Creating a Culture of Welcome in the Local Church PDF Download

Author: Alison Gilchrist
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781851745623
Category : Evangelistic work
Languages : en
Pages : 28

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Book Description
"Juggling with books, not knowing when to sit or stand, being glared at for sitting in the wrong seat, for many people, their first visit to a church service is about as enjoyable as a trip to the dentist. But why do churches become so unfriendly, and how can we create a culture of welcome? This practical study looks at the reality of people's experience, the roots of the problem, and offers workable strategies for bringing about a change in culture."--Back cover.

Author: Scot McKnight
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
ISBN: 149644602X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
“Scot and Laura do an amazing job of teaching us what a good church looks like.” —Beth Moore What is the way forward for the church? Tragically, in recent years, Christians have gotten used to revelations of abuses of many kinds in our most respected churches—from Willow Creek to Harvest, from Southern Baptist pastors to Sovereign Grace churches. Respected author and theologian Scot McKnight and former Willow Creek member Laura Barringer wrote this book to paint a pathway forward for the church. We need a better way. The sad truth is that churches of all shapes and sizes are susceptible to abuses of power, sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse. Abuses occur most frequently when Christians neglect to create a culture that resists abuse and promotes healing, safety, and spiritual growth. How do we keep these devastating events from repeating themselves? We need a map to get us from where we are today to where we ought to be as the body of Christ. That map is in a mysterious and beautiful little Hebrew word in Scripture that we translate “good,” the word tov. In this book, McKnight and Barringer explore the concept of tov—unpacking its richness and how it can help Christians and churches rise up to fulfill their true calling as imitators of Jesus.

Author: Tony Merida
Publisher: The Good Book Company
ISBN: 1784986097
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Book Description
How to grow in love for your church. God calls us to be "devoted to one another in love" (Romans 12:10). What does this look like for us today? How can we be the kind of church member who makes a real difference? This engaging book by Tony Merida explores what church is, why being part of it is exciting, and why it’s worthy of our love and commitment. He sets out eight privileges and responsibilities of a church member: to belong, to welcome, to gather, to care, to serve, to honour, to witness and to send. As we see how wonderful it is to belong to God’s family and be a part of his amazing witness to both the earthly and the heavenly realms, we’ll grow in our love for and commitment to our local church. This is a great book for every churchgoer to read, whether they’re new or have been attending for some time but need re-energising with God’s vision for the local church. With a discussion guide at the end of the book, Love Your Church is also a great resource for small groups.

Author: Danny Franks
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310538688
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
If you’re a leader in a church or business, and you want to improve your culture of hospitality, then you’ll love Danny’s new book. It’s a must-read! -Dan T. Cathy, CEO, Chick-fil-A When it comes to interacting with guests, churches typically gravitate towards one of two camps: over-the-top, shock-and-awe, let-us-entertain-you or oh-man,-some-people-just-showed-up, underwhelming experience. Each extreme has drawbacks: on one end, people become the center of the universe. On the other, hospitality is effectively ignored in deference to the "serious business" of worship. People Are the Mission proposes a healthy middle, one where guests are esteemed but the gospel is the goal. Danny Franks, Connections Pastor at Summit Church, shows churches how to take a more balanced approach - a "third way" that is both guest-friendly and gospel-centric. He shows why honoring the stranger doesn't stand in opposition to honoring the Savior. People are the mission that Christ has called us to, and if we focus on people we can better assist people to focus on the gospel.

Author: Margaret Pritchard Houston
Publisher: Canterbury Press
ISBN: 1781401667
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 106

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Book Description
This is a practical handbook for churches on how to become more welcoming to children and families in worship. It is designed to encourage PCCs and ministry teams to reflect on the spiritual needs of children, the pastoral needs of families, and how to remove barriers and manage change effectively.

Author: Mark DeYmaz
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310321255
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
In this Ethnic Blends Ebook, multi-ethnic church pioneer Mark DeYmaz provides an up-close and personal look at seven common challenges to mixing diversity into your local church. Through real-life stories and practical illustrations, DeYmaz shows how to overcome the obstacles in order to build a healthy multi-ethnic church. He also includes the insights of other effective, multi-ethnic local church pastors from around the country.Increasingly, church leaders are recognizing the intrinsic power and beauty of the multi-ethnic church. Yet, more than a good idea, it's a biblical, first-century standard with far-reaching evangelistic potential. How can your church overcome the obstacles in order to become a healthy, fruitful multi-ethnic church of faith? And why should you even try?“Ethnic Blends will help every church broaden its horizon of outreach, love and care for their city. Acts 1:8 commands us to reach the uttermost parts of the earth. Today, the "uttermost parts" are found within a few miles of where you live. God called us to reach people, love people and help them grow in Christ, no matter their background. Mark's book helps us recapture that vision in a powerful way.” —Jonathan Falwell, pastor, Thomas Road Baptist Church

Author: C. John Miller
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310284112
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 184

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Book Description
This is a book for pacesetters -- church leaders who desire to help their churches break free of the things that turn them in on themselves. It is a masterly mix of biblical principle, objective analysis, and personal experience.

Author: Stephanie Spellers
Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 1640654690
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
For the fifteenth anniversary of its publication, this revised edition features a new introduction from the author on the state of the church and its “radical welcome” today, along with new reflections on how it continues to reshape the church. This book is at once a theological, inspirational, and practical guide for congregations that want to move beyond diversity and inclusion to present a vision for the church of the future: one where the gifts, voices, and power of marginalized groups bring new life to the mainline church. Based on two years of work and over 200 interviews with people in congregations all around the United States—in urban, suburban, and rural settings—it asks the question: How do we face our fears and welcome transformation in order to become God’s radically welcoming people? Each chapter introduces a particular congregation and the challenges it faced, and lays out the theological underpinnings of tackling fears head-on to embrace change as a welcome part of community life. This new edition features essays from Michael B. Curry, Mark Bozzuti-Jones, Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, and Mark Richardson.

Author: Rich Birch
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Wondering how to train, equip and motivate your people to invite their friends & family to your church? Are you searching for practical strategies to revitalize your church's outreach? Do you feel your church could do more to welcome and engage new members? Are you curious about navigating the challenges of building an invite culture in today's digital age? In today's rapidly changing world, many churches are at a crossroads, struggling to grow and connect with their communities. "Unlocking Your Church's Invite Culture" by Rich Birch provides a groundbreaking solution to this challenge. With decades of experience in church leadership and growth, Birch offers a comprehensive guide to transforming your church into a vibrant, inviting community that attracts and welcomes new members with open arms. Discover a Proven Path to Growth At the heart of Birch's strategy is cultivating an "invite culture," a powerful approach encouraging your congregation to reach out and bring others into the fold. Through compelling anecdotes, practical strategies, and inspiring case studies, this book equips church leaders with the tools they need to unlock the latent potential within their churches. From creating shareable weekend experiences to leveraging social media for evangelism, Birch outlines actionable steps any church can take to foster a culture of invitation and inclusivity. A Manifesto for Modern Church Leaders "Unlocking Your Church's Invite Culture" is more than just a manual for church growth; it's a manifesto for reclaiming the church's soul in the 21st century. Birch challenges readers to see beyond the status quo and reimagine what's possible when we commit ourselves to building a welcoming and engaging community. This book is a call to action for all who believe in the transformative power of the local church to change lives and shape the future. Equip Your Church for Impact Whether you're a seasoned church leader or just starting, "Unlocking Your Church's Invite Culture" provides a clear, practical roadmap for engaging your community and growing your congregation. With this book as your guide, you'll learn how to: Develop shareable and engaging content that draws people in. Plan and execute events that encourage community participation. Cultivate a volunteer culture that inspires commitment and service. Navigate the challenges of building an invite culture in a digital age. Join the Movement It's time to unlock the doors of your church and welcome the community with open arms. Join Rich Birch on this transformative journey and discover how your church can become a beacon of hope and a place of belonging for all. "Unlocking Your Church's Invite Culture" is your key to building a thriving, dynamic church that makes a lasting impact. Get your copy today and start unlocking the potential of your church!

Author: Jodi Mullen Fondell
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1532679580
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 154

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Book Description
I Was a Stranger will help you build empathy for the strangers and foreigners among you. Through personal experience and through the narratives of people who have moved to a foreign country for a variety of reasons, Jodi Mullen Fondell offers encouragement for churches desiring to be a place of welcome and embrace for those who often find themselves rejected by the broader society. Packed with tips on how to help your church navigate the road toward greater openness, this book offers advice on how to avoid the pitfalls that prevent churches from truly welcoming and embracing the stranger among them. Rev. Fondell gently guides readers in examining their own experiences of alienation in order to understand the profound disorientation that being a stranger in a strange land entails. This identification with the pain of being an outsider, she asserts, can move, motivate, and mobilize the church to live out God’s calling to welcome in the stranger. As the body of Christ embraces the members we are tempted to exclude, a new level of joy and a taste of heaven await our congregations. Includes a small-group Bible-study guide for communities ready to grow in ministry and hospitality.