The Unwavering Pastor


Book Description

Help for pastors and elders to bring unity to their churches in divided times and to experience renewal in the trials of ministry. Leadership is hard. Pastoring through divisive times is even harder. How do we lead well when criticized? How do we keep loving the church when hurt by her? What does it look like to remain committed to the gospel in cultural division? Seasoned pastor Jonathan Dodson comes alongside struggling pastors and ministry leaders to guide them into the comfort of Christ. But he doesn’t stop there. Full of wisdom drawn from 2 Timothy, this book will equip you to lead the church with grace, charity, and spiritual power through divisive times. Great for pastors and ministry leaders who need encouragement and insight, or are wrestling with their calling. Makes a thoughtful gift.




The Unbelievable Gospel


Book Description

In The Unbelievable Gospel pastor Jonathan Dodson diagnoses the evangelistic paralysis of the modern church, pinpointing the reasons people don’t share their faith today and offering a desperately needed solution. Showing readers how to utilize the rich gospel metaphors found in Scripture and how to communicate a gospel worth believing—one that speaks to the heart-felt needs of diverse individuals—Dodson connects the gospel to the real issues people face each day by speaking to both the head and the heart. Filled with stories that reveal the long road of relational evangelism and guidance on how to listen to others well, The Unbelievable Gospel is a much-needed resource that will benefit both individuals and churches. Included are study questions for training and group discussion.




Our Good Crisis


Book Description

Behind every crisis we read about in the news lurks a moral crisis—a crisis of goodness. To properly address these issues, Pastor Jonathan Dodson thinks we must be formed as people of moral goodness. In this wise and practical book, Dodson takes us back to the Beatitudes, examining each teaching in the context of the new morality in our society today and presenting a compelling portrait of the truly good life.




Calling Christian Leaders


Book Description

John Stott found on his many travels that contemporary models of Christian leadership were often shaped more by culture than by Christ. In stark contrast, he urges that our view be determined by our view of the church, not the other way round. Focusing on 1 Corinthians 1 - 4, he demonstrates the centrality of the theme of ‘power through weakness’. He explains the role of the Holy Spirit in God’s revelation, and examines four of Paul’s most striking models of ministry, each of which is an aspect of humility. Over against seductive styles of leadership being advocated by the wisdom of the world, he urges Christian leaders to be characterized above all else by ‘the meekness and gentleness of Christ’.




Hope Deferred: Finding Peace in the Midst of Infertility


Book Description

Is life not turning out how you expected? In the summer of 2007, Jillian Heerlyn and her husband found themselves counted among the 1 in 8 couples who have trouble getting pregnant. The first half of their 9-year battle with infertility included a considerable amount of depression and questioning God. A wrestle with infertility is ultimately a wrestle with God. Hope Deferred is the guidebook that enabled Jillian to rise above her circumstances with joy, peace, hope and a deeper relationship with God. What if turning to God is painful? What if fear and doubt are making it difficult to hope? Is God causing infertility in order to teach a lesson? Is God able to intervene, but choosing not to for some reason? Why is everyone else able to get pregnant so easily? Hope Deferred dives into these tough questions and more, and addresses the difficulties surrounding infertility, while offering the tools needed to have hope and peace even when circumstances are not resolved. The truths carefully presented will help heal the heart and mind of the one who is affected by infertility. Even those who are past child-bearing age will find salve to cover old wounds. With honesty and authenticity, Jillian shares the pain and trials that plagued her through infertility. She opens the door into her journey and invites you to join her in finding greater freedom, joy and peace while enduring difficult circumstances. You will quickly realize that, although your story is unique, you have a sister who understands. This book is a must read for anyone personally dealing with infertility and for loved ones to gain insight into the infertility journey. This book speaks to anyone who has ever lived with an unmet desire.




Love Them Anyway


Book Description

Love breaks through defenses and destroys walls that divide us. Love demands more of you and me than we often want to give. It’s easy to love a lovely person, but what about...them? What about that stereotype, that race, that person or group of people in a political, cultural, or socioeconomic class who don’t behave like you, don’t believe like you, and if you are honest...make you uncomfortable? What is love in this context? We read that Jesus broke boundaries to love the people that many detested. His love was transformative because His love saw past disagreement, indifference, and offense. Loving them? Like this? That’s hard. If you consider yourself a Christian, then love should be your primary characteristic. But it seems that division defines us in our society where rage and anger abound. Today, many people see Christians as angry followers of God who are more interested in winning political arguments than loving people. If we say we follow Jesus but are not loving like Him, then what’s the point? There is a better way. Using the incredible story of how Pastor Choco chose to “love them anyway” to transform the crime-ridden community of Humboldt Park in Chicago, Love Them Anyway will inspire you to love in a way you never have. This book will pave a compelling path for you to both express and experience a truly transformative love on a deep level. It will tap into your deepest desires, expose your hesitations, connect you deeper with God’s love, and help you take bold steps to love the people around you—and your love will change lives. When you learn to Love Them Anyway, your passion will be redirected, your purpose will be refined, and you will see God use you in ways you could never have imagined. Love is hard. It’s not convenient, and it’s not always safe. But love is beautiful. Love is contagious. It breaks through defenses and destroys walls that divide us. Love is the answer. So, love them anyway. Redirect your passion, refine your purpose, and see God use you in ways you never imagined.




Gospel-Centered Discipleship


Book Description

Reflecting on the practice of disciple making in young adult, college, graduate, and local church contexts, Jonathan Dodson has discerned some common pitfalls. For many, discipleship is reduced to a form of religious performance before God. For others, it devolves into spiritual license and a loose adherence to spiritual facts. Both approaches distort biblical motivations for Christian obedience and are in need of reform. By explaining various motivations for discipleship, Dodson charts a biblically faithful, grace-driven alternative. Additionally, he provides a practical model for creating gospel-centered discipleship groups—small, reproducible, missional, gender-specific groups of believers that fight for faith together. This book blends both theology and practice to inspire and equip Christians to effectively fight sin, keep Jesus central, and make gospel-centered discipleship a way of life. Both new and growing Christians will learn to trust the gospel in community as they fight together for holiness as well as how to start gospel-centered community groups in any local church.




The Contemplative Pastor


Book Description

Peterson, who has been gaining a growing reputation as a "pastor's pastor", speaks words of wisdom and refreshment for pastors caught in the busy-ness of preaching, teaching, and "running the church". Chapters include poetic reflections on the Beatitudes, advice on spiritual direction "between Sundays", and the language of prayer.




Love Your Church


Book Description

How to grow in love for your church. God calls us to be "devoted to one another in love" (Romans 12:10). What does this look like for us today? How can we be the kind of church member who makes a real difference? This engaging book by Tony Merida explores what church is, why being part of it is exciting, and why it’s worthy of our love and commitment. He sets out eight privileges and responsibilities of a church member: to belong, to welcome, to gather, to care, to serve, to honour, to witness and to send. As we see how wonderful it is to belong to God’s family and be a part of his amazing witness to both the earthly and the heavenly realms, we’ll grow in our love for and commitment to our local church. This is a great book for every churchgoer to read, whether they’re new or have been attending for some time but need re-energising with God’s vision for the local church. With a discussion guide at the end of the book, Love Your Church is also a great resource for small groups.




Faithful Leaders


Book Description

Explore the things that really matter for a successful ministry. "Well done, good and faithful servant." Every ministry leader wants to hear these words when they meet their Lord. But what does successful ministry look like? There are many books on leadership strategies and church structures, but this one looks at what matters most: the character and attitude of church leaders. It recognizes that the spiritual health of the church leaders in large part determines the spiritual health of the congregation and therefore the success of the ministry. In this short, punchy, challenging and at times surprising book, Rico Tice draws on decades of experience in church leadership to call fellow pastors and others with oversight of areas of church ministry to define success biblically, fight their sin, lead themselves and serve their churches. A must-read on pastoral leadership for pastors, elders, worship leaders, youth leaders and anyone else with a leadership role in church ministry.