Church Leadership

Finish the Mission: Bringing the Gospel to the Unreached and Unengaged

This is no ordinary missions book. The theme isn’t new, but the approach is refreshing and compelling, as contributors David Platt, Louie Giglio, Michael Ramsden, Ed Stetzer, Michael Oh, David Mathis, and John Piper take up the mantle of the Great Commission and its Spirit-powered completion. From astronomy to exegesis, from apologetics to the Global South, from being missional at home to employing our resources in the global cause, Finish the Mission aims to breathe fresh missionary fire into a new generation, as together we seek to reach the unreached and engage the unengaged.

Finish the Mission: Bringing the Gospel to the Unreached and Unengaged – Audiobook

This is no ordinary missions book. The theme isn’t new, but the approach is refreshing and compelling, as contributors David Platt, Louie Giglio, Michael Ramsden, Ed Stetzer, Michael Oh, David Mathis, and John Piper take up the mantle of the Great Commission and its Spirit-powered completion. From astronomy to exegesis, from apologetics to the Global South, from being missional at home to employing our resources in the global cause, Finish the Mission aims to breathe fresh missionary fire into a new generation, as together we seek to reach the unreached and engage the unengaged.

Following the Master: A Biblical Theology of Discipleship

In Following the Master, Michael J. Wilkins addresses questions that perplex the church today- not by offering another discipleship program or manual but by presenting a comprehensive biblical theology of discipleship. Following the Master compares other forms of master-disciple relationships in existence in the ancient Judaism and Greco-Roman world, traces Jesus’ steps as he called and developed disciples, and Mediterranean world as it followed Jesus’ command to make disciples. Following the Master lays the groundwork necessary for developing biblical discipleship ministries in the church, on the mission field, and in parachurch ministries. It is essential reading for all pastors, students, and Christian workers.

Following the Master: A Biblical Theology of Discipleship – Unabridged Audiobook

In Following the Master, Michael J. Wilkins addresses questions that perplex the church today- not by offering another discipleship program or manual but by presenting a comprehensive biblical theology of discipleship. Following the Master compares other forms of master-disciple relationships in existence in the ancient Judaism and Greco-Roman world, traces Jesus’ steps as he called and developed disciples, and Mediterranean world as it followed Jesus’ command to make disciples. Following the Master lays the groundwork necessary for developing biblical discipleship ministries in the church, on the mission field, and in parachurch ministries. It is essential reading for all pastors, students, and Christian workers.

Growing God’s Church: How People Are Actually Coming to Faith Today

It’s no secret that the evangelism methods of yesterday are not yielding the kinds of results they did in the 1970s and 1980s. So how are new Christians hearing the Gospel today? How are they finding churches? And what makes them stay at a church? The answers to these questions have the power to dramatically alter the way we do outreach. And Dr. McIntosh has them. Based on ten years of scientific research, Growing God’s Church shows pastors and church leaders how people are actually coming to faith in the 21st century. It covers factors such as our motive for ministry, the priorities churches set for themselves, the reality of churchless Christians, generational and gender-based differences in evangelism effectiveness, the name of your church, the influence of pastors, and much more. The appendix includes a copy of the survey that provides the basis for McIntosh’s arguments and an overview of the study is provided in the first chapter.

Here Today, There Tomorrow: Unleashing Your Church’s Potential

Church leaders are frustrated! Larger churches are bogged down by the weight of their own organizations, and smaller churches struggle with an inability to get things moving. Medium-sized churches tend to get tangled up in their programming. Pastors and church leaders across the country are in the same plight. As a result, their churches stagnate. Veteran leadership expert Gary L. McIntosh provides help to leaders of churches, regardless of size, who struggle to create workable plans to move their congregations forward. This book identifies the best practices on how to assess the unique identity of a church and design a plan for its future. This book is a primer for church leaders who desire to lead their churches in practical planning that does not become so complicated nothing gets done.

How to Thrive in Associate Staff Ministry

In How to Thrive in Associate Staff Ministry, Lawson combines in a masterful way his scholarly research skills with his experience as a member of Christian education in local churches of three denominations. Lawson deals with the problems of staff ministry, but problems are not the beginning point. This book is about ministry enhancement, not problem-solving. His study focuses on long-serving staff ministers who are thriving in such ministry. His purpose is to identify those practices that promote longevity, satisfaction, and personal well-being.

Infants and Children in the Church: Five Views on Theology and Ministry

A congregation rejoices when a new child is added to its midst, yet the church often wrestles—in both theology and practice—with how to best receive and minister to infants and children entrusted to her care. Frequent questions arise like How are infants and children impacted by sin? How does God treat people who die in their infancy or childhood? When and how are children considered members of the church? When and how are children instructed in Christian doctrine? Infants and Children in the Church addresses these critical and sensitive questions from a variety of rich traditions, including Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, and Baptist, so that Christians can make the most of every opportunity as they minister to children.

It Only Hurts on Monday: Why Pastors Quit and What You Can Do about It

Pastors are quitting! Some leave for what they hope will be greener pastures in another church. Evidence suggests pastors are moving or dropping out at an increasing rate. The authors have researched over 60 ex-pastors and their churches to discover some of the causes of this crisis in pastoral leadership. Topics include: burnout, professional isolation, inadequate education, unrealistic expectations, resistance to change, poor pastoral accountability, tight finances, personal loneliness, and spiritual warfare. Each chapter concludes with helpful and practical suggestions on what you can do to help your pastor have a longer and more fruitful ministry in your church.

Leadership in Theological Education, Volume 1: Foundations for Academic Leadership

This publication is the first of three volumes intended to accompany and support the IPAL seminars as well as independently providing wider access to the principles required by academic leaders for institutional development. Each chapter shares and illustrates the contributors’ expertise in and understanding of education, leadership and administration in the field of evangelical academic institutions. With an intentional awareness of a wide range of non-Western contexts this volume is a much-needed guide for senior administrators around the world.

Leadership in Theological Education, Volume 2: Foundations for Curriculum Design

This publication is the second of three volumes intended to accompany and support the IPAL seminars as well as independently providing wider access to the principles required by academic leaders for institutional and curriculum development. Each chapter shares and illustrates the expertise and understanding the contributors have of education and curriculum design in the field of evangelical academic institutions. With an intentional awareness of a wide range of non-Western contexts, this volume is a much-needed guide for course administrators around the world.

Leadership in Theological Education, Volume 3: Foundations for Faculty Development

This publication is the third and final volume intended to accompany and support the IPAL seminars as well as be an independent resource to aid theological institutions with faculty development. Faculty development is at the heart of theological education. This book lays the foundation for institutions to equip, train and release emerging academic leaders to advance their careers and improve the standards of their teaching and research. The contributors to this volume share the findings of research conducted at evangelical academic institutions in various contexts around the world so other senior administrators can enhance the quality of theological education at their own institution.

Look Back, Leap Forward: Building Your Church on the Values of the Past

The rapid changes all around us in the new millennium may cause one of two errors: wishing to return to an idealized past or refusing to look back at all. Both patterns of thinking lead to ineffective churches and communities. Look Back, Leap Forward challenges Christian leaders to balance the two extremes: look back to find the core values that give meaning to ministry and then use them to build the future and take hold of new opportunities. This book’s unique focus presents a holistic picture of how lay leadership, not just clergy, can turn a church around.

Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them

In a poll result highlighted by CNN Headline News and USA Today, nearly half of nonchurchgoers between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine agreed with the statement, “Christians get on my nerves.” Now, researchers behind the larger study present Lost and Found, a blend of dynamic hard data and modern day parable that tells the real story of an unchurched generation that is actually quite spiritual and yet circumspect, open to Jesus but not the church. As such, Lost and Found is written to the church, using often-surprising results from the copious research here to strike another nerve and break some long established assumptions about how to effectively engage the lost. Leading missiologist Ed Stetzer and his associates first offer a detailed investigation of the four younger unchurched types. With a better understanding of their unique experiences, they next clarify the importance each type places on community, depth of content, social responsibility, and making cross-generational connections in relation to spiritual matters.

Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them – Audiobook

In a poll result highlighted by CNN Headline News and USA Today, nearly half of nonchurchgoers between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine agreed with the statement, “Christians get on my nerves.” Now, researchers behind the larger study present Lost and Found, a blend of dynamic hard data and modern day parable that tells the real story of an unchurched generation that is actually quite spiritual and yet circumspect, open to Jesus but not the church. As such, Lost and Found is written to the church, using often-surprising results from the copious research here to strike another nerve and break some long established assumptions about how to effectively engage the lost. Leading missiologist Ed Stetzer and his associates first offer a detailed investigation of the four younger unchurched types. With a better understanding of their unique experiences, they next clarify the importance each type places on community, depth of content, social responsibility, and making cross-generational connections in relation to spiritual matters.

One Church, Four Generations: Understanding and Reaching All Ages in Your Church

The challenge facing today’s church is simultaneous and effective ministry to people of four widely divergent generations. More than at any time in history, pastors must plan programs that will appeal to a mosaic of groups and subgroups. This updated edition of Three Generations: Riding the Waves of Change in Your Church adds an entirely new section on Bridgers, the youngest generation and perhaps the most difficult one to reach for Christ. Characteristics, interests, and values of each group–Builders, Boomers, Busters, and Bridgers–are explored in relation to the historical events and social trends that have shaped them. McIntosh thoughtfully analyzes the factors that influence each generation’s relationship to the church, and he gives helpful suggestions for types of ministry and worship styles to draw members of that group.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Bringing Out the Best in Any Size Church

Framed as a discussion between a pastor six months out of seminary and a veteran pastor, this book tackles the issues of how churches grow and how church size determines effective strategy for ministry. The pastors’ Saturday morning dialogues reveal ten areas that will help readers understand their own church’s psychology. This is a vital resource for any new pastor, church planter, or lay leader concerned about his or her local church. Each chapter concludes with a Taking It Home segment.

Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership: How to Become an Effective Leader by Confronting Potential Failures

The Christian world has been rocked by the number of prominent leaders, in both church and parachurch organizations, who have been compromised by moral, ethical, and theological failures. Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership addresses this alarming problem and offers Christian leaders valuable guidance in dealing with the inherent risks of their work. Using biblical and current examples, the authors describe the characteristics of five types of leaders and the problems they are most likely to have if their particular dysfunctions develop unrestrained. McIntosh and Rima offer a series of steps for leaders to consider so they can take control of their dark side and learn to harness its creative powers.

Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply

Planting a church is one of the most exciting adventures you’ll ever embark on. It’s also one of the hardest. It requires initiative, leadership, strategy, systems, and a lot of prayer. In this second edition of Planting Missional Churches, not only will you find a completely redesigned book with new content in every single chapter, but you will also find several new chapters on topics such as church multiplication, residencies, multi-ethnic ministry, multisite, denominations and networks, and spiritual leadership. So if you’re planting a church, be prepared. Use this book as a guide to build the needed ministry areas so that you can multiply over and over again.