Church leaders want to know how to make their small groups work. Drawing from the startling success of small groups at The Journey Church, Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas debunk the myths, set the record straight, and show how church leaders can implement a healthy small group ministry that gets the maximum number of people involved and solves many of the important problems facing churches of all sizes. These practical strategies will produce life-changing results.

We've all got a lot of questions these days: In a world marked by division, how do we create bridges of meaningful connection? When despair runs rampant, is real hope possible? When competition is elevated, is compassion still relevant? And at the end of the day, can one person really make any impact at all? When the world's problems loom large and your ordinary life stretches you thin, it is still possible to be a difference-maker--one small, intentional, extravagant act of kindness at a time. Rather than telling you to do more, The Simple Difference shows you how to see more: more of the people in front of you, more of God's lavish love for you, more of his power within you. The Simple Difference will help you - stop getting buried in busyness and distraction and discover countless opportunities for impact right where you are - remove your perceived limitations and learn to see that your "not-enough" is exactly what the world needs - discard expectations of what it takes to make a difference and delight in the life-changing power of simple kindness The Simple Difference isn't about totally changing the course of your life; it's about letting God change you and work through you in the midst of your ordinary days. To say, As I go on my way, Lord, have your way with me. Be a part of The Simple Difference movement--your life and the world will never be the same.

Why do the demands of leadership often draw leaders away from intimacy with God? What can I do to become a more effective leader? How can I keep from burning out and bailing out? How can we develop effective leaders who are being spiritually transformed as they abide in Christ? Key to answering these questions is the simple but profound truth that we must be the people of God before we do the work of God. That's why The Spiritual Formation of Leaders invites you to deeper intimacy with Christ so, in Him, you will be empowered to enjoy rich community with one another and a life of fruitful ministry. Spiritual leadership formation happens only in God's presence. So come to Jesus. Meet with Him in the Soul Room, walk with Him into the Leadership Room, and watch Him work in you and through you for His kingdom

In this book Wynnetta Wimberley addresses the often overlooked crisis of depression in African American clergy, investigating the causes underlying this phenomenon while discussing possible productive paths forward. Historically, many African American pastors have had to assume multiple roles in order to meet the needs of congregants impacted by societal oppression. Due to the monumental significance of the preacher in the African American religious tradition, there exists a type of 'cultural sacramentalization' of the Black preacher, which sets clergy up for failure by fostering isolation, highly internalized and external expectations, and a loss of self-awareness. Utilizing Donald Winnicott's theory of the 'true' and 'false' self, Wimberley examines how depression can emerge from this psycho-socio-theological conflict. When pastors are depressed, they are more prone to encounter difficulties in their personal and professional relationships. Drawing from a communal-contextual model of pastoral theology, this text offers a therapeutically sensitive response to African American clergy suffering with depression.

Attention: Pastors, Ministers, Clergy, Secretaries, Churches, Clubs, Auxiliaries, Businesses, & Non-Profit Organizations...Do you have trouble help keeping track of or recording the minutes for your organizations meetings? Concerned about your computer files crashing? Can't find last year's minutes? Get organized by trying this book. This light weight hardback book is useful for any organization to keep track of and store its minutes for years to come. This book will also assist you in conducting your meetings in a professional manner helping you to be in compliance with the Internal Revenue Service.

Dit is nie maklik om vandag ’n geestelike leier te wees nie. Roedolf Botha probeer die tye waarin ons leef navigeer aan die hand van die Markus-evangelie, met klem op die volgende kwessies: Hoe lei ons getrou aan die missie ons opgelê, wat is die ingesteldhede, aksies en toerusting wat ons nodig het en watter innerlike transformasie vra dit van ons? Hierdie toeganklike boek sal jou help om die duistere waters van ons deurmekaar tye die hoof te bied. “Roedolf Botha neem ons op ’n boeiende reis deur die Markusevangelie om die hartklop van egte leierskap ver en diep te ontgin” - Stephan Joubert

Following Sherwood Lingenfelter's successful books on ministering, teaching, and leading cross-culturally (with combined sales of over 200,000 copies), Teamwork Cross-Culturally casts a vision for how teams made up of diverse peoples can serve in unity as the body of Christ despite the complicated problems that arise. The book equips leaders to respond to divisive issues so that multinational mission teams can do the work of ministry in ways that honor God. Real-life examples of teamwork challenges from around the world demonstrate that "in Christ" responses are achievable.

How can we ignite faith in the next generation? We are all in a relay race called life. The Baton is Truth that leads to faith in Jesus Christ. Each generation receives the Baton from the previous generation, who runs the race to the best of their ability and is then responsible for passing it smoothly and securely to the next generation. As parents, grandparents, and mentors, we must be intentional as we seek to ignite faith in the next generation by receiving, running with, and relaying the Truth that leads to personal faith in Jesus Christ. Join Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright for this five-session study as they demonstrate a family Bible study discussion, plus four ways to ignite faith in the next generation, centered around your Witness, Worship, Walk, and Work. Intentionally following Jesus in these aspects of your daily life will make you more effective as you seek to ignite faith in the next generation. This study guide includes: Individual access to five streaming video talks from Anne and Rachel-Ruth Weekly individual Bible studies Group discussion questions A Facilitator's Guide Answers to frequently-asked questions Sessions and video run times: Bible Study Workshop (46:00) Our Witness (25:00) Our Worship (24:00) Our Walk (30:00) Our Work (29:00) This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself-with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all video sessions online. (You don't need to buy a DVD!) 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 book is a thorough study of John Owen. Owen has become recognized as one of the greatest Reformed theologians Great Britain ever produced, as well as one of the most significant theologians of the Reformed orthodox period. His theological interests were eclectic, exegetically based, and he sought to meet the needs of his times. This volume treats key areas in Owen's thought, including the Trinity, Old Testament exegesis, covenant theology, the law and the gospel, the nature of faith in relation to images of Christ, and prolegomena. The common theme tying them together is that John Owen helps us better understand the development and interrelationship of theology, exegesis, and piety in Reformed orthodox theology. By setting him in his international and cross-confessional contexts, the author seeks to use Owen as a window into the trajectory of Reformed orthodoxy in several key areas.

The church finds itself in a period of great diversification and multiple expressions. In the midst of great change, we have become confused about what really makes for healthy and authentic pastoral leadership. What are the basic and common characteristics necessary for pastors to be effective? How can lay people understand the pastoral call more fully and partner better with pastors for the health of their church? Here Mannoia and Walkemeyer examine the foundations of pastoral effectiveness and bring together nine experienced pastoral leaders to discuss the basic characteristics that exist in effective pastors. Regardless of context or personality, ineffectiveness in pastors and subsequent ill health in churches is often not the result of a lack of calling, but instead is the result of misappropriated efforts to find success. Let's help those who are called to be good stewards of their call. And let's help churches have a chance to be healthy under the leadership of effective pastors!