The book of Acts serves as our playbook for ministry as it prepares us for the active presence of God.

Studying the book of Arts takes us back to the future. It shows the church how to trust in the active presence of God and inspire people to move from being mere members to bold disciples. As members become disciples of faith, they experience the unstoppable power of disciplined growth and divine purpose in Christian living.

Drawing on his experience at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Pastor Foss makes the case for transforming congregations from a membership model to a discipleship model of church affiliation. The book begins with a careful analysis of recent patterns in church membership and demographics that argue for this paradigm shift. Subsequent chapters detail the unique leadership and organizational needs of a discipleship model; explore the building and maintaining of fundamental trust -- in God and in God's people -- as the cornerstone of the model; and provide practical helps for assessing the...

This short volume is a plea for Christians to rethink their point and purpose in light of larger cultural changes and a crisis in leadership. Foss's model of moving from issues into conversation and then into compassion is a blueprint for new leadership.

Focusing on the powerful theme of discipleship, this work explores the joy of faith, helping readers discover joy in the midst of struggle. Foss explains the benefits of practicing discipleship and shows, through recent research, how a practicing faith provides meaning, belonging, and joy.