It's time to rethink normal. Suffering and exclusion are normal in a believer's life. At least they should be. This was certainly Jesus's experience. And it's the experience of countless Christians around the world today. No matter your social location or set of experiences, the biblical letter of 1 Peter wants to redefine your expectations and reinvigorate your hope. Drawing on years of ministry in a Muslim-majority nation, Elliot Clark guides us through Peter's letter with striking insights for today. Whether we're in positions of power or weakness, influence or marginalization, all of us are called to live and witness as exiles in a world that's not our home. This is our job description. This is our mission. This is our opportunity. A church in exile doesn't have to be a church in retreat.

    It's time to rethink normal.Suffering and exclusion are normal in a believer's life. At least they should be. This was certainly Jesus' experience. An it's the experience of countless Christians around the world today.No matter your social location or set of experiences, the biblical letter of 1 Peter wants to redefine your expectations and reinvigorate your hope.Drawing on years of ministry in a Muslim-majority nation, Elliot Clark guides us through Peter's letter striking insights for today. Whether we're in positions of power or weakness, influence or marginalization, all of us are called to live and witness as exiles, in a world that's not our home. This our job description. This is our mission. This our opportunity.A church in exile doesn't have to be a church in retreat.©2019 The Gospel Coalition (P)2019 eChristian

    They’d check the Christian box on a survey, they’re fine with church, but the truth is, they’re far from God. So how do we bring Jesus to this overlooked mission field?The Unsaved Christian equips you to confront cultural Christianity with honesty, compassion, and grace, whether you’re doing it from the pulpit or the pews. This practical guide will:show you how to recognize cultural Christianityteach you how to overcome the barriers that get in the waygive you easy-to-understand advice about VBS, holiday services, reaching “good people,” and more!If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure how to minister to someone who identifies as Christian but still needs Jesus, this book is for you.

    D. Greear (Gospel, Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart) believes the postmortems are premature. Jesus promised to build his church. He said that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. The church is not going away.   Along with this promise, Jesus gave clear instructions for how the church would prevail. He promised to build it on the rock of the gospel.   The most pressing need for Christianity today is not a new strategy. It is not an updated message. It is a return to keeping the gospel above all.

    This book will address questions such as: What about those who never hear about Jesus? How can we say God is good when he seems to be so harsh in some of the stories within Scripture? What does it mean to call God good if we do not actually recognize Him as good?

    Whether they're too committed to their sinful ways, too angry at God, or too quick to shut down any mention of the saving grace of Jesus, these long shots don't seem worth approaching.But some of the most unlikely converts have the strongest faith stories, and they can be a source of incredible encouragement for Christians who are trying to evangelize those around them. Randy Newman knows firsthand the discomfort that comes with sharing the gospel. He's been tongue-tied and timid too. But the truth is, we don't need to sound like the brilliant, charismatic, legendary evangelists.In this book, Randy shares surprising conversion stories straight from those who took the long way around to Christianity. He considers current cultural trends that make evangelism more difficult today. Then with his characteristic upbeat style, he offers practical ways, and even exact wording, to proclaim the gospel and includes a plan of action.In the end, Unlikely Converts encourages us to remember that while the Great Commission requires us to share the good news, it does not require perfection, only confidence in the message.

    As one who has many years’ experience with open air preaching, I thank God for this stirring call to the church to fulfill one of her main duties—namely, preaching Jesus ‘to every creature.’ Read this book. Master it. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, let the ‘certain sound’ of the glorious gospel of Christ be heard outdoors once again.” — Rob Ventura, Grace Community Baptist Church, North Providence, Rhode Island, and coauthor of A Portrait of Paul and Spiritual Warfare Table of Contents: PART 1: THEOLOGY OF OPEN AIR PREACHING 1. A History of Open Air Preaching 2. Theology for Open Air Preaching 3. The Local Church and the Open Air Preacher 4. Using the Law in the Open Air 5. Using Apologetics in the Open Air Part 2: THE TASK OF OPEN AIR PREACHING 6. The Open Air Preacher’s Character 7. The Open Air Preacher’s Competence 8. Response to Open Air Preaching 9. The Open Air Preacher’s Response 10. Exhortation to the Church and Seminaries

    These heroes are simply ordinary people who have experienced the transformative power of a Savior who is alive and moving--and their stories will inspire readers to take faith-filled risks for the gospel.

    Reframation is a passionate manifesto, calling followers of Jesus to reframe and reenchant our worldview, enlarging our perception of God and gospel. It's an invitation to stretch our minds, expand our hearts, and awaken ourselves and those around us to the grand story of God. Rooted in Scripture and drawing on poetry, literature, the arts, philosophy, and pop culture, Reframation refuses to settle for pious platitudes, and appeals to each and every one of us to experience and articulate the good news narrative in ways that resonate with the spiritual hunger and longings of those in our contemporary culture.

    

    As we look for the Holy Spirit's activity happening around us, listen for His voice, and respond in obedience, we enable others to encounter the love and power of Jesus through us. We don't bring ministry, Pastor Brian Blount says; we simply step into it. But there is still risk involved: We have to step out of the boat and walk on the water of uncertainty for the sake of the kingdom. How can we overcome the fear of failure and rejection? Offering practical insights and tools through true personal stories, Brian helps believers stand on a firm biblical foundation in order to engage in the ministry of Jesus every day.Live boldly as you participate in the lively lifestyle of everyday evangelism!

    It is accustomed to “success” in some degree or another. Today it is no longer that way. When it comes to evangelism, what do we do in light of such circumstances? Modern evangelism is rife with gimmicks and the wisdom of man. It wasn't always this way, so what happened and where do we go from here? By looking at the Scriptures and church history, these are the questions answered in this book. Now more than ever we must trust in God’s Word—not only for how to do evangelism, but to know what will happen to those who evangelize. Ryan Denton has given us an essential handbook on evangelism that is like eating frozen concentrated orange juice straight from the cylinder. Dr. Tom J. Nettles, Senior Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary I really, really loved this book. Ryan Denton gives both a sobering assessment of modern evangelical methods as well as a motivating challenge for believers to do evangelism as God has prescribed it to be done. Justin Peters, Justin Peters Ministry This excellent book is a strong corrective and encouragement for winning souls in a way that honors God and His truth. I pray that it is read worldwide and motivates each reader to be doing “the work of an evangelist.” Pastor Rob Ventura, Grace Community Baptist Church, North Providence, RI; co-author of A Portrait of Paul and Spiritual Warfare The authority of this book is Scripture. The wealth of Biblical references and exhaustive quotes from evangels of old are alone worth getting this book. Sye Ten Bruggencate, How To Answer the Fool Speaking from years of hands-on experience, Denton especially shows the tragedy of the unbiblical methodologies now regularly practiced in many evangelical ministries. Overall, the reader will be truly blessed by the biblical substance in establishing the proper method of gospelizing the lost as well as Christians. Dr. Edward Dalcour, Theology Northwest University; President of Department of Christian Defense

    28:19). But a number of factors are curbing many Christians' enthusiasm for faith-sharing, including the decline of religion in America, a spreading apathy toward spiritual matters and a growing cultural suspicion of people of faith. Where does that leave evangelism?Based on all-new Barna research commissioned by Alpha USA, Reviving Evangelism compares the faith-sharing experiences and expectations of Christians and non-Christians. Inside you'll find:* New data on how Americans express spiritual openness and hunger and how they think about their spiritual lives* Comparative analysis of non-Christians' expectations of faith conversations and Christians' understanding of their expectations and priorities* Insights form Josh Chen, Mary Healy, Michelle Jones, Tim Keller, Kevin Palau, Rufus Smith and other ministry practitioners that shed clear light on what the data means for Christians and their churches* Infographics, charts and other data visualizations* And much moreThis new report is a clear-eyed assessment of Christian evangelism in America today: what's working, what's not and what must change for Christians to carry on the legacy of gospel-sharing inherited from the apostles.

    And when we give a gift like that, it's like we're putting ourselves into our present. And at Christmas, that's exactly what God did.This light-hearted and lively book explores how our gift-giving traditions show us a glimpse of a giving God. Evangelist Glen Scrivener helps readers to celebrate the gift of life in a world brimming with beauty, before taking us to John 3:16 to unwrap the Christmas gift that can give us what we've always wanted, and what we really need.

    He presents the evidence and the conclusions of the vast majority of scholars‚"‚€‚"both Christian and not‚"‚€‚"in this area. But more than that, he asks some more pertinent questions: If Jesus really did exist, was he who he claimed to be and if so, what does that mean for you today?

    Waldron not only provides a biblical defense of the Well-Meant Offer, he also looks at many of the important implications of this doctrine, shows the way the Reformed confessions affirmed it, answers important theological and soteriological objections, and applies this doctrine to the Christian and the preacher. "I am thrilled that Dr. Waldron has taken up this vital subject. Those like myself who share Dr. Waldron’s commitment to the Well-Meant Offer may not agree on every detail of every one of his arguments, but here they will find a clear-thinking, informed, thorough, and convincing treatment of the subject to be reckoned with. This book leaves few, if any, stones unturned or objections unaddressed. With the resurgence of Calvinism in our day, we should be greatly concerned that the kind of Calvinism promoted and proclaimed is of the true, historical, warmly-evangelical and biblical kind, not a distortion of it. Here is a book pointing the way. May it be read widely and greatly used of God to that end!" Jeffery Smith, Pastor of Emanuel Baptist Church, Coconut Creek, Florida "I am once again indebted to Sam Waldron for his precise exposition of the Scriptures regarding this critical issue facing the church. As always, he stands upon the Word of God and in the very center of the historical Reformed faith. This work not only substantiates the Free Offer of the gospel to all, but it will inspire the reader to be more diligent in the gospel ministry." Paul Washer, Director of HeartCry Mission Society "Can a Christian rightly say that God sovereignly determines whom he will save and sincerely offers Christ to everyone who hears the gospel? Sam Waldron gives us a solid basis to say ‘Yes!’ His outline of sophisticated theological arguments makes constant reference to the Holy Scriptures to embolden preachers to preach unconditional election, particular redemption, and the Free Offer of the gospel." Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan "The Free Offer of the gospel defines a vital truth in the Reformed system of theology. As with his other writings, Sam Waldron explains and defends this doctrine with a lucid clarity and a compelling Scriptural argument. For any with concerns regarding the Free Offer, Waldron lays out its biblical necessity and theological coherence. This book will perform a great service in defending the church’s offer of Christ to all the world and will bless our Lord by unleashing through our passionate lips his cry for sinners to be saved." Richard D. Phillips, Senior Minister of Second Presbyterian Church, Greenville, South Carolina

    Have you noticed?      Congregations are stuck or declining.       Millennials and Gen Z are walking away.      Volunteers and their generosity are drying up. Is your city, town, or neighborhood spiritually dry? Do you long to see more of the living water of Jesus flowing freely through your community, generating a fresh wave of ministry momentum?      Buckle up: you're in for a whitewater ride!      Liquid Church tells the fascinating story of a New Jersey church that began "on accident" and grew into one of America's 100 Fastest-Growing Churches, with over 5,000 in weekly attendance and more than 2,400 baptisms to date. Their secret? They harnessed the power of six powerful ministry currents sweeping across North America including: special needs, creative communication, ministry mergers, compassionate cause, radical generosity, and leadership development.      With powerful stories and scriptural insights, backed by national research, Tim Lucas and Warren Bird describe dozens of fresh ideas, new ministry wineskins, and hard-won leadership learnings that resonate with rising generations in today's "show-then-tell" culture. Each chapter includes practical tools, real-life examples, and links to "Other Churches Making Waves" with cutting-edge ministry ideas designed to help saturate your city for Christ.      Ready to dive deeper?      Whether you serve a brand-new church plant, fast-growing congregation, or an aging ministry ready for reinvention, Liquid Church is an inspiring and practical guide for leaders ready to reach their spiritually thirsty neighbors--those who have given up on church, but haven't given up on God.

    This book will help readers to understand that what it means to be an Episcopalian and how evangelism is a fruit of that identity, not a mere marketing strategy or an end in itself. This book is an approachable and inspiring presentation of the theological rationale and resource for sharing the faith as well as an argument that sharing the faith increases our own. It addresses basic questions that are buzzing in the church today and lays out a series of stories from faith communities across the Episcopal Church, both physical and digital ministries.

    You aren't just sinking; it feels like someone is shoving your head under water. You swim harder, but you just can't get closer to shore.You yell at the top of your lungs, but nobody hears you. You're exhausted, starting to slip under, and suicide feels like your only raft to peace.You used to believe there was hope somewhere. Might I beg you to believe that once more? The booklet you are holding can rescue you before the waves crash over your head for the last time.Seriously, what do you have to lose?

    Thanks, Lee, for a wonderful reminder of what the church is to be."-Erwin W. Lutzer, Pastor Emeritus, The Moody Church, Chicago Is your church acting like an organization or a home? You love your church, but you wonder if it could be more. There’s a greeting team, but is there a true spirit of welcoming? There are committees, leaders, and programs, but is there a Spirit-led vision? There are small groups, but are people truly connected?Pastor and award-winning author Lee Eclov was troubled by these questions. Then, he had a realization: he wasn’t called to lead an organization, but a family. His job was to be a "homemaker," not a CEO. This paradigm shift changed everything. In Feels Like Home, he shares what he’s learned from over 40 years of ministry about being the family of God and how to live into that beautiful reality.This short volume is full of stories of small adjustments that make a huge difference in the effectiveness, warmth, and growth of a church community. Discover how the love of a family can transform your church.

    Debbie Salter Goodwin immerses you in their spirit and their faith. Whether administrator, faculty, or student, all share the same passion: God wants to transform lives and land, and can use them to do it. The ANU community believes that the title of this book is more prayer than claim. As you read their story, make it your prayer as well. Join this transformational mission, believing that what God begins in your life will transform your world, too."

    Rather, the concern of the author is to urge his pastoral colleagues in the pastoral ministry to preach for conversions in their local church settings. Sold on Free Grace Press website and Heritage Books website.Table of Contents: Are We Preaching for Conversions?Preaching to Awaken SinnersEmphases in Awakening PreachingPreaching the Essential Content of the Gospel Message Pleading with SinnersThe Holy Spirit and Preaching for Conversions Prayer and Preaching for Conversions AuthorJeffery Smith has contributed to a number of books. He serves on the governing board of Reformed Baptist Seminary and is the Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Coconut Creek, Florida, where he resides with his wife, Kelly, and their six children. Endorsements"I cannot think of a more necessary message to be given to churches and ministers of all types and kinds. For the pragmatist, it is a call to abandon the carnal strategies of the secular world that have no power to convert the soul. For the solidly Reformed, it is a call to stand and preach the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and to earnestly and urgently call men to repentance and faith. In this brief work, Jeff Smith proves that true gospel preaching is not less than accurate exposition, but it is much more—it is prayer, proclamation, persuasion, and pleading. This book will wake you from the deception of pragmatism and the comfortable slumber of orthodoxy. It will bid you stand in a valley of dry bones and call the dead to live." — Paul Washer"If most pastors are anything like me, they find preaching to build up the saints far, far easier than preaching to win lost men and women to saving faith in Christ. In his new book, Preaching for Conversions, Jeff Smith provides us with a stimulating series of chapters, all aimed at helping men preach more deliberately and more persuasively the saving gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is not just another primer on “How to”; it is a pastor teaching us from God’s Word and from examples in church history and, out of his own experience, the biblical pattern and privilege of preaching evangelistically. It is a pleasure to commend Preaching for Conversions." — Ian Hamilton"Many who preach evangelically fail to preach evangelistically. Perhaps, sadly, we do not know quite what to do or where to begin. Without for a moment denying the sovereign majesty of a saving God, Jeff Smith presses home the beauty, clarity, and urgency of the gospel on all who are called to preach it, and underlines the necessity of cultivating a convicting and converting intent in our preaching. We are to preach for conversions, so to speak, under God, as to be his means of bringing the dead to life, those in darkness to light. This is a holy skill we need to cultivate today, and these pages will help you understand both what you are to do and how to do it." — Jeremy Walker"I see Jeff Smith as an impressive kingdom warrior—a Captain America, running among us foot soldiers. I highly respect him, his opinions, his convictions, and his ministry. When he speaks or writes, I listen. Here, he calls us to preach for conversions, to plan determined and continuous gospel assaults on the souls of lost sinners, keeping in mind that many who think they’re safe for eternity are deceived by the enemy. He emboldens us to bring hurt before healing, conviction before comfort. He drives us to helpless dependence, then directs us to Almighty power. Read this, pastor! It will galvanize you to fight a better fight for your hearers and our King." — Mark Chanski

    In Encountering World Religions, professor and author Irving Hexham introduces all the world's major religious traditions in a brief and understandable way.Hexham outlines key beliefs and practices in each religion, while also providing guidance on how to think critically about them from the standpoint of Christian theology. African, yogic, and Abrahamic traditions are all covered. Accessible and clear, Encountering World Religions will provide formal and lay students alike with a useful Christian introduction to the major faiths of our world.

    But in many years in between eschatology has been moved to the back burner as mere reflection on the future. In this book William Boekestein invites us to reconsider this marginalization of eschatology. Some eschatological vision will shape our understanding of the meaning of human life and missionary calling of the church today, and William Boekestein calls us back to a biblical one.

    

     These compelling profile pieces introduce you to people from all kinds of backgrounds who became Christians when they encountered the only One who gives us more: Jesus Christ. As their stories unfold, you'll be shown who Jesus is, why he came, and what it means to follow him. This is an ideal book to give to guests on a Christianity Explored course, or to show friends what they might stand to gain by investigating Jesus for themselves. Whoever you are and whatever your background, this book will have someone you relate to or a story which intrigues you. Is there something more to life? It's time to find out for yourself.