According to George Barna, uncovering God's vision for your ministry is not an option. It's essential for the most productive ministry that will accomplish God's goals for building his kingdom. Ministry leaders with a clear picture from God of where they are headed are much more likely to experience a successful journey. In this book, Barna uncovers how God has shared his vision throughout history, how vision is different from mission, common practices and beliefs that inhibit true vision, practical steps toward experiencing and carrying out God's unique vision for them, and ways to share and promote congregational ownership of the vision.

The main reason people don't act like Jesus is because they don't think like Jesus. Discover the seven core questions that Christians must be able to answer biblically in order to live a transformed life. The latest data from researcher George Barna's polls across America shows that we are confused by the issues that confront us today. We find ourselves wrestling with what is right and wrong. Some of us cut ethical corners and don't even know it. We often base our actions on what feels right or keeps people happy rather than on what is best or true. All because, Barna concludes, we lack an active, clear belief system based on solid, scriptural principles. Now more than ever, we need a way of life that brings us clarity in chaos, peace in the problems, and boldness in the bad times. We need a new way of seeing-a biblical perspective that guides our every thought and action. What is a biblical perspective on life? To put it simply, Barna says, it is a "way of dealing with the world so that we act like Jesus, twenty-four hours a day, because we think like Jesus. It's like wearing a pair of eyeglasses that enable us to see things differently, to see things from God's point of view, and to respond to these perceptions in the way He prescribes." Think Like Jesus: Uncovers the seven core beliefs of Christianity necessary for developing a strong Christian worldview Provides a firm explanation of why Christians believe what we believe Includes detailed statistics and polls on where Americans agree with the Bible on key topics Exposes causes of concern in modern Christianity through the misalignment of key beliefs Would you like to simplify your life, shore up your moral foundations, and strengthen your Christian witness? Think Like Jesus can help you chart a path that will allow you to make a difference for eternity in your home, your job, your church, and your community.

How can parents make a lasting impact in the spiritual lives of their children? To find the answer, acclaimed researcher George Barna investigated the lives of thriving adult Christians and discovered the essential steps their parents took to shape their spiritual lives in childhood. He also learned surprising truths about which popular parenting tactics just aren't working. "Revolutionary Parenting" goes beyond youth group and Sunday school and shows parents how to instill in their children a vibrant commitment to Christ.

Christianity has an image problem. Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. But according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. Using descriptions like "hypocritical," "insensitive," and "judgmental," young Americans share an impression of Christians that's nothing short of . . . "unChristian."
Groundbreaking research into the perceptions of people aged 16-29 reveals that Christians have taken several giant steps backward in one of their most important assignments. The surprising details of the study, commissioned by the Fermi Project and conducted by The Barna Group, are presented with uncompromising honesty in "unChristian." Find out why these negative perceptions exist, learn how to reverse them in a Christlike manner, and discover practical examples of how Christians can positively contribute to culture.
Now available in trade paper.

No one can deny our culture is opposed to Christian values, and the influences bombarding our children's moral development are difficult to contend with. But few parents and church leaders realize that a child's moral development is set by the age of nine. It is therefore critical to start developing a child's biblical worldview from the very earliest years of life. The problem is complex: parents who themselves did not receive early spiritual training leave their children's training to the church. Yet the church often focuses on older children. The answer is for churches to come alongside parents to provide them biblical worldview training, parenting information, and counseling that will equip them to help their children become the spiritually mature church of tomorrow. This helpful and hopeful book unpacks just how to develop this kind of dynamic church/parent relationship and includes profiles of churches that are effectively ministering to children and winning the war for their hearts and minds.

Conscientious parents who long to bring their children up as good Christians and good citizens face an uphill battle. In a culture of rampant narcissism and moral anarchy, righteous living isn't easy and it isn't popular. But positive cultural transformation happens quietly, one life at a time, and that is good news for parents. In this hopeful book, world-renowned researcher George Barna and nationally respected counselor Jimmy Myers offer parents a plan of action to raise healthy, godly children in a morally bankrupt culture. If the parents of this generation want to see their children grow up with their faith and consciences intact, they cannot afford to simply react, making it up as they go along. They must approach their responsibilities to parent their children with intentionality and consistency. This eye-opening book helps them do just that.

Promiseland is Willow Creek's highly successful children's ministry. Using examples from Promiseland and churches of all sizes around the country, this book provides step by step guidance and creative application exercises to help churches develop a thriving children's ministry-one that strives to be the best hour of every kid's week. Included are Scripture-based principles and practical resources for church staff members and volunteers who agree with the critical role children's ministry plays in a local church. Making Your Children's Ministry the Best Hour of Every Kid's Week, based on twenty-eight years of experience at Willow Creek, explains four ministry foundations: Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy. Content includes: Detailed answers to questions facing every children's ministry: * What does Jesus expect from children's ministry? * How can we evangelize lost kids and disciple saved kids at the same time, and should we? * How do we engage kids so they don't become bored? * How do we get better at recruiting and leading volunteers? * How can our ministry be a safe place for children? * Six specific ministry values that address the needs of today's children * Practical first steps for ministries that want to get serious about change * Clear indicators of success in children's ministry

Have you ever wondered why we Christians do what we do for church every Sunday morning? Why do we "dress up" for church? Why does the pastor preach a sermon each week? Why do we have pews, steeples, and choirs? This ground-breaking book, now in affordable softcover, makes an unsettling proposal: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is rooted, not in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles. Coauthors Frank Viola and George Barna support their thesis with compelling historical evidence and extensive footnotes that document the origins of modern Christian church practices. In the process, the authors uncover the problems that emerge when the church functions more like a business organization than the living organism it was created to be. As you reconsider Christ's revolutionary plan for his church--to be the head of a fully functioning body in which all believers play an active role--you'll be challenged to decide whether you can ever do church the same way again.

How does a Christian lead? By following today's secular business models, or by simply studying the life of Christ and pursuing a servant-based style? In this insightful, practical book, George Barna has pulled together some of today's top Christian leaders to talk about the subject of Christian leadership. Articles include: The Tasks of a Leader by Ken Gangel, The Character of a Leader by Jack Hayford, Prayer in Leading People by Peter Wagner, and much more. See what today's leaders have to say about leadership, and learn what it takes to serve the Church as a Christ-centered change agent.

The world and culture are changing at a pace beyond anything ever seen in history. But where will all these changes lead? What's in store for our government, economy, families, and churches? Between the Internet and other news media, we're getting a lot of opinions, but the challenge is finding accurate facts that give us a real sense of what's happening--and what's likely to come. In "Futurecast," bestselling author and renowned researcher George Barna presents a timely look at the world we're creating every day, and offers solid data to show the path our country is on and the emerging trends that will shape our world--and change each of our lives.

A book for parents that will inspire, motivate, and equip them to establish their home as the primary place where faith is nurtured. This book is filled with inspirational stories and practical ideas that families can begin implementing today to bring Christ and Christlike living into the center of their homes. This resource is a perfect gift to give to new parents. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter make it a perfect resource for family small groups.

Who are tomorrow's Christian leaders? Christian churches and organizations will fill fifty thousand strategic ministry positions within the next five to ten years. But what will be required of these leaders, and who will prepare them? If you are a new leader or find yourself with the unique opportunity to mentor an emerging leader, you know the high expectations and changing demands of ministry positions. In Mentoring Leaders Carson Pue offers trustworthy, substantial guidance to prepare you for service. He boldly addresses the spiritual aspects of Christian leadership development to help you strengthen your character, calling, and competency. With an accessible offering of insight and encouragement, Pue will help you sharpen your vision, shape your values, and share your leadership adventures. "Drawing on his wide experience, Carson Pue points the way for leaders to connect in mentoring relationships that will help both younger and older leaders to develop their full potential for the kingdom."-Leighton Ford, president, Leighton Ford Ministries "Carson Pue is a 'leader of leaders, ' and Mentoring Leaders is a must-read for every pastor, ministry specialist, and emerging leader."-Steve Russo, best-selling author, They All Can't Be Right "Anything from Carson Pue is worth listening to. Which means anything written by Carson is worth reading."-James Emery White, Mecklenburg Community Church "Mentoring Leaders explains and illustrates the Arrow Leadership Program, making its insights available to the many who cannot apply to the program. It will provide a valuable resource for older leaders in their own mentoring of the next generation."-Eddie Gibbs, author, Emerging Churches and ChurchNextCarson Pue is president of Arrow Leadership Ministries, an international ministry founded by Leighton Ford and committed to mentoring church leaders.

SOMOS LA IGLESIA QUE JESUS DISENO TAL COMO DICE SU PALABRA? Por que predica el pastor un sermon en cada servicio? Por que las reuniones de la iglesia resultan tan parecidas semana tras semana? Por que la congregacion de sienta pasivamente en los bancos? No estamos seguros de las respuestas? Este libro propone algo inquietante: QUE LA MAYOR PARTE DE AQUELLO QUE LOS CRISTIANOS DE LA ACTUALIDAD LLEVAN A CABO CADA DOMINGO EN LA IGLESIA, NO ESTA ARRAIGADO EN EL NUEVO TESTAMENTO, SINO EN LA CULTURA PAGANA Y EN RITUALES QUE DESARROLLARON MUCHO TIEMPO DESPUES DE LA MUERTE DE LOS APOSTOLES. Los autores Frank Viola y George Barna apoyan su tesis con evidencias historicas contundentes y con las extensas notas al pie de pagina que documentan los origenes de nuestras modernas practicas eclesiales cristianas. En este proceso, los autores revelan problemas que emergen cuando la iglesia funciona mas como una organizacion comercial, que como un organismo vivo, alejandose de aquello para lo que fue creada. Al reconsiderar el plan revolucionario de Cristo para su iglesia (ser el la cabeza de un cuerpo en pleno funcionamiento en el que todos los creyentes juegan un papel activo) enfrentamos el desafio de tener que decidir si es que podemos seguir llevando adelante la iglesia de esa manera."