Churches have split and denominations have formed over the issue of church government. While many Christians can explain their church's form of rule or defend it because of its "tried and true" traditions, few people understand their church's administrative customs from a biblical perspective.Who Runs the Church? explores questions such as: What model for governing the church does the Bible provide, and is such a model given for practical or spiritual reas...

The Lord's Supper has been the central and characteristic action of the church at worship. But there are still many ways of understanding it and many questions surrounding this meal...Who should participate in the Lord’s Supper? How frequently should we observe it? What does this meal mean? What happens when we eat the bread and drink from the cup? What do Christians disagree about and what do they hold in common?These and other questions are explored in th...

For:•Individual use•Group trainingIncludes instrumentalist survey and worship planning checklistWorship is a slice of eternity that Christians can participate in on earth, and nothing can facilitate our experience of worship like music. This wise, concise guidebook will help you harness your God-given musical talent as a gift to the body of Christ, in a way that brings joy to both God’s heart and yours.Serving in Your Church Music Ministry discusses•Words on Worship•Planning for Worship•Se...

For: •Individual use •Group training Includes self-assessment and do’s and don’ts for various special-needs situations. Whether visiting people in their homes, in the hospital, or in a restaurant over a cup of coffee, the simple act of connecting with others is filled with powerful possibilities. The act of friendship is an inroad to hearts and lives that creates trust, value, and incredible potential for ministry. Serving in Church Visitation helps you to •Be Motivated: How Does the Bible...

For: ·Individual use ·Group training Includes diagrams, checklists, and resource lists Church ought to be the safest place on earth. Here’s how to fulfill that goal in practical ways, from developing a security structure and team, to assessing interior and exterior building security, training ushers and greeters to be sensitive to security, forming an emergency reaction team, establishing financial accountability, and much more. Serving by Safeguarding Your Church takes you through the ins...

· For Individual use· Group trainingPhotocopyable resources include: job descriptions, caregiver interview form, staff evaluation survey, guidelines for nursery use, information card, and incident report formA well-run nursery is a tremendous asset to a church. The responsibilities are demanding, but with prayer, patience, and commitment, you can minimize the frustrations and maximize the difference you make in the lives of children ages three and under and their parents. Whether you’re le...

Gain an understanding of baptism from four main traditional perspectives.Of all the sacraments, the practice of baptism is often the most disputed. Christians hold different views of its exact significance, who should receive baptism and how old they need to be, the practice of rebaptism, and baptism as a requirement for church membership.In Understanding Four Views on Baptism, four historic views on baptism are considered in depth:

Despite a strong belief in the institution and sacredness of marriage, studies show that Christian spouses experience divorce at least as much as the secular population.But whatever the reasons for a divorce--beyond the divorce itself--many Christians want to know: does the Bible support remarriage?The fact is that no consensus exists among evangelicals on their views of remarriage, leaving many Christians confused. This Counterpoints volume explores the bi...

For:•Individual use•Group trainingGreeters are the welcoming arms that people long to find in a church. This practical guidebook will help you reach out to people who need to experience the warmth of belonging to a church family.Serving as a Church Greeter sheds light on•The Ministry of Church Greeters•The Need for Warmhearted Greeters•Developing a User-Friendly Foyer•A Better Way of Doing Things•The Parking Lot MinistryZondervan Practical Ministry Guides provide you with simple, practical...

What exactly is the Church Growth movement?This timely volume in the Counterpoints series addresses the history of the movement that has become such an enormous shaping force on the Western church today, and it explores--in a roundtable forum of leading voices--five main perspectives on the classic Church Growth movement:Effective Evangelism View - presented by Elmer TownsGospel in Our Culture View - presented by Craig Van GelderCe...

An exploration of what worship looks like from a biblical standpoint and why the topic of worship can be so contentious among Christians.Because worship is inherently theological--because it's a manifestation of humanity's response to God's holiness--it's important to take seriously how we worship and the roles it serves in personal displays of adoration and in community with other believers.Exploring the Worship Spectrum provides an overview, crit...

Despite a strong belief in the institution and sacredness of marriage, studies show that Christian spouses experience divorce at least as much as the secular population.But whatever the reasons for a divorce--beyond the divorce itself--many Christians want to know: does the Bible support remarriage?The fact is that no consensus exists among evangelicals on their views of remarriage, leaving many Christians confused. This Counterpoints volume explores the bi...