Why Good Churches Fizzle


Book Description

Why Good Churches Fizzle explores the reasons why high-potential, highly motivated churches struggle in their God-given mission. The fizzling church is defined as one that began with great promise and excitement, only to stagnate or flatline in influence. What are the components of churches that fizzle, and what are the attributes of churches that succeed? Practical insights and exercises are presented in clear and simple language to the readership, and the author writes from the perspective of an organizational leadership professor, an executive leader from a major Christian university, and as an executive pastor.




Letting God Meet Your Emotional Needs


Book Description

Women long to be loved, to be known, to be understood. But who can meet those needs at their deepest level? Only the One who created women--who knows them by name and who designed them--can bring fulfillment that truly satisfies. "Letting God Meet Your Emotional Needs" shows how God desires to help every woman: I need acceptance... God loves, forgives, and accepts I need security... God promises He will never leave I need to feel pretty... Christ sees me as new, spotless I need a companion... He is the perfect friend I need communication... He talks to me intimately through His Word Formerly "Heart Hunger."




When Women Walk Alone


Book Description

More and more women are finding themselves alone in their Christian walk because of life's circumstances—a lack of support from people in her home, work, or church; being left out of the things she used to be included in; being misunderstood and unable to explain. Cindi McMenamin, author of Drama Free, offers personal encouragement and practical, biblical steps for gaining strength in times of isolation and becoming resilient to, not resentful toward, loneliness. Cindi's audience for Women Who Walk Alone is a broad one—single women, women parenting alone, women alone as the spiritual head of their household, women facing challenging life situations, women without close friendships. And her message is timely—every woman feels alone at some point in her life, yet every woman needs someone to grow alongside her and to encourage her in her walk with the Lord. When Women Walk Alone encourages readers to see alone times as unique opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. Women will discover practical ways to... find support from other women who feel alone in their lives celebrate their own uniqueness and grow through the lonely times gain strength for the challenges of parenting alone funnel "loneliness in prayer" into "a new power in prayer alone with God" rely on the Lord and others to overcome personal trials Using examples of biblical and contemporary women who emerged from a time of loneliness stronger and more complete, Cindi also looks at the example of Jesus and the many times He was alone or sought out some "alone time" to draw strength from His Father.




Discipleship in Community


Book Description

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples.” So, what exactly are we doing? Western churches face a difficult future marked by numerical decline and evident signs of shrinking cultural influence. But Discipleship in Community wisely asks the church to go back to basics. What does it mean to follow Jesus? What does a life of discipleship look like? Trusted scholars Mark Powell, John Mark Hicks, and Greg McKinzie invite you to consider how good theology can lead to better, more intentional discipleship. In Discipleship in Community you will learn • how the language of Trinity matters to everyday disciples; • how God’s plan and mission is unfolding and how, as disciples, we can participate in that mission; • how the Bible is more than a book of facts and how it guides us into a relationship with God; • how baptism and the Lord’s Supper allow us to experience God’s saving power; and • how local churches can encourage intentional discipleship.




No Perfect People Allowed


Book Description

How do we live out the message of Jesus in today’s ever-changing culture? The church is facing its greatest challenge—and its greatest opportunity—in our postmodern, post-Christian world. God is drawing thousands of spiritually curious “imperfect people” to become his church—but how are we doing at welcoming them? No Perfect People Allowed shows you how to deconstruct the five main barriers standing between emerging generations and your church by creating the right culture. From inspiring stories of real people once far from God, to practical ideas that can be applied by any local church, this book offers a refreshing vision of the potential and power of the Body of Christ to transform lives today.




Fizz: Nothing is as it seems


Book Description

A YOUNG WOMAN'S QUEST TO UNDERSTAND THE UNIVERSE The future. In response to global warming, the "Ecological Community" has banned science and technology, returning to an austere agricultural life and nature-worship. One young farmer, Fizz, is tormented by her burning curiosity to explore the universe.Leveraging a controversial legal loophole and her "Outsider" father's invention, Fizz travels back in time and engages in conversations with Galileo, Newton, Edison, and Einstein. Unraveling the mysteries of the universe, she relives the contradictory ways in which science and technology redefine the human experience. Returning as a changed person from her epic quest, Fizz faces the decision that will change her world forever. ____________This unique book weaves the bizarre and inspiring history of physics into the touching, dramatic, personal story of a young woman named Fizz who comes of age while voyaging across the centuries.




You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity


Book Description

Marriage is great, but it’s not forever. It’s until death do us part. Then come eternal rewards or regrets depending on how we spent our lives. In his latest book, Francis Chan joins together with his wife Lisa to address the question many couples wonder at the altar: “How do I have a healthy marriage?” Setting aside typical topics on marriage, Francis and Lisa dive into Scripture to understand what it means to have a relationship that satisfies the deepest parts of our souls. In the same way Crazy Love changed the way we saw our personal relationship with God, You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity will radically shift the way we see one of the most important relationships in our life. Jesus was right. We have it all backwards. The way to have a great marriage is by not focusing on marriage. Whether you are single, dating or married, You and Me Forever will help you discover the adventure that you were made for ­­and learn how to thrive in it. 100% of the net proceeds from this book will support various ministries including those that help provide shelter and rehabilitation for thousands of children and exploited women around the world. For more information, please visit: youandmeforever.org




Finding Organic Church


Book Description

From the bestselling author of Reimagining Church comes an essential guide that provides practical, effective tools for finding vibrant Christian communities. Driven by a passion for the body of Christ, Frank Viola has written some of today's most authoritative and celebrated works on the growing home, organic, and missional church movements. Now Viola shares practical keys to a healthy and successful church plant. Viola contends that many congregations today are struggling to survive, not because of bad planning, but poor planting. He presents an essential guide for starting and nourishing organic churches in any culture. Drawing from both Scripture and a wealth of experience, Viola offers real-world tools, insights, and practical suggestions so churches won't just grow, but thrive.




A New Kind of Christianity


Book Description

What is the overarching storyline of the Bible? Is God violent? What is the Gospel? Can we find a way to address sexuality without fighting about it? At the opening of the twenty-first century, Christianity in the West is more fractured and beleaguered than ever. Groundbreaking author Brian McLaren suggests that if we are to get beyond doctrinal statements towards the life to the full that Jesus promised us, we need new paradigms for thinking and believing - and he invites us on a radical quest for a new kind of faith. Using ten key questions, McLaren boldly proposes what a future Christianity could look like. Radical yet orthodox, outspoken yet generous. This is a wise, compassionate book for all who are looking for an authentic, loving faith.




Becoming Joey Fizz


Book Description

Follow the journey of Joey Mancuso becoming Joey Fizz as he travels in the crucible of his existence seeking to find his place in the universe on his own terms. Share in Joeys journey returning from the Korean War, conflicted about returning home to the conflicts in his own family. Be with Joey on his way after the war guiding a blinded war buddy to fulfill a dream going to Yosemite National Park then visiting the home of a dead buddy from the Blackfeet Indian reservation in Montana returning to his family, in tribute, the most meaningful symbol of his buddys life. Go with Joey to Memphis where he escapes trouble in a fight at a poker game learning firsthand the hatred still brewing in this country. Be with Joey as he heads back home to New York facing restless days and nights struggling with the remembrances and nightmares of war including having a brother, Gio, living his own nightmare shell-shocked and hospitalized from wounds suffered in World War II during the invasion at Anzio. Learn of Joeys struggles with his Uncle Vinnie whos tied to the mob tempting and testing Joey. His father opposes Joey getting involved in the mobs action. His sister, Anna, is a librarian living her life safely ensconced in her cathedral of books writing letters to help him find his way. Join Joey heading westward to Hollywood where he pours champagne for the rich and famous earning the nickname Joey Fizz. Then onto Las Vegas and eventually back to New York to fulfill his dream having a place of his own, marry his Las Vegas sweetheart threading the needle between his uncle, the power of his mob connections, and the freedom to succeed on his own without their interference. Follow Joeys journey; the journey of an ordinary man doing extraordinary things.