Not so long ago religion was a personal matter that was seldom discussed in public. No longer. Today religion is everywhere, from books to movies to television to the internet-to say nothing about politics. Now religion is marketed and advertised like any other product or service. How did this happen? And what does it mean for religion and for our culture? Just as we shop for goods and services, we shop for church. A couple of generations ago Americans remained in the faith they were born into. Today, many Americans change their denomination or religion, sometimes several times. Churches that know how to appeal to those shopping for God are thriving. Think megachurches. Churches that don't know how to do this or don't bother are fading away. Think mainline Protestant churches. Religion is now celebrated and shown off like a fashion accessory. We can wear our religious affiliation like a designer logo. But, says James Twitchell, this isn't because Americans are undergoing another Great Awakening; rather, it's a sign that religion providers-that is, churches-have learned how to market themselves. There is more competition among churches than ever in our history. Filling the pew is an exercise in salesmanship, and as with any marketing campaign, it requires establishing a brand identity. Successful pastors ("pastorpreneurs," Twitchell calls them) know how to speak the language of Madison Avenue as well as the language of the Bible. In this witty, engaging book, Twitchell describes his own experiences trying out different churches to discover who knows how to "do church" well. He takes readers into the land of karaoke Christianity, where old-style contemplative sedate religion has been transformed into a public, interactive event with giant-screen televisions, generic iconography (when there is any at all), and ample parking. Rarely has America's religious culture been examined so perceptively and so entertainingly. Shopping for God does for religion what Fast Food Nation has done for food.

God loves us and desires to have a close, personal relationship with each one of us, not just a select few. Loved is an extended dialogue between an individual, someone like any one of us, and God. Through emails and texts, you get to hear what God has to say about topics that are relevant to all us, including healing our wounds, grace, forgiveness, trust, and being our true selves. As you read this book and immerse yourself in the dialogue, you become part of the conversation and begin to understand the enormity of God's love. He is not far away or out there somewhere. He is right here, right now, and is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. We can communicate with the Lord just as readily and easily as we do with other loved ones and friends. We don't have to wait for an emergency to reach out to Him and He doesn't want to be just a distant observer. On the contrary, God loves to hear from us anytime and wants to be included in all aspects of our lives. Having an intimate relationship with the Lord is for everyone and we're all invited to experience the vastness of His love. It's not complicated or hard; all we need to do is say yes to His invitation. Every time we share ourselves with the Lord, we give Him a new opportunity to show us the depth and breadth of His love. The more open we are and the more we communicate with the Lord, the more we will feel His presence in our lives. It's that easy.

“I am thrilled to know that The Complete Book of Everyday Christianity is being relaunched. A well-worn first edition of this book sits next to my office desk and I consult it often. There is no better collection of everyday issues examined from a Christian perspective. A wide variety of topics are addressed with a cleverly balanced combination of academic and practical perspectives, informed by thoughtful biblical and theological reflection. This is a wonderfully useful tool. I am pleased that it will be available to resource a new generation of Christians who are eager to understand more about what it means to follow Christ in every aspect of life.” — Alistair Mackenzie, Senior Lecturer: School of Theology, Mission and Ministry, Laidlaw College, Christchurch, New Zealand. Also Director of Faith at Work (NZ)

Learn to Walk in Newness of Life! Two thousand years ago, the Creator of the universe died on a cross for our sins and rose from the dead. Today, He draws all people to Himself and gives eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. For those of us who have trusted in Him, the most amazing thing is that Jesus Christ now lives in our hearts. But what does it really mean that Jesus lives in our hearts? In amazing detail, New Life in Christ Jesus shows from the Scriptures that Jesus' presence means that we have everything we need for life and godliness: It means we are God's children, His offspring. It means we have His Divine NAture (His DNA). It means we have His life, His righteousness, and His holiness. It means He leads, guides, and directs us from inside our hearts. It means our sins are forgiven completely and forever. It means we may walk with Him in the newness of life. Pick up New Life in Christ Jesus and learn how to take advantage of this platform God has given us for godly living. Learn to trust the Holy Spirit when He speaks to you. Learn to recognize the righteousness you possess in Christ. Learn to accept in full His forgiveness for all the shortcomings of your flesh. Learn to walk free of the law without using your liberty as a cloak for vice. And learn to resist every effort of man and spirit to move you from this course.