Author : Denis Robert McNamara
Publisher : LiturgyTrainingPublications
Page : 170 pages
File Size : 27,9 MB
Release : 2005
Category : Architecture
ISBN : 9781568545035
This visually stunning and carefully researched book encompasses some of the most significant Catholic churches of Chicago, addressing both their architectural and theological significance. Color photographs beautifully illustrate the insightful text. It is a book suitable for those interested in local history, architectural achievement, theological awareness, or those who simply desire to glory in the visual beauty of Chicago's historic churches.
Author : Linda Bergquist
Publisher :
Page : 400 pages
File Size : 16,13 MB
Release : 2018-09-04
Category :
ISBN : 9780998917788
Yes, there certainly are many obstacles to urban church planting. The challenge of refraining from insisting on suburban models for urban settings, the soaring cost of living expenses in global urban settings, the challenges inherent in diverse over homogenous contexts, the continual shifting of people moving in and out of cities, the multiplicity of global religions and worldviews- these things can sometimes seem formidable. However, God, who loves cities, and the promise of Kingdom come are truly worth the struggle. Our urban church planting work will be more effective if it is intentional about being both responsive to what is going on around us and in the world and proactive to the possibilities God has placed before us. It is Linda and Michael's hope that this book will help its readers become more willing to experiment and more willing to be hopeful about the possibility for starting thousands and thousands of vibrant urban churches.
Author : Linda Bergquist
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 244 pages
File Size : 37,85 MB
Release : 2009-09-28
Category : Religion
ISBN : 047053527X
A design-thinking book for planting or redesigning churches and incubating a new generation of leaders. Written by Linda Bergquist and Allan Karr, two experienced church planters and mentors, the book is full of wisdom, practical advice, and creative counsel. Instead of a business-model-as-usual approach, the authors challenge readers to begin with the raw materials of beliefs, values, individuals, teams, and culture, and to then move outwards to draw from a rich palette of real and potential church paradigms. This book is meant to provoke church leaders to think outside of the box and to imagine how their churches might better reflect the image and the mission of God in the world. Contains a wealth of illustrative examples, charts, and other visual aides Offers a creative practical perspective and a multi-disciplinary approach to establishing a new church or leading an existing one Shows how to honor a church's purpose while embracing its unique culture Includes important lessons for nurturing church leadership skills
Author : Timothy Keller
Publisher : Zondervan
Page : 400 pages
File Size : 37,32 MB
Release : 2012-09-04
Category : Religion
ISBN : 0310494192
Practical and Gospel-centered thoughts on how to have a fruitful ministry by one of America's leading and most beloved pastor. Many church leaders are struggling to adapt to a culture that values individuality above loyalty to a group or institution. There have been so many "church growth" and "effective ministry" books in the past few decades that it's hard to know where to start or which ones will provide useful and honest insight. Based on over twenty years of ministry in New York City, Timothy Keller takes a unique approach that measures a ministry's success neither by numbers nor purely by the faithfulness of its leaders, but on the biblical grounds of fruitfulness. Center Church outlines a balanced theological vision for ministry organized around three core commitments: Gospel-centered: The gospel of grace in Jesus Christ changes everything, from our hearts to our community to the world. It completely reshapes the content, tone, and strategy of all that we do. City-centered: With a positive approach toward our culture, we learn to affirm that cities are wonderful, strategic, and under-served places for gospel ministry. Movement-centered: Instead of building our own tribe, we seek the prosperity and peace of our community as we are led by the Holy Spirit. "Between a pastor's doctrinal beliefs and ministry practices should be a well-conceived vision for how to bring the gospel to bear on the particular cultural setting and historical moment. This is something more practical than just doctrine but much more theological than "how-to steps" for carrying out a ministry. Once this vision is in place, it leads church leaders to make good decisions on how to worship, disciple, evangelize, serve, and engage culture in their field of ministry—whether in a city, suburb, or small town." — Tim Keller, Core Church
Author : Eric Swanson
Publisher : Zondervan
Page : 228 pages
File Size : 38,38 MB
Release : 2010
Category : Religion
ISBN : 0310325862
To Transform a City is a valuable guide for those who dream big about the spiritual and social changes possible for the cities and towns that surround their churches. Two visionary leaders examine the foundations, history, theology, and practical methods of community transformation.
Author : Stuart Murray
Publisher : Herald Press
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 27,27 MB
Release : 2010-03-04
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780836194241
What does church planting look like in the 21st century? Is the goal to plant more churches or is it to plant new kinds of churches? In Planting Churches in the 21st Century, Stuart Murray suggests that church planting isn't just about numbers--it's about the renewal of the church and the development of new ways of being the church that are biblically rooted and contextually appropriate. With his gift for posing thought-provoking questions while writing in a clear, logical style, Murray provides stimulation and challenge to anyone who wants to see new churches come into being. But don't look here for stereotypes and ready-made blueprints; Murray's approach is open-ended and leaves ample room for personal reflection and creative responses. "Most of the literature on church planting in North America assumes that that the Christendom come-to-us model still works. That is true for a rapidly declining segment of the population and fails to reach the growing ranks of the never-churched. Stuart Murray has provided a much needed contribution to the study and practice of church planting by addressing the basic questions: Why plant Churches? Where? When? What? Who? and What Next? "In addressing each of these fundamental questions he both surveys a wide terrain and digs deeply, drawing from his long experience with a wide variety of traditions. He also writes as a practitioner and not just a theoretician. This is not a step-by-step, how to book that you can read and set aside, but a reference book that church planters will want to turn to on a regular basis." —Eddie Gibbs, professor of Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary and co-author of Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures "Murray provides the scaffolding church leaders need to extend an effective and incarnational witness to the reign of God. This book is a 'must-read' for all students and practitioners of church planting. Missional leaders who long to see the church become a nesting place for all will find good guidance for aligning the work of the church with the inbreaking of God's kingdom." —David Boshart, lead pastor at West Union Mennonite Church and mission strategist Click here to read a press release about the book. Click here to read an interview with author Stuart Murray. Click here to read the foreword by Rev. Anne Wilkinson-Hayes, North-West Metro Baptist Union of Victoria, Australia. Free downloadable study guide available here.
Author : Karina Kreminski
Publisher :
Page : 242 pages
File Size : 22,22 MB
Release : 2018-05-03
Category : Cities and towns
ISBN : 9780998917726
Do we have a positive theology of the city so that an urban spirituality can emerge from this place? We have for too long focused on quick fixes, pop up churches, and strategic solutions which have left us malnourished and emaciated, yet bloated from our over-consumption of these unsatisfying approaches. Spiritual formation is something that we need to pay closer attention to today. How do we live this kind of holy life in the city?
Author : Catriona Kelly
Publisher :
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 29,38 MB
Release : 2016
Category : Atheism
ISBN : 9780875807430
In Russia, legislation on the separation of church and state in early 1918 marginalized religious faith and raised pressing questions about what was to be done with church buildings. While associated with suspect beliefs, they were also regarded as structures with potential practical uses, and some were considered works of art. This engaging study draws on religious anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, and history to explore the fate of these "socialist churches," showing how attitudes and practices related to them were shaped both by laws on the preservation of monuments and anti-religious measures. Advocates of preservation, while sincere in their desire to save the buildings, were indifferent, if not hostile, to their religious purpose. Believers, on the other hand, regarded preservation laws as irritants, except when they provided leverage for use of the buildings by church communities. The situation was eased by the growing rapprochement of the Orthodox Church and Soviet state organizations after 1943, but not fully resolved until the Soviet Union fell apart. Based on abundant archival documentation, Catriona Kelly's powerful narrative portrays the human tragedies and compromises, but also the remarkable achievements, of those who fought to preserve these important buildings over the course of seven decades of state atheism. Socialist Churches will appeal to specialists, students, and general readers interested in church history, the history of architecture, and Russian art, history, and cultural studies.
Author : Jeff Christopherson
Publisher : B&H Publishing Group
Page : 280 pages
File Size : 17,11 MB
Release : 2015-06-15
Category : Religion
ISBN : 1433688964
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. There are few dreams more spiritually intoxicating than the dream of being used by God to start a new community of Christ that skillfully brings the restorative gospel to a lost and broken city. Something which feels like a spiritual landslide that starts with lostness and ends in an avalanche of new congregations multiplying and transforming community after community into which they unmistakably seep. Authors Jeff Christopherson and Mac Lake call readers to imagine a movement that vividly remembers the insubstantial days of a mustard seed with a sense of awe and wonder when looking at the indescribable harvest that stands all around. Though the kingdom of God can't be forced by superficial methods, the good news is that when you move past the threshold of your competency and comfort, you find yourself in the very spot where God can use you like no other. What wouldn’t you sacrifice to be a part of something that only could be described as a God-honoring gospel movement?
Author : Stephen M. Davis
Publisher : Wipf and Stock Publishers
Page : 80 pages
File Size : 27,71 MB
Release : 2019-11-12
Category : Religion
ISBN : 1532696167
For the last couple decades, urban church planting has been all the rage. This has been a blessing for the city. This has also been a curse for many who sensed a call, saw a need, and left for a life of adventure, only to leave the city after a short time. Many left behind no church and live with memories of failure and frustration. They were eager, well-supported, not a little naive, and unprepared for life and ministry in the city. Urban church planting is not for everyone. It is not more important than church planting elsewhere. But if you believe God has called you to urban ministry, read this book before you go. It is written by a city guy, freed from the romanticism often associated with planting churches in the city. If after reading this you still believe God is calling you to the city, then by all means go. If not, know that God can use you elsewhere.
