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.

    Some are true--but many are false. James Bryan Smith believes those thoughts determine not only who we are, but how we live. In fact, Smith declares, the most important thing about a person is what they think about God. The path to spiritual transformation begins here. Turning to the Gospels, Smith invites you to put your ideas to the test to see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about God. Once you've discovered the truth in Scripture, Smith leads you through a process of spiritual formation that includes specific activities aimed at making these new narratives real in your body and soul as well as your mind. At the end of each chapter you'll find an opportunity for soul training, engaging in spiritual practices that reinforce the biblical messages on your mind and heart. Because the best way to make a complete and lasting change is to go through the material in community, small group discussion questions also accompany each chapter. Those who are leading apprentice groups will also find additional help and opportunities to interact with other leaders at the Apprentice website, www.apprenticeofjesus.com. This deep, loving and transformative book will help you discover the narratives that Jesus lived by--to know the Lord he knew and the kingdom he proclaimed--and to practice spiritual exercises that will help you grow in the knowledge of our good and beautiful God.

    You would describe yourself as a person of faith, of trust, and even of ambition. But for all the work and energy you’ve poured into your life, you still find yourself hitting walls. Big brick roadblocks keeping you from the thing you’re meant to do. I’ve been where you are. I’ve hit those same walls, and yet – I know beyond the shadow of a doubt I’m walking in my purpose. Over the last 5 years I’ve published over a dozen books, spoken at churches, universities, and built a vibrant online community for Christians looking to do more with their lives. I’ve been able to accomplish these things because of the information in this book. This book holds everything I’ve learned from the Bible about purpose, along with some wisdom from men and women of God who have walked the path of purpose for much longer than I. This is my gift to you, but more importantly, this is your “permission slip” from God. You don’t have to wait until you’re “good enough.” Good enough doesn’t exist. All there is, all you can be, is a person dedicated to glorifying God in the profoundly unique way only you can. When you do that, when you begin to accept where you are and who you are as enough, that is when amazing things start to happen. And suddenly all those brick walls crumble into stepping stones. What’s Inside • 10 incredible chapters on the themes of purpose, calling, and God’s plan for your life • Hundreds of Bible verses to give you an excellent foundation • Answers to some of your most-asked questions: o What if God asks me to do something I don’t want to do? o When should I wait versus when should I take action? o What does a calling from God look like in our modern world? • BONUS chapter which includes resources from today’s top leaders, pastors, writers, and more! Pick up your copy of this purpose-filled book today and get the clarity you’ve been looking for.