Small churches can be found in every denomination and among every ethnic group but often these churches struggle to survive in the shadow of the larger churches around them. And many of these churches are afflicted with unhealthy issues such as feelings of unimportance, a lack of vision, exclusivity, limited resources, and unbalanced leadership. It is because of these aliments that many churches fail to survive. But it is possible for an unhealthy church to become a healthy church capable of experiencing growth--both physically and spiritually. In his new book, The Healthy Small Church, small church pastor Dennis Bickers diagnoses the issues that threaten the life of the smaller church and prescribes practical remedies for treating these issues. He reminds churches that transformation and healing are never easy but always worth it. He emphasizes that to maintain a healthy church one must be aware of the symptoms and act accordingly to prevent new problems from arising. The Healthy Small Church offers pastors and church leaders a great diagnostic tool for small churches that want to be healthy and stay that way. It includes a number of diagnostic questions at the end of the book that they can use to determine the health of their church. Become a healthy church that: Has a positive self-image Shares a common vision that creates a sense of purpose and unity Maintains community while still warmly welcoming new visitors Practices the importance of faithful stewardship and financial support Understands ministry to be the responsibility of all the members of the church Encourages everyone to serve according to his or her spiritual gifts--not by seniority or guilt

"It's a balancing act.

If you are a bivocational pastor, you are familiar with the stresses, complications, and unique hurdles that come with bivocational ministry. You have a special calling.

In The Art and Practice of Bivocational Ministry, Dennis Bickers provides solid advice to help you succeed in your ministry while juggling a full-time job and a family at home. Along with his seasoned insights, you will find true-to-life case studies of challenges bivocational ministers face daily. More than just a guide, this book is a mentor in print and an invaluable resource for anyone balancing part-time ministry with a full-time job."

This is the history of the Colton Fire Department from 1889 to 2011. Telling stories of the past generations and following the careers of the past volunteer and full time Chiefs of the Colton Fire Department. Engineer Dennis Bickers that retired in 2009 had been taking pictures and video since his hire date in 1982. He eventually took the lead as the Historian of the department and promised to tell Colton's story.

It's a sad reality, but statistics show that some 3,000 churches close their doors permanently every year. What does it take for a church today to remain healthy? How can you, as a church leader, lead your church into the future as a strong, thriving community?In The Healthy Community, you will be able to diagnose the problems that may exist in your own church as you're challenged to ask tough questions that will ultimately bring you to a place where your church community can make changes to become thoroughly healthy.

Pastors are expected to juggle numerous tasks in their ministries and in their family life. In many churches, the pastor carries several responsibilities as he or she is expected to prepare sermons, handle the administration, visit church members, provide leadership to the various church boards and committees, and lead the outreach efforts of the church, to name a few. Needless to say, pastors are under pressure.The Healthy Pastor seeks to provide insights into the expectations churches and ministers have of the pastor's role. With insight and understanding, author Dennis Bickers addresses some of the common pressure points every minister experiences and provides solutions to those pressures. Through this honest exploration, ministers will be challenged to create balance in several areas of their lives: their relationship with God, family, the church, their self, and--for bivocational ministers--their second job.A practical resource for all ministers, The Healthy Pastor will help ease the pressures of ministry and guide pastors toward creating a more fulfilling and rewarding ministry.

Recommended by the Nazarene Organic Church NetworkChange is rapidly occurring in almost every area of our society. However, the one notable exception to this is often found in the church, especially in smaller churches. Instead of responding to the changes around them, these churches have adopted a maintenance mentality, which is primarily interested in survival and risk-free ministries that are inwardly focused and fail to meet the needs of those outside their church community. If our churches are going to have an impact on today's culture, we have to move from a maintenance mindset to a missional one.Intentional Ministry in a Not-So-Mega Church is designed to help leaders of smaller churches guide their people in making their primary focus ministering to and meeting the needs of those outside their church. Drawing from more than twenty years of experience as a small-church pastor, Dennis Bickers explores the qualities of transformational leadership and explains what it takes for leaders to create a climate in their churches that promotes and facilitates necessary change. From willingness and vision to risk-taking and commitment, Bickers challenges leaders to become the agents of change their churches need as they seek to answer and act on the question: Who are we here for?