Unleashing the Passion of Young People in Your Church Is Possible! Churches are losing both members and vitality as increasing numbers of young people disengage. Based on groundbreaking research with over 250 of the nation's leading congregations, Growing Young provides a strategy any church can use to involve and retain teenagers and young adults. It profiles innovative churches that are engaging 15- to 29-year-olds and as a result are growing--spiritually, emotionally, missionally, and numerically. Packed with both research and practical ideas, Growing Young shows pastors and ministry leaders how to position their churches to engage younger generations in a way that breathes vitality, life, and energy into the whole church. Visit www.churchesgrowingyoung.org for more information.

"Egyptologist Sheila Ramsay develops a newfound interest in Mesoamerican affairs after meeting an outspoken--and attractive--Mexico City curator, a harsh critic of museums that deal in stolen art. And her own museum gives her the perfect opportunity to see him again: a valuable Aztec manuscript needs to be returned to its rightful owners, the wealthy Ortega family. But things don't go as planned for Sheila south of the border. An anonymous note threatens her with death if she remains in Mexico City. The curator she longed to see treats her with contempt. And the Ortegas are as mysterious as they are charming. What Sheila has stumbled into is much bigger--and more deadly--than she ever dreamed. And amid the splendor of Mexico's ancient ruins and treacherous hillsides, Sheila will realize that there's no one she can trust ..."--Page 4 of cover.

Vol. for 1958 includes also the Minutes of the final General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church of North America and the minutes of the final General Assembly of the Presbyteruan Church in the U.S.A.

Edited by founder and chairman of the National Fatherhood Initiative Don Eberly, The Faith Factor in Fatherhood addresses the key role that religious institutions can play in reviving what Eberly calls the 'sacred vocation of fatherhood.' In response to the wider debate regarding the increased expectations that are being placed by policy makers on faith-based institutions to serve important public purposes, contributors to this volume guide denominations, places of worship, and religious social agencies to recover the role they once played in reaching and supporting young men with a message of responsible fatherhood. Ecumenical in scope, the book addresses what each faith community can do to recover its particular heritage of engaged, involved fathering, through methods including instruction, rites of passage programs, stories, ceremonies, mentoring, and community outreach.

Built By The Owner's Design invites you into the drawing room of the Master Designer to examine His blueprints for evangelism and church growth. Employing the plumb line of God's Word, this book makes it clear that God's way of growth and outreach is most effective. Danny Von Kanel draws on a careful analysis of more than 50 churches in three denominations to offer a proven framework that can support lasting growth in diverse situations. Several checklists are included to help you systematically evaluate your situation and develop a tailor-made growth plan. Grounded in solid research and Von Kanel's own experience in several growing ministries, this immensely practical resource belongs in every pastor's library.