The church is the hope of the world when it's working right...and therein lies the problem. Most aren't. This has led both Christians and non-Christians to give up on the church entirely; it has led many others to give up on all existing churches-and maybe even start new ones. But all church can and should be transitioned to a new life. A church is never beyond hope. This book will provide principles and practices that can lead to a resurrection of any church, in any setting. It will provide the inspiration and information needed to lead a church successfully through the necessary changes of tradition and culture without compromising God's timeless truth. When this happens, the church will once again be what God intended...the hope of the world.

Examines Hebrews' exposition of Jesus' death, his self-offering in heaven at his ascension, and the link between them.

Breakthrough: Trusting God for Big Change in Your Church encourages leaders of churches that are struggling and wondering if it's time to close the doors on God's work through them, their family, their church, or their ministry. This book is especially for those who have the audacity to dare to imagine where a new window might open as an old door is closing. Breakthrough reveals gritty, well-grounded hope around every corner.

Who Moved My Pulpit? may not be the exact question you’re asking. But you’re certainly asking questions about change in the church—where it’s coming from, why it’s happening, and how you’re supposed to hang on and follow God through it—even get out ahead of it so your church is faithfully meeting its timeless calling and serving the new opportunities of this age. Based on conversations with thousands of pastors, combined with on-the-ground research from more than 50,000 churches, best-selling author Thom S. Rainer shares an eight-stage roadmap to leading change in your church. Not by changing doctrine. Not by changing biblical foundations. But by changing methodologies and approaches for reaching a rapidly changing culture. You are the pastor. You are the church staff person. You are an elder. You are a deacon. You are a key lay leader in the church. This is the book that will equip you to celebrate and lead change no matter the cost. The time is now.

Just as our life is in our blood, the life for Christ’s body is in His blood. Changing a church is more than a new goal or direction. Our churches need more than an organizational transition; we need a full transfusion of Jesus' blood, His life, within every disciple. Anything less than that will only perpetuate more of the dysfunction and unhealthy church practices that have already plagued us for too long. We are in desperate need of the internally transforming power of the gospel of grace and the presence of Christ so that our salvation is then worked out in a way the rest of the world will notice. It isn’t enough that we believe in the facts contained in the gospel, we must allow the gospel itself to infect our souls and transform us from within. The DNA of Jesus' lifeblood is needed in our churches and nothing shy of a full transfusion that touches every cell will be sufficient. In this book Neil Cole (author of Organic Church, Church Transfusion and Journeys to Significance) and Phil Helfer, co-founders of Church Multiplication Associates, will first point out that change is possible with God, but only with God. In the second half of the book they will lay out some of the actual practical considerations to weigh if you want to release real organic health in your church. Using multiple examples of very different kinds of churches that have been through the process, the authors present ways that leadership and practices need to change in order to release organic church movements from their midst. Chapters cover: Leadershifts necessary Detoxification from dependence issues. How to ignite change virally. How to grandparent movements. How to measure success in movements. This book (another in the Leadership Network series) applies organic life principles to established churches with practical help that is holistic and natural. The content in this book will be helpful whether you are pastor of an established church or wanting to revitalize a small organic church. Jesus didn’t die and rise from the dead so that we can be like everyone else in the world. Our faith is more than just a better doctrine or a bigger goal with a capital giving campaign; it is a better life. Jesus is the difference, and what a difference he makes...don't be satisfied with less.

This practical guide is designed to be used by church leaders with their boards as a tool for negotiating needed changes effectively. The author compellingly makes the case that new methodology can and must be embraced without altering a church's beliefs or mission. He then offers a series of exercises to be undertaken jointly by church leaders that will result in the production of a master plan for managing change in the local church. Your team will-- -Understand which changes threaten a church's identity--and which do not. -Identify the church's core values and nonnegotiable beliefs. -Anticipate the ten most common reactions to change. -Develop a workable plan for introducing change in your church.

If you sense that your church's best days are ahead, use this book's guidelines for deciding where and what kind of change to implement. Then tackle Mellado, Appel, and Nelson's strategy for wise planning and team building so your goals will find rich fulfillment. The authors authoritatively cover the elements of initiating change in a church body, addressing such topics as: Examining what motivates you Getting below the skin of improvement Honoring past traditions while developing new ones Understanding the emotional side of change Identifying opinion leaders in your church Determining where you want to go as a body Creating a transition plan Sailing the "leader ship" Making conflict work for you Enjoying the benefits of improved ministry Though many American churches are fading in number and effectiveness, yours can stay on course. Take advantage of others' experience: How to Change Your Church (Without Killing It) contains many success and crash-and-burn stories, as well as pointed lessons about how to guide your church through innovation with the least pain possible. Embark on the journey through church change with these able guides and make your local church body irresistible to believers and seekers alike.