Transitions in Ministry / Discipleship

Youth ministry has increasingly lost touch with its origins in the way of Jesus and the social practices intrinsic to Christian discipleship, and has instead substituted layers of Jesus talk, middle class values, fun and games, and doses of warm fellow-feeling. Awakening Youth Discipleship articulates the history of this domestication of youth and ministry. Mahan, Warren, and White tell a story of the ways in which our society has colluded to shape a domesticated adolescence. The authors believe a Christian response to this challenge must be multilevel, addressing the problem at three levels--society, church, and individual. The authors propose reclaiming practices of discernment that both engage congregations in social awareness and involve individuals in discerning fuller vocational opportunities than those allowed by popular cultural norms.

Richard J. Mouw is well known for his incisive views on the intersection of culture and Christianity and for his efforts to make the thought of major Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper accessible to average Christians. In this volume Mouw provides the scholarly "backstory" to his popular books as he interprets, applies, expands on -- and at times even corrects -- Kuyper's remarkable vision for faith and public life. In thirteen essays Mouw explores and develops the Kuyperian perspective on key topics in Christian cultural discipleship, including public theology, sphere sovereignty, education, creation, and more. He deftly articulates an ecumenically enriched neo-Calvinist -- or "neo-Kuyperian" -- perspective that appropriates and contextualizes the ideas and insights of this important theologian and statesman for new challenges in Christian thought and service.

Revised & Updated--and now available in Hardcover! God is love.  Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love.  Have you ever wondered if we're missing it? It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe--the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor--loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. Whether you've verbalized it yet or not, we all know something's wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts--it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything. A study session for individual or small-group use appears at the end of each chapter is included in this book except for bonus chapter 11. If you're leading a discussion, the included notes for discussion leader's guide make this a valuable resource for individual study, small-group study, churches, youth groups, college campus ministries, and retreat weekends. Learn more about Crazy Love at www.crazylovebook.com.  

How can pastors help to create missional faith communities that are willing to participate in God's healing of the world? Cultivating Sent Communities reimagines spiritual formation through the lens of mission, covering such topics as the role of Scripture, congregational discernment, and short-term missions and drawing on case studies from diverse contexts including Ethiopia, England, Leipzig, and San Francisco. Full of rich practical, theological, and sociological insights into forming missional churches, this fourth volume in the Missional Church Series calls readers to deepen the core practices that have defined Christians for centuries -- and to reclaim them within the context of cultural adaptation and innovation. Contributors Dinku Bato Nancy S. Going Scott J. Hagley David C. Hahn Allen Hilton Dirk G. Lange Richard R. Osmer Christian Scharen Dwight J. Zscheile.

"God is in the business of raising up leaders." --J. Robert (Bobby) ClintonWhen good leaders are needed, when the work is urgent, our immediate reaction is to enlist new leaders. Instead we are called to invest in new leaders.Good leaders are developed in and through slow, deep mentoring. To think otherwise is to embrace the myth of the quick fix. We proceed, instead, by paying careful attention to and joining in the work God is already doing in people's lives.This book is designed to help you know better how to come alongside others as a guide and a friend, to invest in their spiritual formation and leadership. If you want long-term impact on the lives of future leaders, how you guide must be as important as the content you impart. Only then will you see lifelong change and empowerment in those you mentor.Randy Reese and Robert Loane show you how to make the most of the crucial ministry of mentoring. They offer a biblically grounded approach that draws on the research and teaching of Bobby Clinton as well as their own experience in resourcing churches and Christian organizations.Jesus Christ still calls people to become leaders in a lifelong journey of conforming to his image. Join him as you guide others through deep mentoring.

In this accessible, insightful book, noted Christian scholar and award-winning author James K. A. Smith gathers together a range of his writing for popular audiences. Working at the intersection of faith and culture, past and present, church and world, Smith offers both incisive cultural criticism and winsome articulation of a robust Christian faith in our "secular age." Whether he's making a case for the enduring treasures of the Christian tradition in postmodernity, or talking about the virtues of "hipster" Christianity, or inviting us to consider the poetry of Charles Wright, or offering advice to young parents, Smith's prose is always probing, provocative, and illuminating.

We all want to improve our spiritual lives, but the task often can seem overwhelming. And while there is no shortage of self-help gurus hawking their wares, not enough Christians are making meaningful progress toward a deeper relationship with God. Now best-selling author David Augsburger reveals the life-giving nature of surrender and service in Dissident Discipleship. Moving beyond self-centered therapies and "Lone Ranger" spirituality, Augsburger reveals that our spiritual lives will grow when we look outside of ourselves and lay down our lives in service to God and neighbor. Anyone interested in the topic of spiritual growth, from pastors to counselors, will be sure to welcome Augsburger's balanced approach.

"One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts." Psalm 145:4Most churches and faith communities segment their ministries by age and generation. The kids go to children's church, the teens go to youth group. Worship services are geared toward different generational preferences, and small groups gather people at the same life stage, whether singles, young marrieds, parents or empty nesters. In some congregations, people may never interact with those of other ages.But it was not always so. Throughout biblical tradition and the majority of history, communities of faith included people of all ages together in corporate worship, education and ministry. The church was not just multigenerational; it was intergenerational, with the whole church together as one family and people of all ages learning from one another in common life.In this comprehensive text, Holly Allen and Christine Ross offer a complete framework for intentional intergenerational Christian formation. They provide the theoretical foundations for intergenerationality, showing how learning and spiritual formation are better accomplished through intergenerational contexts. It is not just elders teaching youth; learning also takes place when adults discover fresh insights from children. Then the authors give concrete guidance for intergenerational praxis on how worship, learning, community and service can all be achieved intergenerationally. Case studies of intergenerational congregations provide models for how a culture of intergenerationality can be created in local churches.This volume serves as an essential guide for all preparing for and involved in congregational ministry and formation. Discover the riches of intergenerational ministry, and let all generations commend the works of God to one another.

In almost every congregation, there is a searching youth who is somehow different from the rest, one who thinks more deeply, asks more questions, and wants to make a difference in the world. This young person may be seen as a loner, an upstart, or someone who does not fi t. Youth workers may not know what to do with these inquisitive youth, and a youth program that meets the congregation's expectations probably won't connect with the needs and interests of searching youth. Eventually, searching youth turn into searching adults who continue to "stir things up" and enrich the life of our congregations with their questions, insights, witness, and service. These young people have the capacity and ability to provide signifi cant leadership in our congregations now and in the future. Because of their unique gifts, we are offering this book as a resource for pastors, teachers, and youth leaders who work with them. In this book, faculty members, students, and recent graduates of Saint Paul School of Theology look through the eyes of their academic disciplines and ministry experience to explore the foundations for ministry with searching youth and to offer designs for your ministry.

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ today? And are Christians really prepared for the answers? In Mere Discipleship, Lee Camp sets forth his vision of what it means to truly follow Christ, challenging Christians to put obedience to Jesus as Lord ahead of allegiances to all earthly authorities--be they nationalistic, political, economic, or cultural. Camp clearly lays out a sound biblical framework of what disciples believe and therefore what they should do. Employing sophisticated yet accessible theology, this book will interest clergy and laypeople alike as they strive to be disciples.

Pastors today can easily become preoccupied with image and effectiveness, buying into consumer culture and straying from Jesus's call to shepherd leadership. In this book, Pastor John MacArthur's passion for the Bible combines with the expertise of faculty members at The Master's Seminary to guide seminary students and pastors in becoming and being a pastor. Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically presents a practical pastoral theology aimed at showing pastors and pastors-in-training the vital role God's word plays in shaping the preparation and priorities of pastoring. The authors first examine the biblical teaching about the high and demanding call to ministry required of any spiritual shepherd. This volume shows how to grow intentionally from calling to training and preparation to ministering to God's church as a spiritual shepherd. This book answers these questions and more: How does the Bible establish a philosophy of pastoral ministry, and what is it? Who is personally qualified to be an undershepherd of God's flock? What are the biblical preparations required of shepherd leaders? What priority does God's word place on activities involved in pastoral ministry? The Master's Seminary faculty, with over thirty years' experience in seminary training of pastors, contributes a treasury of expertise alongside insights from well-known Bible teacher John MacArthur. While united in affirming shepherd leadership as the biblical model for pastoral ministry, the authors offer an abundance of individual expressions that can inspire any pastor dedicated to serving God's church in the pattern of Jesus Christ.

Internationally acclaimed theologian Graham Ward is well known for his thoughtful engagement with postmodernism. This volume, the fourth in The Church and Postmodern Culture series, offers an engaging look at the political nature of the postmodern world. In the first section, "The World," Ward considers "the signs of the times" and the political nature of contemporary postmodernism. It is imperative, he suggests, that the church understand the world to be able to address it thoughtfully. In the second section, "The Church," he turns to practical application, examining what faithful discipleship looks like within this political context. Clergy and those interested in the emerging church will find this work particularly thought provoking.

In this volume, Luther Ivory reflects on how to live the call to discipleship as an individual and as a community. He describes the significance of active listening in the invitational rhythm of call and response and clarifies the biblical mandate for individuals and the church to respond to the call to join God in the struggle against evil and to establish righteousness in the world. Ultimately, he demonstrates for readers how to live a "life of engaged piety," which links reverence for God to the act of confronting injustice. The Foundations of Christian Faith series enables readers to learn about contemporary theology in ways that are clear, enjoyable, and meaningful. It examines the doctrines of the Christian faith and stimulates readers not only to think more deeply about their faith but also to understand their faith in relationship to contemporary challenges and questions. Individuals and study groups alike will find these guides invaluable in their search for depth and integrity in their Christian faith.

In this book Addison Hodges Hart articulates some crucial questions for contemporary Christians: What sort of church must we become in today's post-Christendom world, where we can no longer count on society to support Christian ideals? What can we salvage from our Christendom past that is of real value, and what can we properly leave behind? How do we become "strangers and pilgrims" once more, after being "at home" in Christendom for so long? Summoning readers to wise and faithful discipleship in our post-Christendom age, Hart suggests both how Christ's disciples can say "yes" to much that was preserved during the age of Christendom and why they should say "no" to some of the cherished accretions of that passing epoch.