direction. Yet precious little rigorous study has been done on the broad phenomenon of dechurching in America. Jim Davis and Michael Graham have commissioned the largest and most comprehensive study of dechurching in America by renowned sociologists Dr. Ryan Burge and Dr. Paul Djupe.The Great Dechurching takes the insights gleaned from this study to drill down on how exactly people are dechurching with respect to beliefs, behavior, and belonging.This book gives the church in America its first ever deep dive into the dechurched phenomenon. You''ll learn about the dechurched through a detailed sketch of demographics, size, core concerns, church off-ramps, historical roots, and the gravity of what is at stake. Then you''ll explore whTrade Review'Few things break my heart like watching friends leave the church behind. The Great Dechurching starts with bad news: I'm not alone. But there's still hope. Using insights drawn from Jim Davis and Michael Graham's writing, we've welcomed hundreds of dechurched people into our local church community, where they can encounter Jesus and construct life-changing relationships.' * Patrick Miller, pastor, author, and cohost of Truth over Tribe *'In The Great Dechurching, Jim Davis and Michael Graham with researcher Ryan Burge do just that, and their diagnosis is generally not encouraging. But the book does far more than offer an empirical diagnosis. They offer a plan of care for the church that can lead to renewed life in our churches, the return of many dechurched, and a greater gospel impact in our world. ' * Ed Stetzer, PhD, professor and dean, Talbot School of Theology *'Many Christian leaders and commentators have commented on trends in American church life. All of them will find something in The Great Dechurching that surprises them. But the appeal of this book isn't just bound up in the data it shares, as valuable as that is. Graham and Davis offer much in the way of shrewd analysis of the data and sober reflection on what it means for the life of the church in America. That analysis and reflection both elevate the book and offer to followers of Jesus a vision for how the next chapter of the Christian movement in America can be better than the one now coming to a close.' * Jake Meador, editor-in-chief, Mere Orthodoxy *'If you know someone who used to go to church and now doesn't, this book is for you. Jim Davis and Michael Graham have written a timely, necessary, and extremely beneficial resource that will compel and prepare those of us in the church to reach out to those who have left. The Great Dechurching is full of robust research that offers real hope and true help. This might be one of the most significant books you will read. May God use it to call many back to his beloved bride, the church.' * Courtney Doctor, director of women’s initiatives at The Gospel Coalition, Bible teacher, and author of From Garden to Glory, In View of God’s Mercies, and others *'Every church leader--either lay leader or ordained--needs to read this book to understand who is leaving churches, why they are leaving, and what it will take to bring them back. The Great Dechurching overflows with practical wisdom about the sobering reality of dechurching. While there is top level assessment of the numbers, the heart of the book is about people we all know and love. I am giving copies of this book to the clergy in the diocese where I serve, and I will assign it for the seminary courses I teach.' * Justin S. Holcomb, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, seminary professor, and author *'This book is a clarion call, but it is not without hope or counsel. Instead of the mere pragmatism that often characterizes projects like this, the authors offer theological, confessional, and catechetical recommendations with ecclesiological convictions. The reader will still have to do the hard work of application to his or her own situation, but the reflection and action this book will spark could be significant. God is always up to something in moments like this, and we want to respond in wisdom and faithfulness to be instruments for his good purposes. * Ligon Duncan, chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary *

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Book SynopsisWith nearly fifty years combined global church-planting experience, Craig Ott and Gene Wilson are well qualified to write a comprehensive, up-to-date guide for cross-cultural church planting. Combining substantive biblical principles and missiological understanding with practical insights, this book walks readers through the various models and development phases of church planting. Advocating methods that lead to church multiplication, the authors emphasize the role of the missionary church planter. They offer helpful reflection on current trends and provide best practices gathered from research and empirical findings around the globe. The book takes up a number of special issues not addressed in most church planting books, such as use of short-term teams, partnerships, and wise use of resources. Full of case studies and real examples from around the world, this practical text will benefit students, church planters, missionaries, and missional church readers.Table of ContentsContentsPrologue: The Parable of the Apple TreesPart I: Biblical Foundations1. The Task of Church Planting2. The Reasons for Church Planting3. New Testament BeginningsPart II: Strategic Considerations4. Church Multiplication and Indigenous Church-Planting Movements5. Apostolic Church Planters6. The Shape of the Church7. Pioneer, Reproduction, and Regional Approaches to Church PlantingPart III: Development Phases8. The Developmental Phases of a Church Plant: An Overview9. Preparing, Part 1: Targeting and Commissioning10. Preparing, Part 2: Understanding and Strategizing11. Launching: Evangelism and Discipleship12. Establishing: Congregating and Maturing13. Structuring: Expanding and Empowering14. Reproducing: Strengthening and SendingPart IV: Critical Factors15. The Personal Life of Church Planters16. Church-Planting Teams17. Developing Servants, Leaders, and Planters18. Partnerships and Resources in Church Planting19. Planting Churches with Kingdom ImpactEpilogueWorks CitedIndex

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Book SynopsisHave you ever imagined what it would be like to enter into a business partnership with God? In The 25 Biblical Laws of Partnership with God, William Douglas and Rubens Teixeira reveal that God wants to be a part of not just your spiritual life but your entire life. God wants to participate in your career, your workplace, and the way you do business. The 25 biblical laws offer a spiritual agenda with practical results, providing answers to such questions as - How should a Christian act at work? - If the owner of a company is a follower of the Bible, how should they treat their employees and clients? - Should the products sold or the services rendered by a partner of God be special in any way?In this book, you''ll learn how to build a business partnership with God, changes you can make in your work habits, and the laws you should follow to reap the benefits of your partnership with God and others.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisPart of the 9Marks Healthy Church Study Guide series, this study establishes the biblical basis for church membership and teaches how to be a healthy church member.

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Book SynopsisThis short and accessible booklet helps aspiring pastors and leaders to focus on cultivating a godly desire for ministry, encouraging them to commit to a local church, inform the leaders of their desire for ministry, engage in acts of service, and patiently wait on the Lord.

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Book SynopsisA portable calendar designed for clergy making pastoral visits.In addition to highlighting important dates in the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and civil calendars, this weekly planner also includes resources for pastoral visits drawn from the Book of Common Prayer and other resources. The planner includes ample space for daily annotations, as well as pages for noting addresses, phone numbers, and birthdays.

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Book SynopsisMonasticism is a social and religious phenomenon which originated in antiquity and which still remains relevant in the twenty-first century. But what, exactly, is it, and how is it distinguished from other kinds of religious and non-religious practice?In this Very Short Introduction Stephen J. Davis discusses the history of monasticism, from our earliest evidence for it, and the different types which have developed from antiquity to the present day. He considers where monasteries are located, from East Asia to North America, and everywhere in between, and how their settings impact the everyday life and worldview of the monks and nuns who dwell there. Exploring how monastic communities are organized, he also looks at how aspects of life like food, sleep, sex, work, and prayer are regimented. Finally, Davis discusses what the stories about saints communicate about monastic identity and ethics, and considers what place there is for monasticism in the modern world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Review...excellent... * Patricia Rumsey, Modern Believing *... the book of Stephen J. Davis deserves to be read, understood and used not only by the curious people who want to find more about the approached topic, but also by the specialists in their future scientific enterprises. * Iuliu-Marius Morariu, Studia Monastica *This pocket-size text is concise without sacrificing necessary illustrations, expert but free from pedantry, and skilfully arranged by significant themes. * Patrick Horn, Reading Religion *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; REFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisLeveraging the metaphor Ori Brafman popularized in his NYT best-selling book, The Starfish and the Spider, Wegner, Ford, and Hirsch show why the distributed structures of starfish organizations are uniquely fit to the church. Seeding starfish networks inside today's churches will prepare the church of tomorrow to be agile and effective.Trade Review'A question much on my mind is this: Will there be church in the twenty-first century that matters? This quite remarkable book argues for what is necessary for the recovery, the re-creation, and the reality of Christian faith to make Jesus visible and evident today. Feast on this, and live into God's starfish communion and mission. This would be church that matters!' * Mark Labberton, president of Fuller Theological Seminary *'As a church planter in the West, I often have 'yes, but how?' questions about disciple-making movements and microchurch multiplication. In this book, Rob and Lance have crammed eye-opening insights into every page, along with practical tools for every leader to reimagine the future of the church. If you're passionate about catalyzing every member of your church to effectively help others find their way back to God, get reading.' * Emma Jeffery, regional director of NewThing Western Europe, Soulcity Church, United Kingdom *'If you want to learn the ways of decentralized disciple-making, then this is the book for you. In this manifesto on multiplication, Rob and Lance have laid the groundwork for how to see movement happen. Rob and Lance have proven track records as practitioners. If you want to grow, be challenged, and practice unleashing the potential of raising up leaders, then pick up a copy of The Starfish and the Spirit.' * Myron Pierce, author, lead pastor of Mission Church, founder and president of Every Inner City *'It's been nearly fifteen years since the release of The Starfish and the Spider, a groundbreaking book on the genius of decentralized systems and the limitations of hierarchical command-and-control structures. Now Lance Ford and Rob Wegner take that prism for understanding the patterns and potential of self-organizing systems and apply it to apostolic movements to brilliant effect. I kept asking myself, Why hasn't anyone done this before? But I'm glad no one has. I can't imagine anyone doing it better than these guys.' * Michael Frost, Morling College, Sydney *'Like a cool rain after a decade of drought, The Starfish and the Spirit delivers relief, respite, and a total rethink on what it means to follow Jesus in this remarkable mission field we call life! Bravo to Rob and Lance for following and inviting us to join them.' * Hugh Halter, author of The Tangible Kingdom, FLESH, and Happy Hour *'The Starfish and the Spirit is a handbook for movement making. My friends Rob Wegner and Lance Ford brilliantly offer us a simple and scalable framework that allows the Spirit to move and in so doing turns disciples of Jesus into an unstoppable missional force. If you have a growing sense that God meant more for his church, read this book and discover what's missing!' * Dave Ferguson, lead visionary of NewThing, author of B.L.E.S.S.: 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World *'There is no doubt that the world is changing, and we are in need of voices who not only see the future with hope and imagination but have the courage to live it out in their lives and leadership. Authenticity is key. Fortunately, we've been given just that in the gift of this book. The Starfish and the Spirit is not only a map toward authentic Christian leadership but also a guide for how to live out Jesus-practices, in community, in the brave new world we find ourselves in. With passion, insight, and great verve, Rob Wegner and Lance Ford unpack the operation system of how we currently 'do church' and reconstruct a way forward that will not only inspire you but also call you to action. Get a copy, buy your friends and leadership team a copy, and go on the journey together!' * Doug Paul, author of Ready or Not: Kingdom Innovation for a Brave New World *'This book is a compendium for cutting-edge ideas. Rob and Lance have distilled and curated some of the most important thinking and timely tactics for the church in the twenty-first century. I could recommend twenty good books . . . or you could just read this one.' * Brian Sanders, founder of the Underground Network, author of Microchurches: A Smaller Way *'This book is a game changer. Get this down, and church multiplication becomes easy. I've led starfish churches throughout my adult life. I loved and use Ori Brafman's book, but this one explicitly addresses church leaders and the tensions that keep us from the simplicity of church multiplication. My advice: read The Starfish and the Spirit in concert with your key leaders to unlock a Great Commission future for your team.' * Ralph Moore, Hope Chapel *'Yes! I love how these guys think and how they make me rethink. So incredibly refreshing. And timely too. We better dream and plan and grow in our vision now, because changes are coming, ready or not.' * Brant Hansen, radio host, author of Unoffendable, Blessed Are the Misfits, and The Truth about Us *

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Book SynopsisThis unique collection of translated sources offers a valuable insight into the lives of those who joined, supported and attacked this most fascinating and enigmatic of institutions. This book charts the origins of the Order through to the circumstances of its suppression and dissolution. -- .Table of ContentsForewordPrefaceChronologyNotesMapsHistorical introduction1. Foundation and privileges2. Warfare and politics3. Religions and charitable functions4. Humans and material resources5. Attitudes towards the Templars6. The trialBibliographyIndex

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