First published in 1918 Whizzbangs and Woodbines presents a candid portrait of life behind the lines on the Western Front by Reverend Durell, then Rector of Rotherhithe, and Chief Commissioner of the Church Army in France.The Church Army, along with its counterparts the YMCA, TOC-H and Salvation Army played an important part in the support and morale of soldiers in war. In addition to providing spiritual support,the Church Army welcomed more than 200,000 men each day to their recreation huts and provided visits and gifts to the wounded, tents and hostels near the front lines, drove ambulances, mobile canteens and kitchen cars.In addition to voluntary Church services, for those who wished to attend, a simple salvation from trench life was offered; music, singing, concerts, card games,billiards and refreshments, all small measures of joy in the midst of dangers and hardships and as vital to the continued war effort as bullets and shells. For a packet of woodbines and a cup of tea was restorative ammunition enough for the average British Tommy.

Letters to Marc About Jesus is a beautiful collection of Henri Nouwen's very intimate and very enlightening writings to Marc, his nineteen-year-old nephew, who struggles to find his true path in a world of confusion and apathy. Written with Nouwen's characteristic grace and wisdom, these letters bear witness to his conviction that anyone can find lasting spiritual fulfillment if they simply take the time to maintain a daily awareness of Jesus in every aspect of life. Powerful and profound, Letters to Marc About Jesus is Nouwen at his best--teacher, guide, and mentor--and will provide the direction and inspiration necessary for any believer to change his or her life.

In our world, stories matter. Methods and systems are beneficial because they provide structure and help keep us on the right road; but the motivation and courage to keep walking the road, come from the stories we hear and see and experience-stories that inspire hope and bring us face-to-face with God. For ministers, the call to preach is a call into a story that forms and shapes us. It's about stumbling into revelation as life unwinds and scripture unfolds. It's about listening to God's voice and then sharing it with others. It's about recognizing that when people gather to hear a sermon, God speaks. And it's about understanding that when He speaks, He speaks through you. Preaching the Story That Shapes Us is more than a textbook on preaching. It's an empowering call for preachers to present a picture of the kingdom of God already at work among us, recognizing that the work of preaching is not just about arranging words--it's about people. With elegant prose and crafted reason, Dan Boone weaves together scripture, personal narrative, structure, and theological reflection to provide a satisfying, efficient guide to narrative preaching. From exploring the importance of biography to walking readers through creative processes that shape the sermon, Boone shows preachers how to awaken lives and share the stories of God that reveal who we are and lead us to who we will be.

Practicing faithful discipleship means focusing on the daily aspects of Christian education in the local church, within its structures, and through faithful ministry.

Through Bible-based truths and helpful insights, Discovering Discipleship identifies principles that provide the Christian educator with an overview of the significant aspects of faithful discipleship. Effectively organized into four areasdefinitions, dynamics, design, and practiceauthors Dean Blevins and Mark Maddix offer readers an approach to discipleship that seeks to honor God, understand our role in the contemporary world, and guide persons and communities according to Kingdom principles.

In this honest exploration, readers will find a new perspective on discipleship that will help them dig deeper and develop a long-lasting and effective practice of community formation and faithful discipleship.

In our age of instant gratification and if-it-feels-good-do-it attitudes, self-discipline is hardly a popular notion. Yet it may be one of the most important lost virtues of our time. In Joyful Surrender, former missionary and beloved author Elisabeth Elliot offers her understanding of discipline and its value for people of all times. She shows readers how to - discipline the mind, body, possessions, time, and feelings - overcome anxiety - change poor habits and attitudes - trust God in times of trial and hardship - let Christ have control in all areas of life Elliot masterfully and gently takes readers through Scripture, personal stories, and incisive observations of the world around her to help them discover the understanding that our fulfillment as human beings depends on our answer to God's call to obedience.

Are you ready to take the next step? Church as we know it is changing... with conversations and initiatives bubbling up around how our churches can be truly intergenerational, functioning in close and loving community as the body of Christ. Eleanor Bird speaks into the debate with a challenge to rethink our work with all ages from the ground up, offering practical observations drawn from her experience of developing children's and youth ministry in a local church context, together with a biblically based framework for how this thinking can be taken forward in your church. 'In order for us to see nations changed, we need to see the full body of Christ rise up together across all ages, to walk and minister shoulder to shoulder. Blended invites us to see that it is not only necessary, but possible. No matter what size community or denomination we belong to, this book gives us ways of seeing and doing church together with a new heart that will reap great rewards for the kingdom.' Rachel Turner, author and speaker

There is a way the church can help the wounded move beyond their hurts, habits, and hang-ups to experience the forgiveness of Christ. Celebrate Recovery helps the church fulfill its role as Christ's healing agent. You don't have to lead alone. To lead people forward in spiritual, physical, and emotional restoration is to walk in the footsteps of Christ. And that's why the Celebrate Recovery Leader's Guide is so important. With everything you need to encourage lasting life-change, the leader's guide is the best way to facilitate Celebrate Recovery in your church and help people look forward to a whole new future. The Celebrate Recovery Leader's Guide includes: Fresh testimonies A 90-day start-up strategy A clear, easy-to-follow format Step-by-step instructions for each meeting Guide for conducting leader training Teaching notes for the 25 lessons of The Journey Begins (Participant Guides 1-4) Overview of the 25 lessons of The Journey Continues (Participant Guides 5-8) Along with a willing heart, this leader's guide is invaluable for leading men and women forward in complete restoration and transformation through Christ.

After you read A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD you are going to see for yourself what God says about it. Have you ever wondered if it's possible to have a meaningful relationship with God? BILL VINCENT'S powerful study will help you discover for yourself how such a rewarding relationship with God is possible. The last two Chapters are Daily Bible Reading and Daily Devotions to help you to get on the right track in your walk with God. You will also learn how salvation is something you keep burning on the inside of you. You have to keep your fire burning and there are many things released in A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD that will help you begin your journey to genuine faith.

Provides practical instruction to help pastors and congregational leaders bring clarity and purpose to the role of elders or deacons, and to help deacons or elders learn and refine their ministry. Each of the nine sessions in Training Ministry Teams reflects on Jesus' method of training leaders and works toward a specific outcome. Topics include: working as a ministry team, decision-making, mediating conflict, visitation, partnering with the pastor, and more. Sessions conclude with group assignments designed to move participants from theory to action. Also included are resources to help in calling, commissioning, and nurturing elders and deacons. 108 Pages.

Billy Graham, Eugene Peterson, William Willimon and other well-known church leaders teach you how to connect with the congregation through your preaching. Beyond the 'how-to's' of preaching, The Pastor's Guide provides a foundation for embodying God's grace and holiness as a means of communicating His message. Great preachers of our time will teach you how to: Plan an extended preaching schedule Keep your congregation engaged in what you're saying Improve your delivery Develop ideas for content And much more!

Just as a physically healthy person--at an ideal weight and with good blood pressure and cholesterol numbers--might not actually be fit enough to run a 5k, so churches can appear healthy--with no obvious issues, maintaining a healthy size--and yet not exhibit fitness. A fit church is one that is not satisfied with merely coasting along with no problems. A fit church is actively making disciples, maturing in faith, developing strong leaders, reaching out to the community, and more. Building the Body offers pastors and church leaders twelve characteristics of fit churches and shows them how they can move their church through five levels of fitness, from beginner all the way to elite--just as an athlete, through training and practice, can become the top in his or her class. Includes comparison charts at the end of each chapter so readers can clearly see where their church currently falls and concluding "Complete the Progress Chart" so that they can see what their goals should be for the future.

A much-needed area for brand new converts is a practical workbook for follow up. This is the purpose of 'Connect with Jesus'. I have spent over 16 years as a full time itinerate evangelist. My heart broke over the lack of good material to give to each convert. These babies in Jesus need something special to help them get rooted in the faith. They need to understand what happened to them and what the Bible says about their conversion. These precious babies in Jesus must have something in their hands that will immediately get them into the Word of God. This workbook covers vitally important topics that every new believer must understand to grow in Christ. Understanding what true salvation is all about and what the Bible says about salvation. The importance of reading their Bibles, the importance of having a prayer life and how to develop that discipline, the importance of Church and personal evangelism are just a few topics covered in this important workbook. Churches that use this book as a new believers class are thrilled with their results.

These fairy tale-type stories, realistic situation stories, fantasy, and a few other genres as well! All the stories are Christian-based and aimed to put a smile on those children we love. This will sure get you closer as a family as you discover the many tales told in this book. Some Christians will cringe when they see witchcraft and wizards. I tell you this world has consumed itself with Harry Potter and witchcraft. These stories that name witchcraft and wizards will have another side to the stories. The stories have Jesus over taking these spiritual battles. It is time for the children of America and the world to know the real difference between good and evil.

We all must learn to stay connected with God. After you read A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD you are going to see for yourself what God says about it. Have you ever wondered if it's possible to have a meaningful relationship with God? BILL VINCENT'S powerful study will help you discover for yourself how such a rewarding relationship with God is possible. The last two Chapters are Daily Bible Reading and Daily Devotions to help you to get on the right track in your walk with God. You will also learn how salvation is something you keep burning on the inside of you. You have to keep your fire burning and there are many things released in A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD that will help you begin your journey to genuine faith. You can also get the Workbook Version for taking notes within the book.

We all have hard times that seem to go on and on. The anointed Word of God will help those who believe to grow instead of fall. Many Christians have given up at the brink of a miracle. One thing to understand is God has called us to be overcomers. In this we are going to reveal some obstacles that Satan wants to destroy the Saints with. We do not have to go from defeat to defeat but victory to victory.

This book starts out with basic principles of the prophetic ministry. You will discover and be encouraged as you read chapter after chapter of Increasing Your Prophetic Gift. It is time for everyone to tap into their prophetic call and dig to a deeper anointing than ever before. At the end of this book you will read and be activated as you hear the personal experiences of a young prophet. Bill started as a simple minister and increased to a powerful prophetic minister. Bill has prophesied to many and has seen hundreds healed and set free through personal prophetic ministry. It is time for you to increase your prophetic gift today.

PASTOR You've been trained to preach and to teach and to do outreach. How's it going now that you're in the trenches? How are you doing professionally? Do you still have the big picture of your call and your vision in view? Are you finding time and resources to nurture your congregation? Are you controlling the administration of your church, or is it controlling you? How are you doing personally? Is your family life in shape? Are you taking care of yourself physically and emotionally? Are your personal finances in order? Larry Burkett, Dallas Willard, William Willimon, Dale Galloway and other well-known church leaders provide solid advice for your personal and professional development. Keep The Pastor's Guide to Effective Ministry on top of your desk as you face the day-to-day challenges of ministry.