Ministry & Church Leadership Books - Page 5

Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens

Neil Cole

Amazon Price: $16.29 List Price: $23.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Jossey-Bass Amazon Marketplace: 53 new & used starting at $13.16

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General AAS
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Ministry & Church Leadership -> Church Institutions & Organizations

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Churches have tried all kinds of ways to attract new and younger members - revised vision statements, hipper worship, contemporary music, livelier sermons, bigger and better auditoriums. But there are still so many people who aren't being reached, who don't want to come to church. And the truth is that attendance at church on Sundays does not necessarily transform lives; God's presence in our hearts is what changes us. Leaders and laypeople everywhere are realizing that they need new and more powerful ways to help them spread God's Word. According to international church starter and pastor Neil Cole, if we want to connect with young people and those who are not coming to church, we must go where people congregate. Cole shows readers how to plant the seeds of the Kingdom of God in the places where life happens and where culture is formed - restaurants, bars, coffeehouses, parks, locker rooms,and neighborhoods. Organic Church offers a hands-on guide for demystifying this new model of church and shows the practical aspects of implementing it.

The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: An Extraordinary Guide to Understanding the New Testament

Frank Viola

Amazon Price: $13.49 List Price: $13.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Destiny Image Publishers Amazon Marketplace: 33 new & used starting at $8.93

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General AAS
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Church History -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Watch the New Testament come alive! Understand God's Word like never before!

The New Testament is often hard to understand. A major reason is because it is not arranged in chronological order. Paul's letters, for example, are arranged by size rather than chronologically. This makes the New Testament a bit like a Chinese puzzle! For this reason, one famous Bible scholar said that reading the New Testament letters is like hearing one end of a phone conversation. The book you hold in your hands reconstructs the other end so that you can understand virtually every word!

"The Untold Story of the New Testament Church" is a unique Bible handbook that weaves Acts and the Epistles together chronologically . . . creating one fluid story! This epic volume gives readers a first-hand account of the New Testament drama that is riveting and enlightening. It includes dates, maps, and background information about the people, the cities, and the events of the first-century church using a "you-are-there" approach.

Get up-close and personal with apostles Paul, Peter, James and John and learn of their personal struggles. Understand the circumstances behind each inspired letter they penned. Watch the chaotic swirl of first-century people and events fall into place before your very eyes. Discover what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" really was. Learn what happened to all the apostles after the book of Acts was finished. Be ushered into the living, breathing atmosphere of the first century and uncover the hidden riches found in God's Word!

Emotionally Healthy Church, The

Peter Scazzero

Amazon Price: $12.23 List Price: $17.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Zondervan Amazon Marketplace: 59 new & used starting at $9.21

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> Discipleship
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Helpful if imperfect... 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

In "The Emotionally Healthy Church," Peter Scazzero suggests that the way most modern, evangelical churches "do church" creates a culture of emotional dysfunctionality, which allows or even forces the people of the church to be spiritually crippled and unable to function in the way that God intends for them to live as disciples of Christ. He then proposes six principles that will right this sinking ship and reestablish the church as a place that produces healthy followers of Jesus, emotionally and spiritually (because the two cannot be separated).

Overall, I agree with the general premises of this book. As Scazzero shared his observation that Christians are unwilling and sometimes unable to hear the truth if it is uncomfortable to them, I was struck by how relevant that claim is in the lives of so many people that I know. As he described how Christians seemingly refuse to acknowledge the reality of such "negative" emotions as anger, frustration, and sorrow, this resonated very much in my own life. Indeed, he suggests that one of the worst things that we can do for our spiritual development is to pretend that these very real and human emotions do not exist or are somehow inappropriate. Finally, I also agreed with his call to acknowledge the fact that we are beings created with limits, and that we do a disservice to ourselves, to those whom we love, and to our Creator by attempting to live limitless lives. Though it's obviously hard to do, I appreciate Scazzero's challenge to recognize our limits and make choices accordingly, even when the consequences are disappointing and sometimes even hurtful to others.

In the midst of agreeing with Scazzero's overarching principles, there were a few smaller ideas that did not sit as well with me. For instance, I am wary of the way that he emphasized grief and loss. Specifically, I agree that we need to create more space in the church for people to deal with grief and loss more honestly, rather than sweeping these emotions under the rug of God's provision, as if the fact that God is in control somehow makes the pain automatically go away. However, the degree to which Scazzero discussed these emotions almost leaves no room for those who have experienced little or no loss. I am uncomfortable that he almost seems to make grief a requirement for spiritual maturity.

My other point of contention is with his call to brokenness. I understand and agree that it is not particularly helpful when pastors present a perfect public persona, never admitting wrong and never acknowledging personal weakness. A willingness to put our own struggles in the open can go a long way toward fostering the type of transparency that is essential for growth to happen within the church. However, I am convinced that there is a time when a pastor needs to provide an example of godliness, faithfulness, and victory. If pastors are always equally broken as Johnny Pewsitter, then what hope does anyone have for freedom from the bondage of sin? As much as the Apostle Paul admits his own wretchedness, he also challenges the church to follow his example as he follows Christ. The challenge to lead by example and to at least occasionally get things right seems to be noticeably absent from Scazzero's teaching.

Scazzero is to be commended for offering a book that many of us in the church need to read. His brutal honesty is refreshing. He provides a healthy model for all church leaders in the way of transparency, and it's a good model for many of us to follow, in terms of acknowledging our mistakes and shortcomings. I also appreciate his charge for church leaders to pursue reality, no matter how disappointing it might be. I'm glad that I read this book and am happy to recommend it to anyone who might be open to the connections between emotional health and spiritual vitality in the church.

Editorial Review:

Something is desperately wrong with most churches today. Many sincere followers of Christ who are passionate for God and his work are unaware of the crucial link between emotional health and spiritual maturity. They present themselves as spiritually mature but are stuck at a level of immaturity that current models of discipleship have not addressed. Discipleship that really transforms a church must integrate emotional health with spiritual maturity. The Emotionally Healthy Church, winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award, offers a strategy for discipleship that accomplishes healthy living and actually changes lives.

On Church Leadership (A Book You'll Actually Read)

Mark Driscoll

Amazon Price: $9.99 List Price: $9.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Crossway Books Amazon Marketplace: 22 new & used starting at $5.49

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> By Topic -> Leadership
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Ministry & Church Leadership -> Church Administration
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Ministry & Church Leadership -> Ministry

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Mark Driscoll knows something about church leadership. He founded Mars Hill Church in Seattle in 1996, and it is now one of the fastest-growing and most prolific church-planting churches in America. Writing out of his personal experience and biblical conviction, Driscoll examines six important areas of church leadership, packing big truth into this little book, making it a book you’ll actually read.

This book also includes some helpful appendices that answer seventeen common practical questions about church leadership, as well as a sample membership covenant and a list of recommended reading for further study on church leadership.

On Church Leadership is part of a series of thorough, inexpensive, and accessible books that give clear, biblical answers to difficult theological questions and controversies. Through this series, readers will get a solid and simple introduction to a major doctrine by investing just a little time and money.

Praise for the A Book You’ll Actually Read series:

“Mark has a gift of taking weighty ideas and expressing them in clear and lively language.”
Bruce A. Ware, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Serious, informed, reverent, but not technical discussions of great themes.”
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Simply and superbly written! Mark Driscoll has given us tools that can be placed in the hands of a skeptic or seeker, a new believer or mature saint.”
Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“These accessible books will encourage believers to see that theology is not an afterthought in the mission of God and the life of his church.”
Ed Stetzer, Director of LifeWay Research

“These books are well worth an hour of your time.”
Craig Groeschel, Founding Pastor of LifeChurch.tv and author of Confessions of a Pastor

What Do You Want for Christmas?: An Advent Study for Adults

James W. Moore

Amazon Price: $6.50 List Price: $6.50 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Abingdon Press Amazon Marketplace: 21 new & used starting at $2.90

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Bible & Other Sacred Texts -> General
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Bible & Other Sacred Texts -> General AAS
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Ministry & Church Leadership -> Ministry

Editorial Review:

Author James W. Moore invites you to explore the question on a deeper level. Deep down, what do you really want for Christmas? Does your heart long for the gifts the Christ child brings the type of gifts that money can t buy?

This four-week study, appropriate for both group and individual use, provides an introduction and one lesson for each week of Advent. Each lesson includes a reference to a key passage of Scripture, a brief reflection, study / discussion questions, a brief prayer, and a focus for the coming week.

Boundaries with Teens: When to Say Yes, How to Say No

John Townsend

Amazon Price: $10.19 List Price: $14.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Zondervan Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $8.07

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General AAS
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Ministry & Church Leadership -> Youth Ministry

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Wish I had realized I was in the religoius section. 3 out of 5 stars.
6 of 13 people found this review helpful.

I originally did a search for a book on teen behavior. I didn't realized that this book was in the religous section, otherwise I would not have purchased it, as I am not religous. The author uses a lot of quotes from the Bible and overuses the word "God". I got 3/4 of the way through the book and decided I had had enough of the religous references.
Overall, the author did a good job using examples of poor behavior, good behavior, and how to deal with the poor behavior.
I would recommend the book for religous people but not to those who prefer non-religous based books.

Good help for parents with teens 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Boundaries with Teens has been very helpful for us. We were given the book but since we both have so little time to read, we purchased the book on CD and listen to it in the car. The advice is solid and from a man who actually raised teens. Save me from the eggheads who think they can tell you how to raise kids when they have never had any themselves!

Editorial Review:

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

Battlefield of the Mind for Teens: Winning the Battle in Your Mind

Joyce Meyer

Amazon Price: $8.79 List Price: $10.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: FaithWords Amazon Marketplace: 69 new & used starting at $2.79

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Religions -> Christianity -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Religions -> Christianity -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Religions -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Joyce Meyer, Battlfield of the Mind, A must Read!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I received a teaching once that basicly said that when you get right down to it the Devil really only has two methods for tempting us: 1. Pressure 2. Pleasure. The Devil has three maxims which allows him to pull this off : 1. You (your own thoughts, bad habits, exc.) 2. The environment (Government, religious oppression, the systems of the world, exc.), and 3. Other people. Joyce Meyer's "Battlefield Of The Mind" is mostly geared at the one maxim each of us have the most control over (You, yourself, your thoughts, and YOU).

Joyce masterfully explains how that old Advesary The Devil works by waiting for the right moment (he`s not only a parasite but he`s also a predator). He waits to see where your weak, when your most vulnerable moment is, and he waits for that moment to attack. The Bible says "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you." Perfect example is Luke chapter 6, The devil waits for Jesus to be 40 days and nights in the wilderness before he attacks. He didn't come the first day to attack him when our Lord was at his strongest. Oh no, our advesary doesn't play fair; he bides his time and waits for your weakest moment and attacks. Jesus resisted him and the devil fled from him (for awhile). Best thing is we have victory through our risen Lord this very day if we claim it. Joyce does a great job of illustrating this in this book(though I don't know if she used the Luke example I used above or not).

I really got a lot of insight from this book. For example, one of the concepts in the book (in my own words) was "what comes out of your mouth had to originate in your brain." Sounds simple enough , but Joyce had a masterful way of describing every thought we commonly have today and referring it to biblical passages. About half way through the book I began to realize that the grumbling, griping, complaining, and various other human emotions and thoughts I have are not uncommon to our time. The children of Israel went through these same emotions and they are all recorded in Gods Word. I used to ponder how stupid these people must have been, but now I can see myself in them. It really was a humbling experience! Many of us make the same mistake over and over again and ask God, "Why don't you do something?" Truth is God has always been willing to help us. We are the ones who get in God's way by not bringing our thoughts into the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Read this book and find out how you can change and train your mind to shut the door on The Devil and how to allow God to do what he's always been willing to do. BLESS YOU!!!

Hebrews 13:5b "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

P.S. This book comes in many formats. There's the traditional version, teen version, devotional version, exc. It doesn't matter which one you use. Just read one of them. You will be blessed.

Editorial Review:

Made teen-friendly with contemporary language, BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND FOR TEENS equips a new audience desperately in need of guidance with a means of winning the war raging inside them.

The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community (J-B Leadership Network Series)

Hugh Halter, Matt Smay

Amazon Price: $16.29 List Price: $23.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Jossey-Bass Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $13.15

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General AAS
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Ministry & Church Leadership -> Church Institutions & Organizations

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Must Read for lay people too 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Thanks to Hugh & Matt, I was sleep deprived for a whole weekend. The Tangible Kingdom was so good, I didn't want to put it down! As a lay-person, I highly recommend the book. It helped me process my personal frustrations of the Church in a healthier way, and look at how purposefully I'm living among the "Sojourners" in my life.

I'm really glad that Hugh & Matt weren't foolhardy enough to give a "formula" on how to live in community ("Follow these 5 easy steps..."). Instead, they filled the book with stories of their conversations with ordinary people, whether at a bar, a coffee shop, in their neighborhood, and in the living room--places that I hang out in too. That reinforces to me that ministry doesn't have to happen in a church and I don't have to be in vocational ministry to have an impact on people. I can do that wherever I am too. The middle chapters of the book were heavier, as Hugh went into different church models. It was interesting, but not as directly applicable as it would be to a church planter or leader.

The book's also been "key" to me intentionally readjusting my lifestyle. Working in a young marketing firm in California, I'm learning to see and love my coworkers differently. I'm enjoying all the new conversations, getting to know them, and trusting that God is working mightily throughout it all.

Excellent book, funny, and very impactful!

Editorial Review:

Written for those who are trying to nurture authentic faith communities and for those who have struggled to retain their faith, The Tangible Kingdom offers theological answers and real-life stories that demonstrate how the best ancient church practices can re-emerge in today's culture, through any church of any size. In this remarkable book, Hugh Halter and Matt Smay "two missional leaders and church planters" outline an innovative model for creating thriving grass-roots faith communities.

Making Vision Stick (Leadership Library)

Andy Stanley

Amazon Price: $9.99 List Price: $9.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Zondervan Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $5.24

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> By Topic -> Leadership
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Short and Practical 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a short and very practical look at how to cast a vision that people will catch and adopt with their lives. For a more in depth look at some of the concepts discussed in this book you should check out "7 Practices of Effective Ministry" by Stanley/Joiner/Jones.
This is a must read even for the busiest of ministers because you can immediately put into practice the concepts you read about and it does not take but an afternoon or a couple of nights to read.

big bite for it's size 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a great little book. It has plenty of punch for it's size. Get it and apply it to your church.

Rehashed stuff... 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I found this book to be sort of a rehash of Visioneering. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't word for word, but the principles were there in condensed form. It seems like all the Leadership books are becoming redundant. This one was blaise' at best for me. Sorry. I usually like what Andy Stanley writes.

Editorial Review:

With Making Vision Stick, you'll learn how to propel you and your organization forward on the vision God has granted you.

Bruchko: The Astonishing True Story of a 19-Year-Old American, His Capture by the Motilone Indians and His Adventures in Christianizing the Stone Age Tribe

Bruce Olson

Amazon Price: $10.19 List Price: $14.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Charisma House Amazon Marketplace: 41 new & used starting at $7.45

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Leaders & Notable People -> Religious
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Ministry & Church Leadership -> Church Administration
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Evangelism -> Missions & Missionary Work

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 68 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Not a good story for a South American Indian 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This is not a good book. This Bruchko character ruined the Motilones Indians lives in Colombia to build up his own ego under the guise of helping spread Christianity. Maybe he thought he was doing a good thing, but really all he did was try and assimilate a people in a culture they wanted nothing to do with. He should have left them alone. My Grandmother, a Motilon Indian, and I do not recommend this book except to show how European explorers, and missionaries have helped to ruin countless cultures by trying to "help" them to not be "savages".

Bruchko 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

One of my all-time favorites. This is the second copy purchased. Never got the other returned.

Bruchko 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is amazing...This is a perfect book for anyone that wants to see how the power of God works...Read it...

Good Reading 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is an interesting missionary biography. Everyone I know that has read it (people of all ages), has enjoyed it.

Editorial Review:

What happens when a nineteen-year-old boy and heads into the jungles to evangelize a murderous tribe of South American Indians? For Bruce Olson it meant capture and torture, but what he discovered revolutionized the world of missions.