Join three seasoned church-ministry experts on an insider's tour of the most innovative churches today! Discover a dozen types of innovation, each with profiles of congregations that have implemented that innovation. This is more than a show and tell tour, however. Each chapter offers a solid take-away for church leaders on how to learn and apply the appropriate innovation profiled. The authors also offer scripturally-based assessments of both the positive and negatives implications of implementing each innovation, providing guidance and wisdom. There are many ways to present the Gospel, and this timely book will serve as a springboard for church leaders scratching their heads and asking themselves, "What should we do next?" By learning from a dozen different church types, church leaders can become more intentional about exploring new directions and reaching more of the world for Christ.

The world needs godly, trained leaders just as much as the church does. Taking the examples of Jesus and Paul, Reeder presents a model of multiplication that intentionally and continuously raises up other leaders. With its three-pronged approach to leadership development, this book guides readers through a time-tested paradigm that works in real life and is fully grounded in Scripture. The principles, personal illustrations, and practical ideas it contains will effectively equip leaders and the church for their task of transforming first the body of Christ and then our culture.

In our age of brokenness and hurt, the Christian church is called to come alongside people with the life-giving Gospel of Christ. Unfortunately, many churches assume that well-intentioned Christians not only know how to do this, but are actually doing it. Such is not the case. Pastors, lay leaders, and church members will find in this simple resource, ideas that empower and train people to minister to one another. This book equips and encourages believers to continue Christ's call to care for others. Cusick offers practical guidance for every believer on ministering to the needs of others. Readers will be equipped to comfort the hurting, assist the needy, offer recovery for the addicted, encourage the aged, and provide spiritual care training for everyone.

This collection of attention-getting quotes are perfect for church signs, bulletins, newsletters, and sermons. With 10 helpful chapters on effectively using and rating the quotes, 701 Sentence Sermons is an easy-to-use, meaningful, and effective tool--a must for every pastor and church library.

Thomas G. Long, one of America's most trusted and thoughtful pulpit voices, provides a much needed theological and cultural critique of today's Christian funeral. Long begins by describing how the Christian funeral developed historically, theologically, and liturgically and then discusses recent cultural trends in funeral practices, including the rise in number of cremations and memorial services. He describes the basic pattern for a funeral service, details options in funeral planning, identifies characteristics of a "good funeral," and provides thoughtful guidance for preaching at a funeral.

But Long also notes a disturbing trend toward funeral services that seem theologically right and pastorally caring but actually depart from the primary aims of the Christian funeral. Long argues that the proper Christian funeral should be constructed around the metaphor of the deceased as a saint traveling on a baptismal journey toward God, accompanied by the community of faith on "the last mile of the way." He cautions that the cultural conditions for maintaining this view are under stress and a new, less theological and less satisfying metaphor that focuses on the mourner has begun to erode the Christian view. He contrasts the ancient grand community drama with today's trend toward body-less memorial services that focus primarily on the living and grief management, arguing that this is a loss for the church and calling for the church to reclaim the classic metaphor.