Book picks similar to
Don't Invite Them to Church: Moving from a Come and See to a Go and Be Church by Karen Wilk
church-leadership
religion
church-spirituality
community-justice
You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church... and Rethinking Faith
David Kinnaman - 2011
Now the bestselling author of "unChristian" trains his researcher's eye on these young believers. Where Kinnaman's first book "unChristian" showed the world what outsiders aged 16-29 think of Christianity, "You Lost Me" shows why younger Christians aged 16-29 are leaving the church and rethinking their faith. Based on new research, "You Lost Me" shows pastors, church leaders, and parents how we have failed to equip young people to live "in but not of" the world and how this has serious long-term consequences. More importantly, Kinnaman offers ideas on how to help young people develop and maintain a vibrant faith that they embrace over a lifetime.
Through Gates of Splendor
Elisabeth Elliot - 1957
The men's mission combined modern technology with innate ingenuity, sparked by a passionate determination to get the gospel to those without Christ. In a nearby village, their wives waited to hear from them. The news they received - all five missionaries had been murdered - changed lives around the world forever. Written while she was still a missionary in South America and at the request of the men's families, Through Gates of Splendor was Elisabeth Elliot's personal account of the final mission of these five courageous men. Filled with quotations from letters, material from personal journals, a wealth of photographs, and an epilogue update, this reprint of the original hardcover edition tells a lasting story of God's grace, unconditional love, and great courage. This story inspired the 2006 box office hit End of the Spear and is sure to inspire the next generation of servant believers.
I Am Going
Daniel L. Akin - 2016
The familiar gravity of familiar places. But the trajectory of our faith should be one that’s continually cycling outward, fueled by a mission and message that God first brought within reach of us . . . so that we can now join with Him in taking it within reach of others. Authors Daniel L. Akin and Bruce Riley Ashford are calling today’s church members to lives of going—whether going around the world or to people right where they live—going out with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Between the two of them, Akin and Ashford have trained thousands of men and women in both the mandates and methods for going to every nation. Now they have created a resource for individuals and churches to use together in calling even more to go. Readers will:Learn the mission of GodUnderstand the centrality of the church to going on mission with GodBe challenged to go to the nations with the gospel of Jesus ChristBe challenged to go to their own neighborhoods with the gospel of Jesus ChristLearn to use their jobs as vehicles for the gospelBe challenged to commit to go anywhere on mission with God
More Ready Than You Realize: The Power of Everyday Conversations
Brian D. McLaren - 2002
It's a simple idea of evangelism through friendship first, and the opportunities to share your faith that follow. It will bring friendships you already have to a new levels, and create opportunities for new, authentic friendships with those you will eventually meet.OUT: Evangelism as sales pitch, as conquest, as warfare, as ultimatum, as threat, as proof, as argument, as entertainment, as show, as monologue, as something you have to do.IN: Disciple-making as conversation, as friendship, as influence, as invitation, as companionship, as challenge, as opportunity, as conversation, as dance, as something you get to do.You're more ready for this than you realize, and so are your friends!
Share Jesus Without Fear
William Fay - 1973
It began with the jaw-dropping story of William Fay, once a money-driven businessman with Mafia ties who ran a house of prostitution until it was raided by police. Facing the threat of jail time, Fay turned to Jesus Christ for redemption and ever since has been turning others to Him as well.Now featuring a fresh new cover design, Share Jesus without Fear relays Fay's passionate, effective instructions on how to share the love of Christ with anyone--without feeling intimidated on either side of the conversation. Bold and joyful, the outreach movement continues without fear.
The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus
John R. Cross - 1996
Cross ,John R DATA 2003
Calling & Character: Virtues Of The Ordained Life
William H. Willimon - 2000
He lays out specific habits such as study, collegiality, and humor as the day-by-day means of following the difficult and dangerous, yet deeply rewarding, calling of a pastor.
Runaway Radical: A Young Man's Reckless Journey to Save the World
Amy Hollingsworth - 2015
(Note: Results not typical.)A young idealist heeds the call to radical obedience, gives away all of his belongings and shaking off the fetters of a complacent life, travels halfway around the world. There he discovers, among the poor and the fatherless of West Africa, that he has only surrendered to a new kind of captivity.There is no doubt that young people today are fully invested in social and human rights issues. They start their own nonprofits, they run their own charities, they raise money for worthy causes. Books on saving the world abound, topping the bestsellers’ lists, fueling the drive to prove not only commitment to the world but devotion to God.Now there is a new crop of books starting to emerge, detailing the consequences of trying to save a world that is not ours to save. But none of these books tell the story thatRunaway Radical tells; this is the first book to highlight the painful personal consequences of the new radicalism, documenting in heartbreaking detail what happens when a young person becomes entrapped instead of liberated by its call. His radical resolve now shaken, he returns home to rebuild his life and his faith.Runaway Radical serves as an important and cautionary tale for all who lead and participate in compassion activism, in the art of doing good— both overseas and at home— amidst this new culture of radical Christian service.
The Just Church: Becoming a Risk-Taking, Justice-Seeking, Disciple-Making Congregation
Jim Martin - 2012
Jim Martin and International Justice Mission are experts not only at bringing rescue to victims of violence, sex trafficking, slavery, and oppression, but also, at bringing churches into the fight, through concrete steps that actually make a difference. Learn how to carry out one of the Bible's core commands--to seek justice--in a way that amounts to more than mere words and good intentions. In the process, you'll discover one of the most powerful tools to grow faith and deepen discipleship. In The Just Church, Martin shares tangible, accessible strategies to respond to God's call to seek justice, defend the widow and orphan, and rescue the oppressed . . . whether in far-off places or right in your own community
Tortured for Christ
Richard Wurmbrand - 1967
This history of the Underground Church reflects the continuing struggle in many parts of the world today.
A Violent Grace
Michael Card - 2000
Yet award-winning author and musician Michael Card paints a stunning and poignant picture of how violence was the price of grace. Based primarily on passages in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, the reader is led on an exploration of the suffering and sacrifice it took to achieve our salvation, of Christ's separation from the Father so that we could enjoy intimacy with God, of His desertion so that we'd never have to be alone, of His rejection so that we'd find acceptance, and of His death so that we'd have eternal life. A Violent Grace gives readers a renewed appreciation for God's eternal love and an important reminder that His love came at a terrible cost.
Mornings with Jesus 2020: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul
Guideposts - 2019
He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)Spend the year following Jesus, reflecting on daily devotions that show us His unchanging love and faithfulness.In Mornings with Jesus 2020, you can read one all-new devotion each day that will encourage you to embrace Jesus's love, to lay down your worries and abide in Him, and to focus on Him as Redeemer, Friend, and Faithful One. Lifting up their voices in heartfelt gratitude, thirteen writers consider the character and teachings of Jesus and share how He enriches and empowers them daily and how He wants to do the same for you. Every day you will enjoy a Scripture verse, reflection on Jesus's words, and a faith step that inspires and challenges you in your daily walk of living a Christ-like life.In just five minutes a day, Mornings with Jesus 2020 will help readers experience a closer relationship with Jesus. It’s full of inspiring and lasting motivation and spiritual nourishment that fill readers with hope and direction.
The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited
Scot McKnight - 2011
This book makes a plea for us to recover the old gospel as that which is still new and still fresh. The book stands on four arguments: that the gospel is defined by the apostles in 1 Corinthians 15 as the completion of the Story of Israel in the saving Story of Jesus; that the gospel is found in the Four Gospels; that the gospel was preached by Jesus; and that the sermons in the Book of Acts are the best example of gospeling in the New Testament. The King Jesus Gospel ends with practical suggestions about evangelism and about building a gospel culture.
The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift that Changes Everything
Colin Marshall - 2009
Vine work is the Great Commission.And there is trellis work: creating and maintaining the physical and organizational structures and programs that support vine work and its growth.What’s the state of the trellis and the vine in your part of the world? Has trellis work taken over, as it has a habit of doing? Is the vine work being done by very few (perhaps only the pastor and only on Sundays)? And is the vine starting to wilt as a result?The image of the trellis and the vine raises all the fundamental questions of Christian ministry: * What is the vine for? * How does the vine grow? * How does the vine relate to my church? * What is vine work and what is trellis work, and how can we tell the difference? * What part do different people play in growing the vine? * How can we get more people involved in vine work? In The Trellis and the Vine, Colin Marshall and Tony Payne answer these urgent questions afresh. They dig back into the Bible’s view of Christian ministry, and argue that a major mind-shift is required if we are to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ, and see the vine flourish again.
Roaring Lambs: A Gentle Plan to Radically Change Your World
Bob Briner - 1993
Roaring Lambs was written from Briner's personal experience as an Emmy Award-winning television producer. It takes you into the work world strategies anyone can use. There's also a useful discussion guide that will help you and your friends put shoe leather to your faith. Bob Briner's greatest legacy may well be the way in which, through his own courageous roam, he helped countless Christians discover theirs. John their ranks. Roar with conviction -- and change your world!