Download or read book Discipling in a Multicultural World written by Ajith Fernando and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2019-02-14 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Our multicultural world needs countercultural disciplers. People from all over the world are coming to Christ from a variety of backgrounds. This requires more people who are willing to commit to the effort and sacrifice it takes to invest in new believers. Rooted in over four decades of multicultural discipleship experience, Ajith Fernando offers biblical principles for discipling and presents examples showing how they apply to daily life and ministry. He addresses key cultural challenges, such as the value of honor and shame, honoring family commitments, and dealing with persecution, and helps us think realistically about the cost and commitment required for productive cross-cultural ministry. This practical guide to discipleship will help us help others grow into mature and godly followers of Christ.

Download or read book Multicultural Ministry written by David A. Anderson and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2009-08-30 with total page 210 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: David Anderson writes about multicultural leadership not from the perspective of an ivory tower intellectual, but as a hands-on practitioner who loves and believes in the body of Christ. . . . If you believe there is no solution to the race problem, I urge you to reconsider and to learn from someone who is on the frontlines of making multicultural ministry a reality in the church today.—Bill Hybels, founding and senior pastor, Willow Creek Community ChurchMulticulturalism isn’t a trend, it’s a reality. Evidence of this country’s rich racial mix is all around us in our schools, our stores, our neighborhoods, our recreational facilities—everywhere except our churches. Heaven may include every culture, tongue, and tribe, but in the United States, Sunday morning remains one of the last bastions of ethnic separatism. It’s time to stop merely talking about multicultural worship and start living it.In this groundbreaking book, David Anderson invites us all—African-American, Asian, Caucasian, and Latino—to learn how to dance the dance of multicultural ministry. We’ve all got different moves, but that’s the beauty of diversity: the various gifts we bring, the wisdom of our heritages, the different creative ways we express the same Lord. Think it can’t be done? Think again. As Anderson demonstrates, it is being done successfully by more and more churches. Wherever your church is now on the multicultural continuum, you can join the ranks of those moving toward a diverse and thriving ministry. Combining frontline insights with inspiring stories, Anderson takes you and your church into the strategy-level realities of what it takes to make multicultural ministry work in your setting.Do you hear the beat of the Spirit? God is calling your church to the dance of unity in diversity. Don’t hold back! Grab this book, get out on the dance floor, and let Multicultural Ministry show you the steps.Includes a Racial Reconciliation survey and six-session Racial Reconciliation curriculum.

Download or read book Give Up the Purple written by Julyan Lidstone and published by Langham Publishing. This book was released on 2019-08-31 with total page 114 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It would seem that every culture on earth has a propensity towards controlling and authoritarian leadership – at its very core, the human condition has a desire for control and self-determination. In this book, Julyan Lidstone uses his decades of experience in western and central Asia and, most importantly, the authoritative teaching of the Bible, to shed light on issues of authoritarian leadership in honour-shame cultures. Gifted young leaders are gathering new believers in Jesus all over the world but the prevailing culture of domineering leadership is the single greatest obstacle to the healthy growth and firm establishment of these new churches. Lidstone winsomely and accurately applies the servant leadership modelled by Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul, as revealed by Scripture, as the cross-centred antidote to the pain, damage and disillusionment caused by leadership that does not reflect the Christlikeness of the kingdom of God.

Download or read book Invitation to Evangelism written by Timothy K. Beougher and published by Kregel Publications. This book was released on 2021-08-24 with total page 432 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Essential guidance for a lifestyle of sharing God's good news with a lost world. What exactly does it mean to "evangelize" in a Christian sense? And how is such evangelizing supposed to be done? Longtime pastor, evangelist, and professor of evangelism Timothy K. Beougher answers these questions and more from theological, historical, and practical perspectives. Beougher demonstrates God's goodness in evangelism through relatable anecdotes, Bible teaching, and encouraging instruction. Invitation to Evangelism welcomes believers into the experience of stepping out in faith of behalf of people God loves. Most Christians know that they should be sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with nonbelievers, and most also know they aren't witnessing very well, or even at all. They need help internalizing the content of gospel proclamation and identifying the best way to go about making evangelism a natural part of their lives. Invitation to Evangelism guides readers through the essential issues of the gospel message, evangelism methods, and witnessing models so they are ready and excited to move out in faith as everyday evangelists. Beougher's biblical, theological, historical, and practical teaching revolves around following essential aspects of being an evangelist: Having compassion as the motivation for evangelism Understanding the good news of Jesus Christ Seeing lost people as persons God loves Relying on the power of the Holy Spirit Paving the way for new believers to share their faith eagerly with others

Download or read book J Curve written by Paul E. Miller and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2019-06-24 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do we have the wrong map for the Christian life? Life's inconveniences, disappointments, and trials can leave us confused, cynical, and eventually bitter. But the apostle Paul traces out the path of dying and rising with Jesus—what Paul Miller calls the “J-Curve”—as the normal Christian life. The J-Curve maps the ups and downs of daily life onto the story of Jesus. It grounds our journeys not in some abstract idea but in union with Christ and his work of love. Understanding our lives in light of the J-Curve roots our hope, centers our love, and tethers our faith to Christ.

Download or read book Beyond Multiculturalism written by Charles A. Cook and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2024-10-29 with total page 191 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Canadian socio-cultural landscape is undergoing constant transformation due to immigration. Communities of faith have traditionally embraced this diversity through a stance of hospitality framed by a modern idea of “multiculturalism.” However, the modern idea of “multiculturalism” often falls short of fully integrating newcomers into the family life and leadership of a congregation. As diverse cultural expressions of world Christianity continue to blossom throughout Canada, both new and established Canadians must explore relational approaches to transcend historical, cultural, racial, and linguistic divides. The goal is to foster genuine community and forge deeper covenantal unity, allowing the transformative nature of King Jesus to be evident to the world. Beyond Multiculturalism advocates for Christians to showcase tangible examples of Jesus’ Kingdom culture in which humility, compassion, and self-giving love are valued. Authored by Canadian scholars and practitioners, representing twelve ethnicities and ten denominations, the chapters delve into various theological, sociological, and pragmatic aspects that churches should address. These considerations aim to guide churches into deeper conversation, enabling them to align with the evolving dynamics of God's work in Canada and worldwide.

Download or read book A Praying Church written by Paul E. Miller and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2023-01-31 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Paul Miller, Bestselling Author of A Praying Life, on the Transforming Power of Praying Together In our current culture, the church and prayer are often dismissed as irrelevant. But when believers gather and pray together, powerful things happen: the Spirit equips the saints for ministry, the helpless are met with help, and believers experience the joy of being led by the Spirit of Jesus. In this ebook, Paul E. Miller, bestselling author of A Praying Life, casts a vision for a return to the simple yet life-changing practice of praying together. Through personal stories and biblical examples, Miller teaches the why, what, and how of praying together. Readers will learn how praying with other Christians can transform their communities into beacons of hope and be given practical strategies—such as finding a prayer partner and prioritizing a structured prayer time—to implement these changes in their own church. Ideal for Group Study: Small groups, Sunday school classes, and others will find helpful strategies to think through and discuss Engaging and Personal: Features real life stories, word pictures, and charts to help readers understand the content "A Word to Pastors": Miller closes several chapters with thoughtful reflections specifically for church leaders Foreword by Dane C. Ortlund: Author of the bestselling book, Gentle and Lowly, who praises A Praying Church, calling it "winsome and compelling"

Download or read book Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Age written by J. I. Packer and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2024-02-06 with total page 155 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 5 Classic Lectures from J. I. Packer Defending the Truth of the Gospel against Humanism, Universalism, and More Christians today confront complex opposition to the gospel from intellectuals, skeptics, and pluralists who deny the divinity of Christ. But these are not new issues; the first-century church encountered similar challenges to their faith. How did the apostle Paul address these questions and doubts to effectively spread God's word? In these lectures, originally given at Reformed Bible College and Moore College in 1978, renowned theologian J. I. Packer tackles common objections to Christianity—including secular humanism, pluralism, and universalism. By studying the evangelistic efforts of Paul and the early church, Packer skillfully preaches the glory of Christ crucified and helps students, pastors, and believers share their faith in an age of skepticism. 5 Vintage Lectures: Covering topics including Jesus's humanity and divinity, substitutionary atonement, and the truth of Christ's resurrection A Great Resource for Pastors and Thoughtful Christians: Provides gospel-centered answers to different worldviews including universalism, secular humanism, and pluralism From J. I. Packer: Prolific theologian and bestselling author of Knowing God

Download or read book Walking Together on the Jesus Road written by Evelyn Hibbert and published by William Carey Publishing. This book was released on 2018-08-17 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Make discipling culturally relevant. Christians who serve Jesus among people from a different culture than their own often struggle to find a good way to disciple people. Walking Together on the Jesus Road addresses this need by guiding readers through three essential practices for making disciples across cultures: listening to disciples to get to know them and their context, focusing on relationships with Christ, fellow disciples, and others, and enabling disciples to live out their faith in culturally relevant ways. These practices are the foundation for the long-term, intentional process of helping disciples from other cultures become more like Jesus. The book also engages with practical challenges, such as enabling disciples to find and belong to a nurturing community of faith, as well as contextualizing the way we teach the Bible.

Download or read book Joyful Perseverance written by Ajith Fernando and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2024-07-16 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How to Remain Joyful about Ministry Despite Inevitable Challenges Life in ministry is not detached from disappointment. Threats to one's integrity, harmful expectations from celebrity culture, and the tendency toward loneliness, insecurity, and pain can put a strain on ministry leaders. How can they remain faithful to their work for Christ's kingdom without letting bitterness seep in? Joyful Perseverance encourages ministry leaders to rely on God's grace to find joy, energy, and the freshness to serve well, despite inevitable disappointments. It offers practical ways to combat the negative effects of ministry such as embracing God's joy-giving presence, guarding one's integrity, leaning into one's God-given identity, groaning with God, settling sin issues through repentance and forgiveness, cultivating friends, and more. By adopting a life of thanksgiving, readers will experience abundant joy, resulting in an ongoing passion for ministry. Written to Pastors, Elders, and Ministry Leaders: Intended to help people joyfully stay in their ministry role despite discouragement and struggle Empathetic: Written by veteran ministry leader Ajith Fernando, this book addresses the inevitable difficulties presented to ministry leaders Concise: This short format makes this book practical and accessible for busy leaders Foreword by Thomas R. Schreiner

Download or read book Parenting with Words of Grace written by William P. Smith and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2019-02-14 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How you speak to your kids today will impact your relationship with them tomorrow. As a parent, your words are powerful. What you say and how you say it has the potential to either invite your children into deeper relationship with you or push them away. What's more, in a very real sense, your words represent—or misrepresent—God's words to his children— meaning they have the power to shape how your children view their heavenly Father. Offering practical guidance for grace-filled communication in the midst of the craziness of everyday life, this accessible guide will help you speak in ways that reflect the grace God has shown to you in the gospel.

Download or read book Interpersonal Reconciliation between Christians in a Shame Oriented Culture written by Mano Emmanuel and published by Langham Monographs. This book was released on 2020-11-30 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Interpersonal conflict is one of the greatest threats to the health and growth of the church worldwide. Yet despite their best intentions, Christian leaders often discover that the cause of recurring conflict remains unclear and prescribed techniques for conflict resolution are ineffective in their communities. In this Sri Lankan case study, Dr Mano Emmanuel examines the specifics of interpersonal conflict within a shame-oriented culture. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, she incorporates cultural anthropology, missiology, and communication studies into her analysis, identifying seven aspects of culture that must be addressed if reconciliation is to be fully experienced in the Sri Lankan church. Highlighting the parallels between contemporary honor-shame cultures and the honor-shame context of the New Testament, the author provides specific suggestions for experiencing biblical reconciliation while maintaining cultural sensitivity and protecting the honor of those involved.

Download or read book Solitude written by David W.F. Wong and published by Graceworks. This book was released on 2022-05-25 with total page 245 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A book to accompany you as you retreat to solitude and as you return to community.

Download or read book Be Focused Use Common Sense Overcome Excuses and Stupidity written by Reuben van Rensburg and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2022-07-07 with total page 583 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Manfred Kohl has served in many senior roles in theological education, and holds the distinction of having personally visited more theological institutions than anyone else in history (495). He has published over 120 books and articles and has received numerous awards and honorary doctorate degrees. He founded World Vision, the well-known Christian Humanitarian Organization, in several European Countries; Re-Forma., which has set a global standard for non-formal theological education; the Galilean Movement, calling for annually an additional 1 million women and men for biblical ministry and co-chairs the Integrity Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement. In this festschrift, more than 30 scholars from around the world pay tribute to this remarkable man, by each contributing an article focused on the areas of his career where he has made telling contributions. As theological educators, theologians, Christian leaders and students read this book, it will not only result in his legacy living on, but will make a significant contribution to theological education, both in the formal and non-formal sectors.

Download or read book Divine Suffering written by Andrew J. Schmutzer and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2023-02-22 with total page 301 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Divine Suffering is an inter-disciplinary study that draws from systematics, philosophy, biblical theology, and pastoral experience. In addition to covering topics like the suffering of the Father in the Son and God's cruciform vulnerability, this book also explores how divine suffering animates the Christian gospel and resonates in the ongoing persecution of believers. The study of the suffering God has everything to do with Theology, History, and Church Mission. Like exploring a cathedral from all its entrances, both scholars and seekers will find ample opportunity for theological challenge, biblical insight, and missional hope. To accomplish this, both Scripture and doctrine are closely investigated. Today, divine suffering must face the contemporary realities of protest atheism, escalating wars, new studies in relational theology, and dialogical personhood that presses the need to explain a Christian message about the kind of God who is not only transcendent but also personal. Divine Suffering introduces us to the history of God, not just the God of history. In this study, we meet a God available to our pain though not diminished by it. Mounting forms of grief need to be met with an equally pastoral understanding that validates suffering without valorizing it.

Download or read book Cultural Identity and the Purposes of God written by Steven M. Bryan and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2022-06-15 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Understanding God's Design for Cultural Diversity Humanity's diverse nationalities, ethnicities, and races were intended to be a blessing from God. However, due to sin and rebellion, these differences often result in alienation, hatred, and even violence, becoming one of the most urgent problems facing the world. Cultural divisions are unfortunately common in the church, too. How can Christians embrace God's purposes for diversity and experience renewal and unity as his people? Steven Bryan presents a biblical framework for thinking about cultural identity and experiencing cultural diversity as a positive good that God intended. Writing from more than 20 years of experience in cross-cultural mission work in Ethiopia, Bryan examines historical and political aspects of nationality, ethnicity, and race. This practical examination of cultural ideologies—including multiculturalism, nationalism, and intersectionality—helps readers move from asking, Who am I? to Who are we? as God's people. Timely and Applicable: Equips readers to understand God's purposes for their cultural identity and bridge divides inside and outside of the church Comprehensive: Explores contemporary issues including ethnocentrism, globalization, multiculturalism, and collective identity Theological: Explores the story of Scripture from creation to new creation to show how cultural identity is an important part of God's design Accessible: Written for pastors, ministry leaders, lay people, missionaries, and anyone who is grappling with the relationship between cultural identity and Christian identity

Download or read book Perspectives on Family Ministry written by Timothy Paul Jones and published by B&H Publishing Group. This book was released on 2019-11-15 with total page 261 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Every church is called to some form of family ministry, but this calling requires far more than adding another program to an already-packed schedule. The most effective family ministries refocus every church process to engage parents in discipling their children and to draw family members together instead of pulling them apart. In this second edition, Jones expands the definition of family ministry, and broadens the book's focus to address urban perspectives and family ministry in diverse settings.