Kategoria BISAC: Religion >> Christian Church - Administration

This well-written and engaging book explores the effects of the rush to adopt new, "contemporary" styles of worship by many Protestant congregations. As churches try to reach the unchurched and draw new members, they often adapt their worship until it becomes nothing more than a Spirit-less reflection of popular culture, A. Daniel Frankforter argues. The book discusses some of the different programs for "marketing" worship, explores the implications for the integrity of a church's mission and spiritual life, and proposes some alternative means for rejuvenating worship.

Results from the U.S. Congregational Life Survey, the largest project of its type ever conducted in the United States, have prompted this second book from Westminster John Knox Press authors Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce. Their original work, A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations: Who's Going Where and Why, explores the practices and activities of worshipers in more than 2,000 U.S. congregations, encompassing more than 300,000 worshipers across a representative sample of denominations and faith groups. This book describes the qualities that are evident in strong congregations and...

Based on years of experience as a pastor and professor of theology, John Leith reflects on the dilemma of the church today as primarily "a crisis of faith." He states that renewal is found within Scripture and the tradition of a believing, worshiping community--in hearing the word of God, particularly in preaching, in teaching, in the sacraments, and in Christian conversation.

In this study of church growth and membership retention, Donald Smith argues that if a church is to survive, it must concentrate on keeping its present members as well as attracting new ones. He interviews people from six hundred churches of various sizes and reviews the causes of membership decline and retention in those churches. He provides evidence that a major problem is membership dropout. He brings together and addresses the assimilation of new members, congregational vitality and church growth, and conflict management and its impact on membership retention. He asserts that churches...

The Big Book of Presbyterian Stewardship deals in a practical, clear, easy-to-understand manner with the full extent of financial issues that face a church. With a comprehensive scope, this book offers a fresh perspective and fun ideas for people who may not have any financial background or experience. Most chapters feature questions for discussion that make The Big Book of Presbyterian Stewardship useful for study by stewardship committees or as a planning guide for stewardship campaigns. The final section includes a helpful collection of inventories, charts, sample plans,...

Despite the fact that mainline churches have been on a membership decline for the last generation, there are still active and healthy congregations where bright, able, thinking people have decided to stay and serve. In this book, Gary Charles studies these folks to find out what motivates them to remain in the church. Written in a readable, conversational style, this book describes these people--what they believe, how they understand God and faith, and what prompts them to take what has become a counter-cultural stance to stay in church.

The pastoral ministry is in danger of losing its focus, say the authors of this perceptive and timely study. Specialization in preaching, counseling, evangelism, administration, and education has diffused the impact of practical theology. And because of competing ideas as to what now is central, the very image of ministry may be breaking down. Foundations for a Practical Theology of Ministry responds to the problem by introducing a specific method for doing practical theology which will be welcomed by concerned church leaders everywhere.

Presenting a realistic, workable...

A Guide To Retreat is designed to assist you in a time of reflection, prayer, and renewal. The resources included are intended to help you turn more fully towards God, to drink more deeply of God, and to prepare you for faithful ministry.

The author examines facing the desert times in our lives, explores personal identity and its meaning in ministry, and much more. A book for conducting one's own ministerial/spiritual retreat, facing such concerns as "When All I Hear is Silence," "The Tension Between Doing and Being," and "Who Really Calls and Sends?"

Churches across the country search for committed people with a heart for ministry, people who are ready to use their gifts in the ministries of the church. Your best potential leaders may already be in your congregation.

This resource, used as a study tool or a desk reference, will help men and women in the church find the tools, direction and inspiration they need to become the best leaders they can be.

Leadership Essentials offers practical...

In 1985, What They Don't Teach at Harvard Business School became a blockbuster bestseller because it offered proven-effective, "school of hard knocks" advice--not just classroom theories--to business people.

Now, What Ministers Can't Learn in Seminary does the same thing for beginning and experienced pastors and seminarians. In bright, optimistic, good-humored language, R. Robert Cueni takes us step-by-step through the predictable crises of early ministry. He discusses the realities of congregational life, the difference between normal tensions and critical...

Have you ever felt a tug deep inside to serve other human beings with work that matters? Written for all Christians of any affiliation, this primer challenges readers to think seriously about the nature, role, and work of ordained ministry in the church.

This wise book will help you: recognize the importance of choices about theological education; understand the servant role of the ordained minister; identify the unique work and activities of the ordained minister; and clarify the types of ministers who are sought by various churches.

With this much-needed handbook, the authors brilliantly combine their experience guiding dozens of churches through the change process with both the study of Christian disciplines and the sophisticated understanding of such important business thinkers as John Kotter on leading change and Peter Senge on learning organizations. In this eminently readable book the authors have distilled their insights and practices into simple but powerful concepts for leading congregations, whether long established or recently formed, through profound change.