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.
While most of society views high-risk youth with fear or disregard, Amy Williams has come to see them through God's eyes—as having tremendous value and potential. With stories and practical tips from three decades of ministry, Amy challenges perceptions and increases compassion for these youth who are often pushed to the margins of society.
Western mission often centers the senders, without as much understanding of the receivers' experiences. Weaving together theology and stories from diaspora groups, Ethiopian American mission practitioner Mekdes Haddis provides a postcolonial critique of Western mission, upending the white savior complex and arguing for a globally just approach.
In a world that is more culturally diverse than ever, pastors and lay leaders need skills and competencies to serve in multicultural contexts. This rich blend of astute analysis and practical guidance offers a praxis of paying attention, study, and discernment that leads to genuine reconciliation and shared life empowered by the gospel.
Neighborhoods are moving. While offering opportunities for some, gentrification can be a vastly different experience for long-time residents and neighborhood churches. As a pastor who led his church through its own moved neighborhood in Portland, Mark Strong gives insight to churches that need to heal from the wounds of gentrification and revamp their mission amidst an uncertain future.
Jenny Booth Potter knew as a young adult that racism could no longer be tolerated. But what exactly could she do? With candor and humility, Jenny shares her journey of growing in awareness, reckoning with her own white privilege, and learning how to be an antiracism advocate. For anyone overwhelmed by the enormity of racism, this book shows what everyday antiracism looks like.
We all live somewhere. And we all want our neighborhoods to flourish. Many of us hope (and even pray) for our neighborhoods' well-being. But how do we actually pursue that?
This field guide answers this question by walking you through a simple, powerful process for blessing your own neighborhood. Tony Cook and Don Everts offer six sessions for discovering the gifts of your community, imagining the possibilities, and pursuing the common good. Exercises and assessments provide practical tools for bringing your hopes into concrete reality. Join with others so that together you can increase the well-being of your local neighborhood.
Number of Studies: 6
In urban ministry, Christians too often treat the poor as goodwill projects instead of people. How can the people of God develop healthy, local, urban churches that will seek the common good of their communities? In this essential resource, Alvin Sanders engages hard truths about urban neighborhoods and provides a model for how to do ministry in difficult conditions.
The church is at its best when it pursues the biblical value of unity in diversity. Pastor and theologian Irwyn Ince boldly unpacks the reasons for our divisions while gently guiding us toward our true hope for wholeness and reconciliation. To heal our fractured humanity, we must cultivate spiritual practices that help us pursue beautiful community.
In an era where the church has lost much of its credibility, pastor Tara Beth Leach casts a vision for Christians to rediscover a robust, attractive witness and form the radiant communities God intends. Challenging idolatrous false images of God and calling out toxic patterns, she shows how we can recover a winsome picture of a kingdom of abundance and goodness.