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What Makes a Successful Leader?When we think of a leader, the characteristics that come to mind are power, strength, and someone who inspires us. And while those traits are an important part of what makes a great and successful leader, there are many more pieces to the puzzle.How would you feel following a leader who didn't take accountability for their actions? What if the leader showed a lack of discernment when it came to making major decisions or how to properly handle conflict?Now think of a leader who possesses the power, strength, and the ability to inspire--as well as the ability to manage conflict, establish credibility with colleagues, and live out a purpose through their convictions. Selecting between these two leaders is an easy choice.Join author Vince Miller as he guides you through twenty lessons on how to be a virtuous leader, and how to use those skills to mentor future leaders.

Be Our GuestWhether you are a volunteer in your church’s guest services ministry, or thinking about serving alongside ushers, greeters, welcome desk hosts, and parking lot attendants at your church, the Hospitality Ministry Volunteer Handbook is for you!How does a member of community see your church? When they hear your church’s name, what is their initial reaction? We want any individual who steps foot onto our church campus to immediately feel Christ’s love through our actions toward them—the question is, are we doing a good job at accomplishing that mission?We might not think of customer service and church hospitality in the same vein, but this book shows how a service mentality can make life-changing first impressions on newcomers. It’s filled with specific, practical strategies and tools to help the hospitality ministry team show the love of Christ to every visitor.Join author Greg Atkinson as he helps identify ways your church can increase its hospitality to the community around you, and, ultimately, reach those people for the Kingdom of God.

Marriage can be a minefield of emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual obstacles and dangers, even for the most well-meaning couple. Many husbands go into this relationship with the best of intentions, but quickly fall prey to unhealthy, even toxic behaviors that threaten the foundation of their entire marriage.Pastor Paul Arthurs draws on over 25 years of ministry and marriage counseling to design a step-by-step guide for husbands who want to save their marriage and transform their relationships with their wives-as well as their whole family and everyone else in their lives. Discover the dysfunctions that are holding you back as a godly man, and experience a whole new freedom that helps you fulfill the role of the husband God intended you to be!

Every man is born to be a leader to the family God gifts him with. But becoming that leader takes effort, and today's culture offers plenty of misguided advice and skewed views of what it means to be a man.Author and international speaker Vince Miller knows from experience how mentorship and discipling can help overcome hard childhoods and toxic masculinity, guiding men to a better understanding of family leadership.Follow the BUILD process through these 20 lessons, forming a cornerstone of study and discussion that you can share with family, friends, and peers. BEGIN with the goal. UNPACK your thoughts. INFORM through the Bible. LAND on action steps. DO one action for one week. Start today to grow your character according to God's design, and become the leader your family needs-and you were made to be!

Equipping Children's Ministry VolunteersWhether you are part of your church's children's ministry, or thinking about serving in children's ministry, the Children's Ministry Volunteer Handbook is for you!Too often, people view children's ministry as a place to drop off the kids so the adults can listen to the sermon, uninterrupted. They fail to see the power and potential of children's ministry.In Matthew 19:13-14, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." While we may see the naivete of children as a detriment, Jesus sees it as a strength-there is beauty in the simplicity of the gospel. Investing in children's ministry is a worthwhile and crucial part of the church.This practical handbook features insights from six authors, all experts in the field of children's ministry, with over 100 years of combined experience. They will help guide you through the challenges and joys of children's ministry-and how it is vital to the Kingdom of God.

The RENEW idea was born out of this experience, our reluctance to accept the status quo and the understanding that the American institutional church of our fathers is crumbling. While we admit some church expressions are thriving, many are only the result of transfer growth of those who are discontent. While the 'cool' factor may bring them in, we know there's not a fog machine, a strobe light, a celebrity pastor or a worship band that can reverse the decline. The time has come for a wholesale change. The group we believe has done the greatest investigation and learned the most through practical application is the Forge Network. Michael Frost, Alan Hirsh, Lance Ford, and Hugh Halter have been championing movement to extend God's Kingdom and reign through solid orthodoxy, proxy and pathy. The American culture has made it clear to those gathering on Sunday: The good news is only good if you are willing to proclaim it and live it daily. Forge provides a host of residencies and training across the world. RENEW is a missional expression in a great sea of expressions to authentically reach, teach and create true followers of Jesus. Anything less taints the message and enforces the American Christian hypocrite stigma. RENEW encompasses the best of all great expressions and heralds back to the original movement of Jesus. We are part of the larger movement seeking to discover a life worth living which truly offers a foretaste of heaven. We are focused on reaching the "none, done and undone" in every context. The "nones" are those individuals with no religious context, the "dones" are those individuals who have been in the belly of the current American church and "undone" are those who have all but checked out of this life because of what they have or are currently enduring. The following fifty-two chapters are the discussion primers. They represent an effort to synthesize orthodox theology with cultural conundrums to help individuals and groups become more thoughtful in the practice of the Christian faith. We believe all the topics lead the group to a more orthodox understanding of Jesus. We subscribe to the Christian theological mainstream. Our book is meant to be read, wrestled with and discussed. We suggest this book be a group project with multiple levels of spiritual maturity present during the discussion. Our first RENEW group consisted of over fifty individuals. We are now in the second year of meeting together on weekday evenings. We have seen all types of people and viewpoints. We have laughed, cried, argued and even agreed to disagree. The process has been life giving.

Deeply studying the Bible doesn’t come naturally to all of us. In fact, sometimes it simplyfeels defeating. That’s why Pastor George Proctor wrote this book. His passion for God’sword is evident on every page.In Nuggets to Live By, Pastor George Proctor uses brief selections from his sermons tocreate digestible “nuggets” of truths that are brief but poignant thoughts full ofinspiration. Nuggets to Live By has over 100 nuggets separated by topic such as prayer,patience, sainthood and more.Topics include:      ∩é╖ Are you on Satan’s hit list?      ∩é╖ God does not comfort us to be comforted      ∩é╖ Are you still on the run?      ∩é╖ Prayer without faith is really begging      ∩é╖ A love letter from God in troubled timesWhether you go to church every week or just occasionally, this book provides easy-to-read bullet points straight from the Bible. It can be given as a thoughtful gift or used as adaily devotional and will encourage you to grow and will help you gain a deeperunderstanding of God’s word.

Does God Want You to be Wealthy?It is said that the Bible has over 2000 verses about money, but does it say you are out of God's will if you are not wealthy? Most of us have strong opinions about money, but let's admit our opinions originated from parents, church or our common sense. Rarely do we study Bible verses on money. For your spiritual growth, you owe it to yourself to take a few minutes each day for a month and discover first-hand what the Bible actually teaches about money. So let's start with 31verses-not 2000. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride!"31 Meditations gives biblical answers to the financial questions no one talks about. Scott Morton brings fresh insight to scriptures I've read dozens of times." --Colorado Ministry PractitionerScott Morton is The Navigators' International Funding Coach. He has served in collegiate ministry, metro ministry, as Director of Staff Funding, as U.S. Vice President of Development. As International Funding Coach, he trains international ministry leaders and mentors young business-people.

Is your church bound by history, culture, or traditions set by your denomination or those set by the church itself? Are you exhausted by the time you spend in church that has nothing to do with your spiritual growth or purpose? The truth is, many church members understand religion, but don't understand a right relationship with Christ. They sit in the pews, every week, absorbing information about Jesus Christ but don't know Him intimately or experientially. In his book, Gagging on Gnats While Swallowing Camels: Removing Non-Biblical Practices from the Church Dr. Robert L. Williams offers practical principles for leading and maintaining a New Testament churchThis book also includes a collection of true stories and expository preaching outlines and it is written for believers striving to know and do the will of God in unscriptural situations. Williams answers questions like, "What does it really mean to be a New Testament church?" and "What are the key traits of a healthy pastor or leader?" Whether you're a church leader or member, this book will show you what a healthy New Testament church looks like. It will inspire you to stand against the resistance every pastor or member faces when calling for change so that Christ, in all things may have the preeminence.

What Does Being Mindful Look Like? What do you think of when you hear the term "mindfulness"? You may associate it with meditation or simply being aware of what you are thinking about. While that's part of what mindfulness is, it isn't all of what truly being mindful entails. What if, instead of merely realizing what you are thinking about, you could use mindfulness to change what you think about? What if you could use mindfulness with God's Word to help you think about what you're thinking about to alter your behaviors and be more like Christ? We have the power to change our life through our thought patterns, which will ultimately help lead us to a more fulfilled life rooted in God's Word. Join author Latoya A. Delmadge as she guides you through 31 readings centered on mindfulness, how it intersects with your walk with Christ, and how it will help you lead a successful and fruitful life.

The entire purpose of Jesus Christ coming to earth was to bring God's gift of grace to fallen humanity. Yet, even with this ultimate victory achieved, sin forever finds a way to twist divine blessings into distorted burdens. And so the idea of "grace" has been distorted over the years until, for many, it is little more than a buzzword to gloss over faltering faith or a terrible rationalization for living according to any selfish impulses we crave. It's time to depose the idols of grace in our lives! Author Dave Vance tackles this crisis of grace in the Christian walk, pointing out where believers easily go astray and defining the various roles of God's gift is meant to have in transforming us to be more like Christ.

Dementia is a terrible reality of our broken world, where bodies and minds degrade from sickness, injury, or simply old age. Yet there are those in our midst, the caregivers, who walk beside Alzheimer's sufferers with courage, hope, and love.After going through such a trial, Joni Wyatt discovered unexpected blessings when she turned to God in response to her struggles. Joni developed this series of devotionals to minister to others going through the same experience and remind them of God's unfailing presence and love.

Discover God's unique, world-changing purpose hidden inside of you!What is your purpose? Have you ever stopped to think about how you fit into God's greater plan and what role He designed you to play? Have you had thoughts of purpose, but felt too insignificant or lost to embark on the journey of discovering your unique purpose? Do you long for purpose, but have no idea where to start? Everyone's purpose is different-and so is the journey you must undergo to discover and fulfill it. You may have lived a life that is good, bad, hurtful, painful, happy, sad, devastating, but God weaves them together with threads of grace and forgiveness, healing and restoration. He takes your life as a whole and uses it for His purpose and your good. The journey requires perseverance and a commitment to personal honesty. In this six-week study, Nichole shows you how to: Reveal your hidden purpose… Accept your unique purpose… Step into your extraordinary purpose...Along the way, you'll learn valuable lessons from real people throughout the Bible that labored to find their purpose, you'll reflect on fresh insights, you'll pray for God's guidance, and begin living out your newfound purpose. This is your journey. Let's get started.

Injustice, sexual abuse, and sex-trafficking are global issues, pushing migration and causing humanitarian crises around the world. Honduras, known as the deadliest place for women on Earth, is pushing an immigration crisis at our U.S. border because of gangs and violence against women, children and other vulnerable groups. Gracie Murphree shares her life on the front line of this battle against violence, gangs and corruption in Honduras during the last fourteen years and how God's heart for justice is what motivates her and her husband to continue - even in the face of possible death.Journey to Justice, though, is not just a story about God's heart for justice and his call for Christians to stand in the gap. It is a beautiful story of God's redemption demonstrated in the lives of the women and children who have been rescued and restored - and also in Murphree's life after having been a victim of violence herself. "God loves using the broken to change the world," Murphree says. "He redeems our lives and calls us into a place where he then uses us to redeem the lives of others."This is also a story of obedience and how being obedient to God's leading brings great success and blessing, even when he doesn't tell us all of the details.

Watch out! It's a Christian! Does the word "Christian" make you-or everyone around you-cringe? The instant you tell someone you're a Christian or go to church, a million negative associations often zip through their mind: hypocrite, narrow-minded, bigoted, anti-science, racist, sexist, or worse.What about authentic? Loving? Forgiving? Compassionate? How did the idea of what it means to be a Christian become so distorted in the modern church culture that we've lost sight of its original purpose-to live as Jesus Christ did? Pastor and author Rob Shepherd takes a humorous, but poignant look at how the focus of Christianity has shifted to be more self-focused, rather than Jesus-focused, and takes readers back to the essentials of Christ's original message: to love God and love others!With practical life lessons and relevant spiritual insights, Shepherd offers relief for those weary of the "Sunday morning march" and want to experience a true renewal of the heart and soul and restore the original definition of what it means to live as a follower of Christ.

The iWorld view has wreaked havoc on the stability and longevity of marriagesBy adding a simple i before his products Steve Jobs summarized what seems to be the central obsessionof the modern Western psyche. Because of our obsession with self, we have managed to turnsomething as basic and central to our lives as marriage into something divisive and controversial.The simple complementary nature of this union between a man and woman has come under attack as aresult of this pervasive worldview that places the individual at the center.We must address the problem at its coreThe obsession with autonomyThe iWorld philosophy has also caused many well-meaning Christians to buy into its values, andscripture is often reinterpreted through its lens.Can we reverse this trend and restore the ideal of marriage to God’s good and original intent?Pastor David McClain thinks so. His years of research and counseling married Christian couples dispelsthe notion that the pursuit of individual fulfillment is the path to a flourishing marriage, but it is thebelief that God designed the marriage covenant for the good for those He chooses to join together asone flesh.Pastor David McClain has a B.S. degree from Corban University, a M.Div. from Western Seminary andD.Min from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA. He has been a pastor for almost 40 years, with 30 of thoseyears in the U.S. He is presently the senior pastor of a healthy growing church in Alberta, Canada. Thisbook is the result of years of research, experience and counseling and was presented as a sermon seriesdesigned to help believers contrast the biblical view of marriage with contemporary attitudes.

Will I ever be able to overcome my fears of serving the Lord?God’s calling isn’t always easy. In fact, there are times when we willingly choose our fears overour faith in God. We allow our fears to lead us in the opposite direction of serving Him.Vanessa Myers, a ministry leader for over 17 years, tells women it’s time to allow God to freeyou from the fear that holds you back from serving Him.What are you afraid of?∩é╖ Not being good enough?∩é╖ Failing?∩é╖ Authority?∩é╖ Change?Using Scripture and stories that illustrate fear from the Bible, Vanessa shows readers how theycan overcome and find freedom from the debilitating angst that holds them back in ministry.It’s time to rise up! You can overcome those fears and experience breakthrough so you canfaithfully serve the Lord.

The day began like any other, but during the afternoon of September 18, 2015, the tiny heart of 22 month old Moriah Constance Wimberley would stop beating - only to never start again. It would be out of this unimaginable anguish that a West Texas oil man and his family would never view life the same again. Yellow Balloons - Power for Living Life Above the Circumstances is both a memorial and testimony to Moriah's young life and how each of us can be blessed and empowered to live life above the agonies, the drudgeries, and the successes of our "two-minute ride" here on earth. Drawing from a tested, but unwavering faith in God and His revealed truth in Scripture, Tim shares a better way to view life and challenges the believer to embrace their inner superhero, realizing they have been called to fight an evil superpower that is often cloaked in the ordinary and where more often than not, they feel like the underdog rather than the superhero God has empowered them to be.

Are you waiting for life to be comfortable, risk free, safe secure and certain? You are putting faith in your own effort, abilities, and determination. Life is messy, it's a challange at best. We must continue to change our thinking and beliefs in order to grow into integrity, character, and development towards wholeness.

What is more useless than a soldier who won't fight? When we bow our knees to God, we enlist in the army of the Lord. Today, Christians are known for being wimpy, whiny, spoiled brats who are too afraid to push past the pain to defeat the things that are challenging them. But Satan is playing for keeps. We are supposed to be fighters. We are to be the ones who overcome what the enemy throws at us because we are more than conquerors. In order to be soldiers for his kingdom, we need to stop thinking we're at summer camp and let God train us in his boot camp!WE ARE THE SOLDIERS IN THE ARMY OF THE LORD.

Pastors, teachers, and students of Revelation will gain deeper understanding from this verse-by-verse exegetical study. Drawing from the richness of the original language, careful analysis of the Apocalypse is contained in each "Biblical Insight" section. Readers will also be enriched through the devotional approach of each "Life Application" portion. An added tool in this first of two volumes is a comprehensive textual concordance of Revelation, accompanied by summary statements addressing forty-eight subdivisions of theology.In Conquest and Glory, Dr. Thomas Keinath invites us to examine such questions as: What relevance do the seven churches of Asia have to the Church of our day? Who are the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders? Why is the historic background of a seven-sealed scroll critical to understanding the Scroll of Redemption in the hands of the Lamb? What is the full identity of the great multitude of Chapter Seven? These and scores of other questions are thoroughly addressed in this intriguing journey through the Apocalypse.

                                       Proven strategy to turn your visitors into church membersChurches enjoy growing their community by sharing worship and ministries for furthering God’s Kingdom. They love having first-time visitors, giving them gifts, acknowledging them, and extending warm welcomes—but what happens next is crucial, and almost all churches fail at turning new visitors into church members.Author Richard Varnell applies a unique combination of Biblical principles and strategic business analysis and methodologies to craft an effective church growth approach that turns first-time visitors into church members. Based on Christ’s own plan for His followers, Varnell takes readers step-by-step through a clearly defined process that includes templates for readers to use when following up with new visitors. This proven strategy will bring fresh souls into the church while harnessing their unique spiritual gifts and resources to expand the impact they have on thesurrounding communities.

The Book of Revelation has long been thought of as a formidable and confusing work, understandable to only elite bible scholars. But, like its very name-Revelation-understanding of this seemingly complex book is available to all! God has even promised a special blessing to those who read it! David Baxley, D.Min., has broken down the perceived barriers and written a simple, verse-by- verse commentary that is understandable to even beginning bible students. It includes maps, a chronology of end time events and wars, definitions, and cross references to Old Testament scriptures that point to the time of the end. He also includes discussion of sections that are still not fully understood or defined, with possible varying interpretations. Revelation readers can get bogged down in the symbolism and sensationalism of the judgment and miss the main message of the book. It's a book of hope in the return of Jesus Christ and His perfect rule that will bring an end to evil and injustice and believers will live with God forevermore! A bible student for over 50 years, and pastor for over 40, Dr. David Baxley has studied and taught the Book of Revelation extensively. While in the hospital recovering from a heart transplant, he realized that the sequence of end time events was still not clear in his mind, so he spent the next two years in intense study. This book is the result of that study.

There is a missing link in our ministry effortsSomewhere along the line, we have erroneously made pastoral care the sole responsibility of the pastor. We assumed the clergy are the ones that do ministry, while the laity watches ministry being done.We need a new paradigmFor the most part, we provide crisis care instead of pastoral care in our churches. The ensued problem is that when the crisis is over, so is the care. This makes people feel unattached, insecure and neglected, which often results in them falling through the cracks or slipping through the proverbial back door.The Care Revolution provides the answer. It presents a proven, efficient and workable system that enables believers to care for one another, making sure everyone experiences a sense of belonging and acceptance.  When church members are trained and developed to connect and care for each other it meets a crucial need that is entirely biblical and should be part of the ongoing ministry of every congregation.Pastoral Care is a Collaborative EffortThe Pastor cannot do it alone! Effective pastoral care just happens when pastors and members collaborate in their ministry-efforts. It is only when a congregation is cared for and nurtured that it becomes healthy and consequently has the ability to evangelize more effectively. A hurting and or dysfunctional church simply cannot do it.Evangelism and pastoral care are not contrary to each other—the one depends on the other.Dr. John Bosman has been a pastor for most of his adult life. Immediately before entering into his present international ministry, he served as the lead pastor of Glad Tidings Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana, for 15 years. Under his leadership, the church grew from fewer than five hundred to a thriving congregation that now occupies a 3,000-seat, state-of-the-art worship center.John has served in both regional and national leadership roles within his denomination. He was a member of the Board of Regents of a stateside university as well as a Bible College in Russia. He is also the founder of both the JWB Institute for Leadership and Laity Development and Hamilton Christian Academy.John and his wife, Anne (who is also an ordained minister), live in Frisco, Texas. Together, they minister nationally and internationally. They have three children and five grandsons.

Men are a strategic force for change in the world, but they have an enemy, and it's not what you think. It's apathy.It is the appeal of inaction that lies within every man's heart. When we build better men, we build better homes, marriages, workplaces, and churches. When one man gets better, everyone gets better.So let's build better men.Each of the thirty easy-to- use lesson guides includes the B.U.I.L.D. process and is perfect for men of all ages to use in private reflection or mentoring conversations with other men. ¿ Begin with the goal. ¿ Unpack your thoughts. ¿ Inform through the Bible. ¿ Land on action steps. ¿ Do one action for one week. This book is a plan-a method and a process that results in spiritual payoff.

Experience the freedom God offers when you understand what it truly means to be crucified with Christ. Few symbols are more recognized or universal than the Cross of Jesus Christ. For some, it's a sign of suffering-the essence of humanity's sin and the world's darkest moment when God's own Son died. For others, it's the pinnacle of spiritual victory, marking the moment when God accepted the ultimate sacrifice and restored His relationship with a fallen people. However, as revealed by Dr. Robin Riggs, the Cross represents a revolutionary lifestyle that Christ called us to embrace in order to follow Him. Drawing on decades of pastoral experience and in-depth research, Dr. Riggs lays the message of the Cross bare for modern disciples, pinpointing the essential balance of pain and victory that guides readers into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ. Discover the enormous impact the Cross can have on your life, powerfully connect with the person of Jesus.

What sets the Bible apart from all other books is the author.It is the All-Knowing, living, and active GodThink of the Bible as a six thousand-piece, creative puzzle. Each piece holds information, history, culture, experience, wisdom, and timeless wonder. The pieces connect to other parts, forming a clear picture of the kingdom of our all-knowing God. The Bible flawlessly fits the beginning pieces to the end of the story.God's overall plan for humanity fits together in a way that no one should miss the connections.If we don't figure out the importance of the beginning of the Bible, we won't ever figure out the end.

Using the true story of how one church grew from a tired remnant of 100 attendees to over 300 in a few short weeks, this book offers a growth strategy to help you transform your church. Churches all across America are discovering that revitalization is a much more effective way to build church attendance and attract seekers. Written by Dr. Harry Fowler, an expert on church growth, The Revitalization of Southside Baptist Church has loads of practical ideas any pastor can use. The book also includes photos documenting the unprecedented growth Southside experienced as they breathed new life into a dying church.