Sound theology and practical wisdom for including children in worshipWhy do so many churches struggle to develop meaningful, sustainable practices for including children in worship? The answer runs deeper than timing or technique. While approaches abound, many aren't rooted in good theology. That's why Children Belong in Worship is an essential resource for today's ministry leaders: It illuminates both the "why" and the "how" of including children in worsh...

More than ever, young disciples want relationships with their parents and other adults; Owning Faith helps older disciples understand how to honor and nurture relationships that last a lifetime.Today's adolescents face an uphill climb as they seek to own their faith. And while it's easy to think that what they really need is an expert, Owning Faith lets you in on God's big secret: what they need more than anything else is you.Owning Faith is an acce...

A call for the church, the whole church, to enter into a serious conversation about the spiritual nourishment of our children Conversations about children and faith draw us close to the heart of God, among the people of God, these talks are justifiably nuanced and passionate. The authors of "Along the Way" lead everyone in the church, parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, ministers, and leaders, in a careful yet understandable dialogue about nurturing children spiritually. Along the wa...

The global church is facing a discipleship crisis. Here's how we move forward into transformative discipleship...Pastors and church leaders want to see lives changed by the gospel. They work tirelessly to care for people, initiate new ministries, preach creatively, and keep up with trends. Sadly, much of this effort does not result in deeply changed disciples.Traditional discipleship strategies fail because they only address surface issues and do n...

Which of God's gifts has your name on it?When you become a follower of Christ, you receive gifts from the Holy Spirit. How can you know for certain which gifts you have? And once you do know, how should you use your gifts to best serve God? Discover Your Spiritual Gifts gives you life-changing answers to these questions and more.In this trusted study, you will be introduced to the 28 biblical gifts, learn the definition and history of each one and ...

The earthly crisis within manhood will be there until Jesus returns, but in Christ men are pointed toward the gospel as the vision for renewal. Manhood Restored by exciting new pastoral voice Eric Mason combines theological depth with practical insights, putting men in step with a gospel-centered manhood that will enrich every facet of their lives.Mason begins with The Scope of Manhood -- looking first at why God created man, at the divine differences between man and woman...

World-renowned New Testament scholar offers a straightforward examination of what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit.Who exactly is the Holy Spirit? What does he do in our lives? How can we know him more deeply, and is it possible to tap into his power? Should we pray to the Holy Spirit? Is it possible to be aware of his promptings and speaking into our lives? Dr. Scot McKnight answers these questions and more in this comprehensive examination of what the Bible s...

Small groups are a great place to connect with other churchgoers, but many wonder, is this all there is? Is sitting in a living room, talking about a book or watching a video the extent of what we can do together? Isn't being a Christian community about something more than this?Pastor and author Scott Boren thinks so. In this latest release from missional thinktank Allelon, Boren gives leaders and members of small groups the tools they need to make an impact on their communities. B...

Every pastor wants the sermon to be an important tool for maturing those listening in the pews. Having a preaching plan is an essential part of this process. If a preacher's messages are scattered, unrelated to one another, or haphazardly prepared, it can be difficult for those in the congregation to make connections to aid their spiritual growth.Preaching with a Plan encourages and equips pastors to develop a cohesive preaching plan to guide their choice of Scripture, topi...

Husbands and dads play a crucial role in the health and survival of the family. That's why leadership expert Tim Witmer has written this book—to strengthen our efforts to lead well. He applies a biblical framework to the role of leadership in the home, showing how effective shepherding involves "knowing, leading, protecting, and providing for your family"; all the while communicating solid principles with a down-to-earth, relatable tone.Find in this book the wise c...

Personal evangelism is the foundation for all church growth. As the culture and landscape of America shifts, people are looking for spiritual answers to life’s significant questions. However, in the increasingly crowded marketplace of spiritual ideas, people are looking to the church less and less.Will McRaney addresses this problem at the heart of the solution. If the Kingdom of God is to expand, individual Christians will have to learn to communicate their faith story in a way th...

Starting Right: Thinking Theologically About Youth Ministry is the first academic textbook that introduces youth ministry students (whether undergraduate or graduate level) to a marriage of solid research, real life, and accessible design. Whereas most college-level texts may reflect a thorough (though impenetrable) mastery of the field, they tend to expect readers to plow through unnecessarily thick prose and bland design because “it’s good for them.” Youth Specialties doesn’t agree. In t...