{"title":"Church Growth","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"christianity-for-the-rest-of-us-263856","title":"Christianity For the Rest of Us","description":"For decades the accepted wisdom has been that America's mainline Protestant churches are in decline, eclipsed by evangelical mega-churches. Church and religion expert Diana Butler Bass wondered if this was true, and this book is the result of her extensive, three-year study of centrist and progressive churches across the country. Her surprising findings reveal just the oppositethat many of the churches are flourishing, and they are doing so without resorting to mimicking the mega-church, evangelical style.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e*Christianity for the Rest of Us*describes this phenomenon and offers a how-to approach for Protestants eager to remain faithful to their tradition while becoming a vital spiritual community. As Butler Bass delved into the rich spiritual life of various Episcopal, United Methodist, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, and Lutheran churches, certain consistent practicessuch as hospitality, contemplation, diversity, justice, discernment, and worshipemerged as core expressions of congregations seeking to rediscover authentic Christian faith and witness today.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eThis hopeful book, which includes a study guide for groups and individuals, reveals the practical steps that leaders and laypeople alike are taking to proclaim an alternative message about an emerging Christianity that strives for greater spiritual depth and proactively engages the needs of the world.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51560858485023,"sku":"9780060859497","price":46.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780060859497_46810.jpg?v=1769124188"},{"product_id":"i-am-somewhere-else-245270","title":"I Am Somewhere Else","description":"Glasson's extraordinary reflections on faith journeys are based on her experience running \"the bread church\": an innovative ecumerical initiative where people gather to bake bread and worship God together.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51561154478367,"sku":"9780232525977","price":44.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780232525977_1633605.jpg?v=1769128060"},{"product_id":"going-to-church-a-users-guide-331013","title":"Going to Church: A User's Guide","description":"Looking in turn at the church as it is, the church as it s meant to be, and the church as it might become, John Pritchard offers not only humour and insight, but also encouragement to feel that going to church is really worthwhile.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51561179414815,"sku":"9780281058105","price":28.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780281058105_1337974.jpg?v=1769129171"},{"product_id":"how-to-develop-your-local-church-307418","title":"How to Develop Your Local Church","description":"","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51561234301215,"sku":"9780281061433","price":37.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780281061433_623350.jpg?v=1769129443"},{"product_id":"the-provocative-church-4th-edition-with-study-guide-401777","title":"The Provocative Church (4th Edition With Study Guide)","description":"Sometimes Christians assume that people 'out there' are eager to listen to what the Church has to offer. 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It encourages the development of a theology of conversion that sees beyond 'becoming a Christian' to bring each individual life increasingly under the rule of God.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51561254289695,"sku":"9780281071296","price":19.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780281071296_905020.jpg?v=1769130121"},{"product_id":"sharing-gods-blessing-how-to-renew-the-local-church-457510","title":"Sharing God's Blessing: How to Renew the Local Church","description":"A tried-and-tested resource for the renewal of the local church. Faced with the unsustainability of many inherited patterns of church, the temptation may be to fall into despondency rather than seeking to regenerate patterns of mission and ministry. This book is the result of a two-year research project aimed at enabling local churches to regain a sense of confidence through exploring God's blessing and how that might be shared with the communities they serve. In Part One, Robin explores the meaning of blessing and the power of face-to-face group conversations to transform church congregations. Part Two of the book contains outlines for five guided conversations for change on the theme of blessing. 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In *Parable Church*, pastor and author Mike Burnette unpacks unique insights from Jesus' parables that can help us to understand and experience the full, transformative life in community we are divinely intended to live.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e While we've tended to focus boundless energy on growing our churches through strategies, programs, and metric-based insights, Christ always focused on the heart and the values of the Father, the values that actually change lives. *Parable Church* weaves together personal narratives, unique cultural observations, and compellingly fresh biblical insights to paint a picture of something unimaginably greater than what most people think of when they think of Jesus or his Church.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51561382707487,"sku":"9780310113010","price":34.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780310113010_1508852.jpg?v=1769134123"},{"product_id":"hybrid-church-rethinking-the-church-for-a-post-christian-digital-age-624701","title":"Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church For a Post-Christian Digital Age","description":"This is only the third time in the history of the church that both the mission field and the way we communicate with that mission field have changed. 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In Breaking the Strongholds in the African-American Family, Dr. Clarence Walker unfolds a plan for spiritual warfare using the weapons of God. Drawing from biblical characters such as Nimrod, Jezebel, and Tamar, Dr. Walker describes the various types of strongholds that imprison black men, women, and children today. He matches the weapons and strategies of ancient warfare with our spiritual weapons, providing a vital and practical ministry resource for pastors, counselors, and laypeople. Step by step, Breaking Strongholds in the African-American Family shows: - how to identify types of strongholds - how to know and use our weapons of warfare - how to train an army of warriors to work as a team - how to set up an effective battle plan. 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Churches are growing beyond the limitations of a single service in one building. Expanding the traditional model, they are embracing the concept of one church with more than one site: multiple congregations sharing a common vision, budget, leadership, and board. Drawing from the examples of churches nationwide, *The Multi-Site Church Revolution* shows what healthy multi-site churches look like and what motivates congregations to make the change. Discover how your church can:  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e- cast a vision for change  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e- ensure a successful DNA transfer (vision and core values) to its new site  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e- develop new leaders  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e- fund new sites  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e- adapt to structure and staffing change  \u003cbr\u003e- use technology to support your worship services  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eYou'll identify the reasons churches succeed and how they overcome common snags. *The Multi-Site Church Revolution* offers guidance, insights, and specific action steps as well as appendixes with practical leadership resources and self-diagnostic tools.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\"I wholeheartedly recommend this book for any pastor or church leader who needs to know the pertinent issues, tested solutions, and real examples of multi-site strategies that are currently being deployed around the world.\"  \u003cbr\u003e- Ed Young, senior pastor, Fellowship Church  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\"The authors have done their homework. They have firsthand knowledge of the successes and failures of this movement, having been networking with and facilitating dialogue among churches across the country for years.\"  \u003cbr\u003e- Max Lucado, senior minister, Oak Hills Church  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\"Look no further than this book to propel your ministry to Ephesians 3:20 proportions: exceeding abundantly above all that you could ever ask or think!\"  \u003cbr\u003e- Randy and Paula White, senior pastors, Without Walls International Church","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51561554051359,"sku":"9780310270157","price":34.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780310270157_125939.jpg?v=1769138460"},{"product_id":"the-multiplying-church-265206","title":"The Multiplying Church","description":"This is a must-read for pastors and lay leaders involved in, or wanting to learn about, the church multiplication groundswell in North America. It shows how multiplying churches should be a natural, regular function in the DNA of every church. Learn the principles from master multiplier Bob Roberts. Here is powerful hope for the church in America.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eThe Multiplying Church is a primer for pastors and lay leaders involved in, or wanting to learn about, the church multiplication groundswell in North America. It shows how multiplying churches should be a natural, regular function of every church to reach the 70 percent of Americans who have no meaningful church relationship.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eDetailing the stories and guiding principles of this dramatic growth, this guide offers insight on: Why churches are multiplying in the East but not in the West Keys to church multiplication The missing link----pregnant mother churches Antioch vs. Jerusalem: Which got it right? What kind of churches should we start? What is the end game of church planting? How big does a church have to be to start multiplying churches? Church planting movements or Jesus movements?  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eBob Roberts helps us return to an early-church model of multiplication where a single church sent laypeople out to plant other communities of believers.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51561716744479,"sku":"9780310277163","price":32.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780310277163_128347.jpg?v=1769138821"},{"product_id":"becoming-a-contagious-church-265207","title":"Becoming a Contagious Church","description":"This is a vision for turning every church new or old into a contagious church that is a powerful magnet for attracting and influencing unchurched people.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eDiscover a Proven Approach to Raising Your Church's Evangelistic Temperature. Evangelism. It's one of the highest values in the church. So why do so few churches put real time, money, and effort into it? Maybe it's because we don't understand the evangelistic potential of the church well enough to get excited about it. *Building a Contagious Church* will change that.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eThis provocative book dispels out dated pre-conceptions and reveals evangelism as it really can be, radiant with the color and potential of the body of Christ and pulsing with the power of God. What's more, it walks you through a 6-Stage Process for taking your church beyond mere talk to infectious energy, action, and lasting commitment. Think it can't happen? Get ready for the surprise of your life! You and your church are about to become contagious!  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eMost church leaders would agree there's nothing more important than evangelism after all, eternities hang in the balance! Yet eighty-six percent of pastors admit that their church falls far short when it comes to actually doing something about it. Perhaps your church is like that, but you're unsure of what to do.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eThat's about to change. If you long to infect your church with Great Commission fever, then challenge every member of your leadership team to read this book! Building a Contagious Church will help you customize an evangelistic strategy that really worksnot just for a while, but for the long haul.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eDeveloped by one of today's foremost leaders, educators, and practitioners of evangelismthe principal author of the highly effective Becoming a Contagious Christian curriculum this book's revolutionary insights have proved themselves time and again in all kinds of settings. So dare to get excited! This dynamic, highly adaptable approach is created to work not for some other church, but for your church.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eIf you're ready for your leaders, members, and ministries to become fervent about reaching lost people for Christ and effective at doing so, Mark Mittelberg describes in detail how you can tailor-make: A Contagious Plan, define the what, why, and how of your church's outreach to people in the neighborhoods all around you. A Contagious Change Process: Follow a 6-Stage Process that will help you raise the evangelistic temperature of your church, starting with the hearts of the leaders Contagious Diversity Learn to maximize outreach to all kinds of non-Christians by developing ministries and events around the six different evangelism styles. Contagious Ministry Find out how to unleash the kind of genuine, empowered ministry in your church that will impact your community and your world.  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\"It doesn't matter whether your church is large or small, old or new, urban or suburban, upscale or downscale, high church or low church,\" says Mittelberg. \"Regardless of where you're starting from, I'm confident that in the power of the Holy Spirit, you can take significant steps toward making your ministry more outwardly focused and evangelistically fruitful.\" Get ready for a revolution in how your people view and do evangelism. And prepare for the joyous adventure of aligning yourselves with God's agenda of reaching and transforming human hearts.  \u003cbr\u003e***Publisher.***  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiscover a Proven Approach to Raising Your Church's Evangelistic Temperature Evangelism. It's one of the highest values in the church. 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Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life 'Entire leadership teams and outreach committees should read and discuss this powerful book---and then put its principles into action.' John Maxwell, author of Developing Leaders Around You 'I can't emphasize how important books like this one are for the future of the church. It demythologizes the fear and awkwardness of evangelism into something biblical, tangible, and practical for every person.' Dan Kimball, author of They Like Jesus but Not the Church 'Becoming a Contagious Church is hands-down the most comprehensive work on church evangelism I've ever read. Its principles can turn inward-looking church attenders into outward-looking church evangelists.' 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This biblically grounded book asserts that many leaders overlook the necessary precondition of discerning and cooperating with the empowering will of the Holy Spirit before putting their plans into action. *\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit\u003c\/strong\u003e* is a highly practical guide for nurturing relations between believers and the Holy Spirit, a process facilitated by seven dynamics. * Love that draws us into engagement * Faith and obedience * Receiving divine guidance * Exercising spiritual discernment * Welcoming the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit * Intercessory prayer that shapes the future * Seeing and responding to kairos moments\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdvanced by the church leadership and brought into being by the Holy Spirit, these factors help congregations preach and teach, worship, heal, govern, make disciples of converts, and evangelize. One of this book's strengths is the use of case studies to illustrate how the seven dynamics can take root in local congregations.  \u003cbr\u003e***-Publisher.***  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIs something crucial missing from your congregation's programs? Beneath the surface of churches' programs and activities lies the more fundamental question of how leaders and churches can be enabled to discern and obediently cooperate with the guidance and empowering of the Holy Spirit. Since the Kingdom of God is an active expression of His reign on earth, it is extended and realized as individuals and churches seek and submit to His will and purposes. Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit offers a practical guide for nurturing with churches the dynamic cooperative process, drawing on a breadth of experience from around the world. Many leaders overlook the necessary precondition of discerning and cooperating with the empowering will of the Holy Spirit before putting their plans into action. But how is this to be accomplished? Seven dynamics facilitate this process. These factors, advanced by the church leadership and brought into being by the Holy Spirit, help congregations undertake such crucial tasks as preaching\/teaching, worship, healing, governance, making disciples of converts, and evangelism. 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Experience the revolution for yourself and see why it has become the \"new normal\" for growing churches. *\u003cstrong\u003eA Multi-Site Church Roadtrip\u003c\/strong\u003e* takes pastors, church leaders, and anyone who is interested on a tour of multi-site churches across America to see how those churches are handling the opportunities and challenges raised by this dynamic organizational model. Travel with tour guides Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird, authors of *\u003cstrong\u003eThe Multi-Site Church Revolution,\u003c\/strong\u003e* and enjoy engaging and humorous on-site narratives that show you the creative ways churches of all kinds are expanding their impact through multiple locations. Hear the inside stories and learn about the latest developments. Find out firsthand how the churches in this book are broadening their options for evangelism, service, and outreach - while making better use of their ministry funds.? ?Since each church on this tour is unique, you won't find a cookie-cutter approach to ministry. Instead, you'll gain some practical tools you can use to explore a multi-site direction at your own church.  \u003cbr\u003e***-Publisher.***  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHop On for a Guided Tour of the Multi-Site Church Movement From multiple locations to internet campuses, the multi-site church movement is changing the shape of the church. What is this rapidly expanding phenomenon all about? Experience the revolution for yourself and see why it has become the 'new normal' for growing churches. A Multi-Site Church Roadtrip takes you on a tour of multi-site churches across America to see how they're handling the opportunities and challenges raised by this dynamic organizational model. 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This book, by contrast, offers guidance and examples to Christian leaders as they seek ways to involve their congregations or small groups in spiritual practices.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In*Joy Together*, Lynne M. Baab describes six spiritual practices that congregations can attempt together: thankfulness, fasting, contemplative prayer, lectio divina, hospitality, and Sabbath keeping. She goes on to explore how these practices can help with congregational life and discernment and provides practical instructions for communicating with group members. Discussion questions are included at the end of each chapter so groups can delve into the topics more fully.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563211030815,"sku":"9780664237097","price":37.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780664237097_657827.jpg?v=1769170988"},{"product_id":"how-to-attract-and-keep-active-church-members-197401","title":"How to Attract and Keep Active Church Members","description":"In this study of church growth and membership retention, Donald Smith argues that if a church is to survive, it must concentrate on keeping its present members as well as attracting new ones. He interviews people from six hundred churches of various sizes and reviews the causes of membership decline and retention in those churches. He provides evidence that a major problem is membership dropout. He brings together and addresses the assimilation of new members, congregational vitality and church growth, and conflict management and its impact on membership retention. He asserts that churches must meet members' needs in order to attract and keep them.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563226497311,"sku":"9780664251406","price":47.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780664251406_1481882.jpg?v=1769171667"},{"product_id":"speaking-of-god-90570","title":"Speaking of God","description":"Many mainline churches today have members (both laity and clergy) who find it a problem to speak face-to-face about God. This creative book offers a theological foundation, practical suggestions, and a positive model for sharing faith. Ben Campbell Johnson combines evangelism and spiritual guidance in order to provide a fresh image and a new style of faith sharing. He gives a model of spiritual direction that offers a positive, attractive way of doing face-to-face evangelical work.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563228463391,"sku":"9780664252007","price":54.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780664252007_1483043.jpg?v=1769171747"},{"product_id":"how-shall-we-witness-90077","title":"How Shall We Witness?","description":"Witness has long been recognized as an essential task of Christ's disciples. But the question of how to evangelize responsibly has often confused and divided the Christian community.*How Shall We Witness?*is an account of one Christian family seeking to heed Christ's commission to witness in and to the world.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563238097183,"sku":"9780664255756","price":54.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780664255756_1482040.jpg?v=1769172161"},{"product_id":"sailboat-church-396480","title":"Sailboat Church","description":"Is your church a rowboat church or a sailboat church? Rowboat churches depend largely on human effort. In a time of often shrinking budgets and membership, rowboat churches frantically row harder against a current, often frustrated and disappointed at their efforts. Sailboat churches, on the other hand, take up the oars, hoist sales, and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide them. Arguing that churches should be \"sailboats,\" author Joan S. Gray encourages readers to shift concern from the many daily, practical concerns of their local church to consider how new directions might be found by allowing the Holy Spirit to provide fresh ideas. The book includes forty days of sailing prayers, quotes from Scripture, brief reflection questions, and an extensive bibliography that is arranged by theme. Perfect for groups to read together, this book will help leaders reframe their church's mission and practice with the Holy Spirit as their guide.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563246158111,"sku":"9780664259587","price":34.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780664259587_1482067.jpg?v=1769172529"},{"product_id":"the-pentecost-paradigm-ten-strategies-for-becoming-a-multiracial-congregation-545291","title":"The Pentecost Paradigm: Ten Strategies For Becoming a Multiracial Congregation","description":"How do churches build immunity from racial and ethnic tensions that threaten to divide rather than unite congregations? Jacqui Lewis and John Janka believe that the answer lies in the development of multiracial, multicultural communities of faith. Born of the authors' work with The Middle Project, an institute that prepares ethical leaders for a more just society, The Pentecost Paradigm is a collection of wisdom and best practices. Here you will find lessons, questions for conversation, and spaces for journaling. Use the workbook with your planning team, board members, lay leaders, and staff. Ten essential strategies are presented to help build communities that celebrate racial\/ethnic and cultural diversity: Embracing Call and Commitment Casting the Vision Managing Change and Resistance Creating Congregational Identity Building Capacity Cultivating Community Celebrating in Worship Understanding Congregational Conflict Communicating and Organizing Collaborating in the Public Square In welcoming communities of faith where everyone is accepted just as they are, we can lead the way toward racial reconciliation and dismantle the prejudices that segregate our houses of worship.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563253530911,"sku":"9780664263386","price":30.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780664263386_1485046.jpg?v=1769172831"},{"product_id":"urban-ministry-reconsidered-contexts-and-considerations-513828","title":"Urban Ministry Reconsidered: Contexts and Considerations","description":"Christian ministries often struggle to account for urbanization's growing force, complexities, and reach--and to formulate theologically and sociologically appropriate responses. Urban Ministry Reconsidered features a collection of original essays by leading scholars and practitioners that explores current issues and challenges in urban communities.Together these articles consider how cultural and structural frameworks have led to new conceptualizations and configurations of urban ministry. In addition, they examine the degree to which the social, spiritual, and organizational priorities of urban ministries have been reconceived in response to these shifts.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563254055199,"sku":"9780664263928","price":84.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780664263928_1506783.jpg?v=1769172857"},{"product_id":"neighborhood-church-transforming-your-congregation-into-a-powerhouse-for-mission-525517","title":"Neighborhood Church: Transforming Your Congregation Into a Powerhouse For Mission","description":"How can we embody the values of love, grace, and justice? As faith communities, how can our collective embodiment of these values shine even brighter? The answers to these questions must always unfold right here, right now, exactly where God has planted us. Neighborhood Churchacts as a resource to inspire churches to become a vibrant and engaging community partner with the families and neighborhoods living around them. The need for transformation is acute. Congregational decline continues across all mainline denominations. The abandonment of the church by the millennial generation is ubiquitous; no denomination is escaping it. This is, in part, a consequence of disconnection from our communities. Van Tatenhove and Mueller believe that, parish by parish, we can reverse this trend. They dare to have an audacious hope for local congregations not only as signs of God's kingdom but as life-giving institutions that anchor their neighborhoods. Drawing on their combined sixty years of parish experience, wisdom from Asset-Based Community Development, and compelling case stories, Van Tatenhove and Mueller do more than just call us to incarnational ministry. They give practical, essential tools that lead to communal conversion, develop the DNA of listening, spur fruitful partnerships, promote integrated space, and sustain long-term visions. They believe these tools will spark true revival and unleash the power of incarnational ministry.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563255464223,"sku":"9780664264789","price":37.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780664264789_1584732.jpg?v=1769172915"},{"product_id":"evangelism-is-197139","title":"Evangelism Is...","description":"Drawing on his many years as a pastor, as well as a national church leader and staff member for evangelism, Clinton Marsh confronts head-on the declining membership of mainline Protestant churches with this biblical and practical book on growing the church into the twenty-first century. Affirming the work of the Holy Spirit, and using the teaching of Jesus as a model, Marsh advocates an approach to evangelism driven by love.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563260772639,"sku":"9780664500139","price":47.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780664500139_1483073.jpg?v=1769173166"},{"product_id":"the-jesus-enterprise-221480","title":"The Jesus Enterprise","description":"Those Christians who work in missionary settings among non-Christian groups learned an important lesson long ago about communicating the gospel. You can build the church, ring the bell, and hope that folks will find their way to your doorstep. Or, you can immerse yourself in the culture, build relationships, and minister to people where they are. Needless to say, it is the latter route that bears the greatest fruit--and the greatest similarity to Jesus' own practice of proclaiming the gospel.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e As churches in North America seek to grow and minister more effectively, they would do well to remember that they, too, live in an increasingly non-Christian culture. The churches that will succeed in reaching out to the unchurched in this society are those who have learned how to encounter such people on their own territory. Hence, one congregation brings visitors into their building, not through something foreign-sounding like a \"narthex,\" but through a coffee and espresso bar.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In this and dozens of other ways, innovative congregations are reaching out to the unchurched. Kent Hunter names such forms of ministry the Jesus Enterprise. In this helpful book he tells the stories of churches where this kind of outreach has become the norm. More important, he also provides other churches the tools they need to identify the particular opportunities their context presents and ways to take advantage of those opportunities to present the gospel to those most in need of it.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563276337439,"sku":"9780687006472","price":34.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780687006472_1467970.jpg?v=1769173891"},{"product_id":"spiritual-entrepreneurs-232706","title":"Spiritual Entrepreneurs","description":"*Spiritual Entrepreneurs* tells the story of an innovative pastor and leadership team who intentionally led their church to take spiritual risks. By using six principles, renewal can come to any church. These six principles are focus on: (1) Jesus Christ, (2) the Bible, (3) new forms of worship, (4) a commitment to membership, (5) equipping lay people for ministry, and (6) spiritual leadership. Slaughter belives that church leaders are inspired to work tirelessly when they hear or learn of good-news stories. He also believes that covenants, Christianity training, and an innovative small-group structure are vital in producing high-commitment members.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563276828959,"sku":"9780687007998","price":32.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780687007998_0.jpg?v=1769173922"},{"product_id":"rural-ministry-130712","title":"Rural Ministry","description":"Grounded in social research, *Rural Ministry* evaluates the diminishing establishment of the church in rural America, which is linked to the fifty-year-old crisis in rural ministry. It names the primary issues for leaders of Protestant and Catholic churches to ponder: the graying of the population; the closing of schools, hospitals, and factories; and the corporate buyout of farms during the 1980s. In addition to retelling the history of this crisis, Shannon Jung and the other contributors to this volume offer a set of Christian principles that respond to social problems in rural life. The situation is so intense that the book offers examples from around the heartland of cooperative or collaborative parishes that blend denominational and theological differences across the Protestant and Catholic spectrum.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Key Benefits: Offers a vision of nationwide renewal in rural America; Advocates true ecumenical solutions to issues confronting the rural church in America; Sidebars feature examples and illustrations; Informs new rural ministers of the culture and issues about to confront them, allowing them to better handle the challenges and opportunities of the rural environment; Motivates congregations to activate ministries in new and provocative ways, insuring the spread of the gospel; Can help troubled churches survive.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563279483167,"sku":"9780687016068","price":49.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780687016068_1468126.jpg?v=1769174045"},{"product_id":"take-the-next-step-210126","title":"Take the Next Step","description":"Learn how to work for genuine and effective change in your church without trying to throw out everything that has gone before.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Pastors and other congregational leaders are eager to institute meaningful and effective change in their congregations. They know that old attitudes and perspectives prevent the church from fulfilling its mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Yet too often church advocates insist that if genuine change is to occur in the church, then everything must change. The board must be wiped clean, and new technologies, new worship styles, and even new theologies must replace what has come before.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The problem with such calls for radical change, says Lovett Weems, Jr., is that they are not true to the way that genuine and lasting change takes place. Like every other organization, churches rest on a cultural foundation of shared assumptions, values, and practices. The paradox of successful change is that this foundation is at the same time the source of resistance to change and what makes change possible. Lasting, transformational change grows out of the congregation's current sense of its story and its mission. Transformational leaders know how to build on the church's identity, making new ministries and emphases the natural extension of what has gone before. In other words they know how to make the story of change the next chapter in the book of the congregation's life, rather than throwing the book away and trying to start over.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e An astute student of management and leadership theory, Weems offers congregational leaders essential insights into how they can work with and through their churches' ministries to bring about authentic and faithful growth.","brand":"Koorong","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51563280367903,"sku":"9780687020843","price":42.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8981\/8143\/files\/9780687020843_0.jpg?v=1769174082"}],"url":"https:\/\/koorong.com\/collections\/academic-church-growth.oembed?page=9","provider":"Koorong","version":"1.0","type":"link"}