New research shows that unchurched Americans are surprisingly more receptive to the Christian faith that is commonly assumed. Rick Richardson presents his research that reveals best practices to reached the unchurched and shows how churches and organizations can be transformed into places where conversion growth becomes the new normal.
Churches must both consider the theology of disability and also become places where people with disabilities lead. Moving beyond paternalistic views of disability, this book encompasses cutting-edge theological ethics as well as practical examples of how church leaders and congregants can foster genuinely inclusive leadership teams.
Though the post-Christian cultural turn can be disconcerting, it is also a uniquely exciting time to reimagine churches. Building on the dynamic traditions of jazz music and Christian community, biblical scholar and jazz musician Mark Glanville unfolds a biblical, practical, and inventive vision for building the churches we long for.
The church often lacks maturity and missional impact because discipleship is at its periphery. To get discipleship to the center, leaders need a locally rooted, culturally contextual discipleship pathway. This gutsy, practice-based guidebook is for leaders doing the hard work turning spectators into missional, mature followers of Jesus.
Benno van den Toren and Kang-San Tan provide a global, intercultural model of apologetics as crosscultural dialogue and accountable witness. Filled with Scriptural examples and real-world experiences, this is a conversational, patient, holistic, and embodied guide to creating true dialogue in our multicultural, multifaith world.
How might we reclaim the universality of the church without losing its local situatedness? In this SCDS volume, C. Ryan Fields juxtaposes the Free Church tradition with its Episcopal counterpart, arguing that the Free Church tradition can helpfully inform our understanding of the one body of Christ while remaining true to its local roots.
Biblical scholar Michael Rhodes argues that the Bible offers a vision of justice-oriented discipleship that is critical for the formation of God's people. Grounded in biblical theology, virtue ethics, and his own experiences, he shows that justice is central to the Bible, central to Jesus, and central to authentic Christian discipleship.
Crises around race have put the church in a reactive, defensive posture, but Jesus wants more. He wants Christians to play offense by discipling people into a new humanity that pushes beyond mere diversity so that the church becomes the aroma of Christ to our culture and gains ground against the demonic foothold of racism in all its forms.
Does "saved through childbearing" in 1 Timothy 2:15 mean that women are slated primarily for rearing children? Sandra Glahn thinks that we have misunderstood Paul and the context to which he wrote. Combining spiritual autobiography with new research on the Greek goddess Artemis, Glahn lays a biblical foundation for God's view of women.
Fundraising can be one of the most stressful parts of ministry. Professional fundraiser Brad Layland transforms fundraising into a relational process where donors truly become partners in ministry. Fundraising is best done in community–this book will help you find a community of people who enjoy giving and want your organization to succeed.