Longing for Community

Longing for Community PDF

Author: David Greenlee

Publisher: William Carey Publishing

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780878085330

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Understanding the strength and unity of the ummah-- the worldwide Muslim community--and its role in an individual's identity is essential in comprehending the struggles that Muslims undergo as they turn to faith in Jesus Christ. It has been a place of security, acceptance, protection, and identity; turning away from it entails great sacrifice. Where, then, will Muslims who choose to follow Jesus find their longing for community fulfilled: ummah, church, or somewhere in between? Longing for Community compiles the research and reflection of twenty missiologists, sociologists, anthropologists, and linguists--among them Muslims who have become believers in Jesus Christ-- presented at the second Coming to Faith Consultation in February 2010. The contributors explore the multiple levels and hybrid nature of social identity, pointing to the need to free our discussions from single- dimensional scales, which are far from adequate to describe the complex nature of conversion and lived-out faith. Beyond the issue of identity, the contributors offer important lessons from mission history, explore liturgy as an appropriate vehicle for teaching, discuss appropriate means of communication, and point to both the need and contextually appropriate possibilities of greater involvement of women in training and ministry.

Community

Community PDF

Author: Brad House

Publisher: Crossway

Published: 2011-09-07

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 1433523175

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Community within the church today is hemorrhaging. Attention spans are dwindling, noise levels are increasing, and we can't seem to find time for real relationships. The answer to such social fragmentation can be found in small groups, and yet the majority of small groups—at least in the traditional sense—are often not the intentional, transformational community we really want and need. Somehow we need to get our groups off life support and into authentic community. Pastor Brad House helps us to re-imagine what gospel-centered community looks like and shares from his experience leading and reproducing healthy small groups. With wisdom and candor, House challenges us to think carefully about our own groups and to take steps toward cultivating communities that are able to glorify Jesus, bless one another, and participate in the mission of God.

Community as Church, Church as Community

Community as Church, Church as Community PDF

Author: Michael Plekon

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2021-07-22

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 1725287536

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Parishes of all denominations are in decline, shrinking, closing, dying. We know that there are increasing numbers, young and older, who are religious “nones” and “dones.” This book explores why the decline is taking place, why the distancing is going on. But it goes on to examine parishes from all over the country and from various church bodies that are resurrecting. The central theme of death and resurrection shapes the analysis of parishes covered. Parishes are resurrecting by reinventing their ministries, by repurposing their building to better serve their neighborhoods, thus replanting and reconnecting with them. All of this is the Spirit’s doing but through the community of sisters and brothers who make up each congregation of faith. Community as the core of church is the other reality shaping the book’s reflection. And community, a parish being with those around, living for more than its own survival are visions for going forward. Other aspects of congregational life are also examined, most importantly the pastors—how they serve when budgets shrink, how they are trained, how pastors act with the community not above it. No recipes are suggested for parish resurrection, but the stories of the parishes that have revived bear within numerous lessons for us in the future.

Serve the Community of the Church

Serve the Community of the Church PDF

Author: Andrew D. Clarke

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 9780802841827

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This volume explores the nature of leadership in the Christian community, especially as it was variously taught by Paul and practiced in the congregations of the first century. Exploring valuable ancient source material as well as the New Testament texts, Andrew Clarke describes the theories and practices of organization and leadership in key areas of first-century society-the city, the colony, associations, Jewish synagogues, the family-and discusses the extent to which these models influenced the first-century Christians as they sought to define the parameters and distinctives of their own communities.

The Community of Jesus

The Community of Jesus PDF

Author: Kendell H. Easley

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

Published: 2013-09-15

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 1433680793

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Intended for upper division college students, seminarians, and pastors, The Community of Jesus delivers a biblical, historic, systematic, and missional theology of the church. Today the word church provokes wide-ranging reactions and generates discussion on a variety of issues among Christians and non-Christians alike. In order to sort through this maze of responses and topics, a biblical and theological foundation must be laid that provides a clear vision of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ and its significance in God’s eternal purpose. With extensive pastoral, teaching, missions, and administrative experience, this team of contributors carefully sets forth the biblical teachings concerning the church and then builds on this core material, relating the theology of the church to salvation history, church history, God’s glory, and God’s mission: • Paul R. House, “God Walks with His People: Old Testament Foundations”• Andreas J. Köstenberger, “The Church According to the Gospels”• Kendell H. Easley, “The Church in Acts and Revelation: New Testament Bookends”• David S. Dockery, “The Church in the Pauline Epistles”• Ray Van Neste, “The Church in the General Epistles”• James A. Patterson, “The Church in History: Ecclesiastical Ideals and Institutional Realities”• Stephen J.Wellum, “Beyond Mere Ecclesiology: The Church as God’s New Covenant Community”• Christopher W. Morgan, “The Church and the Glory of God”• Bruce Riley Ashford, “The Church in the Mission of God”

Paul's Idea of Community

Paul's Idea of Community PDF

Author: Robert J. Banks

Publisher: Baker Academic

Published: 1994-02-01

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9780801045547

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Robert Banks's widely read Paul's Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Cultural Setting is once again available to laypeople, pastors, and scholars alike. In this extensively revised edition Banks has rewritten chapters for clarity, taken into account recent scholarship on Paul's writings, updated and expanded the bibliography, and added an index. This new edition retains, however, all the freshness and vitality of the original.

We Love Our City

We Love Our City PDF

Author: Raymond Beaty

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Published: 2018-02-06

Total Pages: 102

ISBN-13: 1546222499

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The subtitle of the book is an actual quote from one of our City Council members. I was asked to make a presentation to the City Council one evening on all the projects we as a church, had partnered with the city on to provide social services to our community. One of the reasons for the report was to introduce the newest partnership, in which we as a church would become the citys official graffiti abatement team. After everyone on the City Council took an opportunity to thank our church for the services we were providing to the community, one of them said, Because of all that The Fathers House is doing in our community, the city is a better place to live in. This is how a church in the community became the communitys church.

The Art of Pastoring

The Art of Pastoring PDF

Author: David Hansen

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2012-09-27

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 0830866531

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Leading us well beyond the niceties of self-help literature, Montana pastor David Hansen pulls back the veil on the actual pastorate—the one that emerges without your permission in the midst of life and ministry. In this revised and expanded edition, Hansen expands on his view of the pastor as a "parable of Jesus" and adds a new postlude.

Church@Community

Church@Community PDF

Author: Ed Delph

Publisher: Creation House

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781591857341

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Author Ed Delph challenges traditional mindsets about the church and its relation to the neighboring community in his new release, Church@Community. Dr. Delph proposes a paradigm shift in the way churches relate to the community at large. Instead of disengaging itself from secular activities, the church should be a sphere of influence in business, government, education, and entertainment. In this unique book on community reformation, Delph challenges conventionalism and the status quo. Based on the Book of Nehemiah, Church@Community addresses the need for Christian entrepreneurialism, diversity in the church, and strategic prayer. Written for pastors and leaders as well as anyone desiring to see transformation, church@Community raises a new standard for the body of Christ.

24 Hours That Changed the World for Youth

24 Hours That Changed the World for Youth PDF

Author: Adam Hamilton

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Published: 2010-12-01

Total Pages: 86

ISBN-13: 142674921X

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In his best-selling book, 24 Hours that Changed the World, pastor and popular author Adam Hamilton helped readers relive the one day in history that changed everything. Hamilton invites readers and viewers to experience and understand the significance of Jesus’ final hours. Based on this popular series by Adam Hamilton, 24 Hours That Changed the World For Youth offers an age-appropriate perspectve on the fnal day in Jesus' life on earth.