Church Fights

Ok, maybe not eliminate.Let's put it this way: Pastor Victor Hayes knows of a way to greatly reduce arguments, conflicts, disagreements and bickering in your church. Everyone knows nothing stops progress in a church like a 'knock-down, drag-out' church fight!Because a church is a family of faith, the way we relate to each other is important. Now, what if I told you there's a tool available to your church right now that God can use to improve the relationships between your church members? It's not a program. It's not some pre-packaged plan for just any church. It's not one-size-fits-all!The tool is church by-laws and this book will show you how to use them, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, to improve relationships and eliminate countless church fights before they start!

How Satan Fights offers a unique military intelligence analysis of how Satan and his demonic army will wage war against mankind, using the same unclassified intelligence process that is used by the US Armys military intelligence corps today. Author Mark Kelly is a Christian who served as a tactical intelligence officer for thirteen years; he now presents an investigation of the war from biblical times through today, providing a deeper knowledge of our enemy, Satan. He explains the combat strength of Satans demonic army, their arrangement on the battlefield, their political and military command structure, their strengths and weaknesses, and their mission on earth. With analysis based on information found in the Holy Scriptures, How Satan Fights considers what Satan intends to do with God if he wins the war. Kelly reveals Satans military doctrines and explores how he has used these doctrines from the time of Adam to the present day. More important, he demonstrates that Satan uses the same tactics of yesterday against the faithful Christians of today. Through this study, you can gain increased understanding of the war that Satan waged against Jesus and the apostles. This war is real, and it is being waged all around us. We must understand our enemy and his tactics if we, through the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, are to defeat him.

Practical Ways to Support and Care for Your Pastor Do you pray for your pastors? Do you encourage them? Do you have realistic expectations for them? The office of pastor is simultaneously a rewarding and draining position. Pastors today have immense pressure on their shoulders and they need the support of their congregations. Peter Orr has written Fight for Your Pastor as an exhortation for church members to stand behind their pastors through the difficulties of ministry. Orr specifies ways in which congregations can be intentional in caring for church leaders, including prayer, encouragement, generosity, and forgiveness. Featuring stories from current pastors about their struggles, this book is perfect for thoughtful church members eager to understand the weight of their pastors' positions and support leaders in their important ministry. For Thoughtful Christians: Specifically those wanting to know more about their pastors and how to care for them Current: Features insight from pastors about their personal experiences in ministry Applicable: Gives practical examples of how to love and care for pastors, including specific prayers for church leaders and the best ways to encourage them

"Starting a new organization is risky business. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, most startups fail; half of them do not reach the five-year mark. Protestant churches are not immune to these trends. Most new churches are not established with denominational support-more than 50% are actually non-denominational-and, therefore, have many of the same vulnerabilities other infant organizations must overcome. Research on both congregants and congregations has shown that millions of Americans are leaving churches, half of all churches do not add any new members, and thousands of churches shutter their doors each year. These numbers suggest that American religion is not a growth industry. Yet, more than 1000 new churches are started in any given year. What are the forces that move people who might otherwise be satisfied working for churches to the more risky role of starting one as a religion entrepreneur? In Church Planters, sociologist Richard Pitt uses more than 125 in-depth interviews with church planters to understand their motivations. First, he uncovers themes in their sometimes miraculous, sometimes mundane answers to the question: "why take on these risks?" Then he examines how they approach three common entrepreneurial challenges-recognizing opportunities, marshalling resources, and framing success-in ways that reduce uncertainty and lead them to believe they will be successful. The book combines their evocative stories with insights from research on commercial and social entrepreneurship to explain how these religion entrepreneurs come to believe their organizational goals must be accomplished, that they are capable of being accomplished, and that they would accomplish them over time"--

Carol Howard Merritt, a pastor in her mid-thirties, suggests a different way for churches to be able to approach young adults on their own terms. Outlining the financial, social, and familial situations that affect many young adults today, she describes how churches can provide a safe, supportive place for young adults to nurture relationships and foster spiritual growth. There are few places left in society that allow for real intergenerational connections to be made, yet these connections are vital for any church that seeks to reflect the fullness of the body of Christ. Carol Howard Merritt, a pastor in her mid-thirties, suggests a different way for churches to be able to approach young adults on their own terms. Outlining the financial, social, and familial situations that affect many young adults today, she describes how churches can provide a safe, supportive place for young adults to nurture relationships and foster spiritual growth. There are few places left in society that allow for real intergenerational connections to be made, yet these connections are vital for any church that seeks to reflect the fullness of the body of Christ. Using the metaphor of a tribe to describe the close bonds that form when people of all ages decide to walk together on their spiritual journeys, Merritt casts a vision of the church that embraces the gifts of all members while reaching out to those who might otherwise feel unwelcome or unneeded. Mainline churches have much to offer young adults, as well as much to learn from them. By breaking down artificial age barriers and building up intentional relationships, congregations can provide a space for all people to connect with God, each other, and the world.