Contemplative Youth Ministry is rooted in Mark Yaconelli's experience of co-directing the acclaimed Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project. Through this project, churches and youth ministers have explored contemplative prayer, discernment, spiritual direction, covenant community, spiritual practice and Sabbath-living as a way of resourcing ministries with youth. The results have been transformative, and this engaging book, richly illustrated with personal stories, provides refreshment and new ways of thinking for anyone who has grown weary or disillusioned with the vital tasks of working with and caring for young people.

Advancing strong, scholarly discussion on the Holy Spirit and the church in the context of the ecumenical movement, six theologians in five different churches offer new theological and pastoral insights into the work of the Holy Spirit in the churches of Christianity, in ecumenism, and in witness. With The Church: Towards a Common Vision (World Council of Churches) document serving as a common point of reference, a pastoral perspective is distinctive throughout. Relating theology to non-theological knowledge of the contemporary cultural context, as well as application to pastoral practice, this book draws from, and is applicable to, clergy formation, preaching, lay discipleship, church-world relations, social mission, congregational life, grass-roots ecumenical cooperation, and witness to Christ and the gospel by racial minorities.

When Christine Morgan got Richard Coles, Kate Bottley and Giles Fraser together in a studio, all she had to do was plug them in and let them go. The dynamic between the three meant there were moments of real connection and poignancy alongside the laughter: 'I'm exaggerating for comic effect,' Kate announced after one particularly outrageous anecdote, 'It's one of the reasons we're here.' Each realized in the course of conversation that they favoured one of the three rites of passage: Giles: Baptism because you enter into the body of Christ Richard: Funerals because they take you into the mystery of God Kate: Weddings because you get to wear nice shoes Engagingly introduced by Christine Morgan, the book ends with the profoundly moving episode (recorded remotely in the three vicars' homes) that was broadcast on Easter Sunday 2020, to a world in crisis.

Sex saturates the world our students are growing up in. Everywhere they look (or listen) they can hear all kinds of messages about sexuality, and most of it probably isn t helping them develop a healthy understanding of how their own sexuality fits into God s plan for their lives. In Good Sex 2.0: A Whole-Person Approach to Teenage Sexuality and God, you ll find tools to help you (and parents of teens) involve your students in understanding, enjoying, and taking responsibility for their sexuality---all without lecturing, intimidating, or moralizing. The Good Sex 2.0 curriculum gives you everything you need to help your students process and understand: * Sexual Identity * Desire * Responsibility * Sex Messaging * Intimacy * Boundaries * Do-Overs This Leader s Guide gives you tools to walk students through the seven sessions of the Good Sex 2.0 curriculum, and is organized in such a way that without much preparation you can lead it yourself or hand it off to a volunteer to use in a large or small group setting. Good Sex 2.0 also includes several appendices and other helpful resources you can consult for further teaching."

Ted Haggard presents a successful and tested model for a small group ministry here that can be implemented by a church of any size. By enabling members to embrace and capitalize on their own unique abilities, the diverse groups create an environment where people meet mentors that can disciple and guide them. This need-and interest based approach redefines the model for powerful church growth.

Once upon a time, there lived a man and a woman in the garden Paradise, where they were terrifically happy. Their names were Adam and Eve, and God made them.He made them in his image--like little mirrors to reflect his glory. And like everything else God made, he made them good. It was a wonderful time to be God's children in his wonderful world. But things didn't stay happy and wonderful for long. One terrible day, Adam and Eve sinned. They ate from the only tree in the garden that God had declared off-limits. Adam and Eve had disobeyed God's word; they believed the lie of the devilish Snake instead of the truth. God made Adam and Eve go away from the garden Paradise. It wasn't possible for people so bad to live in Paradise with a God who is so good. But God made a promise. He promised Adam and Eve that one of their children would someday crush the head ofthat nasty Snake.The Snake Crusherwould put things right. Sadly, things got a lot worse before they got better. After sin entered the world, everything fell apart. Nothing was the way it should be. The people who were born after Adam and Eve just couldn't get things right. They almost never did well at obeying God's commands. Still, God made more promises to his people about the Snake Crusher--but people never listened for long. Sin and the Snake seemed to be winning. Until suddenly--they lost. And so we come, after all those downs and not many ups, to a manger in the little town of Bethlehem. This is where we meet the Snake Crusher--born as a baby, with animals and stinky shepherds and singing angels all around. No one understood it completely at the time, but when Mary gave birth to baby Jesus, God was giving his people a new beginning, just as he promised. As Jesus grew up, there were many surprises. His miracles were remarkable. His teaching was unlike anything anyone had ever heard. But the biggest surprise was that this Chosen One of God was chosen by God to die.The One destined to crush the Serpent would first be crushed himself. When Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, died on the cross that Friday afternoon, it seemed to be a shocking evil beyond belief. It was the worst thing that's ever happened in the world. But it was also the best thing that's ever happened. Just as we would expect from God! And just as God planned it. We suffer for sin--so our Savior Jesus suffered for us. We break promises--so God was keeping his. We run from God--so he came to us. The biggest story ever is the story of God doing what we can't, to make up for our doing what we shouldn't. Jesus suffered for our sin that we might share in his sinlessness. God had kicked his people out of Paradise--then did everything it took to bring them back again. Things had fallen apart so they could come back together. As you may have heard, the Snake Crusher who died on the cross didn't stay dead. He couldn't!Death had no claim on him. So on the third day, God raised him from the dead. A whole bunch of people saw the risen Jesus, and ate with him, and told their friends (just as we should tell our friends) that Jesus is really alive. Forty days later, God lifted him up into the sky and gave him the seat of honor at his right hand. Because Jesus's work was done, he sat down. And God gave him the name above all names, so that at the name of Jesus everybody and everything would start to sing and shout and worship. The Snake Crusher is coming back again to wipe out all the bad guys and wipe away every tear. He's coming to make a new beginning and to finish what he started. He's coming to give us the home we once had and might have forgotten that we lost. So keep waiting for him. Keep believing in him. Keep trusting that the story isn't over yet. God's promises never fail and the Promised One never disappoints. One day we will see him. One day we will be with him.One day there'll be nothing but the best days--day after day after day. Forever and ever, it will be a wonderful time to be God's children in God's wonderful world. If you believe in Jesus and believe that this story is true, talk to God and say something like this: Dear God, thank you for loving me so much that you sent your Son Jesus to take away my sin. I'm sorry for the bad things I've done. Please forgive me and help me to love and trust you more every day. Amen.

You've responded to God's call―surrendering yourself to His will―e and now your life will never be the same. By becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, you've not only secured an eternal home in heaven, but you've also begun a one-on-one relationship with the Maker of the universe

When you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you became part of His family, one filled with brothers and sisters in the faith―b oth within your local church as well as around the world.

This is an exciting time for you as a new believer . . . the guilt of your sins has been forever lifted from your shoulders. The gray cloud of hopelessness has left. The light of Christ has penetrated your life, and you're experiencing life like never before. Dr. John MacArthur wants to be one of the first to welcome you to God's family and to help you along the way.

Our goal as Christians is never simply to build our own tribe. Instead, we seek the peace and prosperity of the city or community in which we live through a gospel movement led by the Holy Spirit, a movement united by the gospel of Jesus Christ, a common mission to reach and serve others, and a commitment to be gracious and generous to those who disagree with you. In Serving a Movement, best-selling author and pastor Timothy Keller looks at the nature of the church's mission and its relationship to the work of individual Christians in the world. He examines what it means to be a "missional" church today and how churches can practically equip people for missional living. Churches need to intentionally cultivate an integrative ministry that connects people to God, to one another, to the needs of the city, and to the culture around us. Finally, he highlights the need for intentional movements of churches planting new churches that faithfully proclaim God's truth and serve their communities. This new edition contains the third section of Center Church in an easy-to-read format with new reflections and additional essays from Timothy Keller and several other contributors.

A must-read for church leaders and members alike, this book outlines 9 essential marks that distinguish a healthy, biblical church. This classic book is now revised with a new preface and additional content on prayer and missions. Fourth edition.

A marriage needs something sturdier than romance. Popular author and pastor Paul David Tripp encourages readers to make 6 gospel-centered commitments with the aim of making Jesus Christ the foundation of their marriages.

An easy-to-learn, easy-to-use tool for in-depth Bible study Beloved and acclaimed for more than five generations, the Thompson (R) Chain-Reference (R) Bible is unparalleled in its ability to enrich personal devotions, topical study, and sermon preparation. This unique reference Bible enables you to search the breadth of Scripture's teachings on thousands of topics and allows you to follow those topics throughout the entire Bible. With over 100,000 references, covering over 8,000 topics, the chain-reference system is an ideal tool for comprehensive topical study. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible also offers a library of additional study resources that allows readers to interpret the Bible using related scripture passages rather than consulting a commentary. The KJV Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, Large Print is printed in the KJV Comfort Print (R) typeface for easy reading. Expertly designed specifically to be used for the King James Version (KJV) text, Comfort Print offers an easier reading experience that complements the translation. This Bible also features a fresh, two-color design that preserves the original look of the chain-reference system, while making each page cleaner and easier to read. Features: Complete text of the King James Version (KJV) Easy-to-understand chain-reference system with over 100,000 references Alphabetical and numerical indexes highlight study materials for over 8,000 topics, each with its own topic number, for exhaustive topical study An extensive study resource section includes biographical sketches, illustrated studies of the Bible, a concordance, Bible harmonies, and many other helpful study tools Fresh, two-color page design 66 book introductions 16-page full-color map section with map index Line-matched text for enhanced readability Words of Jesus in red Presentation page for gift-giving Gilded page edges Two double-sided satin ribbon markers, each 3/8-inch wide European bonded leather cover lies flat when open Exclusive KJV Comfort Print typeface Print size: 10.5

In this book, Michael Reeves calls believers to see God as the object of their fear-a fear marked not by anxiety but by reverence and awe.

Like the Freedom in Christ workbook, this product is purchased mainly in packs of five

Pastors face two temptations when they consider church leadership: one, common in more culturally conservative churches, is simply to preach faithfully and assume that that alone is adequate Christian leadership; the other, common in more culturally contemporary churches, is to apply secular business wisdom, but uncritically. The books published mirror the two camps. Both drive a wedge between the Bible and leadership. What if the gift of leadership was a clear outworking of biblical teaching? What if there is in the Bible a consistent pattern of human communities flourishing under the good rule of God's Word. Drawing on years of teaching and ministry, Chris Green shows us how, as Mike Ovey put it, Christian leaders can be God's best possible gift to flourishing communities.

Today, traditional forms of preaching are being scrutinized and challenged. The biblical sermon is not immune to the pressure to evolve or even fall by the wayside, leaving pastors and seminary students confused over how best to communicate to today s listeners. In this forward-looking textbook, Kenton Anderson delivers a strong call to current and future ministers to indeed choose to preach biblical sermons, despite the obstacles to doing so. While preaching itself is non-negotiable, the exact form it takes can be much more flexible, allowing people to hear from God as they hear his Word preached. Rather than presenting one model or process for preparing a sermon, Anderson explains several available options. As you discern your message from the Bible, will you begin with the text (deductive) or with the listener (inductive)? Will you focus on the idea (cognitive) or the image (affective)? The choices you make lead to five possible sermon structures: * DECLARATIVE---make an argument * PRAGMATIC---solve a mystery * NARRATIVE---tell a story * VISIONARY---paint a picture * INTEGRATIVE---sing a song Each model is described in detail and related to well-known contemporary preachers, including John MacArthur, Rick Warren, Eugene Lowry, and Rob Bell. This book equips you with a variety of tools for your preaching tool kit."

Here is Biblical narrative preaching that transforms. John W. Wright presents a new model of preaching that aims to connect the biblical text with a congregation so that they are formed into a true Christian community. Such formation calls for interpretative engagement with both the biblical narrative and the cultural narrative that shapes our society. Wright critically surveys current theories of preaching and the variety of hermeneutical practices, providing clear guidance and practical direction for faithful preaching.

"This inviting text provides a useful framework for Christians to use in approaching what can be difficult conversations around gender identity."--Publishers Weekly This book offers a measured Christian response to the diverse gender identities that are being embraced by an increasing number of adolescents. Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky offer an honest, scientifically informed, compassionate, and nuanced treatment for all readers who care about or work with gender-diverse youth: pastors, church leaders, parents, family members, youth workers, and counselors. Yarhouse and Sadusky help readers distinguish between current mental health concerns, such as gender dysphoria, and the emerging gender identities that some young people turn to for a sense of identity and community. Based on the authors' significant clinical and ministry experience, this book casts a vision for practically engaging and ministering to teens navigating diverse gender-identity concerns. It also equips readers to critically engage gender theory based on a Christian view of sex and gender.

WINNER OF THE WORD GUILD 2019 CHRISTIAN LIVING BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD "The pages you are about to read may feel like a literal rescue." -Ann Voskamp, New York Times Bestselling author Survival Guide for the Soul is a profound spiritual exploration of God's love-a love that many of us understand intellectually without fully grasping or relying on in our day-to-day experiences-a love that fills our sails with joy and frees us to truly flourish. Many of us are driven by an ambition to accomplish something big outside ourselves. On all sides, we're pressured to achieve-professionally, socially, financially. Even when we're aware of this pressure, it can be hard to escape the vicious circles of accomplishment, frustration, and spiritual burn-out. Drawing on a wide range of sources from Scripture to church history to psychology and modern neuroscience-as well as deeply personal stories from his own life-Ken Shigematsu, recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal and pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver, BC, vividly demonstrates how the gospel redeems our desires and reorders our lives. Pastor Shigematsu offers fresh perspective on how certain spiritual practices help orient our lives so that our souls can flourish in the midst of a demanding, competitive society. And he concludes with a liberating and counter-cultural definition of true greatness. If you long to experience a deeper relationship with Christ within the daily pressures to succeed, Survival Guide for the Soul is packed with biblical wisdom and a godly approach to transcend the human tendency to define ourselves by our productivity and success. "Loaded with practical insights and encouraging thoughts, every reader will benefit from Ken's work." -Max Lucado, New York Times Bestselling author