If the church is to thrive in the twenty-first century, it will have to take on a new form as it ministers to the 120 million unchurched people in the United States. Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century is still virtually the only available text on church planting in North America and beyond. In this third edition, readers will find material on the importance of healthy, biblical change in our churches, updated appendixes, insight on our postmodern ministry context, and strategies for reaching new population demographics such as Generations X and Y. Pastors, ministry leaders, and church planters will find the information and advice found in this book invaluable as they carry out their ministries.

Now is the time for the church to reclaim its role as a center of creativity. Among your members are artists and musicians whose gifts can enhance your worship, inform your theology and impact your community. Christian arts advocate J. Scott McElroy gives a comprehensive vision and manual for unleashing creativity in your congregation.

"Part of this book was orginally published as The Lutheran handbook, c2005, Ausburg Fortress"--T.p. verso.

This is a handbook for pastors, elders, and all Christians who want to see how Scripture presents the process of discipline that should operate in the Christian community. It was written in response to the various concerns that threaten to tear apart marriages, families, friendships, and congregations--concerns that call for a biblical approach to discipline that can heal fractures, restore right relationship, and ensure the health of the church. Developed around the five corrective steps found especially in Matthew 18:15-17, this book helps church leaders deal with the sorts of problems that require the church’s disciplinary response. Charting a course that combines discernment with appropriate action, this simple, readable handbook can have a profound effect on the community of believers.

"With church attendance nationwide declining at an alarming rate, it's increasingly clear that something must change. Instead of being drawn to the church steeple, it seems that today's culture is actually repelled by it. What if we went back to the form of church the apostles used? What if we recovered Jesus' dinner table theology for the modern church? In this accompaniment to Dinner Church series, Verlon Foster begins by evaluating the rich scriptural history of the Dinner Church, and gradually works his way into the practical questions a leader might have: Where to plant? How long will it take to prepare? How much will it cost? What about the food? Is there a service order or liturgy? Who will come? How can one grow toward Christlikeness in this church? The need for this handbook grows by leaps and bounds once a church starts to notice a particular neighborhood in their town--really notice it. It's when the heart of the church swells in compassion for its neighbors who may never darken the doorway of a traditional church building that dinner churches are born."--Publisher.

In The Church's Book of Comfort , Willem van't Spijker and his team of scholars present an introductory investigation into the history, theology, and impact of the Heidelberg Catechism. The authors give careful attention to the background of the Reformation in Germany, the production of the Catechism, and the lives of those involved in making the Catechism. Interesting details are given about the practice of using catechisms before 1563, and the reception of the Heidelberg Catechism among the Reformed churches. Emphasis is also placed on the practice of Catechism preaching and the efforts to increase theological education among congregations. Readers will see the rich theological dimensions of the Catechism and its call for experiential religion. The Heidelberg Catechism has long been known for its warm display of orthodox doctrines, and this helpful book further displays the importance of this classic confessional statement. Table of Contents: 1. The Reformation in Germany - Christa Boerke 2. The Completion of the Heidelberg Catechism - Wim Verboom 3. The People Behind the Heidelberg Catechism - Christa Boerke 4. The Theology of the Heidelberg Catechism - Willem van't Spijker 5. The Heidelberg Catechism in the Netherlands A. Catechism Teaching from the Late Middle Ages - Wim Verboom B. Ecclesiastical Recognition of the Catechism - Teunis M. Hofman 6. The Heidelberg Catechism in Preaching and Teaching A. The Catechism in Preaching - Willem Jan op't Hof B. The Catechism in Church Education - Marinus Golverdingen 7. The Continued Relevance of the Heidelberg Catechism - Willem van't Spijker

This book is a practical step-by-step guide for church planters and their coaches. It covers everything they need to know to start healthy, growing churches that are biblically faithful and yet culturally relevant. While addressing the who, why, and where of planting new congregations, this comprehensive manual focuses primarily on the "how-tos." The authors use a five-stage "life cycle" (conception, pre-natal development, birth/infancy, adolescent growth, and adult reproduction) to flesh out the entire process of starting and growing a new church. Under each of these stages, a host of essential ministry and planning tasks is addressed so the planter can keep his "baby" church on course and can have the joy of watching the new church grow to maturity and eventually reproduce itself.