Three years later, an angel guides him to an ancient record buried in a hill near his home. With God’s help, he translates the record and organizes the Savior’s church in the latter days. Soon others join him, accepting the invitation to become Saints through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. But opposition and violence follow those who defy old traditions to embrace restored truths. The women and men who join the church must choose whether or not they will stay true to their covenants, establish Zion, and proclaim the gospel to a troubled world. The Standard of Truth is the first book in Saints, a new, four-volume narrative history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fast-paced, meticulously researched, Saints recounts true stories of Latter-day Saints across the globe and answers the Lord’s call to write history “for the good of the church, and for the rising generations” (Doctrine and Covenants 69:8).

    Millions more have left the church, brokenhearted and cynical. But God is waking up His people—people who will risk everything and sacrifice anything to become the dynamic, powerful Church seen in Scripture.  We Are Church calls Christ-followers, young and old, to hold fast to their biblical roots while seeking radical change. Scripture promises an exuberant and unstoppable Church. That wondrous early church of Acts can be our reality today—but not until we devote ourselves to her original priorities.   Read this book and be challenged, guided, and encouraged to passionately pursue God’s magnificent and beautiful vision for His Church. Come and claim your part in this body of believers that is not just possible—it’s promised.

    For starters, you have to know who’s asking the question. People will ask it for a lot of different reasons. It’s pretty obvious that the question is a religious one. Questions about God naturally get filed in that folder. If you’ve spent a lot of your life in church, you might think you already know the answer. You might know parts of it, but I can guarantee you’ll see a lot that’s new here. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill “Christianity 101” book. Unfortunately, the thing that most often gets in the way of the wonder of the story is religion, and that isn’t what this book offers. And if you’ve never been in a church or heard much about the Bible, don’t worry. You’ve got nothing to unlearn or re-learn. It’s all fresh. That makes you an ideal reader. So what does God want? Best-selling author, Dr. Michael S. Heiser, shows readers that the answer is pretty simple. God wants YOU. That might surprise you. You may doubt it. That’s okay. But it’s the right answer. But it isn’t enough of an answer. You can’t get a sense of how amazing and profound the answer is by just that one sentence. There’s actually a long, remarkable story behind the answer—one that isn’t well known by most people interested in the question.

    The New Testament is commonly divided into the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s epistles, the general epistles, and the book of Revelation. The four Gospels—the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are accounts of the life of Christ. The book of Acts records the history of the Church and the Apostles, especially Paul’s missionary travels, after Christ’s death. Paul’s letters give instruction to Church leaders and members. The other letters were written by other Apostles and give additional counsel to the early Saints. The book of Revelation, which was written by the Apostle John, contains mostly prophecies pertaining to the last days.

    

    . . irresistible. But that was then. Today we preach, teach, write, and communicate as if nothing has changed.  As if “The Bible says it,” still settles it.It’s time to hit pause on much of what we’re doing and consider the faith modeled by our first-century brothers and sisters who had no official Bible, no status, and humanly speaking, little chance of survival.What did they know that we don’t?What made their faith so compelling, so defensible, so irresistible?Buckle up . . . you’re about to find out. More importantly, Andy will invite you to embrace the version of faith that, against all odds, initiated a chain of events resulting in the most significant and extensive cultural transformation the world has ever seen. A version we must embrace if we are to be salt and light in an increasingly savorless and dark world.“More than any other book I’ve read in years, Irresistible has stretched my view of Scripture. I can’t hear or read a passage from the Old or New Testaments without thinking about Andy’s provocative insights. If you and I take this book seriously, our lives and our churches will never be the same.”—Kara Powell, PhD, executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute and coauthor of Growing Young“Irresistible is like a once-in-a-generation shot across the bow. Andy Stanley takes a lifetime of accumulated insight and wisdom about the Christian faith, history, and why the church isn’t connecting with our current culture, and combines them together in a masterpiece work.” —Carey Nieuwhof, author and founding pastor, Connexus Church“Warning: This book will set you and your ministry back—back to the first century and the approach to advancing the gospel modeled by Jesus and the apostles. Andy reminds us that the resurrection was at the center of the first-century apologetic. Then he challenges twenty-first century believers to reclaim it as the center of ours as well. I agree with Andy—this approach changed the world once. I’m convinced it could do so again. Read and apply now!”—Frank Turek, Christian author, public speaker, and radio host“This book challenged me to rethink my thoughts about the Old Testament, discuss with fellow believers what I was learning, do more connecting and less correcting of others, and be salt and light, making things better and brighter. I love how Andy loves people . . . ALL of them.”—John Maxwell, author of The 360 Degree Leader“It’s time for the church to rethink how it presents a timeless gospel to this generation. In Irresistible, Andy Stanley challenges us to make sure we handle the Scriptures with the kind of integrity that compels everyone to seriously consider following Jesus. Any Christian who reads this book will suddenly find themselves embracing the mission of Jesus with a new passion.”—Reggie Joiner, author; founder and CEO of Orange“Andy Stanley takes you on a historic journey to rediscover the first-generation passion of what it means to faithfully follow Christ. This book will knock you off center, push you out of complacency, and reawaken an unshakable faith that cannot be ignored.

    In fact, prayer in the church often gets subtly pushed to the side in favor of pragmatic practices that promise tangible results. Rather than being a hallmark of churches, dependence on prayer is usually emphasized only in times of major crisis--if at all. The latest book in the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series focuses on the necessity of regular prayer as a central practice in the local church. Examining what Jesus taught about prayer, how the first Christians approached prayer in the early church, and what steps can be taken to prioritize prayer in churches, this book is intended to awaken readers to the need and blessing of prayer in their personal lives and in the life of their local church.

    Faith Is Not Blind offers fresh concepts and tools that will help readers learn from these experiences, rather than feeling disillusioned by them.Award-winning authors Bruce and Marie Hafen draw upon a lifetime of experience in Church service, college teaching, and parenthood to help readers embrace both the spiritual and the intellectual aspects of the gospel. Their approachable tone and real-life examples acknowledge complicated gospel issues, yet clearly and gently guide readers through the steps necessary to work through complexity, develop informed testimonies, and become filled with the faith that comes from knowing God.

    

    But the news isn't all bleak. Recent analysis of Barna's incredible store of data reveals a hidden hope: the church is already perfectly equipped to meet young people's deepest desires and most pressing needs.In Faith for Exiles, David Kinnaman teams up with former executive director of Youth Specialties Mark Matlock to reveal five formational practices that have the power to cultivate resilient faith in the next generation. Drawing on groundbreaking insights and never-before-released data, Kinnaman and Matlock show readers that God has not given up on the American church. In fact, the church is needed now more than ever.Pastors, youth ministers, and concerned culture-watchers will find the hope they've been looking for as they navigate a rapidly changing, increasingly alien culture alongside young, faithful, thriving Christians exiled in digital Babylon.

    Men and women posing as prophets and apostles make millions preying on the sick, poor, and emotionally fragile. Behind a veil of glamour, many self-proclaimed pastors mask their spiritual abuse with claims of special power from the Holy Spirit. Defining Deception pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth behind this lucrative industry. Written with a unique blend of theology, history, and personal experience, Costi Hinn and Anthony Wood have lovingly, yet sternly, exposed the mystical-miracle fraud in the hope that Christians will unite against those who have turned Jesus into a commodity. It is also a call to all Christians of good faith to help those trapped by these corrupt leaders rediscover the biblical Gospel of Christ. Every Christian is called to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3) even when it’s controversial—Defining Deception will equip Christians to do just that.

    Worship more.What Tozer lacked in formal education, he more than made up for in experiential wisdom.  Tozer was a man who really knew God, and it showed. People came from all over to hear his sermons because they knew they would go home more in awe of God.  That’s why millions keep coming back to his writings, but particularly these three books.Considered to be Tozer’s greatest works, Knowledge of the Holy, The Pursuit of God, and God’s Pursuit of Man are now available in a single volume.  In 3 Spiritual Classics, you will discover a God of breathtaking majesty and world-changing love, and you will find yourself worshipping through every page.  Encounter Tozer and the God worth worshipping today.

    Surprising to many, this life is not measured by success, comparison, or accolades. Rather, free and joyful living stems from a God-centered celebration of our union with Christ and the lives of those around us. Jon Tyson's exploration of the reverse economy of the kingdom frees his readers from merit-based living...not just in terms of salvation, but daily, earthly value. Life is not meant to be a series of competitions or a survival of the fittest rat race. Yet so many of the messages around us, so many of the voices bombarding our hearts and minds tie up our value and package it with our accolades.This book gives another way forward. It shows readers how to value their individual lives based on what God says about them, rather than how they measure themselves against the world. This is a must read for each and every person trying to find their voice and purpose in a loud and frenetic world.

    

    Apathy. Restlessness. Procrastination. These are symptoms, of what early Christian theologians called despondency (acedia), a spiritual sickness rooted in a lack of care or effort. A condition as old as the ancients, despondency thrives in today’s culture of leisure, anxiety, and digital distraction. Time and Despondency is a penetrating synthesis of ancient theology, spiritual memoir, and self-help practicality. It envisions despondency as the extension of a broken relationship with the experience of time. Driven by the fear of death and the anxiety of living, despondency drives us to abandon the present moment, forsaking the only temporal realm in which we have true fellowship with Christ. The remedies offered by time-honored Christian thinkers for this predicament constitute not only an antidote to despondency but also stepping stones back to the present moment. In regaining the sacredness of time, we re-encounter the Resurrection of Christ in the dark and restless moments of our lives.

    One of the most important safeguards against all forms of heresy is a robust appreciation for biblical theology--reading the Bible in a way that takes into account the whole storyline of redemptive history. Exhorting pastors and other church leaders to prioritize biblical theology in their own congregations, this book explains basic principles for reading the Bible that help pastors teach the big story of the Bible from every text. Understanding the Bible in Christ-centered terms shapes the church's teaching and mission, and protects the truth of the gospel around the world.

    So it was with Jesus who in His final hours gave us seven last "words" rich with spiritual meaning for every human soul.For the first time ever, Archbishop Fulton Sheen's complete writings and reflections on Christ's last words have been compiled into this one book. Sheen shows how the seven words are, in fact, a full catechism on the spiritual life. From them, you'll learn the secrets to living the Beatitudes, ways to avoid the deadly vices of anger, envy, lust, and pride, and how to cultivate the heavenly virtues of fortitude, prudence, justice, and charity.Few books are such an inspiring call to sanctity, and few books are such a spiritual powerhouse. With Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen as your guide, you'll also learn: Why, during His Passion, Jesus never proclaimed his innocence. Why Jesus appealed to His Father to forgive, but did not Himself forgive directly. What Jesus' third word from the Cross says about lust. Why, like Jesus, the most innocent among us must suffer. Why darkness covered the earth after Jesus spoke his fourth word. The seven words spoken unto Jesus while He hung on the Cross "š€š" and what they reveal about the impact of Christ's Passion on your soul. What the Passion says about judging others (and why it's an assault against hope). How the conversion of the good thief is the key to the conversion of our modern world. Why you and I can sin a thousand times and be forgiven, and the angels who have sinned but once are eternally unforgiven. How envy becomes the denial of all justice and love. The difference between the virtue of hope and the emotion of hope.

    Why is Christ called the “Son of God”? Discover an answer so simple you’ll wonder why you never saw it before, and so beautiful it’ll take your breath away.

    It must continually move closer to a truer, more faithful expression of the gospel. The risen Christ’s powerful letters to the seven churches in Revelation are a guide to just that.Based on John MacArthur’s exposition of these letters, Christ’s Call to Reform the Church is a plea to the modern church to heed these divine warnings, to reform before it succumbs to the kinds of compromise and error that invite God’s judgment.Christ’s Call to Reform the Church admonishes the church today to learn from the mistakes God’s people have made in the past, rather than commit them again. The Word of God has many benefits, one of which is that it reveals our blind spots. That's what this book does—it shines a light on problems we didn't know we had. May it be embraced by Christians everywhere, spurring them toward the God-honoring, grace-driven work of continued reformation.

    To the world around us, this kind of unconditional love makes little sense. The world is really good at loving some people, sometimes. Most of us are. But what about loving people who don't talk like us, think like us, vote like us, or see the world like we do?In this five-session video Bible study (DVD/streaming video sold separately), Bob points the way to embodying love by doing the unexpected, the intimidating, the seemingly impossible--to love everybody the way Jesus loved them--without fear, insecurity, or reservations...Love everybody: Begin by loving people right where you are through serving and helping the neighbors God has placed in your world.  Love always: Love people when they mess up, and help them move past the place of shame to acceptance.  Love God: Be courageous and follow where God leads one step at a time--even if you feel like you're flying blind.  Love now: Don't just agree with Jesus, but actually step out and do what Jesus said. Each session explores a different aspect of unconditional love:Love People Where You Are  Catch People on the Bounce  Don’t Play It Safe  Look at What’s in Your Bucket  Love Even the Difficult PeopleFollowing Christ means more than just putting a toe in the water when it comes to loving others. It means grabbing your knees and doing a cannonball! And, as Jesus revealed, it means loving the difficult ones. The Everybody, Always Study Guide provides practical steps to help you take that journey.Includes video discussion questions, Bible exploration, personal study and reflection materials for in-between sessions, and a leader's guide.Designed for use with the Everybody, Always Video Study (9780310095361), sold separately.

    

    . .so much power.When God says, “Go,” we face one of life's greatest decisions.When God says, “Go,” we must face our fears. . .our excuses. . .and our selves.When God says, “Go,” it's time to answer His call wherever it leads.When God says, “Go," what will you do?Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson invites you to walk alongside people of the Bible who were called by God to fulfill His purposes. . .people like Moses, Rebekah, Abigail, Jeremiah, Mary, and others. These Bible heroes responded much like we do--with a jumbled-up inner storm of excitement and fear, insecurity and hope. Their stories and struggles will provide a roadmap for your own story, helping you face your very own doubts, regrets, and worries.When God calls, it’s time to go. Maybe somewhere new, someplace you've never been. Maybe it’s time to go forward after being stuck with one foot in the past. Maybe it’s time to go deeper—in Bible study or relationships. Time to go higher—in prayer or dreams. Time to go and give—to use talents and opportunities God has given you. Or maybe it’s time to go and grow, right where you are. . .to dig into the Word, dive into your heart, and become the woman God is calling you to be.  Ready or not, God is calling us all to go somewhere new in our walk with Him. So what are we waiting for? Let’s answer His call. Let’s get started!

    Here's how to stand strong. Like many other people of faith, you may be concerned about what the future holds for Christians in America. Every day we wake up in a nation and world that is increasingly hostile to our beliefs and values. Even the basic freedoms that define America--speech and religion--are under attack. The result is that many of us have become fearful, apathetic and detached. The great need of the day is a sweeping revolution of courage in our lives, families and houses of worship. A Call for Courage will spark that revolution in you.Michael Anthony understands how fear can paralyze us, and in this revolutionary new book he shows Christians how to stand up and speak out, mobilizing them to walk by faith, not fear. Drawing from Scripture and deep personal experience, he proves that anyone can learn the secret to putting fear in its place and becoming more courageous. A Call for Courage will help you stand up and speak out while others demand you sit down and shut up. You will learn how todevelop the secret weapons God has given you for courage,handle haters, racists, and everyone in between,overcome attacks against your freedom of religion and speech,speak the truth with love when disagreements threaten to create division, anddevelop courageous humility as your new way of life.A Call for Courage is a handbook on how to live with courageous humility. No matter who you are or what you're facing, A Call for Courage will help you live with power, truth, and love in an age of intolerance and fear.

    Flash and fizz can be effective at attracting young families, but without sustainable systems beneath the unforgettable moments, the impact is almost always short-lived. In this practical resource, you’ll learn how to recruit volunteers, partner with parents, navigate politics, and care for your own soul instead of frantically scrambling to do it all yourself. Sustainable Children’s Ministry will help you build a ministry foundation that will still be standing long after you are gone.

    Articles, books, conferences—they mostly feature leaders of large congregations. Yet big churches are a small part of the ecclesial landscape. In fact, more than 90 percent of churches have fewer than 200 people. That means small churches play a big part in what God is doing.Small Church Essentials is for leaders of these smaller congregations. It encourages them to steward their role well, debunking myths about small churches while offering principles for leading a dynamic, healthy small church.Based on the popular six-hour lecture that Karl Vaters delivers to church leaders across the country, Small Church Essentials will affirm small church leaders and show them how to identify what they do well, and how to do it even better. Readers will:Be assured that leading a small congregation does not make them ministry failuresCome away inspired to lead with passion, regardless the size of their churchHave field-tested principles for leading a church in their contextPossess new metrics for biblically measuring vitality in small churchesHave a toolkit of resources to use in their everyday ministryKarl Vaters has been a small church pastor for 30 years, is the author of The Grasshopper Myth: Big Churches, Small Churches, and the Small Thinking that Divides Us (2013), and travels extensively to churches and conferences to speak about leading a small church well.If you are pastoring a small church, this book will be a breath of fresh air. It will affirm your calling while giving you fresh tools to help you lead. It will help you:Stop believing lies about small churchesLead your church to fulfill the role only small churches canUnderstand your congregation’s strengths and weaknessesTurn around a dying or unhealthy churchIdentify good trends and bad in church and culture

    Prostitutes and pagans, tax collectors and tricksters. The more unlikely, the more it seemed to please God and to demonstrate his power, might, and mercy. America in the 1960s and 1970s was full of unlikely people--men and women who had rejected the stuffy religion of their parents' generation, who didn't follow the rules, didn't fit in. The perfect setting for the greatest spiritual awakening of the 20th century.With passion and purpose, Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn tell the amazing true story of the Jesus Movement, an extraordinary time of mass revival, renewal, and reconciliation. Setting fascinating personal stories within the context of one of the most tumultuous times in modern history, the authors draw important parallels with our own time of spiritual apathy or outright hostility, offering hope for the next generation of unlikely believers--and for the next great American revival.Those who lived through the Jesus Revolution will find here an inspiring reminder of the times and people that shaped their lives and faith. Younger readers will discover a forgotten part of recent American history and, along with it, a reason to believe that God is not finished with their generation.

    As soon as he was able, he left the community and moved as far away as he could. But through a remarkable turn of events, he reluctantly returned and found himself not only back in Englewood but also serving as a pastor ("Pastah J") and community leader. In Church Forsaken, Brooks challenges local churches to rediscover that loving our neighbors means loving our neighborhoods. Unpacking the themes of Jeremiah 29, he shows how Christians can be fully present in local communities, building homes and planting gardens for the common good. His holistic vision and practical work offers good news for forgotten people and places. And community stakeholders and civic leaders will rediscover that churches are viable partners in community transformation in ways that they may never have considered. God has always been at work in neglected neighborhoods. Join Pastah J on this journey and discover new hope for your community.

    They also show how the gifts are not just for a select few, but distributed freely by the Holy Spirit among believers. After laying this foundation, the authors reveal how you can activate the gifts in your own life and use them to benefit others. In this hurting world, you can give people more than just a message--you can help usher them into an encounter with God.

    But what does it mean to always have the Lord's Spirit with us? And how can we recognize the presence and guidance of the Holy Ghost in our lives?Paired with both inspirational and personal photography, this new book brings together some of Elder Ronald A. Rasband's greatest stories and counsel about recognizing the divine hand of the Lord in our lives. Get to know Elder Rasband and his teachings as he draws upon personal experiences from his younger life and his ministry as an Apostle. Through his own experience, he helps us learn first how to seek the Spirit and then how to recognize and respond to divine guidance in our families, with friends and colleagues, in our Church service, and during times of trial.Each of these short quotes, heartfelt stories, and brief messages is an important reminder that the Lord is in the small details of our lives. He is interested in our success and eternal happiness, and He has provided the Holy Ghost to offer divine guidance and lead us back to Him.

    Levine looks into characters such as Judas, Pilate, Caiaphas, the disciples, and the women around Jesus to understand their relationships and roles in the Passion story.The books six chapters include:Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem The Temple Incident The Anointing of Jesus and the Role of Women Jesus' Teachings in the Temple The Last Supper Traditions Gethsemane Additional components for a six-week study include a DVD featuring the engaging teaching style of Dr. Levine building on the topics and themes found in the book and a comprehensive Leader Guide.

    

    Despite his own life being in turmoil, he made sure to give priority to the women of the Church. In this short booklet, Sheri Dew helps us understand what the Prophet Joseph would want us to know today: that women play a crucial role n the kingdom of God and that our divine capacity to understand things of the Spirit and the heart allow us to love, strengthen, and lift each other with charity.

    Regardless of the age in which we live, certain instruction carries no expiration on its relevance. Pastor, author, and leadership consultant, Larry Osborne has discovered this to be the case with instruction on how to be a good leader. The best, most practical advice comes from the Bible, and in particular, 1 Peter 5:1-4. It's in this short passage where leaders are exhorted to shepherd the flock among them.Unfortunately, most modern leaders have precious little experience tending sheep, and many of the implications that were well understood when Peter penned these words are lost on today's reader. Osborne finds the parallels to be numerous, well-worth reviewing and understanding anew.A shepherd leads them to water even when they fear it. A shepherd never allows one sick lamb to destroy the flock. A shepherd lays down his life for his sheep . . .When leaders truly understand Peter's words of exhortation to lead like a shepherd, then they will begin to see the path that leads them to Leading Well.

    With in-depth research and never previously used documents, Jonathan A. Stapley explores the rituals of ordination, temple sealings, baby blessings, healing, and cunning-folktraditions. In doing so, he demonstrates that Mormon liturgy includes a much larger and more complex set of ritualized acts of worship than the specific rites of initiation, instruction, and sealing that take place within the temple walls. By exploring Mormonism's liturgy more broadly, The Power of Godliness shows both the nuances of Mormon belief and practice, and how the Mormon ordering of heaven and earth is not a mere philosophical or theological exercise. Stapley examines Mormonism's liturgical history to reveal a completereligious world, incorporating women, men, and children all participating in the construction of the Mormon universe. This book opens new possibilities for understanding the lived experiences of women and men in the Mormon past and present, and investigates what work these rituals and ritualizedacts actually performed in the communities that carried them out. By tracing the development of the rituals and the work they accomplish, The Power of Godliness sheds important new light on the Mormon universe, its complex priesthoods, authorities, and powers.

    So why is the church in Europe and America stagnant or declining, and what will it take for that to change? The Kingdom Unleased explores God's Kingdom Movements. Central to every movement are the core values of the Kingdom of God, which Jesus proclaimed and modeled throughout His ministry. The authors of The Kingdom Unleashed spent three years researching why only a few such movements are happening in North America and Western Europe. They identify the historical and worldview issues that hinder Kingdom movements in the West. Interviews with many leading movement catalysts illuminate the biblical principles, paradigms, and practices that Jesus mandated for His disciples. By returning to these, we can revitalize Christianity in the Global North and see the Kingdom Unleashed.

     Do you want more from your church experience?Does the pure gospel put you in a place of awe?Are you ready to rethink church as you know it?  Sit with Pastor Francis Chan and be reminded that you are a part of something much bigger than yourself, something sacred.   In his most powerful book yet, Chan digs deep into biblical truth, reflects on his own failures and dreams, and shares stories of ordinary people God is using to change the world.   Chan says, “We’ve strayed so far from what God calls Church. We all know it. We know that what we’re experiencing is radically different from the Church in Scripture. For decades, church leaders like myself have lost sight of the inherent mystery of the Church. We have trained people sitting in the pews to become addicted to lesser things. It’s time for that to change.”   When Jesus returns, will He find us caring for His Bride—even more than for our own lives? Letters to the Church reminds us of how powerful, how glorious the Church once was … and calls us to once again be the Church God intended us to be.

    Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson takes the reader on a tour of the Christian history, featuring stories and songs to give believers a sense of their place in God’s kingdom and to encourage them in their walk.

    He shares practical ways for church leaders to move beyond the building walls and take the kingdom to those who need it most. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Scott argues that every believer, not just the leaders, can fill their city, workplace, and family with the beauty and power of Christ.   When believers become scattered servants, the Holy Spirit will equip them to advance the kingdom and change lives through their hearts and hands.

    That’s one way to describe Peter. Here’s another: poor, uneducated, quick-tempered, and full of doubts and fears. Doesn’t even sound like the same man. And that’s the point of Simon Peter, a new book and six-week adult Bible study by Adam Hamilton. Peter was just an ordinary guy who heard and followed God’s extraordinary call. Discover how you, too, have special gifts, talents, and abilities that God can use to make a difference today. In addition to the Leader Guide and DVD components for adult studies, corresponding youth and children’s resources, sold separately, can be used to create a churchwide study.Chapters Include: The Call of the Fisherman Walking with Jesus in the Storm Bedrock or Stumbling Block? “I Will Not Deny You” From Cowardice to Courage The Rest of the Story

    As long-held beliefs on love, faith, and God are challenged by the aggregate of changes that have overhauled our world, many of us are left feeling confused and uncertain while old norms are challenged and redefined at breakneck speed.In Wrestling with God, Ronald Rolheiser offers a steady and inspiring voice to help us avow and understand our faith in a world where nothing seems solid or permanent. Drawing from his own life experience, as well as a storehouse of literary, psychological, and theological insights, the beloved author of Sacred Fire examines the fears and doubts that challenge us. It is in these struggles to find meaning, that Rolheiser lays out a path for faith in a world struggling to find faith, but perhaps more important, he helps us find our own rhythm within which to walk that path.

    And the way we grow as disciples and lead others in spiritual growth depends on our contexts. Pastor José Humphreys recognizes how deeply our faith is tied to our particular stories in our particular places. Grounded in his own deep faith and wisdom, he writes out of his experiences as a Puerto Rican pastor who has planted a multiethnic church in East Harlem. In this book, he offers a framework to help church leaders take discipleship seriously in their places, calling them to show up, stay put, and see what God is doing in their midst. Combining spiritual formation with activism, vivid narrative with exhortation, and realism with hopefulness, Humphreys offers pastors and church planters a thoughtful look at discipleship in a complex world.

    The structure of the liturgies, language, and rhythm continue to communicate the gospel in word and sacrament today. They provide a deep sense of Gods call to worship and an appreciation for the Reformers as, first and foremost, men who wanted to help Gods people worship. This book will also be of great interest to theological scholars and students who wish to understand early Reformation leaders. A useful tool for individuals, Reformation Worship, can be used as a powerful devotional to guide daily prayer and reflection. Christians learn to worship from the generations of God's people who have worshipped before them. We sing psalms, because thousands of years ago, God's people sang them. Five hundred years ago, the leaders of the Reformation transformed Christian worship by encouraging the active participation and understanding of the individual worshiper. Christian worship today is built on this foundation. Jonathan Gibson and Mark Earngey have made worship resources from the Reformation era accessible by compiling the most comprehensive collection of liturgies from that era into newly translated modern English from the original German, Dutch, French, Latin, and early English. By providing a connection to Reformation worship, Gibson and Earngey hope that through their work readers will experience what John Calvin described to be the purpose of all church worship: To what end is the preaching of the Word, the sacraments, the holy congregations themselves, and indeed the whole external government of the church, except th

     Journey with those around you—in your community, your church, or your small group—and take intentional steps toward living out the biblical principles that fueled a world-changing movement. Don’t settle for just going to church. Be the Church. With the Letters to the Church Study Guide, be challenged and guided to passionately pursue Christ and His magnificent, beautiful vision for His Bride. Designed to be used with the Letters to the Church Video Series (available separately).

    They believed that following Jesus and aiming to reach millions was worth any cost. Be careful with this book. It might inspire you to risk everything you have to follow Jesus. You’ve been warned.

    quietly and faithfully moved through the background of the Restoration as a man devoted to God. But what of the fathers of other latter-day prophets? Perhaps their stories are less known, but the fathers of the prophets are diverse and influential. In a world where the role of fatherhood is increasingly maligned, marginalized, and even dismissed, this book highlights the irreplaceable role of fathers in the lives of these chosen servants of the Lord--and in the lives of children the world over.Fathers of the Prophets is filled with stories and moments that will both inspire and delight. As you come to know and love the fathers of the latter-day prophets, your testimony will be strengthened and you will witness the hand of the Lord in guiding the Restoration of His Church with the help of men called to be fathers.

    

    

    Some want to strengthen the evangelical voting bloc. Others focus on social justice causes, and still others would abandon the public square altogether. What do we do when brothers and sisters in Christ sit next to each other in the pews but feel divided and angry? Is there a way forward?In How the Nations Rage, political theology scholar and pastor Jonathan Leeman challenges Christians from across the spectrum to hit the restart button byshifting our focus from redeeming the nation to living as a nation already redeemedrejecting the false allure of building heaven on earth while living faithfully as citizens of a heavenly kingdomletting Jesus’ teaching shape our public engagement as we love our neighbors and seek justiceWhen we identify with Christ more than a political party or social grouping, we can return to the church’s unchanging political task: to become the salt and light Jesus calls us to be and offer the hope of his kingdom to the nations.

    By connecting with God in the midst of your sermon prep, the Gospel will be spread deeper and further. God’s joy—and yours—will be made complete.

    We’ve got plenty of churches without them!” “The church brought another one of their campuses near us. It’s totally unethical what they are doing.” “We can’t reach young families. They all go to the big church that has all the children’s and student stuff.” “We don’t have the money or the people the other churches have.”   Bestselling author Thom S. Rainer (I Am a Church Member, Autopsy of a Deceased Church) has heard comments like these hundreds, if not thousands, of times. They are statements of hopelessness. They are statements of despair. They are statements of defeat.   Church leaders don’t want to feel this way. They desire to break out of the mediocrity of the same, lame, and tame existence of their churches. They want their churches to make a difference.   There is hope. God’s hope. God’s possibilities.  What does a scrappy church look like? Let’s take a look together.

    Perhaps you are feeling the Holy Spirit leading you toward vocational ministry but are unsure of what that means or if you are hearing the voice of the Lord correctly. This book will help you answer these questions and serve as a guide as you walk down this new and unfamiliar path.Author Kristen Padilla answers questions like:What does the Bible say about ministerial calling?Can I, as a woman, be called to gospel ministry?What is the difference between spiritual gifts and ministerial roles within the church?Is there value in obtaining a theological education?Should I go to a Bible college, seminary, or divinity school, and what is the difference between these three?What is the value in having a ministerial mentor and doing internships?What if I feel called to ministry but do not know what type of ministry?Each chapter ends with further questions, exercises, assignments, and stories of real women doing vocational ministry. This is a book that will prepare you for a lifetime of vocational service to God. You will walk away with a biblical understanding of ministerial calling and a robust view of women in gospel ministry, as well as practical tools to help you pursue God's call for your life.

    Should we prioritize evangelism or works of service? Local ministries or overseas missions? What's more important: giving our money or giving our time? Crisis relief or building sustainable, long-term ministries? And what about the often debated pros and cons of short-term missions trips? In Mapping Church Missions, Sharon Hoover brings her years of experience in local church missions to bear on these and other thorny questions. Instead of taking a hardline stance on one end of the spectrum or the other, she approaches each question with nuance, adding helpful data, presenting new perspectives, and always pressing gently past surface questions to the heart of the matter. Whether we're fully aware of it or not, our churches come up against these questions whenever we consider how best to use our resources for the mission of God. Written by an experienced guide, this book maps the terrain of church missions in careful detail, helping us plot our church's unique course as we seek to serve Christ's kingdom.

    Scandalous Stories is a "sort" of commentary on these familiar stories, one that is steeped in God's offensive grace and mercy for sinners and saints alike.

    They don't dismiss; they welcome. They don't neglect; they care. Now more than ever we must pay attention to the soft side of leadership if we want hard results. As leaders--from parents to CEOs--we must learn gracious leadership to truly, positively, change our spheres of influence.In this passionate, powerful book, pastor and leadership mentor Terry Smith fleshes out five vital principles you need to become a hospitable leader. He shows that this type of leadership is not superficial niceness or allowing people to do whatever they want. Hospitable leadership is result-oriented because it's motivated by genuine love. It's how you create environments where people and dreams can thrive, where vision turns to action, and where great things happen regularly. Here is everything you need to become the type of leader people want to follow.

    

    At the same time, it provides a limited review of the semiannual training held July 2-7, 2018, in Anaheim, California, on the continuation of the “Crystallization-study of Leviticus.” Through intimate contact with the Lord in His word, the believers can be constituted with life and truth and thereby equipped to prophesy in the meetings of the church unto the building up of the Body of Christ.

    At the same time, it provides a limited review of the semiannual training held July 2-7, 2018, in Anaheim, California, on the continuation of the “Crystallization-study of Leviticus.” Through intimate contact with the Lord in His word, the believers can be constituted with life and truth and thereby equipped to prophesy in the meetings of the church unto the building up of the Body of Christ.

    What if we read the gospels as if that were true? In his book Contemplating Christ,Vincent Pizzuto offers an exploration of the interior life for modern contemplatives that is as beautiful as it is compelling. With an emphasis on the gospels and Christian mystical tradition, his book explores ancient themes in new and surprising ways. Drawing on his rich experience as an academic and priest, Pizzuto gradually unfolds the Christian mystery of deification to which the whole of biblical revelation and the Christian contemplative life are ordered: through the incarnation, we have all been made “other Christs” in the world.

    The beloved 20th-century bishop takes readers through Paul’s letter to the Romans; pointing to God’s grace in Christ and forgiveness for the sinner at every turn.Known as the “C.S. Lewis of Sweden,” Bo Giertz, unerringly reveals the fountain of good news in every Romans passage. Giertz delivers part commentary by thoroughly dissecting each passage, and part devotional as he keenly directs readers to comforts won for them by Christ crucified in all His saving glory.

    Learn how to use it.ONE OF THE REMARKABLE MIRACLES of our day is the opportunity to receive a patriarchal blessing. Using a firm foundation in the scriptures and the writings of Church leaders, Alonzo Gaskill provides answers to questions surrounding all aspects of receiving a patriarchal blessing, addressing topics pertaining to how to prepare for your blessing, what happens during your blessing, and what to do with your blessing once you have received it.FIND ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS SUCH AS• Would a different patriarch give me the exact same blessing?does it matter if I am literally of the blood of Israel or adopted• What consequences will unworthiness have upon my blessing?• What is meant by the promise that I will come forth in the morning of the First Resurrection?

    This can lead not only to personal confusion but—increasingly in our day—conflict and disagreement among Catholics. Teaching with Authority is a unique, valuable, and long-overdue resource for all Catholics as well as those inquiring about the Faith. It will help deepen your understanding of what the Church teaches by showing you (maybe for the first time) how and why and where it does. Not another catechism or “Catholicism for beginners” book, Teaching with Authority isn’t about understanding specific teachings of the Faith (even the complicated and misunderstood ones) but rather about understanding Catholic teaching itself. Where does the Church’s teaching authority come from? How do we weigh dogmas versus practices, doctrines versus disciplines, conciliar declarations versus papal interviews? How do we sort through the many kinds of ecclesial documents and determine their relative authority and relevance? And, in an age when accusations of “heresy!” fly regularly across social media, with competing sides eager to paint the other as unfaithful to Catholic tradition or to the current pope, Jimmy also tackles the issues of incredulity, apostasy, and schism—showing you how to recognize different forms of dissent and respond to them fittingly.

    Everyone experiences rejection in their life, but few are equipped to overthrow a rejection mindset. Meanwhile, masses of hearts are held back from experiencing the fullness of love in their relationships while being held under the limitation of spiritual slavery. Rejection is a deeply rooted mindset that seeks to steal your ability to experience love, see the power of your identity and experience fruitful relationships. It keeps your heart from experiencing a healthy and fruitful life as a loved child of God. Many people never experience the fullness that is possible because a rejection mindset held them back. Through his work as a transformational consultant, Mark has witnessed the effects of a rejection mindset first-hand. Through his own personal freedom journey and helping many to break from personal limitations, Mark will expose this sinister mindset and give you practical tools to live free. Throughout this book, you will learn to see how this root system of rejection seeks to get itself into every facet of relationships. You will be able to: - Get to the bottom of what causes most of our relationship struggles. - See why so many believers feel far from God and struggle to connect to His love. - Uncover why many of the same cycles of limitation keep occurring. - Face personal insecurities and get an identity upgrade. - Develop a healthier lens in how you approach relationships. - Break out of places where you feel stuck and get a fresh start. It's time to take back who you are and what you were made for. Expose the rejection mindset in your life and walk into your freedom.

    Today, many Christians in America feel like exiles within their own country, and there is growing disagreement regarding how to live faithfully in this complex cultural moment. Some desire to conquer our Babylon and return to a type of Christendom they believe existed in an idealized past. Others seek to assimilate the values of our culture into the church. And in between are those who are uncomfortable with either extreme, who feel spiritually homeless. These exiles are looking for a new way of understanding what faith looks like in a polarized, pluralistic, post-Christian culture. They want to know: What does it mean to be the people of God now?That's the question Rick McKinley seeks to answer. He shows exiled Christians how people of faith from other times and places discovered how to live faithfully, prophetically, and imaginatively, neither compromising their principles nor their compassion, and never giving in to despair.

    Frequently skimmed over or left aside is the story of the Jesus of Nazareth who confronted systemic injustice, angered those in power, risked his life for the oppressed and suffering, and worked to preach and establish the Kingdom of God—all of which would lead to his execution on Calvary.In this insightful and moving volume, authors James and Judith McConkie turn to the latest scholarship on the historical and cultural background of Jesus to discover lessons on what we can learn from his exemplary life. Whether it be his intimate interactions with the sick, the poor, women, and the outcast, or his public confrontations with oppressive religious, political, and economic institutions, Jesus of Nazareth—the son of a carpenter, Messiah, and Son of God—exemplified the way, the truth, and the life that we must follow to bring about the Kingdom of Heaven.

    A new expression of the church has been quietly growing. It's something of an experiment, but over the last ten years the church has been validating its ideas with sustained and growing results. At The Underground, being the church is not focused around a weekly gathering or church programs. It's about empowering individuals to respond to God's call to ministry and mission, especially to the poor and disadvantaged in our midst.While many churches talk about discerning calling and engaging in mission, very few are structured to make this their ministry focus. Underground Church is a new vision for the church rooted in its biblical mission to share the love of God and serve the poor. Sanders explores how to make structural changes, how to think about leadership, how to fund ministries, and how to truly engage people in God's mission. Filled with creative insights, he explains what it means to center the mission of the church around the callings of individuals to outward ministry - whether that involves leading Bible studies in the workplace, feeding the homeless, or working to free women and children from sex trafficking.This book will both tell the inspiring story of a church that is rethinking what church looks like while also outlining and uncovering the principles that transfer for every church and Christian community that hopes for more. It's the true story of a 10-year experiment that unpacks the possibilities of a church structured and streamlined for mission.

    It's an approach that can truly transform the spiritual lives of young people by applying the same one-to-one personal method that Jesus Himself used to form his twelve original disciples . . . only one of whom was lost!Fritz has worked with countless parishes, helping them make the shift to a small-group discipleship structure. You'll learn to avoid the many pitfalls and common mistakes parishes make, as well as ways you can easily build the volunteer base needed for a successful transition.He will help you create a comfortable environment that leads young people into self-reflection, as well as the critical role parents and the parish community play in youth formation.Finally, Fritz shares various resources that can help you accomplish your goal. But he warns: you're not running a program that has been pre-developed. Relationships and mentoring make disciples; programs do not.If you're troubled by the number of young people in your parish who leave the Faith year after year, then open these illuminating pages and learn the art of forming young disciples.

    The Song of Songs is read during Passover, Ruth during Shavuot, Lamentations on Tisha B'av, Ecclesiastes during Sukkot, and Esther during the celebration of Purim. Together with the five books of the Torah, these texts orient Jewish life and provide the language of the faith.In the Christian tradition, by contrast, these books have largely been forgotten. Many churchgoers can't even find them in their pew Bibles. They are rarely preached, come up only occasionally in the lectionary, and are not the subject of Bible studies. Thus, their influence on the lives and theology of many Christians is entirely negligible. But they deserve much more attention. With scholarly wisdom and a quick wit, Williamson insists that these books speak urgently to the pressing issues of the contemporary world. Addressing themes of human sexuality, grief, immigration, suffering and protest, ethnic nationalism, and existential dread, he skillfully guides readers as they rediscover the relevance of the Five Scrolls for today.

    At the same time, it provides a limited review of the International Training for Elders and Responsible Ones held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on October 4-6, 2018. The general subject of the training was “Propagating the Resurrected, Ascended, and All-inclusive Christ as the Development of the Kingdom of God.” Through intimate contact with the Lord in His word, the believers can be constituted with life and truth and thereby equipped to prophesy in the meetings of the church unto the building up of the Body of Christ.

    This book tells the story of the relocation of Gateway Seminary—as well as other stories of major change. In doing so, it lays out the principles and processes necessary to get the job done. The first section of Leading Major Change in Your Ministry outlines foundational concepts to leading major change. The second section explains a six-fold model for leading major change in churches and ministry organizations. The book includes illustrations throughout, not from hypothetical situations, but from real-life ministry challenges in both local churches and large organizations. While theories about leading major change are interesting, practical insight about how to do it—written by someone who has led multiple organizations through major change—is far more helpful. The stakes are high. Leadership decisions in ministries have eternal consequences. Almost every church or organization needs—or soon will need—to be led through major change. Leading Major Change in Your Ministry is your guide to successfully getting it done.

    As ministry leaders, we know a lot about biblical rest, yet we don’t often experience it. The ancient practice of sabbath provides ample wisdom on how to enter into rest in Christ. Sabbaticals is a guide showing us how to implement Sabbath principles into a sabbatical as well as into the ebb and flow of our entire lives. RUSTY McKIE serves as the lead pastor of Sojourn Community Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has contributed articles for thegospelcoalition.com, AmICalled.com, and sojournnetwork.com. He has been married to Rachel for thirteen years, and they have two dearly loved children. Rusty loves working and resting alongside family and friends in his beautiful city, Chattanooga.

    These forty days provide forty steps, if you will, to lean in and listen deeply to Jesus. As we do so we find the way of the cross is the road to resurrection. Listening to Jesus-it's our highest calling to the lowest place where we discover our lives transformed and our worst days breaking forth into our best life.

    She used to be the one not to be named. We listened so hard at the edges of the conversation to hear anything—any detail, any dropped syllable. But thanks to the work of the visionary writers and editors who crafted DOVE SONG the Mormon concept of a Heavenly Mother now has so much presence! So many words! May we never lose her again.” —Joanna Brooks DOVE SONG is an anthology of poetry and art centered on the Mormon concept of Heavenly Mother. It includes 138 poems from 80 poets and artists from the early church, to the late 20th Century to today. “DOVE SONG is unique in the canon of Mormon literature. And uniquely important. Not only is it a work of fine art, a carefully arranged series of poems that the poets have used their finest skill and training to create, but it is a work of history, a work of inspiration, and a sacred record of many individuals’ spiritual quest for additional revealed knowledge about Mother in Heaven.” —Susan Elizabeth Howe “This anthology is a shattering summary of poetic revelation, feminist theology, and Mormon history about our Mother God. Over seventy poets speak across time from 1844-2017, describing their visions and yearnings for the divine feminine, like soul mates through the veil. They begin in 1844 with W.W. Phelps, Eliza R. Snow, and Lula Green Richards in 1899, then disappear from the fin de siè·cle to the 1970s when Carol Lynn Pearson and Linda Sillitoe sing our Mother back. Like holy scribes, these poets persist, wondering and writing in the wilderness, seeking a promised land where God is home.” —Maxine Hanks

    Young adults who were active and engaged in the local church are leaving the community behind after high school. What can we do? Responding to these concerning statistics, Sharon Galgay Ketcham reflects theologically on the church community and its role in forming faith. She exposes problems in the way leaders conceive of and teach about the relationship between individual faith and the local church, and offers fresh solutions in the form of values and practices that can shape a community into a place where faith will flourish in those both young and old.

    The author concludes that the Westminster Confession rightly stresses the role of the church in bringing people to salvation without making this claim absolute. We should love the church because Christ loved it and gave Himself for it. He died for the church so that we might live in and with it. Let us study this subject with our Bibles in our hands, the Spirit in our hearts, prayer on our lips, and our forefathers helping us along.Table of Contents:Part One History—What Does WCF 25.2 Mean?1. Reformation and Early Reformed Background2. The Westminster Confession of Faith and BeyondPart Two Theology—Is WCF 25.2 Biblical?3. The Church in the Old Testament4. The Visible Church in the New Testament5. The Invisible Church in the New TestamentPart Three Practice—Why Is WCF 25.2 Important?6. The Ordinary Necessity of the Visible Church for Salvation

    Todd Billings, “can change lives.”In this book Billings shows how a renewed theology and practice of the Lord’s Supper can lead Christians to rediscover the full richness and depth of the gospel. With an eye for helping congregations move beyond common reductions of the gospel, he develops a vibrant, biblical, and distinctly Reformed sacramental theol­ogy and explores how it might apply within a variety of church contexts, from Baptist to Presbyterian, nondenominational to Anglican.At once strikingly new and deeply traditional, Remembrance, Communion, and Hope will surprise and challenge readers, inspiring them to a new understanding of—and appreciation for—the embodied, Christ-disclosing drama of the Lord’s Supper.

    Oh sure, we believe Jesus died for our sins, but, for the most part, the supernatural component ceases right there. Consequently, the sinner's prayer must suffice for our religious experience. Jesus' mission statement in Luke 4:18-19 (KJV) includes the six supernatural elements of life in Christ: discovery of the Good News of Kingdom life, healing for brokenness, freedom from demonic influences, new spiritual sight, liberty from Kingdom of Darkness thinking, and the revelation that we are now Father's favorite. None of them are automatic upon entrance into the Kingdom of Light. Rather, the revelations must be pursued, the healing apprehended, the sight revealed. Therefore, each and every person making their way into the Kingdom must actively undergo deliverance from the demonic. Prophetic Deliverance is such a tool for freedom!

    Thousands of years later, His lovehasn’t changed—and God still calls His people to speak truth to the cities of the world. In City Changers, Alan Platt shows how we need to be in the classrooms, boardrooms, and marketplaces of our communities, engaged with society and ready to offer hope to the broken. Alan gives practical answers and inspiration for influencing the spiritual, social, and cultural dimensions of where we live, as he tells his remarkable story of watching God’s church deeply affect cities around the world. Generations of changed lives tell us that Christianity can radically transform society, beginning with spiritual transformation in the lives of individual people. As Alan writes, the church is called as a missional presence to instill the character and presence of Christ into the core of the community.

    It also contains reflections for all the major feasts and solemnities of Mary, as well as poetry centered on the Mother of God. These meditations come from the profound prayer of a holy contemplative nun, which gives a unique unction to her reflections because they are inspired by the Holy Spirit.The great St. Bernard of Clairvaux said, "Of Mary there is never enough", and in the spiritually and morally challenging times that we live, these powerful Marian meditations will give us the wisdom, love, hope and strength we need to pick up our daily crosses and win the battle of life.Acclaimed spiritual writer Mother Mary Francis speaks with an intimate familiarity of the Mother of God, and you will feel that same closeness to Mary after reading these soul stirring reflections. This book will be a vade mecum for all those who seek a deeper closeness with Jesus through his Mother.This Poor Clare abbess, gifted with a brilliant intellect and a poet's heart, lived in abiding relationship with Our Lord and Our Lady during a monastic life spanning 63 years. In these pages you will discover the wondrous secret that walking with Our Lady day by day is the unending cause of our joy.

    This is not a magnificent journey. There is a road to life in the unshakeable kingdom of God, but it's not an easy journey. "We cannot enter into the kingdom unless we take our cross and die to ourselves," writes author James Bryan Smith. "We often assume that this will be painful. And of course it is. But what is the alternative? I can, for example, choose to navigate my life, choose to live as I want, and aim at fulfilling all of my desires. This will result in that despair Kierkegaard wrote of, the sickness unto death. . . . The wisest choice, then, is to surrender." In The Magnificent Journey, the author shows us the better road, the road less travelled, but the road full of riches. Along the way he introduces us to new spiritual practices that will provide the sustenance we need for the deepest, most joy-filled journey of our lives—the journey into the heart of God.

    Every piece whispers one of His secrets—all we need to do is listen.

    Rejecting the Empire's claim that it had a divine right to rule the world, they pledged their allegiance to a kingdom other than Rome and a king other than Caesar (Acts 17:7).   Many books explore baptism from doctrinal or theological perspectives, and focus on issues such as the correct mode of baptism, the proper candidate for baptism, who has the authority to baptize, and whether or not baptism is a symbol or means of grace. By contrast, Caesar and the Sacrament investigates the political nature of baptism.   Very few contemporary Christians consider baptism's original purpose or political significance. Only by studying baptism in its historical context, can we discover its impact on first-century believers and the adverse reaction it engendered among Roman and Jewish officials. Since baptism was initially a rite of non-violent resistance, what should its function be today? "In this wide-ranging discussion across New Testament texts, Alan Streett locates baptism in the context of and in relation to Roman power. He argues that baptism was a believer's sacramentum, a pledge of allegiance that sets up complex interactions with allegiance to Caesar and the imperial system. This is a significant and much-needed contribution to understandings of baptism." --Warren Carter, Professor, Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University "Centuries of comfortable Christendom have tended to domesticate baptism to a benign religious ritual entirely at home within the empire. But Caesar and the Sacrament awakens us to the true radical nature of Christian baptism. Alan Streett's latest book is an important and timely work that calls Christians to live out their baptismal identity in fidelity to Christ and resistance to empire." --Brian Zahnd, Pastor, Word of Life Church, St. Joseph, Missouri "Alan Streett's fascinating Caesar and the Sacrament places the meaning and practice of baptism in early Christianity into a full and nuanced context . . . Streett's carefully researched and well written book joins a number of other studies that have appeared in recent years rightly underscoring the importance of knowing well the Roman world in which Jesus and his movement emerged." --Craig A. Evans, Professor of Christian Origins, Houston Baptist University "In this bold, comprehensive, and compelling study, Alan Streett makes a convincing case that the earliest Christians understood baptism as their pledge of allegiance to Christ and his kingdom, which involved renouncing all other allegiances . . . when most view baptism as nothing more than an innocuous 'religious' sacrament, it would be hard to overstate the importance of digesting this remarkable work." --Gregory A. Boyd, Senior Pastor, Woodland Hills Church, St. Paul, Minnesota "Streett does nothing less than show that the understanding of baptism in Constantinian Christianity that privatized and spiritualized baptism was a gross misinterpretation that we, at the end of Christendom, may now unlearn. One may hope that Streett's study will awaken the church to the wide and deep accents of baptism that is both a gift from God and mandate to an emancipated transformed public life." --Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary R. Alan Streett is Senior Research Professor of Biblical Theology at Criswell College, Dallas, Texas. He is author of Subversive Meals (Pickwick, 2013).

    S. Lewis. Isn t it a word that describes the parable of Christ or rather, the event in which the Lord Jesus Christ pronounced his condemnation on the barren fig tree? Had it been barren, leafless, dead, Christ would not have condemned it. He might even have spoken a word of life and brought it into newness. But this tree stood there gloriously adorned with leaves, telling everyone around that it was enough to come up to it in order to find a harvest of ripe fruits. But there was nothing but leaves. The appearance was there; of reality, there was nothing. The words spoken by Christ are frightening. He said, there will never be a fruit on your branches until the end of the world.

    This storybook is perfect for bedtime, for reading during sacrament meeting, and as part of family scripture study. The engaging and detailed illustrations will ensure From Lehi to Moroni is picked up and read over and over again.

    We can study it carefully. We can listen to sermons on it and read what the experts say about it. But in the end, says Anna Carter Florence, Scripture needs to be rehearsed and encountered—and we can do that best in community with others. In this book Florence offers concrete, practical tools for reading and rehearsing Scripture in groups. Suitable for new and seasoned Bible readers alike, Florence’s Rehearsing Scripture invites solitary readers to become community readers as well—to gather around a shared text and encounter God anew together.

    She began interviewing the women of On Fire in Baltimore as a linguistic study, but soon discovered that their conversion narratives emerged from racially-entangled events. These devout women of color tell stories of drug addiction and rape, of nights spent in jail and days looking for work, of single motherhood and grief for lost children. Yet, their stories are also filled with visitations from heavenly beings, dreams of deceased mothers, protection from violence, and missionary messengers. They share how they reconcile their membership in a historically White church that once denied them full membership. Strickling takes the reader on an intimate journey where Black and White racialized lives meet, where she is compelled to question how her own whiteness has impacted her perspective, and where an unquenchable spiritual fire burns bright in a raging city.

    Myers argues that young people are innately creative creatures called by God to love and serve right now. We need to see young people as the called cocreators (with God) that they are.Using current studies, Myers shows how marketing and consumer science target young people with the hope of making them find their identity in buying and using things. This strong cultural emphasis underserves young people and even at times defines their lives as mere commodities.Myers tells the stories of a number of young people whose lives buck the consumer paradigm and myth of the underdeveloped young person in order to live as the called cocreators God has created them to be.Each chapter provides a set of ideas that congregations can use to take a closer look at how young people in their midst are or could be invited to be creative contributors to the life of the congregation. Questions for discussion are also provided to encourage discussion and facilitate action.

    Designed to be used with Reunion by Bruxy Cavey, this eight-session study guide will help you and your group learn, commit to, and share the real message of Jesus Christ with others.

    David Jeremiah turns his insights to one of the most quoted but least understood passages of the Bible: the apostle Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 6:10–18 to take up the whole armor of God. With his signature depth, wisdom, and compassion, Dr. Jeremiah explores the powerful relevance of spiritual armor as a critical tool in our daily living as we confront the challenges in our lives and of our time. He reveals how God has given us, his followers, the tools we need to live a life defined not by our trials but by our victories.This study will serve as a practical guide for how we can live each day in the strength that God provides as we equip each piece of spiritual armor. Although we all live in a time of deep uncertainty, the Bible promises we can live the life of freedom that God intended—even in times when the world seems filled with darkness. We were created to be overcomers, conquering the greatest obstacles in our lives.It is time to find renewed strength and claim the promises of God’s Word to overcome life’s greatest threats. It is time to claim our victory in Christ an be an overcomer.

    They speak truth to power, they tell the truth about the uncomfortable past, they indict empty religiosity, they advocate for poor people and working people while seeking justice--all at tremendous risk to themselves. In Walking in the Prophetic Tradition Jason Bembry argues that the prophets have too often been domesticated by cultural impulses that reduce the prophetic message to prediction about Jesus or the end times. This book highlights themes addressed by the Old Testament prophets and connects each theme to modern people who exemplify passion for those same ideals. In this sense the prophetic tradition comes to life in the lived testimony of Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, Myles Horton, Cesar Chavez, and Cornel West--moderns who stand courageously in this tradition. This book is a guide for all who seek a fuller understanding of the Old Testament prophets and who want to continue their work in the present. ""This powerful and insightful book lays bare how the prophetic fire is manifest in mortal and fallible human beings grounded in Christian faith and radical love! Bembry shows us why we need this courage and compassion more than ever in this Trump moment!"" --Cornel West, philosopher, political activist, and author of Democracy Matters ""This is the book you have been waiting for, whether you know it or not. In our troubled times (which times aren't) we are led to wonder if scripture can say anything that really matters. But in those parts of the Bible we often read the least, OT scholar Jason Bembry has found a treasure trove of riches that address our most vexing questions . . . But perhaps more important than the particular issues he addresses, he teaches us what a truly Biblical STANCE in our world might look like."" --Randy Harris, Abilene Christian University ""Professor Jason Bembry is a gifted scholar of the Bible and Biblical languages, and he also firmly believes that the trenchant voices of the Bible's prophets remain deeply relevant for our fractured modern world. Thus, Bembry describes the bravery of the Bible's prophets and then seamlessly weaves into his discussion courageous modern prophetic figures such as Rosa Parks, Myles Horton, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dolores Huerta, and Cesar Chavez. This is a priceless volume."" --Christopher Rollston, George Washington University ""Bembry skillfully brings into conversation the Old Testament prophets and modern-day truth-tellers in ways that are mutually enriching, freeing these ancient voices from domestication while at the same time offering those who would dare speak truth to power in our day timely lessons from this oft-ignored Biblical tradition. An inspiring and challenging call to all who desire in our day to walk more faithfully in the way of justice and truth."" --Philip D. Kenneson, Milligan College ""If you've ever wanted to live in the spirit of the Hebrew prophets, heeding the call to 'enact justice and the love of mercy and to walk with your God humbly' (Mic 6:8), this book is a must. Be prepared to be challenged and emboldened by rarely told stories of the biblical prophets and their contemporary exemplars. Bembry unlocks the power of the prophetic tradition in a moment when the church so desperately needs it."" --Miriam Y. Perkins, Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan Jason A. Bembry is Professor of Old Testament at Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan College. He has also published Yahweh's Coming of Age (2011).

     It is counter-cultural. It is often costly. It is the way of Christ. In this biblical yet highly practical book, Tim Tucker shows how Christ-centred servant leadership has helped The Message become one of the fastest growing mission movements of the twenty-first century. Forged in the crucible of front-line mission to gang members and prisoners, GRAB A TOWEL shows not only that it can work, but that it does. Whatever our leadership context, in Jesus we have the perfect model to emulate. It’s time to GRAB A TOWEL – and join him.

    And yet, in spite of its diminutive stature, it may very well be one of the most relevant books of the Bible, with one of the most urgent messages, especially for the modern reader. We know Jonah ran from God. But the reasons he ran, the internal struggles that compelled him to refuse extending God's grace to Nineveh, are less clear. As we examine the prophet's heart and the Hebrew culture of the day, a subtext steeped in nationalism and ethnocentric pride becomes painfully visible. And in turn holds a mirror up for the modern Christian and the American Church.Drawing from his experiences in Northern Iraq, from the same plains of Nineveh where the book of Jonah plays out, author Mark Langham gives us new insights into the minor prophet, his life and mission, and how these 48 short verses are a cautionary tale for today's church.With an economy of words and livable, biblical wisdom, Langham shows us what a life imprisoned by pride becomes and what a life enraptured by grace can be.

    It also contains a record of the history of Abraham and his descendants, beginning with Abraham, and the covenant, or testament, the Lord made with Abraham and his posterity. The first five books of the Old Testament were written by Moses. They are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Genesis refers to the origin of the earth, mankind, languages, races, and the beginning of the house of Israel. The historical books tell of events of Israel. These books are Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. The poetic books record some of the wisdom and literature of the prophets. They are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations. The prophets warned Israel of her sins and testified of the blessings that come from obedience. They prophesied of the coming of Christ, who would atone for the sins of those who repent, receive the ordinances, and live the gospel. The books of the prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Most Old Testament books were written in Hebrew. A few writings contain Aramaic, a related language.

    Drawing on modern-day realities and ancient roots, firsthand experience and centuries of history, pop culture and high theology, Dueholm offers a visionary account of the critical, radical, life-affirming role that seven “sacred signposts” play in today’s post-Christian world.

    Yet the Church remains largely silent around the topics of mental health, depression, and suicide prevention. How can you and your faith community be prepared to recognize and respond to those struggling for their very lives in your church? In The Lifesaving Church, pastor Rachael Keefe shatters the taboo of suicide by sharing her own painful story of life-long depression and suicidality--and how her various faith communities responded, for better and for worse. Opening a window into her suicidal behaviors as a young person, Keefe helps us recognize the signs and struggles of those who suffer silently. Reminding us of the Church's call to be the Body of Christ for each other, Keefe empowers us to recognize the hurting in our communities and recover the lifesaving message of the Gospel-- forgiveness, acceptance and love--that helped her to heal. With chapters on how to educate your church in suicide prevention, group study reflections around the common questions surrounding suicide, and specific resources, scriptures, and prayers for clergy, suicide loss survivors, and those struggling with suicidality, The Lifesaving Church is critical reading for faith communities seeking abundant life for all of its members.

    It describes what a fundamentalist is, and gives encouragement to evangelicals to depart from evangelicalism and join the fundamental movement. It is an encouragement to fundamentalists to strengthen their theology in four key areas to distinguish themselves from the dangerous evangelical drift.

    

    

    On campus, friendly senior students invite him to barbeques and other get-togethers. "This is great!" he thinks. "New friends, free food!" Andrew assumes there are no strings attached . . . until he begins to feel the tendrils.As Andrew seeks to disentangle himself from what he once thought to be a benign student organization, his girlfriend downplays his concerns. Andrew watches, helpless to intervene, as she is slowly enticed into the cultish church Movement, the Proclaimers of Christ. No one except the scruffy literature prof seems the least concerned about the church Movement; after all, the student members are high-principled, well disciplined, and fill the pews during the campus services.Every time Andrew thinks he has put the organization behind him, he stumbles over another connection, discovering that the tendrils of the Proclaimers of Christ extend to the highest echelons of the church.From Andrew's unsuspecting association with the Proclaimers of Christ during his college days to his startling, unsought involvement many years later, this fast-paced novel will keep you turning pages.Dawn Through the Shadows reaffirms the resilience of the human spirit, our innate longing for authenticity, and the reach of love beyond remorse and rejection.This is the second novel written by Linda Anne Smith. In her first novel, Terrifying Freedom, we are introduced to the withdrawn and enigmatic Rebecca Holden. Andrew Covick pries into her past and unearths a facet of her life that Rebecca has painstakingly concealed and sought to forget. Dawn Through the Shadows shifts to Andrew's early years and reveals what made him so perceptive to Rebecca, why he was able to see beyond her brusque mannerisms to the wounded, empathetic person within.Although Dawn Through the Shadows is a sequel to Terrifying Freedom, it can be read as a stand-alone novel.

    Love Is GodOur culture's view of love--with no boundaries or judgments or conditions-- justifies whatever our hearts want and whatever our hearts feel, rejecting any authority that gets in the way. Falsely heralded as the only path to true selfexpression and self-realization, this kind of love diminishes--if not completely redefines--the holy love of God revealed in the Bible.In this book, Jonathan Leeman directs us toward a biblical definition of love by answering critical questions: How is love commonly misunderstood? What is God's love like and why is it offensive? And how does all of this relate to the church? In an age of consumerism, individualism, and tribalism, Leeman demonstrates how God showcases his holy love and authority to a watching world through the lives of his people living in true community with one another as the church.

    What if there were a process to proactively call and train elders?The New Elder's Handbook is designed to equip elders with the knowledge, character, and skills the office calls for. It takes church leaders through the development of a vision for ministry, recruitment of elders to carry out that vision, and specific, biblical training, providing a way to be intentional about developing elders.