Get ready for a crash course in effective communication. More than just a book on how to do talks, Speaking to Teenagers combines the experience and wisdom of two veteran youth ministry speakers, along with insightful research and practical tools, to help you develop messages that engage students with the love of Christ and the power of his Word. Whether you re crafting a five-minute devotional or a 30-minute sermon, Speaking to Teenagers is essential to understanding and preparing great messages. Together, Doug Fields and Duffy Robbins show you how they craft their own messages and give you the tools to do it yourself. They ll guide you, step-by-step, through the process of preparing and delivering meaningful messages that effectively communicate to your students. Fields and Robbins walk you through three dimensions of a message the speaker, the listener, and the message itself and introduce you to the concept and principles of inductive communication. You ll also get helpful tips on finding illustrations for your talk and using them for maximum impact, as well as insights on reading your audience and effective body language. As Speaking to Teenagers guides you toward becoming a more effective communicator, you ll find that this book s practical principles will positively impact the way you view, treat, and communicate to teenagers."

Can you be gay and Christian? Does the Bible really require celibacy outside of heterosexual marriage? Isn't it unrealistic and unfair, imposing loneliness and the loss of basic human satisfactions like sex and marriage? Is what the church teaches about homosexuality a plausible way of life? In this honest book, Ed Shaw shares his pain in dealing with same-sex attraction - and yet he is committed to what the Bible says and what the church has always taught about marriage and sex. He shows us that obedience to Jesus is ultimately the only way to experience life to the full. He also challenges missteps that the church has often made in its understanding of the Christian life and of sexuality. We have been shaped by the world around us, and urgently need to re-examine the values that drive our discipleship in the light of the Bible. Only by reclaiming the reality of gospel discipleship, can we truly appreciate that life in Christ is the best way for all of us to flourish - whoever we are attracted to.

Most of us began our adult lives with ambitious dreams and the energy and determination to make them come true. But somewhere along the way our focus changed-life "happened," and we allowed our dreams to fizzle or even die. Is that the way it has to be? Do dreams come true for "ordinary" people? And if so, what does it take to make them happen? Author Mark Atteberry believes God has answered these questions in the life of Caleb, the boldest dreamer and achiever in all of Scripture.

In The Caleb Quest, Atteberry allows us to see that dreams don't come true by accident. On the contrary, fulfilled dreams are the result of clear thinking, strong faith, patience, and hard work. Geared to the everyday Christian, this biblical plan helps readers to test their dreams, identify "dream assassins," get God involved, accept His perfect timing, take action in pursuit of their dreams, and use their dreams to bless others. This inspirational book offers a realistic hope to anyone seeking to make a lifelong dream come true.

Contagious Faith will prepare you to share God's love with others in a way that's authentic, comfortable, and impactful. As disciples of Christ, we are called to share the gospel, but few of us are naturally comfortable with evangelism. We wrestle with internal fears, a lack of preparation, and the sense that reaching out to others might force us to act like someone we're not. What if we could find a way to talk about Jesus that fits our personalities, makes us feel confident, and ignites a fire in others? In Contagious Faith, bestselling author and teacher Mark Mittelberg introduces five approaches to evangelism and helps you determine which of them fit best with your unique personality and style: Friendship-Building Selfless-Serving Story-Sharing Reason-Giving Truth-Telling He also explains in a down-to-earth fashion several key skills that will help you talk about Jesus effectively, illustrating his message with real-life accounts of ordinary believers who applied these principles for extraordinary impact. With inspiring stories, fresh approaches, and timeless biblical wisdom, Contagious Faith will equip you to make a spiritual impact in the lives of the people around you-even in our increasingly resistant culture.

"With humorous prose and wry wit, Kenny makes a convincing case for all Christians to do more to meet access needs and embrace disabilities as part of God's kingdom. . . . Inclusivity-minded Christians will cheer the lessons laid out here."--Publishers Weekly "A book the church desperately needs."--Elisa Rowe, Sojourners Much of the church has forgotten that we worship a disabled God whose wounds survived resurrection, says Amy Kenny. It is time for the church to start treating disabled people as full members of the body of Christ who have much more to offer than a miraculous cure narrative and to learn from their embodied experiences. Written by a disabled Christian, this book shows that the church is missing out on the prophetic witness and blessing of disability. Kenny reflects on her experiences inside the church to expose unintentional ableism and cast a new vision for Christian communities to engage disability justice. She shows that until we cultivate church spaces where people with disabilities can fully belong, flourish, and lead, we are not valuing the diverse members of the body of Christ. Offering a unique blend of personal storytelling, fresh and compelling writing, biblical exegesis, and practical application, this book invites readers to participate in disability justice and create a more inclusive community in church and parachurch spaces. Engaging content such as reflection questions and top-ten lists are included.

Religion today comes in many forms. The arrival of the twenty-first century brought with it a wave of religious tolerance and indifference unlike any before. As Christians struggle to unfold the truth tangled by modernity and postmodernity, many choose to radically and disrespectfully oppose other religions or passively accept their possible validity for the sake of tolerance. The effects of religious pluralism in our world today make it increasingly difficult for the life-giving message of Christ to reach the hearts of those who need to hear it. How should Christians attempt to tell the Gospel story in a world that believes no one religion is right? How should Christians live and speak in the crowded marketplace of world religions? With Cords of Love presents Christians with an introduction to religious pluralism and offers a sound, loving response drawn from the essential doctrinal features of the Wesleyan theological tradition. This thorough examination discusses the historical, philosophical, and cultural factors that have contributed to religious pluralism and explores the major responses currently embraced in some Christian circles. In addition to this historical overview, it also outlines ways the Church can bear a hopeful, effective, and intelligible witness for the message of Christ. Using Paul's response to the Athenians in the Book of Acts, With Cords of Love compels us to approach people from other religions with both respect and compassion, urging us to allow God to direct and guide our words and actions as we help to complete the work He's already begun in their hearts.

Senior adult ministry isn't what it used to be. The comfortable assumptions and outdated programs that were the basis for local church ministry are being challenged. Baby boomers are hitting middle age and retirement. And their own parents are living longer. Authors Win and Charles Arn have updated and supplemented Catch the Age Wave with ideas, examples and advice to help the local church leader start and maintain a senior adult program. In addition, they have added practical program ideas to use in any local church setting. New challenges for a new day. Catch the Age Wave won't let you miss the boat.

Northcott constructs a new political theology of climate change that acknowledges the role of borders in the constitution of the nations, and their providential ordering under God as assemblies of persons who recognise particular duties to each other within those borders.

What are the theological foundations of Christian ministry? What should a vital Christian ministry look like in the world today? Teacher and veteran of urban ministry Bryan Stone addresses these important questions in an engaging and challenging book. Compassionate Ministry explores systematically the relationship between Christian doctrines of God, church, and human existence, and the focus and meaning of ministry today. It offers a solid introduction to the theology of ministry through an approach rooted in the compassion of God, which Stone shows is evident throughout the scriptures and made real in the incarnation and ministry of Jesus. Compassionate Ministry locates a primary focus in the experience of suffering and poverty which marks daily life for the majority of people today. Stone builds continually on this insight, drawing out the dimensions of a humanizing ministry that participates in restoring the "image of God" in which all have been created: an image of freedom, humanity, community. Understanding God as all-compassionate, and Jesus as the Compassion of God, this book provides a model of a compassionate church as a "liberating community: " people who, knowing what they believe, work and worship together in the service of humanizing praxis in their own community, and in the world at large. Finally, this ministry call for "compassionate evangelism" which proceeds itself from the community, as a more holistic and historical approach than current consensus might suggest.

Whether youa (TM)re a layperson or a professional counselor, Helping Those Who Hurt will help you care for others encountering life crises such as:
a [ illness, hospitalization, and death
a [ a troubled marriage
a [ addiction
a [ suicide

You have a giant in your life. An adversary that's diminishing your ability to live fully in Christ. Whatever it may be-rejection, fear, anger, comfort, or addiction-this giant stands between you and God's promise...and it must fall. Like with David and the Israelites, God has a better plan for you than to stand and be taunted day after day by a 9-foot Goliath. God's plan for you is to live in victory. In this six-session video Bible study (streaming code included), Pastor Louie Giglio reveals a twist in the story of David and Goliath that will help you and your study group see how God works victories in the lives of his people. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself-with discussion and reflection questions, activities, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). Each session will equip you with practical, hands-on steps to take after engaging in passages from the Bible and Louie's video talks, which show how living free from our giants means putting our hope in Jesus. When we do, we get to watch Goliath fall. Sessions and video run times: Dead but Still Deadly (22:30) Fear Must Fall (23:00) Rejection Must Fall (20:00) Comfort Must Fall (20:00) Anger Must Fall (22:30) Addiction Must Fall (22:00) Watch on any device! Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

This is not simply a book about having more discipline so you can live your dreams.

Rest & War is about pushing back the chaos and bringing about order to your life. It is about driving the evil dictator out of your heart and establishing the true King so you can:

• Overcome the deceptive strategies of sin aimed specifically at your weaknesses that bend your behaviors to broken ends
• Stop giving your heart to aimless affections and learn how to intentionally orient your life and loves around a God who cares for you
• Recognize that under your misdirected affections and motivations is a deep and good longing for God
• Discover methods of overcoming personal shortcomings that do not rely on shame-based motivation

The writer of Hebrews declares we are called to “cast off all that hinders” and “run the race marked out for us.” We are called into the action! In our race we must both flee some things and pursue others. It’s not about being free of all struggles. Rather, we have been empowered to struggle well.

A 2008 study released by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life notes that the number of people creating their own interpretations of faith and culture is growing. Seems like there are as many different styles of faith as ways to order your latte. How does a Christian have normal conversations about Jesus without accidentally sounding offensive, bigoted or intolerant? You will find the tools you need for meaningful, tolerant, and respectful conversations about your faith with friends who don't share your views. Forget the "fire and brimstone" approach and the awkward insistence to get other people "saved." You will discover how to be yourself without alienating others. You'll learn: How to walk in another person's shoes. Ways to gently invite others to share. The buzz words that will stop a conversation cold. How to navigate today's hot-topics. Tools to recover the true meaning of Scripture often obliterated by spiritual writers. How to talk about Jesus as a unique spiritual leader. You will discover how to invite people to become fully who Jesus wants them to be through this coffee shop approach to friendships in your community.

There is a growing number of local church laypeople entering children's ministry leadership. While this is helpful for furthering the Kingdom, these leaders face a huge learning curve. There are few resources available in the Wesleyan tradition for children's ministry leadership.Best Practices for Children's Ministry seeks to answer this need. With insight and understanding of the children's ministry world, author Andrew Ervin provides leaders with the tips, strategies, and skills they need to develop a strong and successful children's ministry.Times have changed. No longer does programming alone satisfy as the summation of children's ministry. No, the role of the children's ministry leader is far more complex. With Best Practices for Children's Ministry, leaders will find the answers and solutions they need to better practice children's ministry.

New Directions in Mission and Evangelization 3 contemplates the relationship between Christian faith and human culture. Representing a variety of branches from the Christian church and located in areas around the world, the contributors express their views on the question of "inculturation" in a text designed for classroom use in courses on mission and world Christianity.

Spiritual and autobiographical reflections on the author's seminary days, early ministry, and writing career.

Meals have always been important across societies and cultures - a time for friends and families to come together. An important part of relationships, meals are vital to our social health. Or as author Tim Chester puts it, 'Food connects.' Tim argues that meals are also deeply theological - an important part of Christian fellowship and mission. He observes that Luke's Gospel is full of stories of Jesus at meals. And these meals represent something bigger. In six chapters Tim shows how they enact grace, community, hope, mission, salvation and promise. Moving from New Testament times to today, the author applies biblical truth to challenge our contemporary understandings of hospitality. He urges sacrificial giving and loving around the table, helping readers consider how meals can be about serving others and sharing the grace of Christ.

Changing Frontiers of Mission reflects on the history of missions and seeks to discern its path for the future. Ever since Jesus' time, mission must precede the church. The renewal of the church is linked to recovery of this priority of mission. Unlike in the past, where the "frontier" was a geographical location, the future "frontier" is symbolized by outward movement, away from the status quo, and toward new challenges, growth and opportunities.

To communicate God??'s Word effectively in the twenty-first century, you need to know how to connect with and confront an audience of postmodern listeners. With this book, you???ll learn how to change your style of preaching without compromising the substance, take advantage of new opportunities provided by the cultural shift, and show an inattentive society the relevance of God??'s truth. "The world has gone through a major shift in thinking and communication into a postmodern mode, yet much preaching is still ???pre-modern??? and very out of touch. Graham Johnston has made a significant contribution in his book, showing how preaching can be thoroughly biblical, opening up the text of the Bible but also concerned with the openings in the minds of contemporary people." Leighton Ford, president, Leighton Ford Ministries "Communicating God??'s Word is more than just speaking the truth; it??'s being heard and understood as well. This book is designed to help Christian leaders better understand their listeners, so they can communicate biblical truths with effectiveness and clarity." Josh McDowell, author of Evidence That Demands a Verdict "Graham Johnston describes the water in which we exist. . . . Better still, he provides some workable leads on how to communicate the life-giving Word to men and women swimming in the currents of the twenty-first century." Haddon W. Robinson, author of Biblical Preaching "Johnston not only brings a shrewd analysis of the present changes in our culture, he also contributes from the perspective of a skilled practitioner. Such a combination is both rare and valuable." Martin Robinson, director of mission and theology, British and Foreign Bible Society "Foranyone desiring a ministry of impact in today??'s postmodern society, Graham Johnston has provided an understandable and useful focus." Howard G. Hendricks, chairman, Center for Christian Leadership, Dallas Theological Seminary