Author: Rev. Dr. Loreno R. Flemmings
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1663223645
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
This book aims to examine the mission and ministry of six mainline churches in Somerset County, New Jersey, and their efforts to grow healthy and faithful churches while reaching out to families, children, and youth in the community. The six congregations include First Baptist Church, Somerville, New Jersey, Saint Martin Episcopal Church, Bridgewater, New Jersey; Saint Thomas A.M.E. Zion Church, Somerville, New Jersey; Trinity United Church, Warren, New Jersey; New Horizon Christian Fellowship, Hillsborough, New Jersey; and Fountain of Living Water, Somerville, New Jersey. Given the need for congregational growth, insights into the Church Growth Movement and the missional approach to church growth are examined in relation to the historical, cultural, and social ministry contexts of six congregations of different faith traditions. A methodology combining demographic data, congregational surveys, and focus groups is used to determine the historic and present contexts of the congregation. The results of these efforts will inform and guide a congregation’s efforts to develop a missional vision and a strategic growth plan and restore spiritual vitality to its members by participating in the mission of the Kingdom of God (one result of which will be to attract families, youth, and children to the church).
Growing a Healthy and Faithful Congregation
Author: Rev. Dr. Loreno R. Flemmings
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1663223645
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
This book aims to examine the mission and ministry of six mainline churches in Somerset County, New Jersey, and their efforts to grow healthy and faithful churches while reaching out to families, children, and youth in the community. The six congregations include First Baptist Church, Somerville, New Jersey, Saint Martin Episcopal Church, Bridgewater, New Jersey; Saint Thomas A.M.E. Zion Church, Somerville, New Jersey; Trinity United Church, Warren, New Jersey; New Horizon Christian Fellowship, Hillsborough, New Jersey; and Fountain of Living Water, Somerville, New Jersey. Given the need for congregational growth, insights into the Church Growth Movement and the missional approach to church growth are examined in relation to the historical, cultural, and social ministry contexts of six congregations of different faith traditions. A methodology combining demographic data, congregational surveys, and focus groups is used to determine the historic and present contexts of the congregation. The results of these efforts will inform and guide a congregation’s efforts to develop a missional vision and a strategic growth plan and restore spiritual vitality to its members by participating in the mission of the Kingdom of God (one result of which will be to attract families, youth, and children to the church).
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1663223645
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
This book aims to examine the mission and ministry of six mainline churches in Somerset County, New Jersey, and their efforts to grow healthy and faithful churches while reaching out to families, children, and youth in the community. The six congregations include First Baptist Church, Somerville, New Jersey, Saint Martin Episcopal Church, Bridgewater, New Jersey; Saint Thomas A.M.E. Zion Church, Somerville, New Jersey; Trinity United Church, Warren, New Jersey; New Horizon Christian Fellowship, Hillsborough, New Jersey; and Fountain of Living Water, Somerville, New Jersey. Given the need for congregational growth, insights into the Church Growth Movement and the missional approach to church growth are examined in relation to the historical, cultural, and social ministry contexts of six congregations of different faith traditions. A methodology combining demographic data, congregational surveys, and focus groups is used to determine the historic and present contexts of the congregation. The results of these efforts will inform and guide a congregation’s efforts to develop a missional vision and a strategic growth plan and restore spiritual vitality to its members by participating in the mission of the Kingdom of God (one result of which will be to attract families, youth, and children to the church).
The Christian ministry
Author: Charles Bridges
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Pastoral theology
Languages : en
Pages : 576
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Pastoral theology
Languages : en
Pages : 576
Book Description
Shrink
Author: Tim Suttle
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310515130
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 241
Book Description
Among followers of Jesus, great is often the enemy of good. The drive to be great—to be a success by the standards of the world—often crowds out the qualities of goodness, virtue, and faithfulness that should define the central focus of Christian leadership. In the culture of today’s church, successful leadership is often judged by what works, while persistent faithfulness takes a back seat. If a ministry doesn’t produce results, it is dropped. If people don’t respond, we move on. This pursuit of “greatness” exerts a crushing pressure on the local church and creates a consuming anxiety in its leaders. In their pursuit of this warped vision of greatness, church leaders end up embracing a leadership narrative that runs counter to the sacrificial call of the gospel story. When church leaders focus on faithfulness to God and the gospel, however, it’s always a kingdom-win—regardless of the visible results of their ministry. John the Baptist modeled this kind of leadership. As John’s disciples crossed the Jordan River to follow after Jesus, John freely released them to a greater calling than following him. Speaking of Jesus, John said: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Joyfully satisfied to have been faithful to his calling, John knew that the size and scope of his ministry would be determined by the will of the Father, not his own will. Following the example of John the Baptist and with a careful look at the teaching of Scripture, Tim Suttle dares church leaders to risk failure by chasing the vision God has given them—no matter how small it might seem—instead of pursuing the broad path of pragmatism that leads to fame and numerical success.
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310515130
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 241
Book Description
Among followers of Jesus, great is often the enemy of good. The drive to be great—to be a success by the standards of the world—often crowds out the qualities of goodness, virtue, and faithfulness that should define the central focus of Christian leadership. In the culture of today’s church, successful leadership is often judged by what works, while persistent faithfulness takes a back seat. If a ministry doesn’t produce results, it is dropped. If people don’t respond, we move on. This pursuit of “greatness” exerts a crushing pressure on the local church and creates a consuming anxiety in its leaders. In their pursuit of this warped vision of greatness, church leaders end up embracing a leadership narrative that runs counter to the sacrificial call of the gospel story. When church leaders focus on faithfulness to God and the gospel, however, it’s always a kingdom-win—regardless of the visible results of their ministry. John the Baptist modeled this kind of leadership. As John’s disciples crossed the Jordan River to follow after Jesus, John freely released them to a greater calling than following him. Speaking of Jesus, John said: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Joyfully satisfied to have been faithful to his calling, John knew that the size and scope of his ministry would be determined by the will of the Father, not his own will. Following the example of John the Baptist and with a careful look at the teaching of Scripture, Tim Suttle dares church leaders to risk failure by chasing the vision God has given them—no matter how small it might seem—instead of pursuing the broad path of pragmatism that leads to fame and numerical success.
What Is a Healthy Church Member?
Author: Thabiti M. Anyabwile
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN: 1433522039
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 130
Book Description
Biblically and practically instructs church members in ways they can labor for the health of their church. What Is a Healthy Church Member? takes its cue from Mark Dever's book What Is a Healthy Church?, which offered one definition of what a healthy church looks like biblically and historically. In this new work, pastor Thabiti Anyabwile attempts to answer the natural next question: "What does a healthy church member look like in the light of Scripture?" God intends for us to play an active and vital part in the body of Christ, the local church. He wants us to experience the local church as a home more profoundly wonderful and meaningful than any other place on earth. He intends for his churches to be healthy places and for the members of those churches to be healthy as well. This book explains how membership in the local church can produce spiritual growth in its members and how each member can contribute to the growth and health of the whole.
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN: 1433522039
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 130
Book Description
Biblically and practically instructs church members in ways they can labor for the health of their church. What Is a Healthy Church Member? takes its cue from Mark Dever's book What Is a Healthy Church?, which offered one definition of what a healthy church looks like biblically and historically. In this new work, pastor Thabiti Anyabwile attempts to answer the natural next question: "What does a healthy church member look like in the light of Scripture?" God intends for us to play an active and vital part in the body of Christ, the local church. He wants us to experience the local church as a home more profoundly wonderful and meaningful than any other place on earth. He intends for his churches to be healthy places and for the members of those churches to be healthy as well. This book explains how membership in the local church can produce spiritual growth in its members and how each member can contribute to the growth and health of the whole.
Growing a Healthy and Faithful Congregation
Author: Rev. Loreno R. Flemmings
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 9781663223654
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The First Baptist Church of Somerville, New Jersey is an historic mainline church that is experiencing decline in its spiritual, numerical, and financial life. The project seeks to examine the factors and conditions at work in the congregational life of First Baptist which are hindering congregational growth and community outreach. Given the need for congregational growth, insights of the Church Growth Movement and the missional approach to church growth are examined in relation to the historical, cultural and social ministry contexts of traditional mainline churches like First Baptist. A methodology combining neighborhood asset mapping, congregational surveys, and focus groups is used to determine the historic and present contexts of the congregation. The results of these efforts will inform and guide a congregation's efforts to develop a missional vision and a strategic growth plan and restore spiritual vitality to its members by participating in the mission of the Kingdom of God (one result of which will be to attract families, youth, and children to the church)
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 9781663223654
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The First Baptist Church of Somerville, New Jersey is an historic mainline church that is experiencing decline in its spiritual, numerical, and financial life. The project seeks to examine the factors and conditions at work in the congregational life of First Baptist which are hindering congregational growth and community outreach. Given the need for congregational growth, insights of the Church Growth Movement and the missional approach to church growth are examined in relation to the historical, cultural and social ministry contexts of traditional mainline churches like First Baptist. A methodology combining neighborhood asset mapping, congregational surveys, and focus groups is used to determine the historic and present contexts of the congregation. The results of these efforts will inform and guide a congregation's efforts to develop a missional vision and a strategic growth plan and restore spiritual vitality to its members by participating in the mission of the Kingdom of God (one result of which will be to attract families, youth, and children to the church)
Eldership and the Mission of God
Author: J.R. Briggs
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830841180
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 219
Book Description
The biblical model for church leadership is found not only in pastors but also in teams of elders who oversee, shepherd, teach, equip and guide the community into God's mission. In this practical guide, J.R. Briggs and Bob Hyatt unpack the role, character and posture of a mission-oriented elder.
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830841180
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 219
Book Description
The biblical model for church leadership is found not only in pastors but also in teams of elders who oversee, shepherd, teach, equip and guide the community into God's mission. In this practical guide, J.R. Briggs and Bob Hyatt unpack the role, character and posture of a mission-oriented elder.
Church Planting Movements
Author: V. David Garrison
Publisher: WIGTake Resources
ISBN: 9780974756202
Category : Christianity and other religions
Languages : en
Pages : 374
Book Description
David Garrison, PhD University of Chicago, defines Church Planting Movements as rapidly multiplying indigenous churches planting churches that sweep across a people group or population segment. Garrison's Church Planting Movements: How God Is Redeeming a Lost World signaled a breakthrough in missionary church planting. After the publication of Garrison's book in 2004 it became impossible to talk about missions without referencing Church Planting Movements. Church Planting Movements examines more than two-dozen movements of multiplying churches on five continents. After presenting these case studies, Garrison identifies ten universal elements present in each movement. He then broadens the circle of examination to identify a further ten common characteristics, factors identified in most, but not all, of the movements. He concludes his examination with a list of "Seven Deadly Sins," i.e. harmful practices that stifle or impede Church Planting Movements. Important for evangelical readers, the author returns to his findings to see how they stand up to the light of Scripture. What he discovers is that Church Planting Movements are much more consistent with the New Testament lay-led house-church movements that swept rapidly through the Mediterranean world in the face of hostile opposition than today's more sedentary professional institutionalized Christianity. Learn more about Church Planting Movements from the book's website: www.ChurchPlantingMovements.com.
Publisher: WIGTake Resources
ISBN: 9780974756202
Category : Christianity and other religions
Languages : en
Pages : 374
Book Description
David Garrison, PhD University of Chicago, defines Church Planting Movements as rapidly multiplying indigenous churches planting churches that sweep across a people group or population segment. Garrison's Church Planting Movements: How God Is Redeeming a Lost World signaled a breakthrough in missionary church planting. After the publication of Garrison's book in 2004 it became impossible to talk about missions without referencing Church Planting Movements. Church Planting Movements examines more than two-dozen movements of multiplying churches on five continents. After presenting these case studies, Garrison identifies ten universal elements present in each movement. He then broadens the circle of examination to identify a further ten common characteristics, factors identified in most, but not all, of the movements. He concludes his examination with a list of "Seven Deadly Sins," i.e. harmful practices that stifle or impede Church Planting Movements. Important for evangelical readers, the author returns to his findings to see how they stand up to the light of Scripture. What he discovers is that Church Planting Movements are much more consistent with the New Testament lay-led house-church movements that swept rapidly through the Mediterranean world in the face of hostile opposition than today's more sedentary professional institutionalized Christianity. Learn more about Church Planting Movements from the book's website: www.ChurchPlantingMovements.com.
Biblical Church Growth
Author: Gary L. McIntosh
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 080109156X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 192
Book Description
McIntosh explores the biblical basis for church growth, giving leaders eternal principles rather than temporary models for growth.
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 080109156X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 192
Book Description
McIntosh explores the biblical basis for church growth, giving leaders eternal principles rather than temporary models for growth.
Carved in Ebony
Author: Jasmine L. Holmes
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1493437399
Category : Young Adult Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 104
Book Description
A look at the inspirational lives of ten Black women of faith Do the names Elizabeth Freeman, Nannie Helen Burroughs, or Charlotte Forten Grimké ring any bells? Have you ever heard of Sarah Mapps Douglass, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, or Maria Fearing? What about Sara Griffith Stanley, Amanda Berry Smith, Lucy Craft Laney, and Maria Stewart? While these names may not be familiar to you, these women lived faithful and influential lives in a world that was filled with injustice. They worked to change laws, built schools, spoke to thousands, and shared the Gospel all around the world. And while history books may have forgotten them, their stories can teach us so much about how we can live today. Praise for Carved in Ebony "What a gift this book . . . will be to you! Jasmine has a way of teaching you a history lesson you never knew you needed, while pointing you to a God who deeply cares for his children."--JAMIE IVEY, bestselling author and host of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1493437399
Category : Young Adult Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 104
Book Description
A look at the inspirational lives of ten Black women of faith Do the names Elizabeth Freeman, Nannie Helen Burroughs, or Charlotte Forten Grimké ring any bells? Have you ever heard of Sarah Mapps Douglass, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, or Maria Fearing? What about Sara Griffith Stanley, Amanda Berry Smith, Lucy Craft Laney, and Maria Stewart? While these names may not be familiar to you, these women lived faithful and influential lives in a world that was filled with injustice. They worked to change laws, built schools, spoke to thousands, and shared the Gospel all around the world. And while history books may have forgotten them, their stories can teach us so much about how we can live today. Praise for Carved in Ebony "What a gift this book . . . will be to you! Jasmine has a way of teaching you a history lesson you never knew you needed, while pointing you to a God who deeply cares for his children."--JAMIE IVEY, bestselling author and host of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast
The Unstuck Church
Author: Tony Morgan
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 0718094476
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
Acclaimed church leader, blogger, founder and chief strategic officer of The Unstuck Group, Tony Morgan unpacks the lifecycle of a typical church, identifies characteristics of each phase, and provides practical next steps a church can take to move towards sustained health. Think about your church for a moment. Is it growing? Is it diminishing? Is it somewhere in between? Acclaimed church leader, blogger, and founder and chief strategic officer of The Unstuck Group, Tony Morgan has identified the seven stages of a church's lifecycle that range from the hopeful and optimistic days of launch, to the stagnating last stages of life support. Regardless of the stage in which you find your church, it carries with it the world's greatest mission—to "go and make disciples of all the nations . . ." With eternity at stake the Church should be doing most everything within its power to see lives changed forever. The Church should strive for the pinnacle of the lifecycle, where they are continually making new disciples and experiencing what Morgan refers to as "sustained health." In The Unstuck Church, Morgan unpacks each phase of the church lifecycle, and offers specific and strategic next steps the church leader can take to find it's way to sustained health . . . and finally become unstuck. The Unstuck Church is a call for honest an assessment of where your church sits on the lifecycle, and a challenge to move beyond it.
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 0718094476
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
Acclaimed church leader, blogger, founder and chief strategic officer of The Unstuck Group, Tony Morgan unpacks the lifecycle of a typical church, identifies characteristics of each phase, and provides practical next steps a church can take to move towards sustained health. Think about your church for a moment. Is it growing? Is it diminishing? Is it somewhere in between? Acclaimed church leader, blogger, and founder and chief strategic officer of The Unstuck Group, Tony Morgan has identified the seven stages of a church's lifecycle that range from the hopeful and optimistic days of launch, to the stagnating last stages of life support. Regardless of the stage in which you find your church, it carries with it the world's greatest mission—to "go and make disciples of all the nations . . ." With eternity at stake the Church should be doing most everything within its power to see lives changed forever. The Church should strive for the pinnacle of the lifecycle, where they are continually making new disciples and experiencing what Morgan refers to as "sustained health." In The Unstuck Church, Morgan unpacks each phase of the church lifecycle, and offers specific and strategic next steps the church leader can take to find it's way to sustained health . . . and finally become unstuck. The Unstuck Church is a call for honest an assessment of where your church sits on the lifecycle, and a challenge to move beyond it.