Download or read book What Is the Mission of the Church written by Kevin DeYoung and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2011-09-08 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Social justice and mission are hot topics today: there's a wonderful resurgence of motivated Christians passionate about spreading the gospel and caring for the needs of others. But in our zeal to get sharing and serving, many are unclear on gospel and mission. Yes, we are called to spend ourselves for the sake of others, but what is the church's unique priority as it engages the world? DeYoung and Gilbert write to help Christians "articulate and live out their views on the mission of the church in ways that are theologically faithful, exegetically careful, and personally sustainable." Looking at the Bible's teaching on evangelism, social justice, and shalom, they explore the what, why, and how of the church's mission. From defining "mission", to examining key passages on social justice and their application, to setting our efforts in the context of God's rule, DeYoung and Gilbert bring a wise, studied perspective to the missional conversation. Readers in all spheres of ministry will grow in their understanding of the mission of the church and gain a renewed sense of urgency for Jesus' call to preach the Word and make disciples.

Download or read book The Church on Mission written by Craig Ott and published by Baker Academic. This book was released on 2019-05-21 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this scripturally rich exploration, senior missiologist Craig Ott unpacks the mission statement of the church: to glorify God by multiplying transformational churches among all people. This concise yet robust biblical-theological treatment focuses on God's glory, a strong ecclesiology, the importance of Scripture, and practical implications for congregational and mission practice. Ideal for launching discussion and reflection, the book helps readers refocus their vision and reignite their commitment to fulfilling God's purposes for their church or mission.

Download or read book When Missions Shapes the Mission written by David A. Horner and published by B&H Publishing Group. This book was released on 2011-05-02 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Why are more churches not engaged in practical, substantial ways of taking the gospel to the nations?" When Missions Shape the Mission unpacks a statistical study of traditionally evangelical churches that reveals their anemic level of commitment to the biblical mandate of making Christ known around the world. Veteran pastor David Horner makes the data easy to understand, challenging other pastors to radically assign their best leadership and resources to missions as he looks at where the church is today, how it got there, and where we must go from here: "Let's dream a godly dream. What if you committed to step up and lead your church in the pursuit of becoming a mission-focused church? Then, what if you invited ten of your pastor friends to join you in the effort—and each of them did the same? What would happen to the available missions force beginning right here in the West?"

Download or read book The Life of the Church written by Joe Thorn and published by Moody Publishers. This book was released on 2017-03-07 with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What should a church do? Look at your church’s calendar and you will learn something of its mission. But how do you know it’s the mission Jesus gave? In The Life of the Church, Joe Thorn explains the mission of the church and the three rhythms for fulfilling it. The result is a simple, memorable model for church life and ministry, grounded in Scripture and aligned with historic practices. Useful for training in membership class, discipleship groups, and elder boards—and even for devotional reading—The Life of the Church is at once theological, practical, and experiential. Readers will not simply be informed, but led to a deeper conviction about their role in the body of Christ. Pastors will be equipped to refocus their ministries, and Christians to fulfill their purpose: be and make disciples. If you wonder what it means to be saved into a body of believers, why the various parts of a worship service matter, and how to engage in the world as a citizen of heaven, then The Life of the Church is for you. It answers this critical question: “Why does the church exist, and how does it shape my life?”

Download or read book The Heart of the Church written by Joe Thorn and published by Moody Publishers. This book was released on 2017-03-07 with total page 99 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What does the church believe? Every church has a driving confession, but what is the confession of a true and biblical church? The Heart of the Church answers with the gospel. It explains the story of the gospel, its basic doctrines, and God’s work in salvation. Fresh yet consistent with classic expressions, it helps churches reclaim their essential identity and return from distracting pursuits. Useful for training in membership classes, discipleship groups, and elder boards—and even for devotional reading—The Heart of the Church is at once theological, practical, and experiential. Readers will not simply be informed, but led to believe in, rejoice in, and be transformed by the truth of God for His gathered people. Without the gospel, the church does not exist. This book is Thorn’s full and detailed exploration of the message that is indispensable to the church’s life and identity. For any church lacking power, any Christian feeling dry, or any person seeking truth, The Heart of the Church brings relief, direction, and light, leading to worship.

Download or read book The Character of the Church written by Joe Thorn and published by Moody Publishers. This book was released on 2017-03-07 with total page 115 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What makes a church a church? Is it "where three or more are gathered"? Is it songs and a sermon on Sunday? Does it require structure and leadership? How do you know? The Character of the Church dispels confusion by describing the five elements of a biblical church. Concise, accessible, and historically informed, it teaches God’s design for church so you know what to look for in one—or even how to lead one. Useful for training in membership classes, discipleship groups, and elder boards—and even for devotional reading—The Character of the Church is at once theological, practical, and experiential. Readers will not simply be informed, but led to a deeper appreciation of the church of God and its essential marks: The word of God is faithfully preached The sacraments are rightly administered Leadership is biblically formed and functioning Discipline is practiced with grace The mission of the church is shared by all This book will bring churches and Christians back to the biblical picture of a local body, perfect for any believer eager to grow and help others do likewise.

Download or read book Suffering and the Heart of God written by Diane Langberg and published by New Growth Press. This book was released on 2015-09-01 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: She's seen slave dungeons in Ghana. Genocide in Rwanda. Systemic sexual abuse in Brazil. Child abuse and domestic violence in the US. After forty years of counseling abuse survivors around the world, Dr. Diane Langberg, a world renowned trauma expert, remains certain that what trauma destroys, Christ can and does restore. This book will convince you, too, of the healing heart of God. But it's not a fast process, instead much patience is required from family, friends, and counselors as they wisely and respectfully help victims unpack their traumatic suffering through talking, tears, and time. And it's not a process that can be separated from the work of God in both a counselor and counselee. Dr. Langberg calls all of those who wish to help sufferers to model Jesus's sacrificial love and care in how they listen, love, and guide. The heart of God is revealed to sufferers as they grow to understand the cross of Christ and how their God came to this earth and experienced such severe suffering that he too is "well-acquainted with grief." The cross of Christ is the lens that transforms and redeems traumatic suffering and its aftermath, not only for the sufferer, but it also transforms those who walk with the suffering. This book will be a great help to anyone who loves, listens to, and seeks to help someone impacted by trauma and abuse. There is no quick fix, but there is the hope for healing through the love of God in Christ.

Download or read book The Heart of the Mission written by Cande de Leon and published by Our Sunday Visitor. This book was released on 2020-12-30 with total page 90 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As Christians, and especially as people who work for the Church, we are part of an incredible mission: to bring people to Jesus. Jesus himself gave us this mission when he said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19). Yet it is far too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day details of our work — so much so that we can lose sight of our true mission. In The Heart of the Mission: Simple Ways to Bring People to Jesus, Cande de Leon shows what it takes to get back on track. With wisdom and humor born of his own experience, he shows how our Christian mission always begins and ends with people. To help us live this in our daily life and work, he guides us through three transformational principles for ministry and life: Strengthening relationships Boldly growing engagement Connecting people to the mission Whether you are a pastor, part of a parish staff, or a volunteer at your home parish, these principles apply to you. Because if we really want to make transformational change in our Church and our world, we first have to recognize the people in front of us — who they are, what they need, what gifts God has given them, and how he is inviting them to participate in the mission of the Church. Not merely another program to transform your parish, this book offers a simple yet radical invitation to roll up your sleeves and make a difference by getting back to basics.>/p> ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cande de Leon has served as executive director of the Office of Mission Advancement for the Diocese of Phoenix since 2016. He leads a team committed to advancing the mission of Christ through stewardship, evangelization, and discipleship formation. He spent seven years in the Diocese of Corpus Christi serving as the director of parish stewardship and development, where he raised over $37 million (with a goal of $18 million) for the Legacy of Faith ~ Future of Hope Capital & Endowment Campaign. Cande has been married to his wife, Rosemary, for 22 years. They have four daughters.

Download or read book Evangelism as the Heart of Mission written by Dana Lee Robert and published by General Board of Global Ministries, the United Methodist Chu. This book was released on 1997-01-01 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Heart of the World Center of the Church written by David L. Schindler and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2001-09 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Mission Drift written by Peter Greer and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2014-02-10 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Christianity Today 2015 Book Award Winner Is your organization in danger of Mission Drift? Without careful attention, faith-based organizations drift from their founding mission. It's that simple. It will happen. Slowly, silently, and with little fanfare, organizations routinely drift from their purpose, and many never return to their original intent. Harvard and the YMCA are among those that no longer embrace the Christian principles on which they were founded. But they didn't drift off course overnight. Drift often happens in small and subtle ways. Left unchecked, it eventually becomes significant. Yet Mission Drift is not inevitable. Organizations such as Compassion International and InterVarsity have exhibited intentional, long-term commitment to Christ. Why do so many organizations--including churches--wander from their mission, while others remain Mission True? Can drift be prevented? In Mission Drift, HOPE International executives Peter Greer and Chris Horst tackle these questions. They show how to determine whether your organization is in danger of drift, and they share the results of their research into Mission True and Mission Untrue organizations. Even if your organization is Mission True now, it's wise to look for ways to inoculate yourself against drift. You'll discover what you can do to prevent drift or get back on track and how to protect what matters most. "No organization is exempt from the danger of drifting away from its original mission. In Mission Drift, Peter and Chris provide solid guidance for remaining laser-focused on core values--from the board level to daily organizational culture. This book is a timely message for any organization working hard to remain Mission True." --Wess Stafford, president-emeritus, Compassion International "Peter Greer and Chris Horst have identified one of the deepest challenges any leader faces: how to ensure that an organization stays true to its mission, especially when that mission becomes countercultural." --Andy Crouch, executive editor, Christianity Today "Essential reading for twenty-first-century believers if we are to gain new vision, unity, and strength. Mission Drift is spine straightening, mind clearing, and courage inspiring. This book is true-north wisdom for leaders--and a gift of hope for the world God loves." --Kelly Monroe Kullberg, founder, The Veritas Forum and author, Finding God Beyond Harvard "Many of us in leadership have learned--often painfully--that our mission needs to be built into every aspect of our organization, from leadership to receptionist, from hiring to implementation. We can't afford not to follow the lessons in this valuable book." --Richard Stearns, president, World Vision U.S. and author, The Hole in Our Gospel "Keeping an eternal perspective is essential in our work. Mission Drift gives a clear message inspiring and challenging us to intentionally keep Christ at the center of all efforts." --David Green, founder and CEO, Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. "Written with clarity, boldness, and urgency, the authors provide insight into and examples of the causes and solutions to drift using the stories of real organizations...A must-read! Recommend this book to every business and church leader."--CBA Retailers+Resources "This book is a must-read for leaders, easy to read, practical, engaging and inspirational. The principals outlined not only apply to major corporations, but also to any organization, church and even to one's own personal life. Mission Drift . . . will be well worth the effort and time, and you will find yourself wanting to begin implementing what you've learned to safeguard your organization from drifting away from its mission."--Foursquare.org

Download or read book A Missionary Heart and a Missionary Life written by Zacharias Tanee Fomum and published by ZTF Books Online. This book was released on 2015-02-17 with total page 186 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Professor Zacharias Tanee Fomum, through this book, communicates his burden of bringing the people of God back to the missionary purposes of God. The heart of the missionary and the life of the missionary find their origin, basis, and model in the Heart of God. He is a missionary God. The heart of the missionary and the life of the missionary is to be judged, seen, and appreciated by the way God judges, sees, and appreciates them. God wants to produce people who see the world as He sees it, people who continually live under the constraint of God's missionary needs, people who dream of God's mission fields every night and work there every day to make sure that the missionary purposes of God are fulfilled. The Purpose of this Book is for many to go out as missionaries with correct hearts and correct lives, equipped for permanent and productive work. This book is highly recommended to all believers.

Download or read book Paul s Understanding of the Church s Mission written by Robert Lewis Plummer and published by OCMS. This book was released on 2006 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book engages in a careful study of Pauls letters to determine if the apostle expected the communities to which he wrote to engage in missionary activity. It helpfully summarizes the discussion on this debated issue, judiciously handling contested texts and provides a way forward in addressing this critical question. While admitting that Paul rarely explicitly commands the communities he founded to evangelize, Plummer amasses significant incidental data to provide a convincing case that Paul did indeed expect his churches to engage in mission activity. Throughout the study, Plummer progressively builds a theological basis for the churchs mission that is both distinctively Pauline and compelling.

Download or read book Seven Practices for the Church on Mission written by David E. Fitch and published by InterVarsity Press. This book was released on 2018-03-06 with total page 149 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Jesus gave his followers seven key practices. When we practice these disciplines, God becomes faithfully present to us, and we in turn become God's faithful presence to the world. Pastor and professor David Fitch shows how these seven practices can revolutionize the church's presence in our neighborhoods, transform our way of life in the world, and advance the kingdom.

Download or read book The Renewal of the Heart Is the Mission of the Church written by Gregory S Clapper and published by Lutterworth Press. This book was released on 2011-10-27 with total page 149 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: John Wesley has arguably influenced more American Christians than any other Protestant interpreter. One reason for this wide influence is that Wesley often spoke about the heart and its affections - that realm of life where all humans experience their deepest satisfactions, as well as some of their deepest conundrums. However, one of the problems of interpreting and appropriating Wesley is that we have been blinded to Wesley's actual views aboutJohn Wesley has arguably influenced more American Christiansthan any other Protestant interpreter. One reason for this wide influence is that Wesley often spoke about the heart and its affections - that realm of life where all humans experience their deepest satisfactions, as well as some of their deepest conundrums. However, one of the problems of interpreting and appropriating Wesley is that we have been blinded to Wesley's actual views about

Download or read book Let the Nations be Glad written by John Piper and published by Inter-Varsity Press. This book was released on 2020-05-21 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Mission is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exist because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate.' John Piper's contemporary classic draws on key biblical texts to demonstrate that worship is the ultimate goal of the church and that proper worship fuels missionary outreach. Piper offers a biblical defence of God's supremacy in all things, providing a sound theological foundation for missions. He examines whether Jesus is the only way to salvation and issues a passionate plea for God-centredness in the missionary enterprise, seeking to define the scope of the task and the means for reaching 'all nations'. Let the Nations Be Glad! is a trusted resource for missionaries, pastors, church leaders, youth workers, seminary students, and all who want to connect their labours to God's global purposes. This third edition has been revised and expanded throughout and includes new material on the 'prosperity gospel'.

Download or read book Mercy for Today written by Jonathan Parnell and published by B&H Publishing Group. This book was released on 2020-01-07 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: You cannot make it without God’s mercy. Do we just need God’s grace in dark and shameful moments? Are prayers for mercy only for those times when we really mess up? Jonathan Parnell says we need God’s mercy all the time. In fact, contrary to many church cultures, Parnell shows that asking God for mercy should be as regular as asking God for our daily bread. There’s no doubt that David was in a terrible predicament when he first prayed the words of Psalm 51. It was a dark and shameful moment in the Bible, and one so dark and shameful it seldom feels relevant to us today. But David’s most desperate prayer is really a prayer for all of us—and not just for our worst moments, but for our every moment. In these pages, you'll discover: how to pray a daily, memorable prayer derived from Psalm 51 how to practice daily repentance and soul care how to pursue God and experience his joy in the Christian life This is God’s mercy, and it’s Mercy for Today.