Community Growth

Disobedience. It’s normal, right? For hundreds of years, the Church has struggled with how to overcome sin in the Christian life. We know that the cross takes care of our past sins at salvation and assures us life after death. But what do we do with the time in between? In Dead and Alive, Jim Wilson discusses the neglected requirement of obedience and explains God’s provision for it from Scripture. May the thoughts in it lead you into a victorious, obedient life in Christ.

Immerse yourself in "Connecting D20s," a comprehensive guide for building effective, engaging, and prosperous role-playing game (RPG) communities! This essential e-book explores the multilayered facets of RPG communities and the pivotal role they play in the thriving RPG industry. In Chapter 1, the book lays a sturdy foundation for apprehension, touching on key terms and concepts such as defining role-playing games and discerning community needs. The book delves into the power of outreach, presenting its significance in bolstering and fostering community expansion. As you delve deeper, ...

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.

Lying Flat: A Journey to Rediscovering Joy and Authenticity In a world obsessed with success, productivity, and material gain, four friends—Claire, Natsuko, Dexter, and Lee—find themselves on the edge of burnout, yearning for a different way of life. "Lying Flat" is an inspiring and heartwarming novel that chronicles their unconventional journey towards simplicity, connection, and true happiness. When a serendipitous opportunity to house-sit a charming cottage with a lush garden arises, the friends seize the chance to escape their hectic lives and embark on an experiment in sustainable ...

A new community. A fresh start. A chance to build something better. After twenty-five years of reactive police work, Jordan Brennan is ready for a change. When the chance to move to the quiet town of Millbrook comes up, it seems like the perfect opportunity to swap crisis management for peaceful living. Equipped with an innovative system called the Harmony Hub, which shows social patterns and relationship dynamics, Jordan expects to enjoy simple, small-town life. But even the most peaceful communities have their challenges. When new families arrive looking for integration, tool-borrowing ...

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 the transformative journey to true self-reliance with Passing It On, an enlightening guide designed for those ready to embrace independence and craft a lasting legacy. This eBook delves into the essential pillars of self-sufficiency, blending historical insights with modern strategies to instill a deep sense of empowerment. Start your journey by exploring the Foundations of Self-Reliance, where you’ll debunk common myths and learn about the psychology that fosters true independence. As you progress, discover essential strategies to develop a Resilient Mindset, with chapters ...

Welcome to a digital arena that's exploding with engagement opportunities! This brand new eBook, "Level Up Your Discord," is your definitive guide to mastering the thriving realm of Discord and its servers. Delve into a collective experience that unites users worldwide, turning mere interaction into unforgettable experiences. In this in-depth exploration of Discord servers, you'll unravel the core of its functionalities, and the myriad purpose and benefits it offers. The spotlight then shifts to 'engagement', the heartbeat of server success, identifying the golden opportunities to make your...

When a gardener plants a seed in an empty lot, it changes everything for the guarded, unhappy town. From the cynical bookseller to the grieving mechanic, from the struggling butcher to the lonely grocer and more: the gardener and forgotten plot of dirt offer simple wisdom to all that comforts, guides, and cures. A warm, welcoming, modern parable of hope about how small changes can solve big problems. "The kind of story you can read in an hour, but will think about the rest of your life."

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.

I’m surrounded by people at church...so why do I feel so alone? You show up at church every Sunday. You see people you know. You listen to a sermon together. And then you go home feeling just as isolated as you did before. What’s going on? We all know that a church is supposed to be a community. The trick is to actually make it one. Communities don’t happen by chance - certainly not in our Lone Ranger culture that values independence and individualism.

Paul Sparks, Tim Soerens, and Dwight J. Friesen have seen—in cities, suburbs, and small towns all over North America—how powerful the gospel can be when it takes root in the context of a place, at the intersection of geography, demography, economy, and culture. This is not a new idea—the concept of a parish is as old as Paul's letters to the various communities of the ancient church. But in an age of dislocation and disengagement, the notion of a church that knows its place and gives itself to where it finds itself is like a breath of fresh air, like a sign of new life.

Unleash the power of niche communities with this indispensable guide, "Niche Communities Unleashed". Step into a world of focused, specialized communities where individual interests thrive within the dynamic realm of Discord. This groundbreaking book leads you through the complexities of Discord, a platform where unique niche communities uniquely prosper. Get your bearings as you navigate the discord labyrinth in Chapter 1. Grasp the very crux of Discord, its structure, purpose, and unique vocabulary that shapes experience on this bustling platform. Discover the importance of niche ...

God’s best for you is on the other side of your yes to him. This has always been the case. Mountains move on the other side of fully trusting God’s call on our lives. The stories of the Bible would be drastically different if the characters all said no. Imagine if Abraham didn’t believe or if Mary said, “Find another surrogate.” What if the disciples refused to drop their nets or if the little boy with the bread and fish said, “These are mine,” and refused to give them up?

The premise of serving as a small group leader sounds simple: Invite people to join you in studying the Bible. But the real-world implications of that role are incredibly complex. Today's small group leaders are asked to function as semi-experts in theology, psychology, evangelism, worship, apologetics, counseling, education, and nutrition—all in service to God and His church. The Field Guide for Small Group Leaders provides basic training and support to help small group leaders succeed in the critical mission of leading others toward spiritual growth and transformation.

Christ heals wounds that no one else can heal. The Holy Spirit offers to reconcile us to God and to each other. We don’t think much about sin until the Spirit catches us red-handed. But He is not a policeman; He is the Friend of the guilty. He convicts in order to liberate.

Unlock the extraordinary potential of kindness with "Creating a Culture of Care," a transformative journey into the profound impact of small, caring actions. This inspiring eBook delves into the power of empathy and mindful awareness, revealing how simple gestures and thoughtful interactions can create ripples of positive change. Embark on a path to cultivate a caring mindset, where empathy becomes second nature and everyday life is filled with opportunities for compassion. Learn the art of connection through acknowledgment, small acts of kindness, and genuine presence, as you reinforce ...

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.

Many Americans balk at the idea of setting aside a whole day for worship, rest, and time with those who matter most to them. Yet we long for more time to spend on what matters most—unrushed time to rest, reconnect with friends and loved ones, and deepen our relationship with God. An ancient spiritual practice exists that can help restore balance to our lives: the practice of keeping sabbath. But how exactly do we manage to build time for sabbath into our busy lives? Dana Trent explores this question in For Sabbath's Sake.

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....