Who is God?Not as a distant idea. Not as an inherited tradition. But as the living, holy, personal God who reveals Himself and invites us near.In this compelling devotional journey, Sharon Simmonds guides readers into a deeper vision of God. Through twenty Scripture-anchored reflections, she creates space not only for understanding but for encounter—engaging mind, heart, and spirit through Scripture, reflection questions, and prayer.This book is an ...

“Who does God say you are?” and, “How do your personal identity statements impact your view of him, the way you think about yourself, and your choices about how to live your life?” Who Am I? is a resource, in devotional format, that will assist you as a leader to map out these key questions and expose any internal lies you believe on this topic about yourself, and then it will help you rediscover the powerful truth of who you are in Christ. This devotional explores 22 key identity-in-Chris...

Most church leaders are passionate about their calling to “go and make disciples.” However, despite their most creative thinking, diligent efforts and rigorous assessments, year after year they arrive at the end of a ministry season with no way of knowing for sure whether they have succeeded or failed in their calling. “I want to serve God,” the refrain goes, “and on most days, I believe I’m doing what I’m called to do. But what if my approach is off-track? What if the work we’re doing as ...

In Italy, they call him il Papa, which means “The Father.” Until his unprecedented election, author and friend Elisabetta Piqué called him Padre Jorge. He may have changed his name to become Pope Francis, but it did not change their friendship.Since Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis in 2013, countless books have been written to help the world understand this deeply complex yet simple servant of God. What sets Pope Francis: Life and Revolution apart from al...

The Christian message needs a new interpreter: one that is particular enough to know and interpret the tradition but broad enough to evoke thought and feeling from broader groups of people, including evangelicals, liberals, and those who are disenchanted with churched religion and who describe themselves as spiritual but not religious, yet are fond of the Jesus tradition.This book helps readers to understand the new landscape and its key figure, Rob Bell, by bringing a reasoned voi...

A lever helps us move an object that otherwise we could never budge. Seven Levers: Missional Strategies for Conferencesexplores conferences in operational terms, highlighting focal pointsfor change. What works in conferences, what doesn’t, and why?Author Robert Schnase showsus how to identify and change practices that are no longer conducive toour mission and demonstrates concrete ways to foster a more relevant andeffective connectionalis...

How often we stand on the outside looking in. We watch others who have a sincere godliness, but it seems beyond our reach. K.P. Yohannan challenges us that we, too, can touch godliness as we follow Jesus down the path of total surrender and submission. Chapter by chapter, he gently confronts us with truth that few others are willing to say—truth that leads to the abundant life we so desire.

This book is intended as a resource for provoking dialogue on the nature of leadership in multicultural congregations. When the first edition was written, more than a decade ago, there was a limited pool of resources available to help practitioners in the field, even less addressing the Canadian context. Dan Sheffield brought a missiologist's perspective to this discussion that had been shaped by lived experience in North America's multi-ethnic reality and church planting experience in pos...

In this Ethnic Blends Ebook, multi-ethnic church pioneer Mark DeYmaz provides an up-close and personal look at seven common challenges to mixing diversity into your local church. Through real-life stories and practical illustrations, DeYmaz shows how to overcome the obstacles in order to build a healthy multi-ethnic church. He also includes the insights of other effective, multi-ethnic local church pastors from around the country.Increasingly, church leaders are recognizing the intrinsic p...

Many books seek to predict the future of Christianity, but few help usgrasp the opportunities of the current situation and equip us tonavigate the present. Doug Pagitt, author, radio host, and pioneeringleader, does just that, offering fresh, optimistic insights andpractical suggestions. According to Pagitt, the last two centuries canbe divided into four epochs: Idyllic, Industrial, Informational andnow-Inventive. The Inventive Age - our currently ...

The shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, reignited a long-smoldering movement for justice, with many St. Louis-area clergy stepping up to support the emerging young leaders of today's Civil Rights Movement. Seminary professor Leah Gunning Francis was among the activists, and her interviews with more than two dozen faith leaders and with the new movement's organizers take us behind the scenes of the continuing protests. Ferguson and Faith demonstr...

"Why?" seems to be on the lips of many church, judicatory, and denominational leaders today. "Why has our church plateaued?" "Why are so few young leaders going into church-based ministries?" "Why are so few interested in church these days?" Recovering Hope uncovers the "whys," creating space to embrace new realities, commit to the tough road of recovery, and develop new skills, structures, and ministry designs through a process of spiritual discernment, congregational coaching, a...