Pastoral Resources

Tony & Felicity Dale and George Barna

If you put two elephants in a room together and close the door, in 22 months you may get one baby elephant. But two rabbits together for the same amount of time will result in thousands of baby rabbits! In The Rabbit and the Elephant, “micro church” planters Tony and Felicity Dale use the “rabbit” illustration to show the pace at which the Christian faith can (and should) be growing—through evangelism that is explosive and transformational. The Rabbit and the Elephant contains the key to 21st century evangelism—taking the gospel to where the pain and the people are.

Features:

    * Documents how “church” across the world is changing from being event-based to life and relationship-based.
    * Shows how small and simple churches can multiply rapidly.
    * Shows how to incorporate spiritual growth and outreach into every aspect of our lives.
    * Includes relevant research on churchgoing habits and impact gathered by the Barna Group.

Douglas Estes

Being the Church in the Virtual World

The virtual church is here, and it’s poised for explosive growth as a generation comfortable with virtual worlds cultivates faith communities online. What is the virtual church, and what possibilities and concerns does it create? This must-read book opens a dialog no culturally aware Christian passionate about the church and evangelism can afford to miss.

Pub. Date:  October 2009

Jim Belcher

In Deep Church, Belcher brings the best insights of all sides to forge a third way between emerging and traditional. In a fair and evenhanded way, Belcher explores the proposals of such emerging church leaders as Tony Jones, Brian McLaren and Doug Pagitt. He offers measured appreciation and affirmation as well as balanced critique. Moving beyond reaction, Belcher provides constructive models from his own church planting experience and paints a picture of what this alternate, deep church looks like--a missional church committed to both tradition and culture, valuing innovation in worship, arts and community but also creeds and confessions.

If you've felt stuck between two extremes, you can find a home here. Plumb the depths of Christianity in a way that neither rejects our postmodern context nor capitulates to it. Instead of veering to the left or the right, go between the extremes--and go deep.

Pub. Date:  August 2009

Josh McDowell

This outreach program contains everything a church needs for equipping its members to effectively and convincingly share their faith with others. Perfect for a campaign leading up to Easter, More Than a Carpenter Evangelism Campaign Kit contains the following:

    * DVD (approx. 90 minutes long) with introductions to six sessions hosted by Josh and Sean McDowell
    * 47-page Leaders Guide (PDF format)
    * Church promotional kit (PDF format)
    * Sample outreach booklet with door hanger bag (contains My Journey . . . from Skepticism to Faith, Josh McDowell’s personal conversion story)
    * Quick Start Guide

Additional door hanger bags are available in a 100-pack (978-1414334417). Additional copies of My Journey . . . from Skepticism to Faith are available in packs of 30 (978-1414334394).

Pub Date Jan 2010

Timothy J. Keller

Finding Your Place at the Table

The Prodigal God Curriculum kit contains everything that your church needs to experience a four or six week preaching and small group campaign.
 
In this compelling six-session DVD study, pastor and best selling author Tim Keller presents a new way of looking at this well known parable.
 
Where most teaching focuses just on the younger “wayward” son, Dr. Keller challenges us to consider both the role of the elder brother and the father as well.
 
Even Jesus began his parable with “a man had two sons” so, you see, the story is not just about the younger son who leaves home and squanders his inheritance before eventually returning home.
 
The story is as much about the elder brother as the younger, and as much about the father as the sons. To this end, Dr. Keller contends that the story might better be called “Two Lost Sons.”
 
In six sessions your group will explore the prodigal who spent until he had nothing left, the self righteous and offended elder son, and the father who forgave with reckless abandon.
 
And in it all, your group will learn the love of the Heavenly Father who lavishes his love upon his children and welcomes us back into his loving arms.

Session titles include the following:
The Parable
The People Around Jesus
The Two Lost Sons
The Elder Brother The True Elder Brother
The Feast of the Father

The kit contains one (1) each of the following:
The Prodigal God DVD
The Prodigal God Discussion Guide
“Getting Started Guide”
The Prodigal God Curriculum Kit Box

More by Timothy J. Keller

Stanley Hauerwas and Jean Vanier

How are Christians to live in a violent and wounded world? Rather than contending for privilege by wielding power and authority, we can witness prophetically from a position of weakness. The church has much to learn from an often overlooked community--those with disabilities.

In this fascinating book, theologian Stanley Hauerwas collaborates with Jean Vanier, founder of the worldwide L'Arche communities. For many years, Hauerwas has reflected on the lives of people with disability, the political significance of community, and how the experience of disability addresses the weaknesses and failures of liberal society. And L'Arche provides a unique model of inclusive community that is underpinned by a deep spirituality and theology. Together, Vanier and Hauerwas carefully explore the contours of a countercultural community that embodies a different way of being and witnesses to a new order--one marked by radical forms of gentleness, peacemaking and faithfulness.

The authors' explorations shed light on what it means to be human and how we are to live. The robust voice of Hauerwas and the gentle words of Vanier offer a synergy of ideas that, if listened to carefully, will lead the church to a fresh practicing of peace, love and friendship.

This invigorating conversation is for everyday Christians who desire to live faithfully in a world that is violent and broken.

Pub. Date: September 2008

Timothy J. Keller

Finding Your Place at the Table

Two sons, one who kept the rules religiously and one who broke them all. One Father who loved both lost sons beyond anything they could imagine. Discover how deep and far God's grace goes in The Prodigal God
 
The Prodigal God discussion guide will help you uncover, personalize, and apply life-changing insights from The Prodigal God DVD and book.
 
In six captivating sessions, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller opens your eyes to the powerful message of Jesus' best-known—and least understood—parable. The Prodigal God is a revelation of the very heart of the gospel: God's radical love for sinners of every kind.
 
Taking you beyond the traditional focus on the wayward younger son, Keller helps you glean insights from each of the characters in Jesus' parable: the irreligious younger son, the moralistic elder son, and the Father who lavishes his love on both.
 
Inside this guide, you'll explore questions for group discussion and personal reflection, and exercises that will help you experience the truths of Jesus' parable in your own life. The gospel is neither religion nor irreligion, but something else entirely. Whether you're a devout believer or a skeptic, The Prodigal God will challenge you to see Christianity in a whole new way.
 
Session titles include the following:
The Parable
 The People Around Jesus
 The Two Lost Sons
 The Elder Brother, The True Elder Brother
 The Feast of the Father
 
Designed for use with The Prodigal God Kit and book.

More by Timothy J. Keller

Andy Andrews

Mastering the Seven Decisions guides readers to a profound understanding of how to fully integrate seven life-changing Decisions into their daily lives.

    * The Responsible Decision: The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success. I will not let my history control my destiny.
    * The Guided Decision: I will seek wisdom.
    * The Active Decision: I am a person of action.
    * The Certain Decision: I have a decided heart. Criticism, condemnation, and complaint have no power over me.
    * The Joyful Decision: Today I will choose to be happy.
    * The Compassionate Decision: I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.
    * The Persistent Decision: I will persist without exception.

Hugh Halter