Community Growth

Join J.C. Ryle as he explains the benefits of reading (and rereading) the Bible, and find inspiration for your daily devotions in this classic work.

In the Bible, God set Ezekiel down in the middle of a valley full of bones. If reviewed on a travel website, that valley wouldn’t get more than a single star. But many of us don’t stop at a visit. We pitch a tent and buy a tract of that desolate land for ourselves—before passing it on to our children and grandchildren. Generations become mired in the valley of dry bones.

Discover a revolutionary perspective on economic prosperity in "The De-Globalization Advantage: How Local Economies Can Thrive Again." This groundbreaking book challenges the prevailing wisdom that globalization is the only path to growth, offering a compelling alternative that puts the power back in local hands. Are you tired of watching your community struggle in the face of global economic pressures? Do you yearn for a world where local businesses flourish, cultural identities thrive, and political autonomy reigns supreme? Author Marcus Greenfield presents a meticulously researched and ...

Title: Roots and Wings: Nurturing Faith and Fellowship in the Oikos Tradition In "Roots and Wings," delve into the ancient yet ever-evolving concept of Oikos—the Greek term for household—and discover how its enduring principles can revolutionize modern faith communities. This insightful tome is a beacon for those seeking to intertwine communal tradition's deep roots with contemporary practice's expansive wings. Throughout these pages, Miller embarks on a pilgrimage through time, exploring how the Oikos have served as the bedrock of spiritual solidarity and a microcosm of societal order....

Everyone wants to belong. But what does belonging—to God, ourselves, and each other—look like in the context of living within an empire and its ideologies? In Liturgies for Resisting Empire, Cuban American writer Kat Armas explores this question both for the New Testament church and for us today. Armas gives listeners a sense of hope and belonging in their daily lives—belonging to ourselves, God, each other, and the earth—in ways that resist the lies of empire. Each chapter begins with a brief liturgy.

Like so many saints before him, Samuel Rutherford did his best work while he was imprisoned for the gospel. While in exile from his hometown, he wrote hundreds of letters to his friends and members of his congregation. Christians of all walks have drawn strength from Rutherford's letters, which were printed several years after his death in 1661 and have been called “the most remarkable series of devotional letters that the literature of the Reformed churches can show.” The Loveliness of Christ is a collection of short excerpts from these letters.

The role of organized religion in our society is undergoing monumental changes. Church attendance is decreasing at unprecedented rates. At the same time, there is an increase in the number of people who identify as “spiritual but not religious.” Clearly, the need for religion remains as strong as ever, yet more and more, people are seeking spirituality elsewhere. Why? What accounts for these trends? Can organized religion still play a valuable role in today’s world?

Discover how prayer can deepen your faith, transform your life, and strengthen your relationship with God. Unlock the power of prayer in every area of your life: Spiritual Growth & Faith – Grow closer to God and overcome doubt. Strength & Temptation – Gain strength to resist life’s challenges. Marriage & Relationships – Strengthen bonds or pray for future relationships. Children & Family – Pray for your children’s future and healing in relationships. Provision & Purpose – Trust God for financial needs and divine direction. Healing & Health – Experience physical, emotional, ...

This book brings fresh clarity and key insights regarding the daily hazards of spiritual warfare and what it means to live out your faith. In his authentic and engaging style, Josh unpacks complicated issues like sin, death, and faith, and points the way forward on the path toward spiritual maturity. With simple, helpful advice for finding and connecting with a faith community and living with purpose, this is a must-listen for everyone ready to take new steps in their faith journey.

God created us as a tripartite, having a body, soul and spirit; but most importantly He created us to be relational – with Him, and with others. In His Great Commission, found in Matthew 28, He instructed us to “Go Make Disciples”; and the best way to do that is not in the ‘rows’ of churches, but in the complementing ‘circles’ of Small Group Ministries within and outside of the church. This book is designed to introduce you to the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of Small Group Ministries – starting with the WHY. Whether you are just forming your Small Group Ministry, or ...

Josh Moody describes the world in which we live, and then leads the reader to a rediscovery of real biblical faith. A previous version of this manuscript was published over twenty years ago in the UK. This version is updated with a whole new section brings into light the importance of community and church to live out this authentic spirituality in practical daily life.

Jesus’ death paid for our sins – the guilt, the death, and the punishment. Jesus does not repay the man who got ripped off when we stole from him. According to the Bible, the person who comes to the Lord in repentance is to pay the one he stole from the value of the stolen goods plus one fifth of the value. But what if it is a candy bar you took twenty years ago? The amount stolen and the time since the theft do not make it yours.

Have you ever felt like life was finally going well, when suddenly life decides to throw you a curve ball? Life will knock you down when you least expect it. The important thing is not how or why we got knocked down, the important thing is how will we respond? In her early 40's, Nadine found herself to be a newly successful entrepreneur...and simultaneously...the mother of a heroin addict. She used this situation to create an out-of- the-box therapeutic travel recovery project which later evolved into establishing a nonprofit serving those choosing to live a lifestyle of recovery.

Are you looking for an effective ministry that will reach the hearts of people in your community? One that will draw people who may not be interested in setting foot in your church? Pastor Guy Melton has that same passion. He also has a passion for celebrating the birth of our Savior. Over thirty years ago God used those passions to open a door for the beginning of Christmas at the Oasis, a Christmas event that has changed the lives of thousands throughout these years. Every year multitudes come to enjoy this exciting event . . . but Pastor Guy and his team continue to focus on “the one....

There are plenty of reasons to criticize, judge, and even walk away from the church. Many of us have been hurt and rejected. We may see church as insular and irrelevant. Despite this, Kevin Makins believes that the church still matters - perhaps more than ever. If you've been burned or burned out by the church, if you've been silenced or misunderstood, if you've left or never even joined in the first place, this candid, hopeful audiobook is your invitation to consider what you miss out on when you give up on church - and what the church misses out on when it gives up on you.

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a set of strategies or techniques for understanding and influencing human behavior. It’s based on the idea that our thoughts create reality, and we can change what happens in the real world by changing how we think about it. NLP can be used to improve communication, promote happiness and well-being, increase productivity levels--and more! In this book, we’ll look at what NLP is, how it works and when it’s best suited for certain situations/tasks; why should people learn about this powerful tool (or not)? What are some practical applications where ...

When was the last time you were willing to let go of something you normally hold onto with a white-knuckle grip? How often does someone ask you about your life or work, and you don't know how to respond? How you answer those questions is important, because they hint at your passions. At some point in our lives, we're given an opportunity for our passions to fuel our purpose.

Although the largest churches in the world are cell-based, many have questioned whether the model will work in North America. The Church In Many Houses: Reaching Your Community Through Cell-Based Ministry makes the case that the cell model will work— if key assumptions about spiritual growth and the nature of the church are reexamined and renewed. By drawing on scripture, research, and insights gained through personal experience as the pastor of a growing cell church, Steve Cordle identifies the four pivotal philosophical shifts necessary for the cell approach to work. These are mindset ...

Max Harrison begins his journey as an eager intern at WLGF, a small-town radio station in Greenfield, where he quickly becomes captivated by the energy of live broadcasting—and by Evelyn Porter, the station’s warm and confident receptionist. Their connection grows from late-night chats in the studio to genuine friendship, and soon, love. Together, they navigate the excitement of building careers at WLGF and the challenges of starting a family, finding comfort in small moments like dancing to vinyl records at home and sharing quiet confessions under the stars. Over the years, Max’s ...

What would you learn if you visited 52 churches?How might that experience change the way you treated visitors at your church? But you don’t need to go to a boatload of churches to find out. Church-reform advocate Peter DeHaan, PhD already has. The 52 Churches Workbook is the perfect tool to gain valuable insights without the pain and hassle of going to a different church every Sunday for an entire year. Merely thinking about making your church better isn’t enough. It’s time to act. With over 200 thought-provoking questions to propel you and your church forward, you’ll discover: How ...