Religious ministry and clergy Books

Book SynopsisSmall new Christian communities created by pioneer ministers, both lay and ordained, are popping up everywhere – on housing estates, in community centres, schools, cafes, among different age groups and in numerous other contexts beyond the local church. This practical book is for all who are engaged in this form of ministry and it begins by identifying some basic principles from a wide variety of creative examples of pioneer ministry. Illustrated with actual examples throughout, it explores • how to ‘listen’ to the physical, social and spiritual environment of a local context • how to discern a community’s needs and the appropriate missional response • how to build a creative team • the art of the start – how to begin well • how to build relationships and create community by acts of authentic love • how to become and stay Jesus-centred • how to live and tell the gospel in meaningful ways • how to grow disciples • how to stay fresh (and avoid rotas!)Trade Review‘Dave has given us a gift in How to Pioneer. It is full of practical advice, stories, experience and wisdom. This book equips us to take that exciting first step in partnership with God’s Spirit and inspires us to see where it will lead.’ -- Nicky Redsell, Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning‘Brilliant in its simplicity, How To Pioneer is an easy-to-read, immensely practical guide … It has the wonderful sense when you read it of making you think “I can do this” which is the point – you can!’ -- Jonny Baker, Director of Mission Education, CMS‘This book is a 'how-to' for anyone looking to live out the mission of God to impact those that would never set foot inside a traditional church. Be careful, this book could change everything for you!' -- Rob Peabody, Co-founder & CEO of Awaken, National Director of Pioneer Development (Young Adults), Fresh Expressions UK‘Packed full of common sense, stories and accumulated learning from many different contexts, it is a book which has been waiting to be written and one that you shouldn’t wait to read!’ -- Ian Bell, Pioneer Ministries Coordinator, VentureFX & Methodist Pioneering Pathways‘A great and timely book- short enough to be hugely readable, long enough to be hugely valuable.’ -- Rhiannon King, Director of Mission, Diocese of Birmingham

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Book SynopsisThere is a growing realisation across mainstream churches that age-segregated models of connecting with children, young people and families are not working. Drawing on their extensive experience, Suzi Farrant and Darren Philip set out a vision for bringing the generations back together to become the intergenerational church we are designed to be. In conversation with the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, they develop a theological rationale for intentional intergenerational relationships of mutuality lived out within the core activities of the church. Through an exploration of the Christian practices of humility, hospitality, participation, discipleship, joy, worship, discernment and testimony, they call the church to re-discover its DNA as an all-age community of transformation.Trade ReviewThere has been much discussion about the need for intergenerational forms of ministry and ecclesiology. But amongst all the discussion there have been few books that have given this task the practical and theological depth it deserves. Until now. Being an Intergenerational Church provides pastors, parents, children’s ministers, and youth workers with rich discussions and many practical handles on what it means, and even looks like, to be intergenerational. This book is timely and needed. -- Andrew Root, PhDResisting the current narrative heralding the demise of the church, Farrant and Philip winningly invite their readers into a new story, into a world of intergenerational church-communities where adults, youth, and children are not only with one another again, but now are able to be for one another again. Farrant and Philip support their intergenerational message with poignant stories, biblical insights, and powerful connections with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s work. In the end, we come back to a basic truth: that God has designed us to be together as we mutually influence each other on our spiritual journeys. This beautiful book adds new weight to the growing library of books on intergenerational ministry. -- Holly Catterton Allen, PhD * Founder of the InterGenerate Conference, USA *Casting a compelling vision for a truly intergenerational church, Being an Intergenerational Church is an exciting addition to the growing canon of foundational intergenerational texts. With its call to be led by the Spirit into becoming more fully the church we theologically understand ourselves to be, with the counter-cultural challenge to pay more attention to our being the church rather than our doing of church and with its confidence in the centrality of intergenerational relationships to our life together in ministry and mission, Being an Intergenerational Church has the potential to radically transform the experience of church for all ages. -- Chris Barnett * Executive General Manager, Intergen, Australia *This splendid book provides a compelling hope-filled vision of becoming an intergenerational church established upon divine action and our becoming the people we have been called to be in Christ. Darren and Suzi invite us to dialogue with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, to accept an invitation to participate in God’s story of church, and be disciples bound to one another by the love of Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit to practice ministry and mission. We are encouraged to enter into a new narrative informed by the grace and power of God that is filled by faith, hope and love. I commend it wholeheartedly. -- Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey * Senior Lecturer Modern Church History, Aberdeen University, Scotland *Australian theologian Alison Sampson said, “Our children and youth rarely leave the church because we never actually let them become part of the church. What they leave are the groups we corral them into.” Church was never meant to separate the generations, but it feels as though we no longer know how to be a community of all ages. Farrant and Philip help us explore how the church can have a new story bringing generations together in life and worship, drawing on the work already ongoing in this area. Rooted in theology, grounded in reality and lived out in hospitality and welcome, Being an Intergenerational Church will help those starting the journey as well as those who are already travelling along the way. -- Revd Mary Hawes * Children and Youth Ministry Specialist, England *

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Book SynopsisYou've tried it all before. You’ve done the Bible reading plans until you reached the book of Numbers. You have prayer journals that are half full. You hunger for a deep, meaningful spiritual life, but are so weary of your own personal inconsistencies and life interruptions that it almost feels hypocritical to try again. It often feels like spiritual disciplines are for the privileged few theologians who contemplate God’s word while sitting in their studies. But God doesn’t ask for your performance in exchange for his love. It’s time to release the feeling of failure from your spiritual life and redeem the promised peace in the midst of a life full of exhaustion and interruptions. It’s time to recognize its all about dependence on God. Ragged will give you a paradigm shifting approach to daily devotions. God intends to grow us in his love through all of of life’s disruptions. Using scripture, you’ll see how your relationship with God from start to finish is not dependent on your works but on the works of Christ.

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