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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > Christian spiritual & Church leaders
What are the distinctive characteristics of Christian leaders? Too
many churches and parachurch groups are blindly operating under
secular leadership principles and strategies. Concerned to counter
this drift, leadership expert Aubrey Malphurs 1) articulates a
working definition of a Christian leader and leadership based on
Scripture and his own extensive research, and 2) challenges you to
define and develop leadership in your ministry. Malphurs then
describes in detail the specific characteristics of leaders, such
as commitment to Christ, caring, trustworthiness, a servant
attitude, and having followers. Each chapter ends with helpful
questions for reflection and discussion. Included in the appendices
are several inventories that will help you assess your strengths
and weaknesses in leadership as well as your leadership style,
ideal ministry circumstances, and much more. Aubrey Malphurs is
professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary. A
nationally recognized expert on leadership issues, he is the author
of a dozen books and the president of The Malphurs Group
(www.malphursgroup.com), a training and consulting organization.
Leading spiritual teacher John Philip Newell reveals how Celtic
spirituality, listening to the sacred around us and inside of us,
can help to heal the earth, overcome our conflicts and reconnect
with ourselves. Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul offers a new spiritual
foundation for our lives, once centered on encouragement,guidance
and hope for creating a better world. Sharing the long hidden
tradition of Celtic Christianity, explaining how this earth-based
spirituality can help us rediscover the natural rhythms of life and
deepen our spiritual connection with God, with each other and with
the earth. Newell introduces some of Celtic Christianity's leading
practitioners, both saints and pioneers of faith, whose timeless
wisdom is more necessary than ever, including: Pelagius, who shows
us how to look beyond sin to affirm our sacredness as part of all
God's creation and courageously stands up for our principles in the
face of oppression. Brigid of Kildare, who illuminates the
interrelationship of all things and reminds us of the power of the
sacred feminine to overcome those seeking to control us. John Muir,
who encourages us to see the holiness and beauty of wilderness and
what we must do to protect these gifts. Teilhard de Chardin, who
inspires us to see how science, faith, and our future tell one
universal story that beings with sacredness.
Ian Parkinson shares his experience of partnering with God to transform two very different local churches. He weaves stories from his own congregations, and draws on his experience of ministering in an inherited traditional but declining church, revealing what he has done to turn them around.
The transformation of such churches is critical: there are relational links to build on within communities; there are resources in place; and most importantly,
God desires to renew his people in their sense of identity, vision, calling and anointing, even when they lose their way. In order for this to happen, there need to be leaders who are enthused and equipped to share in God's vision to be agents of change in the church for the sake of the world. This is transformational leadership. Such leadership comes about when we are gripped by a compelling vision of how God intends His Church to be, and a
passion to see it move it forwards.
Ian Parkinson begins with a brief overview of the true calling and identity of the Church, before examining the catalytic role of leaders in establishing
practices and habits which enable the congregation to see vision become reality.
Do you want to love your neighbor as yourself but don't know where
to start? This practical, accessible guide to bridging the dividing
lines of politics, race, and economics, both individually and as
the church, will help you amplify Jesus in your community and build
God's kingdom. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus
gave a two-part answer: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your
strength" and also "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love God. Love
others. Jesus' simple command to love your neighbor can feel
overwhelming when your neighbor looks, lives, and votes differently
than you do. Racial and economic tensions across the country have
resulted in deep dividing lines that seem really intimidating to
cross. Docusen breaks down these lines in approachable chapters,
including topics like these: how to actively seek out people you
can benefit and encourage, what it means to find a diverse and
supportive community that fulfills needs, examples of real-life
experiences, including highlights and missteps of Docusen's ongoing
journey, and how churches can teach on difficult topics with grace
and truth. Neighborliness is a practical guide to bridging those
dividing lines and learning to recognize and amplify the beauty of
God in our communities. Backed by David's speaking and training
through the Neighborliness Center, this book will help individuals
and churches reach out to their neighbors, love them through
Christ, and build God's kingdom.
The key to growth as a church, youth ministry, or a business is
getting first-time guests to come back. And as any good manager of
a hotel, a store, a restaurant, or an attraction knows, the key to
getting guests to come back is not actually the rooms or the
product or the food itself; it's how guests feel when they're
there. It's about hospitality. No matter how much effort and time
we spend on excellence--stirring worship time, inspiring sermons, a
good coffee blend in the foyer--what our guests really want when
they come to our churches is to feel welcome, comfortable, and
understood. Written by a church consultant and a hospitality
expert, The Come Back Effect shows church, ministry, and even
business leaders the secret to helping a first-time guest return
again and again. Through an engaging, story-driven approach, they
explain how service and hospitality are two different things, show
how Jesus practiced hospitality, and invite leaders to develop and
implement changes that lead to repeat visits and, eventually, to
sustained growth.
Tony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker encourage us to develop our
resilience and to prepare ourselves for the challenges that life
throws at us in an increasingly difficult world. Through biblical
wisdom and psychological insight, they show us how to understand
ourselves better, appreciate our areas of strength and strengthen
our areas of weakness. Read this book if you want a faith that
persists to the finishing line.
Equip church leaders with the tools and insights needed to rally
people around renewed purpose. Drawing from biblical principles and
the experience of Real Life Ministries, this workbook guides users
to evaluate the power of ministry alignment and personal influence
for the sake of each church's God-given mission to make disciples.*
9 weeks of material designed for a church staff or ministry
leadership team* Each week includes four personal exercises and one
collaborative session for a team meeting* A thorough outline of
practical steps for leading a new or established church toward a
unified mission of disciple-making* Interactive workbook includes
assessments for areas of ministry and leadership* Clear plan of
action unique to each church built around common biblical
principles
It's time to leave behind the discontent of comparison and discover
a free and joyful life. Join Pastor Nona Jones--who was recently
featured on GMA3--as she gives you the tools you need to kill
comparison once and for all. Nearly all of us deal with the
struggle of comparison and finding ourselves lacking. But there is
a way to break free from internal and external messages
communicating a lack of self-worth. It starts with identifying the
basis of your urge to compare and ends with securing your identity
to the unchanging confidence of God's love for you. Nona Jones
knows this journey all too well. Throughout her life and in her
career--most recently as an executive for the world's largest
social media company--Nona discovered that despite professional
success, true confidence can only be achieved by defeating toxic
comparison and securing our identity to God's approval alone.
Killing Comparison provides a fresh, biblically rooted perspective
on an age-old human dilemma--the pressure to compare oneself to
others--that the era of social media has exacerbated and
heightened. This timely and necessary guide will help you:
Determine your true source of self-worth Develop practical ways to
conquer daily comparison Learn how to control social media instead
of letting it control you Discover how to accomplish your dreams
without comparing yourself at every turn Identify the root cause
leading you to compare your life to others Through practical
insight and down-to-earth encouragement, Nona helps you avoid the
despair of comparison and pursue a free, joyful life.
With the exception of the life of St. Nino, none of the biographies
here had been previously translated into English when this book was
originally published in 1956. The lives of the Georgian saints are
rich and many-sided, not dry chronicles of monkish trivialities.
They contain vivid descriptions of life in the Caucasus, Byzantium
and Palestine. They give the reader insight into the history and
aspirations of an important branch of the Eastern Church and into
its relationships with Zoroastrian Persia, the Arab Caliphate, the
Imperial Court of Constantinople and the whole world of mediaeval
Christendom.
Clergy suffer from certain health issues at a rate higher than the
general population. Why are pastors in such poor health? And what
can be done to help them step into the abundant life God desires
for them? Although anecdotal observations about poor clergy health
abound, concrete data from multiple sources supporting this claim
hasn't been made accessible--until now. Duke's Clergy Health
Initiative (CHI), a major, decade-long research project, provides a
true picture of the clergy health crisis over time and demonstrates
that improving the health of pastors is possible. Bringing together
the best in social science and medical research, this book
quantifies the poor health of clergy with theological engagement.
Although the study focused on United Methodist ministers, the
authors interpret CHI's groundbreaking data for a broad ecumenical
readership. In addition to physical health, the book examines
mental health and spiritual well-being, and suggests that
increasing positive mental health may prevent future physical and
mental health problems for clergy. Concrete suggestions tailored to
clergy are woven throughout the book.
Have you ever been thrust into a surprising place of leadership?
Are you looking for a mentor who has had similar experiences? Ebony
S. Small is a young leader with a wealth of experience in both
churches and organizations. She's got practical and biblical wisdom
to offer whether you are just starting or are looking for a fresh
start in your life and leadership. Every life experience-good, bad,
or indifferent-is a distinct marker that God used to hardwire you
for purpose and help you lead from an authentic and healthy place.
The power of God's presence is not just for your benefit but also
for all in your sphere of influence. This book invites you to
discover your unique leadership gifts and skills, showing how our
obedience to God unleashes a ripple effect that can alter the
destiny of generations to come.
In 1889 the Jesuit Richard F. Clarke published this biography of
Charles Lavigerie (1825-1892), the French cardinal and Primate of
Africa. From the moment of his arrival in Algeria in 1868,
Lavigerie became a key, if sometimes controversial, figure in
organising Catholic missions in Africa. In 1874 he founded the
Society of Missionaries for Africa, otherwise known as the White
Fathers after the white Arab dress they wore. Lavigerie's later
career was devoted to the battle against slavery and in 1888 he
conducted a campaign in several European capitals denouncing the
practice. Clarke's book, which appeared a year after Lavigerie's
visit to London, provides an account of the cardinal's career in
France and Africa up to that date. It emphasises and praises
Lavigerie's anti-slavery message, referring to him in the preface
as 'the apostle of the slaves of all Africa'.
There's a ticking time bomb in your ministry. Is it you? The
pressures of pastoring are endless, leading many to burnout and
depression, sexual misconduct, or substance abuse. But moral
failures can be averted and shipwrecked ministries can be repaired.
Counselor Michael MacKenzie, a longtime expert in helping pastors
at risk, deals with the issues beneath the issues, such as shame,
fear, and pain. If we don't address our own weakness and
brokenness, we will hurt ourselves and those around us. With vivid
pictures of both self-destructive patterns and reconstructive
grace, MacKenzie shows how to lay the groundwork for restored
identity and service. God can use those exact areas of
vulnerability as a catalyst to you becoming the pastor and person
he intends you to be. Defuse the bomb before it goes off. Find hope
for healing and recovery.
Spiritual formation is the key to the survival of our faith. There
is an urgent need today for church services that are substantive
and purposeful. Stigmatized by scandal, the church in North America
and throughout Europe has been branded as useless and irrelevant.
To stem the tide of nominal Christianity, we need to get serious
about making disciples who can make other disciples. Rory Noland is
a worship leader who has led in contexts ranging from megachurches
to small retreat settings such as the Transforming Center with Ruth
Haley Barton. Combining discipleship and worship-what Noland calls
transforming worship-he offers a vision for worship as spiritual
formation. We need to reclaim our worship services as a formative
space, and through that we will become the light of Christ in a
dark world.
The important questions in ecumenical dialogue centre upon issues
of authority and order. This book uses the development of ministry
in the early Methodist Church to explore the origins of the
Methodist Order and identify the nature of authority exercised by
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. Showing Methodism
as having been founded upon Episcopalian principles, but in a
manner reinterpreted by its founder, Adrian Burdon charts the
journey made by John Wesley and his people towards the ordination
of preachers, which became such a major issue amongst the first
Methodist Societies. Implications for understanding the nature and
practice of authority and order in modern Methodism are explored,
with particular reference to the covenant for unity between English
Methodists and the Church of England.
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