AquaChurch 2.0


Book Description

We live in a fast-paced, fluid world. A postmodern place where people are drifting, making mid-course corrections in every aspect of life, from careers, to relationships, to beliefs. As church leaders, we must continually reshape our ministries to reach a society adrift. We must move from being adaptive to being proactive, remaining flexible while delivering a uncompromising message. AquaChurch 2.0 is a guide for developing responsive and relevant church leadership. Fusing Biblical wisdom and modern-day insights, acclaimed author Leonard Sweet explores the essentials of leadership arts, including vision, creativity, and teamwork. This updated and revised edition will enable your ministry to navigate today's cultural currents, provide a beacon to your community, and connect with a postmodern world.




AquaChurch


Book Description

In this latest and most accessible work from church historian, futurist, and best-selling author Leonard Sweet, church leaders will discover the leadership arts that are essential in today's ever-changing culture. The author provides thought-provoking yet practical skills that will elevate the scope of ministry from mere survival of daily challenges to thriving in today's culture! He vividly portrays the new paradigms facing churches and illustrates the need to become an "AquaChurch" in order to effectively minister in our fluid, postmodern culture. The author includes a "personal log"---questions and ideas that help apply personal thoughts as related to the new paradigms. And, each chapter concludes with a "ship's log"---ideas and activities that encourage group discussion and evaluation with church leaders. It provides an excellent platform for pastors and their entire church leadership to improve the effectiveness of their ministry. This book not only challenges leaders to think in broader terms, but it provides practical strategies for making specific and meaningful changes in how they minister to their communities. They'll discover how to be relevant to an ever-changing culture with the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ!




Soulsalsa


Book Description

Leonard Sweet's manifesto on spiritual living in a changing, postmodern world, insists that a cutting-edge, future-is-now philosophy is the way the church will survive and grow in the 21st century.




Nudge


Book Description

Evangelism is about reaching out to others. Really? You think? Brace yourself. In Nudge, author Leonard Sweet sets out to revolutionize our understanding of evangelism. He defines evangelism as “nudge” – awakening each other to the God who is already there. Sweet’s revolution promises to affect your encounters with others, as well as shaking the very roots of your own faith. So brace yourself.




An Introduction to Torrance Theology


Book Description

For more than six decades, the brothers Torrance--Thomas, James and David-have had a tremendous influence on the theological world. They and particularly TF Torrance, have a devoted following world-wide and particularly in the US. Their high view of the fully human, fully divine Jesus is built upon the foundation of the Patristic writers, and the great Reformers from Calvin to Barth. Working in both pastoral and academic settings, the Torrances have stressed the profound implications of Christology for the mission of their Church and the daily life of Christians. Today, a generation of their students around the world find themselves in positions of pastoral and theological leadership. The focus of this book is the person of Christ (christology), a subject central to the Torrance theological vision and one which has had great influence on the presbyterian church. The contributors explore the contemporary relevance of Torrance Christology in such areas as the nature of Christ, the atonement, the ministry of the Church, epistemology and inclusion in Christ. The result is a book that offers both a fresh introduction to the Torrance tradition even as it advances the Torrance thought along fresh avenues of theological exploration.




So Beautiful


Book Description

In this seminal work, Sweet shares how three strands form the church: missional, relational, and incarnational. He calls for the re-union of these three essential, complementary components of Christian life.




Traveling Together


Book Description

Anyone concerned for the life and ministry of the church, who has a sense that things are not what they might be, and who is seeking a new understanding of congregational life and mission will find hope and help in the pages of this book. Jeff Jones takes his readers on a journey, providing a guidebook that maps out the factors facing congregations in this postmodern, post-Christendom world. With the heart of a pastor, Jones shows congregational leaders how to embrace the best parts of their church's rich heritage and reclaim it for a new day.







Leaving Left Behind


Book Description

Positive psychologists have proven that positivity leads to success, but most Christians in America have chosen to believe a single eschatological theory that leads to pessimism and cynicism. Pessimistic Christians put themselves in Christian bubbles and focus on self-preservation, and when a mind is clouded by negativity, interpretations of biblical prophecy lean toward the pessimistic possibilities. The fantastic writing of the Left Behind books has popularized premillennial dispensationalism with good intentions, but that interpretation of biblical prophecy teaches that sinfulness will continually increase until Jesus throws up his hands in disgust and secretly raptures worthy Christians, leaving behind unworthy sinners to suffer the wrath of the antichrist. Teaching that questionable theory produces negativity that hinders the Christian mission. When Christians believe that they cannot succeed in leading most of the world to Jesus, they will fail to put in the effort that success would require. Jesus, on the other hand, taught his followers that nothing will prevail over his church, and that teaching inspired them to sacrifice everything for the Christian mission. This is not a promise of prosperity without effort or of inevitable success, but biblical positivity is an energizing force that will help Christians flourish.




The Anointed Church


Book Description

Over recent decades, Spirit Christology has utilized a pneumatological perspective to gain significant insight into the person and life of Christ. The Anointed Church extends this work, providing the first constructive and systematic ecclesiology developed through the approach of a Third Article Theology. Arguing that the Spirit’s immanent identity is reprised on a series of expanding stages (Christologically, soteriologically, and, most pertinently here, ecclesiologically), Liston concludes the Church can be characterized as existing in any and all relationships where, by the Spirit, the love of Christ, is offered and returned.