The Church

Why are there so many more professing Christians than churchgoing Christians? Is it because something is wrong with the church? Perhaps that's part of the picture. But Philip Yancey insists there is another part. In this candid, thought-provoking account, he reveals the reasons behind his own journey back from skepticism to wholehearted participation in the church, and weighs the church's human failings against its compelling excellencies as the body of Christ.

Just as a rock climber’s handhold enables him to master the mountain, a firm grasp on God’s Word empowers us to traverse the challenging, risky slopes of life. Grasping God’s Word helps college students, beginning seminary students, and other serious readers get a grip on the solid rock of Scripture--how to read it, how to interpret it, and how to apply it. Filling the gap between approaches that are too simple and others that are too technical, Grasping God's Word starts by equipping listeners with general principles of interpretation, then moves on to apply those principles to specific genres and contexts. (This product is an audio lecture by the authors recorded before a live audience, and is based on the text of the book Grasping God's Word.)

Respected pastor and author, Larry Osborne, explains how understanding this dirty little secret behind innovation can bring both stability and creativity to organizations, especially those with teams of people that focus on innovation, creativity, new ideas, and problem-solving. Using the wisdom and principles found in this book, you will be free to lead dynamically without causing uncertainty or insecurity in your organization. In Sticky Leader, you’ll learn: How to foster innovation’s most powerful igniters and accelerators while avoiding the most common killers of innovation How to recognize and break through ceilings of complexity and competency The six pitfalls of growth and what you can do to avoid them The three questions every leader needs to ask before launching any new endeavor

Whether it is social injustice, AIDS, bad preaching, or wrecked marriages, what breaks the heart of someone who loves God most likely breaks God’s heart too—and it is often these “firestorms of frustration” that God will use to enlist you in setting what is wrong in this world right!

How can we move our churches to become relevant, responsive, and reflective of the global community? That’s the question that Eric Michael Bryant poses in Peppermint-Filled Pinatas. With stories, observations, and thought-provoking suggestions, this book maps the way beyond ethnic, racial, and cultural barriers to the communities that Jesus wants us to have.

Every person has been designed by God for one-of-a-kind Masterpiece Mission, what most people refer to as personal calling or personal purpose. Everyone needs to be able to name what God has put them on the earth to do. Most people never do. That is a tragedy of epic proportions. We need a simple way to discover that calling, and Find Your Place is that way. GPS technology is widely known as a way to know where you are on the earth, as well as a way to guide you to get where you want to go. The Find Your Place audiobook will help followers of Jesus locate three signals that will help people discern their personal calling: their Gifts, their Passions, and their Story, and help them take meaningful next steps to engage that calling. Furthermore, the American Church has a Co-Dependency Disorder. Church members have become dependent upon church leaders, and church leaders need their members to remain that way. This co-dependence is doing more than throttling the vitality of the church...it is strangling it. In order for the people of God to truly thrive and be salt and light in the world, church leaders must move from simply 'gathering and teaching' their members to 'empowering and releasing them.' This audiobook, the accompanying online assessment, and the disciple-making tools that both will be integrated into, will all be a part of a turn-key solution for church leaders to accomplish that goal.

A compelling and accessible case for the importance of the church community in the life of the Christian even with all the changes that are sweeping society.

This book provides the foundation for any church to develop a thriving children’s ministry by giving step-by-step guidance and creative application exercises based on Willow Creek’s successful Promiseland ministry and other successful children's ministries from around the world.

There’s no need to fear the conflicts that inevitably arise in every church. Pastors and church leaders can learn how to make resistance their ally. Through colorful storytelling, response activities, and discussion questions, this book shares insights that can help leaders trade unfruitful responses to conflict for a positive approach that promotes growth and unity in their church.

Whitworth University president Bill Robinson highlights five qualities that characterized the leadership style of Jesus.

"Growing up the daughter of a pastor, Anne Jackson experienced firsthand the conflict, stress, and struggle church leaders often face. She vowed her life in ministry would be different.

This essential book is both a stern reminder of the sacredness of the “job” of being a preacher, as well as a how-to that reveals the key to speaking powerfully on God’s behalf. Folly, Grace, and Power is a must-read for pastors, seminarians, and lay leaders charged with the task of preaching God’s word.

Community Christian Church embraced the Big Idea and everything changed. They decided to avoid the common mistake of bombarding people with so many “little ideas” that they suffered overload. They also recognized that leaders often don’t insist that the truth be lived out to accomplish Jesus’ mission. Why? Because people’s heads are swimming with too many little ideas, far more than they can ever apply.

In Just Walk Across the Room, Bill Hybels introduces the next era in personal evangelism with a natural, relational approach that follows Jesus' own example. When Christ "walked" clear across the cosmos 2,000 years ago, he had no formulas and no script, just an offer of redemption to people like us.