House Church

This book introduces us to the meaning of church membership, the traits of a good church, and how we are to function as parts of the body. Written for laypeople, it includes practical discussions on church leadership, male and female roles, worship, spiritual gifts, confrontation, unity, and prayer. Revised and expanded with study questions and new conclusions.

Leaving the Saints is an unforgettable memoir about one woman's spiritual quest and journey toward faith. As "Mormon royalty" within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Martha Beck was raised in a home frequented by the Church's high elders, known as the apostles, and her existence was framed by their strict code of conduct.

In Accidental Saints, New York Times best-selling au­thor Nadia Bolz-Weber invites readers into a surprising encounter with what she calls "a religious but not-so-spiritual life." Tattooed, angry and profane, this former standup comic turned pastor stubbornly, sometimes hilariously, resists the God she feels called to serve. But God keeps showing up in the least likely of people - a church-loving agnostic, a drag queen, a felonious Bishop and a gun-toting member of the NRA.

Uncover the transformative power of laughter with "The Laughing Pulpit - Using Humor to Enhance Preaching." This groundbreaking guide illuminates the profound yet often overlooked relationship between humor and preaching. With this essential resource, preachers can learn how to leverage laughter to communicate spiritual truths more effectively, create a deeper sense of community, and make their messages more memorable and impactful. A Harmonious Blend of Theology and Comedy: Explore how humor can illuminate spiritual truths, deepen religious understanding, and open hearts to profound ...

Jesus promised that he would build his church and that she would be a beautiful bride, holy and blameless before him; but as I look at the modern church our experience falls far short of his promises. The Holy Spirit has not lost his power and Jesus has not changed his mind, so the problem must be at our end. It seems that our Father is unwilling to entrust the fullness of his Spirit to our wineskins. Desperate situations call for radical change. More of the same will not get us to where we want to be. If we want the new wine of the Holy Spirit, we must shape our wineskins according to ...

When the jolly Italian peasant-turned-cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli of Venice was elected Pope John XXIII in 1958, change was in the air. The Church, many said, had refused to enter the twentieth century. In response, Pope John launched Vatican II, an “ecumenical council” that summoned hundreds of church leaders to Rome. It marked one of the most progressive turns the Church had taken in centuries: “medicine of mercy,” as Pope John called it. Yet not everyone in the Church was prepared to accept this modernization.

1914: Anticipating a long summer of freedom at her friend's family estate in Cambridge, Grace Villiers is disappointed by an unexpected addition to their party. Then the new arrival offers to teach Grace to swim, and she is forced to see there is more to Algernon Lake than his reputation. But, with war brewing across Europe, this will be a summer that changes everything.

Reader's Choice Award Winner. Throughout China's rapidly growing cities, a new wave of unregistered house churches is growing. They are developing rich theological perspectives that are both uniquely Chinese and rooted in the historical doctrines of the faith. To understand how they have endured despite government pressure and cultural marginalization, we must understand both their history and their theology. In this volume, key writings from the house church have been compiled, translated, and made accessible to English speakers.

Fatima, Portugal, 1917: The Virgin Mary appears to three peasant children, sharing with them three secrets, two of which are soon revealed to the world. The third secret is sealed away in the Vatican, read only by popes, and not disclosed until the year 2000. When revealed, its quizzical tone and anticlimactic nature leave many faithful wondering if the church has truly unveiled all of the Virgin Mary's words or if a message far more important has been left in the shadows.

When Elisabeth Quemener dies she leaves a small parcel with the instructions that it must only be opened by Astrid Oake. The trouble is, no one knows who Astrid Oake is… Elisabeth’s family turn to Touissants detective agency for help but, when Mila Shepherd and Carter Jackson try to track Astrid down, their frustration soon mounts. Their only clue is a photo of two young women holding the hands of a tiny child. The women are smiling but Mila is haunted by the sadness in their eyes. Is this Astrid and Elisabeth and if so, who is the child?

Jesus is building His ekklesia. Yet the concept of ekklesia is new to many believers. This Handbook will provide you with the basics you need to understand it and how to gather effectively with other believers. In The Believers Handbook for New Testament Gatherings you will learn:The mission of the ekklesia—and how it propels you to use your gifts and calling to bless others The Values of the Kingdom that will strengthen youHow to gather with believers for Kingdom impact...and much more!

On a clear spring day in 1995, five members of a religious cult unleashed poison gas on the Tokyo subway system. In attempt to discover why, Haruki Murakmi talks to the people who lived through the catastrophe, and in so doing lays bare the Japanese psyche. As he discerns the fundamental issues that led to the attack, Murakami paints a clear vision of an event that could occur anytime, anywhere.

In Churchwork, Rodney Shaw provides pastors', ministry leaders', and volunteers' invaluable wisdom and insight to optimize the performance of ministry teams. With fresh perspectives on follower-centric leadership and courageous followership, this book will bring clarity to your vision. As you begin to implement the principles in this book, you can expect to see results.

This photo-based tour of Utah includes over 60 pictures from the following historic locations: Salt Lake temple, Utah State Capitol, the Beehive House, the Lion House, Temple Square, several important LDS buildings, a railroad town (Echo, UT), and Park City (with the Utah Olympic Park.)

November 1816: Restless but naive Emeline Fitzpatrick is desperate to escape her stifling life in foggy Halifax. Her guardian is lining up repugnant suitors, but Emeline has her eyes set on a lieutenant in the British Navy. She just needs to persuade him to propose, or her one chance at happiness will be gone forever. But when Emeline’s hopes end in scandal, she finds herself with only one suitor left: the wealthy and enigmatic Captain Graves. Having already lost two wives to tragic circumstances, the widower is seeking a new companion in his cloistered seaside manor, Faraday House.

What if the next generation of apostles is standing in your church, waiting—starving—for direction, and no one is equipping them? You weren’t called to build a fan base—you were called to raise a family. This is not just about ministry; it’s about legacy. If you fail to raise them, the enemy will recruit them. The mantle is not meant to die with you—it’s meant to multiply. All across the body of Christ, there are spiritual sons and daughters with prophetic fire and apostolic callings—but they’re wandering without guidance. Churches are full of gifted people but empty of ...

Scandals. Hypocrisy. Shallow sermons. Do you see the brokenness within the church and wonder if she can ever authentically represent Jesus to the world? Dr. Eric Mason doesn’t just call the church out. He calls believers up, equipping listeners with actionable steps toward personal accountability and a renewed commitment to Christ’s mission. Rebranding the Church is a training manual for Christians to lovingly and truthfully share Christ with people who no longer respect the Christian faith.

American Christianity teaches the centrality of the individual: my will, my experiences, my decision, my heart, my work, and my dedication. Yet we couldn't be more unaware that Christ and His saving and comforting work are being lost. Our minds and hearts are captivated in some way by those who often preach the Christian instead of Christ.

A Journey to Unlock the Transformative Power of Collective Prayer Are you yearning to witness the miraculous power of prayer in your life and community? Dive into "Corporate Prayer: Understanding the Efficacy and Power of Corporate Prayer," a groundbreaking book that uncovers the untapped potential of praying together. This book is not just a guide; it’s a spiritual awakening that will revolutionize your understanding and practice of corporate prayer. Imagine a community united in prayer, experiencing God’s divine intervention and miracles on an unprecedented scale. This book provides a...

A New Collection of True Ghost Stories from England and Elsewhere. Where might you find a ghost? In many a place, if these stories are to be believed: from historic properties to the humblest of homes; churches, bridges, pubs and roads, not to mention a fish and chip shop. And then how to explain a vanishing car, a hat, or a hotel? Mysteries aplenty, whereas solutions are few. Each of the stories in this collection was freely volunteered for inclusion by members of the ‘Personal Ghost Stories’ Facebook group, with the events which they relate stated to have involved the contributor ...