Church planting has become a cottage industry. National conferences, hip planting organizations, and all-in-one resource kits celebrate the thrill of pioneering a church and inspire visions of glorious victories. Yet few who respond to the call are warned what they'll actually encounter: the relentless opposition they'll endure; the eventual scattering of their entire core group; the failure of their tried-and-true, field-tested system.

Here's the dirty little secret of church planting: the roadside is strewn with casualties. Many have closed their churches. Some left ministry permanently. Others abandoned the faith altogether.

Church planting is at once the greatest and most grueling ministry work on earth. This book is for those toiling in the trenches, those about to bail out, and those considering jumping in. It's for the church planters laboring and struggling, seeing little movement, and wondering what they're doing wrong or why God is failing them. It's also for mother churches, planting organizations, and denominations, as a challenge to rethink and re-calibrate the way they approach and measure planting endeavors.

The Honest Guide to Church Planting is a fresh and candid conversation about the challenges and joys of planting new churches. Tom Bennardo speaks the truth so that those involved in church planting can embrace a more accurate and realistic picture of what planting a church is really like; one that not only enables them to survive, but to thrive in this wondrous work.

Steve R. Bierly offers the seasoned reassurance of one who has been in the trenches of small-church pastoring. He understands your unique needs and problems not just as a pastor, but as a person. With humor and fatherly wisdom, Bierly helps you reframe your perspectives on God, your ministry, your relationships, your personal needs...and more. Drawing on years of experience, he offers assurance that you're not alone, a fresh outlook on the successes of your ministry, and an upbeat, practical approach to spiritual, emotional and physical well-being.

In a world of big, bigger, and biggest it can be difficult for pastors of small churches to keep from getting discouraged. In the Shadow of the Steeple offers pastors encouragement and hope, reminding them of their ultimate purpose - to share Christ's love with the world. Gene Williams gives practical advice and uplifting insight for smaller church pastors, reminding them of the unique opportunities and advantages they have to reach the people who would never feel comfortable in a mega-church.'It is out of an understanding heart and long experience that [Gene Williams] writes In the Shadow of the Steeple. This is a book that is much needed. ...It will be greatly appreciated by all of those who, having spent their days encouraging others, need to sit down at the end of the day and derive a little encouragement for themselves. This book will do it.'-Dr. Stuart Briscoe, Minister and Author'Finally...a serious book that R-E-A-L-L-Y affirms the smaller church pastor while also affirming the validity of mega-churches as being real churches too. This book merits national praise and is required reading for both smaller churches and mega-church pastors. Every pastor knows other pastors who need this book now.-John Vaughan, Founder and PresidentChurch Growth Today

A congregational community is an ideal place to share and strengthen faith, form lasting relationships, and develop special gifts and talents. Too often, though, people with developmental and other disabilities lack the opportunities and supports to fully participate in the life of their faith community. Thatâ (TM)s why families and service providers need to read this groundbreaking guidebook--and share a copy with congregations that want to become places of welcome and belonging for people with disabilities.

Bringing his practical ideas to life with anecdotes, quotes, and examples of successful strategies, Erik Carter helps readers

reflect on how welcoming their congregation is--and could be--for people with disabilities and their families

articulate and pursue a bold vision of inclusion throughout their congregation, community, city, or state

take steps to break down attitudinal, architectural, programmatic, and other barriers to inclusion

design appropriate, inclusive religious education programs for children, youth, and adults

learn how service providers can actively support the spiritual preferences, strengths, and needs of people with disabilities

To make inclusion work in any faith community, this how-to book gives readers workable strategies and photocopiable forms for identifying â oeindicators of welcome, ⠝ encouraging community outreach, and gathering important information about the support needs of people with disabilities and their families.

Two pastors of churches with ministries to Generation Xers give insights and practical advice about reaching this mysterious generation.