Church Development

If the church is going to use the Bible to decide whether divorce is legitimate in certain cases and whether divorced couples have the right to remarry with the approval and blessing of God’s people, then the Bible must be studied without prejudice toward a particular answer. The author examines the relevant passages in both the Old and New Testaments so that his listeners can consider the many issues and interpretations that arise in trying to establish a consistently biblical position.

Hollywood Park is a remarkable memoir of a tumultuous life. Mikel Jollett was born into one of the country’s most infamous cults and subjected to a childhood filled with poverty, addiction, and emotional abuse. Yet, ultimately, his is a story of fierce love and family loyalty told in a raw, poetic voice that signals the emergence of a uniquely gifted writer.

Can Christians become 'perfect' and sinless in this lifetime? Are we able to be devoid of sinful thoughts, avoid sinful actions, and not commit sins of omission? In the 10th treatise in the Theological Threads we take an in depth look into the doctrine of Christian Perfection as developed and defended by its principle founder, John Wesley. Discover how it began, when it changed, and why that change was brought about. Those of us wanting to give God the best of who we are will be better prepared to understand what that means.

What would happen if we intentionally chose to live a life of nobility? If we thought of our fellow man before ourselves? In a world littered with lawsuits, hate mail, and demands for punishment, when did we stop caring for our neighbor? When did we set aside the cause and effect of our decisions? With humor-filled personal tales and in-depth research, Carrie Lloyd will unfold the meaning behind the characteristics of nobility - self-sacrifice, humility, courage, self-conquest, integrity, honesty - all required for nurturing noble virtues.

Author and advocate Mary DeMuth urges the church she loves to rise up and face the evil of sexual abuse and harassment with candor and empathy. Based on research and survivors' stories, along with fierce fidelity to Scripture, DeMuth unpacks the church's response to sexual violence and provides a healthy framework for the church to become a haven of healing instead of an institution of judgment.

Ministry is supposed to be a team sport, but it's hard to build a team if you're a pulpit hog. Sharing the pulpit is one of the most powerful ways to instill a ministry-wide culture of equipping, empowering, and releasing others for the work of the ministry. Preaching the Other Way is an absolute must have for any preacher, speaker, or primary communicator. It's an inspirational reminder that no one person can be it all, and do it all. This book comes from forty years of ministry wisdom. Insightful, and backed with impeccable integrity, JD Pearring presents an innovative approach to equip ...

Today, there is a disconnection between the youth and the leadership of the church. With fewer and fewer young people attending church, a hole has been created in the membership where the young people used to be. With that we are also seeing a growing generation gap in churches that impacts leadership and how youth are and are not transitioning into leadership at the local level. How can we keep a steady group of leaders being developed in the local church? This book is a history, of sorts, of African American youth ministry in the US. We use the brush of the past to be able to re-...

For decades the church has invested in programs, courses, workshops, seminars, sermons, etc. to develop leadership potential. However, research and testimony shows that for all her effort, the church leadership is struggling with unprecedented moral failure and clinical burnout. This Little Book is a Scriptural argument that wants to wrestle with the question 'why?' What are we missing that our leaders, and even our members, fail to go the distance? What have we forgotten, or conveniently laid aside, in our pursuit of leadership? And most importantly, what can we do about it? The "Schalk's ...

While many aspects of leadership development are similar for women and men, women face different cultural expectations and have different experiences than their male counterparts. Anna Morgan's own experiences in pastoral ministry leadership launched her search for a holistic way to grow the skills, influence, and authority of women who are gifted and called as leaders. This book provides a positive, comprehensive research-based model for developing women in church and ministry leadership. Morgan identifies seven aspects of leadership development that form a woman over her lifetime.

As humans, we are social beings. Our organizations are too. Therefore, we create opportunities to interact with each other. This book speaks about one of those entities - the Baptist association. The purpose of an association is to help members of the association - the churches - work, fellowship, and better fulfill their purposes. The association does not take the place of a church; it is there to help so churches can function better. The purpose of this book is to help churches form associations that can help them fulfill their objectives. It is also a helpful tool for associational ...

Are you ready to lead with wisdom, compassion, and the heart of Christ? The Heart of a Shepherd is your ultimate guide to transforming your leadership and shepherding with purpose, power, and precision. Packed with timeless biblical wisdom and actionable strategies, this book equips you to care for your flock and leave an indelible mark on the lives you touch. In a world desperate for godly leadership, The Heart of a Shepherd stands as a beacon for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone called to guide others spiritually. Drawing deeply from Scripture and real-world insights, this book ...

This book focuses on the development of a missional ethos at New Hope Church of God in Christ in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Members were encouraged to embrace missiology as a means of spreading the gospel, making disciples within New Hope Church, and throughout the community. The project was based on the premise that the congregation was not involved in missional ministry. The hypothesis was that an attitudinal change would occur within members once they were informed of the concept of a missional church. The methodology used to evaluate the hypothesis was qualitative, using surveys, ...

The Art of Conversation will show you step by step how to converse skillfully and enjoyably with other people, at home, at work, on the phone, and in the street. Even if you're daunted now, discover the difference good conversation can make in every aspect of your life.

Life crises can throw you into a tail-spin - a lost job, a failed relationship, a struggling business, a financial mess. Where do you start? How do you pull it together? How do you begin again? Tom Holladay experienced a catastrophe first-hand when a sudden flood in California destroyed his home, his church, and the homes of many church members. Tom and his congregation had to rebuild, and they used the principles in the book of Nehemiah to get back on their feet.

When Mike Pence was a young politician, reporters used to ask him: “where do you see yourself in five, ten years?” Without fail, the former Vice President would reply, “home for dinner.” This answer was an honest assessment of his priorities. Throughout his career, Pence has been adamant about putting his family first. As he often told his staff, he’d rather lose an election than lose his family. Go Home for Dinner is an in-depth, practical guide to balancing the demands of life with the long-term satisfaction that only a commitment to your family can bring.

Minister's Handbook: A Guide to Sacred Order, Protocol, and Pastoral Excellence Are you called to serve in ministry? Whether you're a new minister or a seasoned leader, Equipped for Ministry is a comprehensive guide designed to empower you with the biblical foundation, spiritual integrity, and practical tools needed to lead effectively in today’s church. This powerful handbook explores the sacred call to ministry, the responsibilities of various leadership roles—including Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Deacons, Bishops, and Elders—and provides detailed instruction for ...

Investors don't back entrepreneurs, they back Investable Entrepreneurs. Too many brilliant business ideas are killed by poor communication, leaving investors unable to understand the very basics of the business. When it comes to pitching, clarity is key. 'The Six Principles of the Perfect Pitch' is a proven process that will help to make your pitch powerful, get you noticed, generate interest and have investors queuing up to help you succeed.

In Build My Church: Church Growth Formulas, Dr. Carl C. Liggin offers an indispensable guide for pastors, church leaders, and congregations committed to cultivating vibrant, growing churches that serve as transformative forces within their communities. This contemporary and comprehensive work is rooted in biblical principles, informed by historical insights, and enriched with practical strategies to achieve sustained spiritual and numerical growth. Drawing on decades of pastoral experience and scholarly expertise, Dr. Liggin provides a holistic framework for addressing modern churches' ...

Most Christians dismiss their dreams, yet they're the gateway to the supernatural realm, the place where God reveals his plans and purposes. Diving deep into the supernatural side of your dreams, pastor and bestselling author Jennifer Eivaz offers a thorough, practical guide to navigating the vital God-given dreamscape. Laying out a biblical framework, she empowers you to reawaken your spirit to God's voice at night; discern the source and meaning of your dreams; discover the plans God reveals as you sleep; access supernatural weapons for any battle you face; and more.

Ministry isn’t supposed to drain your soul. But far too many pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders find themselves exhausted, overwhelmed, and on the edge of burnout—wondering if excellence in ministry is even possible without sacrificing their health, family, or joy. This practical, biblically grounded guide is for leaders who are passionate about serving God with excellence—but are ready to do so in a healthier, more sustainable way.