The 21st Century Church

From the author of Dying for Change, a book on how to bring change to a local church to meet the challenges of a changing society.

Offering timely, relevant analysis of trends and issues, the essays in this collection address questions and concerns that will determine the shape and direction of the denomination in the next century. These essays cover policy issues and current events considerations that Russell Richey says "emerged as a priority" in sponsored conferences of the United Methodism and American Culture Project. Policy issues addressed include music, evangelism, contextual theology, urban losses, electronics & media, lay leadership roles and growth, bishopric election and leadership, the discipline of local churches, church finance, clergy compensation, and others. Contributors include Garlinda Burton, Dennis Campbell, Jackson Carroll, Ken Chalker, Meghan Froehlich, Frederick Herzog, Sarah Kreutziger, Andy Langford, William Lawrence, Priscilla Pope-Levison, Russell Richey, Kenneth Rowe, and Carol Voisin.

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.

Winner of the Christianity Today Book of the Year Award (1995) “The scandal of the evangelical mind is that there is not much of an evangelical mind.” So begins this award-winning intellectual history and critique of the evangelical movement by one of evangelicalism’s most respected historians. Unsparing in his indictment, Mark Noll asks why the largest single group of religious Americans—who enjoy increasing wealth, status, and political influence—have contributed so little to rigorous intellectual scholarship. While nourishing believers in the simple truths of the gospel, why have so many evangelicals failed to sustain a serious intellectual life and abandoned the universities, the arts, and other realms of “high” culture? Over twenty-five years since its original publication, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind has turned out to be prescient and perennially relevant. In a new preface, Noll lays out his ongoing personal frustrations with this situation, and in a new afterword he assesses the state of the scandal—showing how white evangelicals’ embrace of Trumpism, their deepening distrust of science, and their frequent forays into conspiratorial thinking have coexisted with surprisingly robust scholarship from many with strong evangelical connections.

1st Century Expansion for 21st Century PunksChrist didn t give us a plan B. You ve probably seen what the apostles did with plan A. Impressive stuff. Why then is the 21st century church with all its size and gadgets so inept at reaching people? In a bold no-holds-barred approach, "Church Zero" challenges next-gen leaders to return to a New Testament model of church. "

SING UNTO HIM A NEW SONG!!...(psalm 33:3) Did you ever wish you had permission to change the way you "do church"? Well, now you have it. You have permission to: Welcome His presence Grow in Christ as He has desired Experience a God-orchestrated meeting Become the Church, not attend the church Grow in intercessory prayer This "how to" book provides proven tactics to move your church into a "Third Day" realm fully committed to worship. Follow along with authors Graham Cooke and Gary Goodell as they share their years of experience developing new ways to welcome His presence into your church, home, community, your life and the lives of those in the congregation. God gives all of His children His permission to become the Bride He loves and adores. Remember, "...on the third day, anything can happen."

Through deconstructing the large-scale cultural shifts over the last 50 years, Mark Tidsworth helps make sense of the current cultural context for churches in North America. Then Tidsworth identifies and follows three hopeful shifts every church is called to make: member identity to disciple identity, attractional to missional church, and consumer culture to sacred partnering.

Times are changing. The Truth never will. It's tough to be a pastor today. Christians who stand up for what God has said are disregarded and labeled right-wing extremists. Political correctness and tolerance of anything but godly character is the norm. So how do ministers lead God's people in this pagan culture? How do they shepherd the flock as the lights fade dimmer and the nights grow colder? This book is not about programs. It not about developing the best techniques for numerical growth. Rather it is a discussion of the heart of the matter - the heart of the shepherd. In Shepherding the Church, Dr. Stowell takes a look at what it takes to be a truly effective leader from the inside out. He encourages today's leaders to focus on their own character, spiritual growth, and spiritual gifts. Examine some heart issues like: how do I prove to my congregation that I'm trustworthy? how do I lead by loving? how do I overcome insecurities? how can I transform lives with my preaching? how do I lead my flock by the way I live my life? how do I persevere?Even in these tough times, effective leadership is possible. Learn from Dr. Stowell as he encourages today's leaders to keep their eyes on the non-negotiables of Christian ministry.