Envisioning the Congregation, Practicing the Gospel

Envisioning the Congregation, Practicing the Gospel PDF

Author: John W. Stewart

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Published: 2015-08-06

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13: 080287164X

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Reflecting a wealth of ministerial experience, this accessible and instructive book is designed to equip lay leaders and pastors of Protestant churches to better envision and practice gospel-driven ministry amid the challenges of our twenty-first-century context. Especially addressing Baby Boomer and Gen X leaders, seasoned pastor and practical theologian John Stewart presents and explains five biblically mandated, foundational practices for being and nurturing the church: belonging, discipling, witnessing, serving, and worshiping. Stewart believes that these five practices are "essential markers" for congregations that seek to remain faithful to their risen Lord, and he offers memorable examples of how specific churches are carrying them out well. Church leaders of every generation will find in these pages much practical wisdom on how to enhance their congregational life and mission. For any congregations wanting to remain faithful to their biblical heritage and mandate, Stewart's Envisioning the Congregation, Practicing the Gospel provides an excellent roadmap for doing what God calls the church to do.

Envisioning the Congregation, Practicing the Gospel

Envisioning the Congregation, Practicing the Gospel PDF

Author: John W. Stewart

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Published: 2015-06-13

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13: 1467443247

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This accessible and instructive book is designed to equip lay leaders of Protestant churches to better envision and practice gospel-driven ministry and mission in contemporary society. Seasoned pastor and practical theologian John Stewart presents and explains five biblically mandated, foundational practices for being and nurturing the church: fellowship, discipleship, witness, service, and worship. Stewart argues that these five practices are normative, indispensable, and doable for congregations that seek to remain faithful to their risen Lord, and he offers memorable, achievable models of ways they are already being used in current mainline congregations.

How to Be a Christian without Going to Church

How to Be a Christian without Going to Church PDF

Author: Kelly Bean

Publisher: Baker Books

Published: 2014-06-24

Total Pages: 249

ISBN-13: 1441246533

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As many--young people especially--leave the traditional church in droves, they often still long for a genuine Christian community in which to practice their faith and share their spiritual journeys with others. They want to be faithful but struggle to find a place where they flourish. Whether they've already left the church behind or are merely considering it, readers will find here both heartfelt encouragement and practical steps for finding or creating a community of faith that honors God and offers rest, love, and communion with other believers. Author Kelly Bean broadens our definition of church to include many alternative forms of Christian community. With true stories of those who have given up on church and what they're doing now, this book is also helpful for pastors and churchgoers to help them understand why people leave the church--and what might be done to help them stay.

A Postcolonial Leadership

A Postcolonial Leadership PDF

Author: Choi Hee An

Publisher: State University of New York Press

Published: 2020-01-01

Total Pages: 298

ISBN-13: 1438477503

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In A Postcolonial Leadership, Choi Hee An explores the interwoven relationship between Asian immigrant leadership in general and Asian immigrant Christian leadership in the United States. Using several current leadership theories, she analyzes the current landscape of US leadership and explores how Asian immigrant leaders, including Christian leaders, exercise leadership and confront challenges within this context. Drawing upon postcolonial theory and its analysis of power, Choi examines the multilayered dynamics of the Asian immigrant community and Christian congregations in their postcolonial contexts, and offers a new liberative interpretation of colonized history and culture in order to propose postcolonial leadership as a new leadership model for Asian immigrant leaders.

Rethinking the Church

Rethinking the Church PDF

Author: James Emery White

Publisher: Baker Books

Published: 2003-07

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 0801091659

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An innovative, evangelistic pastor guides local church leaders to rethink their ministry's unique purpose and mission within the community.

Story-Shaped Worship

Story-Shaped Worship PDF

Author: Robbie F. Castleman

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2013-04-03

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 083083964X

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In Story-Shaped Worship Robbie Castleman attempts nothing less than to uncover the fundamental shape of worship. Right worship doesn't require a traditionalist return to earlier forms of church, she argues, but a fresh response to God in light of the revealed patterns of worship we find in the Bible and church history.

Seven Practices for the Church on Mission

Seven Practices for the Church on Mission PDF

Author: David E. Fitch

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2018-03-06

Total Pages: 149

ISBN-13: 083088744X

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Jesus gave his followers seven key practices: The Lord's Supper Reconciliation Proclaiming the gospel Being with the "least of these" Being with children Fivefold ministry gifting Kingdom prayer When we practice these disciplines, God becomes faithfully present to us, and we in turn become God's faithful presence to the world. Pastor and professor David Fitch shows how these seven practices can revolutionize the church's presence in our neighborhoods, transform our way of life in the world, and advance the kingdom. Our communities can be changed when they see us practicing our faith. Go and do.

Letters to a Young Congregation

Letters to a Young Congregation PDF

Author: Eric E. Peterson

Publisher: NavPress

Published: 2020-06-02

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 1641581174

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Eugene Peterson instilled the love of the local church in his family, and especially his son, pastor Eric E. Peterson. This collection of letters, written over several years by Eric, offers a poignant, pastoral vision for what the people of God are to be about in their personal lives and their life together. You'll find this wisdom for one local church to be warm, winsome, knowing, understanding, and universally relevant. Eric E. Peterson addresses essential questions such as “What is a church? What should a church be doing? What do we owe each other? What can we expect from one another? How do we follow Christ together?” A pastor in the state of Washington, he wrestled with how to grow his infant church into a mature Christian community. This book was born in the midst of a church coming to life, and is a compelling read for any pastor, church leader, or congregant. Purchase individually or together with Letters to a Young Pastor, a book that contains letters written back and forth between Eugene Peterson and his son, Eric E. Peterson.

Beyond Maintenance to Mission

Beyond Maintenance to Mission PDF

Author: Craig L. Nessan

Publisher: Fortress Press

Published: 2010-02-24

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 1451405391

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Visionary yet practical, Nessan's influential book makes a persuasive case for the centrality of mission in the life of the church. Nessan's model of mission-driven leadership is strongly centered on the community of faith's worship and draws unique connections between the worship life of a congregation and every aspect of the church's ministry. Around the twin foci of congregational identity and mission, the chapters in this dynamic book provide solid theological and radical direction on the themes of worship, education, fellowship, stewardship, evangelism, global connections, and social ministry.

Formation in Faith

Formation in Faith PDF

Author: Sondra Higgins Matthaei

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Published: 2008-01-01

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 1501807048

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The ministry of congregations is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Behind that simple and seemingly self-evident statement lies a problematic reality, however. While congregations know that disciple making is at the heart of their identity, they often have trouble understanding how to go about it. Apart from such traditional Christian education ministries as Sunday school, too little formal thinking or planning goes into the task of forming Christians in the faith. In this book Sondra Matthaei casts a vision in which congregations open up their life of faith to others as an invitation to connect the universal longing for authentic relationships and deeper meaning with the church’s practice of faithful discipleship. As folks enter the church’s communion of grace, Matthaei challenges church leaders to utilize the gifts of every member and lays out a plan to help congregations grow in faith and communion with God and creation, including the context and goal of such ministry, deciding what to teach and who shall teach, and attendant relationships, structures, and practices.