The Suburban Church Practical Advice For Authentic Ministry

All those who enter the pastoral ministry desire to succeed. Yet they all find, surprisingly, that a number of key issues come up for consideration. Most pastors find that most of these issues appear during the first ten years of pastoring. During those years the pattern is determined, which will point to the success or to the development of habits that will reduce effectiveness and produce stumbling. In this warm, personal, from-the-heart book, a long-time pastor not only identifies twenty-one potentially harmful issues if not handled well, but he also provides counsel and direction in how they should be faced and handled. Pastors in small rural churches where ministry seems simple, and those in suburban churches which are a bee-hive of activity, as well as those in city parishes with new challenges every day, will all find fresh insight here. Ministries will be enhanced by learning from these issues that the author identifies. All will be grateful for the warnings issued and the advice given.

Where does authentic ministry lie? The answer of this book is: in the heart. Authentic ministry is not simply a matter of mastering professional skills or of endlessly pouring oneself out in works of service. Rather, it springs from joyful union with Christ. Authentic Ministry offers practical guidance and spiritual nourishment for all who serve the church. Each of the nine chapters orients readers to the "one thing [that] is necessary" (cf. Luke 10:42)-abiding in Christ-while asking and answering questions both simple and profound: What is prayer? How should I respond to suffering? Who is my friend? What is theology? What does it mean to love? This short volume originated as a series of talks delivered to various assemblies of students, pastors-in-training, and church leaders in the UK and beyond.

To preach effectively in today's world, preachers need cultural intelligence. They must build bridges between listeners who come from various denominations, ethnicities, genders, locations, religious backgrounds, and more. Experienced preacher and teacher Matthew Kim provides a step-by-step template for cross-cultural hermeneutics and homiletics, equipping preachers to reach their varied listeners in the church and beyond. Each chapter includes questions for individual thought or group discussion. The book also includes helpful diagrams and images, a sample sermon, and appendixes for exegeting listeners and for exploring cultural differences.

This at-a-glance practical guidebook offers pastors and church leaders insights on a wide variety of issues to make their ministry more effective. It's like hiring a church consultant at a fraction of the cost.

An internationally known missional church expert offers leaders practical suggestions, real life examples, and proven strategies for applying missional paradigms.

Pastors and church leaders are constantly faced with strategic questions. How much staff does the church need? How many workers are needed in the nursery this month? When is the right time to start a second worship service? How many people should we train for evangelism this year? How does seating and parking impact worship attendance? When church leaders have questions about planning, running, or growing their churches, they need answers fast! What Every Pastor Should Know offers pastors and leaders 101 valuable rules and "sacred" laws to help answer real-life ministry questions. From advertising to facilities to visitation, this valuable book offers the practical help that leaders need, just when they need it most. This comprehensive guide will become one of the most valuable books in a leader's library. Never again will they wonder if they based critical decisions on the right information. They'll get the answers they're looking for all in one place.