Search: Churches, Volunteering

Author: Christian Smith, Michael O. Emerson

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (2001)

Binding: Paperback, 224 pages

Review: Divided by Faith by Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith has an ingenious, troubling argument. "[E]vangelicals desire to end racial division and inequality, and attempt to think and act accordingly. But, in the process, they likely do more to perpetuate the racial divide than they do to tear it down." Emerson and Smith, who conducted 2,000 telephone surveys and 200 face-to-face interviews in preparing this book, argue that evangelicals have a theological world view that makes it difficult for them to perceive systematic injustices in society. In particular, evangelical emphasis of individualism and free will seem to predispose them to believe that most racial problems can be solved if individuals will only repent of their sins. Therefore, many well-meaning strategies for healing racial divisions (such as cross-cultural friendships) carry within them the seeds of their own defeat. Divided by Faith also includes a brilliant, concise history of evangelical thought about race from colonial times to the civil rights movement. Clearly written and impeccably researched, this book ranks among the most compassionate and critical studies of contemporary evangelicalism. --Michael Joseph Gross

Author: Paul Borthwick

Publisher: Authentic (1969)

Binding: Paperback, 238 pages

Review: A world-class Christian is one whose lifestyle and obedience are compatible with what God is doing and wants to be doing in the world. Sound impossible? "If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the challenges of our world, both near and far, Paul Borthwick has some good news for you. He’s reduced the enormous and complex needs of people next door or across the world into manageable chunks so that an individual, small group, Christian education class, or an entire church can get excited about personal involvement." From the foreword by Robert A. Seiple – Former President, World Vision Yes, you can be a part of God’s global action – from your own neighborhood to the "ends of the earth." As you read and study you will learn: · What it means to be a world-class Christian · How you can be a missionary no matter where you live · Where to get information about worldwide needs and opportunities · How God is calling you to action now While this book is intended for the reader’s personal enjoyment and profit, it is also designed for group study. A leader’s guide with reproducible response sheets is included inside this book.

Author: Tim Stevens, Tony Morgan

Publisher: Group Publishing(CO) (2005)

Binding: Paperback, 237 pages

Author: Paul Borthwick

Publisher: NavPress (1987)

Binding: Paperback, 168 pages

Review: WHEN THE NETWORK NEWS COMES ON AND SHOWS MORE AFRICANS SUFFERING FORM STARVATION AND DISEASE, ARE YOU TEMPTED TO TURN THE DIAL? When you read headlines about Latin American troops firing into a crowd of angry demonstrators, do you rush past it to the sports page? When you see the faces of Arabs who may never learn of Christ's love, do you feel glad you weren't born a Muslim? You're not alone-even among believers. There is increasing pressure on Christians today to "seek personal comfort and ease, to look for a self-centered relationship with God," writes Paul Borthwick. Instead of becoming world Christians, we're becoming worldly Christians. A Mind for Missions helps you break that mold. In these pages you'll discover ten building blocks for sensitizing yourself or your group to the needs beyond our borders. From prayer and giving to current events and lifestyle choices, Borthwick leads you to practical ways of sharpening your world vision right where you live. "A Mind for Missions deals with the greatest need of today...Borthwick is not just theoretical but practical as well."-J. Christy Wilson, Jr., professor of world evangelization, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary "Borthwick's unique perspective as a pastor brings strong encouragement to Christians who want to make God's global heart a part of their daily lives."-Gordon Aeschliman, editor, World Christian magazine "This is the most practical book I could recommend for making missions a priority in the local church."-Colin McDougall, director, Association of Church Missions Committees

Author: Jon Hirst, Jim Reapsome

Publisher: Authentic (2007)

Binding: Paperback, 193 pages

Review: As the world around us is changing, our methods also need to adapt in order to fulfill the unchanging vision of reaching the lost. Innovations provide outstanding opportunities to solve the great challenges of ministry in this new Century.This book is not an allornothing approach to being innovative in ministry. It offers what has worked in other areas and lets the reader choose what might be a possibility for their church or ministry. It will provide insight, encouragement and hope to those who are critically looking at the world and considering the problems that must be addressed.Missionaries, mission executives, mission pastors and mission committees wanting to adapt effective strategies in order to stay current with global changes will benefit greatly from this book. www.innovationinmission.com Contributing Authors Jim Reapsome, Jon Hirst, Ellen Livingood, Joseph Vijayam, Roger Peterson, John Maust, Kurt Wilson, Sam Chiang, Aaron Sandoval, Joel Dylhoff, Brent LindquistAh Kie and Paul Heidebrecht. This book represents innovations from organizations including TransWorld Radio, Link Care Center, TEAM, International Forum of Bible Agencies, CAM International, STEM International, MAI, YWAM and others. This book presents innovations in short term missions global elearning content management media missions church partnerships business as mission resourcing national pastorsAnd many more!

Author: Beals

Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (2006)

Binding: Paperback, 180 pages

Author: Donald Anderson McGavran

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (1990)

Binding: Paperback, 328 pages

Review: Author Donald A. McGavran is considered a founder of the Church Growth Movement in America. In this 3rd edition of his standard work, McGavaran analyzes the causes, methods and strategies for successful church growth both in America and abroad.

Author: Barbara J. Elliott

Publisher: Templeton Foundation Press (2005)

Binding: Paperback, 88 pages

Review: For any individual donor or foundation giving money to a faith-based organization, this guide is indispensable. Equipping the Saints offers sage advice on recognizing the qualities of good leaders, effective programs, and the methods of evaluating outcomes. Based on hundreds of interviews with donors and civic leaders, this guide provides a candid look at the unique strengths and weaknesses of these groups. Equipping the Saints is packed with useful tools like a donor’s interest inventory, a checklist for making a site visit, tips on reading nonprofit financial statements, and hands-on recommendations for making grants that are both effective and prudent.

Author: Marlene Wilson

Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers (1983)

Binding: Paperback, 160 pages

Review: How do you motivate the volunteers on your staff? Are you "burning out" your best people? What can you do with the pew-sitters? Do you find it hard to ask for help? This insightful, practical book by Marlene Wilson, an international authority on volunteerism, will help you answer these and other questions about volunteers in the church. Problems in any church's volunteer program can be corrected, says Wilson. We can learn to care as much about people as we do about programs by using sound principles for human resource management. This new book for all churches points out common problems, establishes management principles, answers questions, and offers a plan to turn the volunteer challenge into a reality.

Author: Donna Pinsoneault

Publisher: Liguori Publications (2001)

Binding: Paperback, 137 pages

Author: Dan Entwistle

Publisher: Abingdon Press (2007)

Binding: Paperback, 64 pages

Author: Gigi Schweikert

Publisher: New Hope Publishers - Grow (2007)

Binding: Paperback, 208 pages

Review: Preschool ministry volunteers are filled with love for children, but often are under prepared for knowing how to handle classroom behavioral emergencies. Church Nanny SOS offers practical, helpful advice for anyone who works with a preschool ministry at their church. The author provides guidance on topics such as: * Discipline techniques in a group setting * Communicating with preschoolers * Separation anxiety * The learning environment * Working with parents on discipline issues * Safety/security issues related to discipline A bonus quick reference section is provided on special situations such as tantrums, biting, and bad language.

Author: Jim Wallis

Publisher: Random House (2000)

Binding: Hardcover, 400 pages

Review: Jim Wallis is the theological equivalent of a jackalope. He's an evangelical protestant with a strong streak of sympathy for works righteousness. As he explains in Faith Works: Lessons from the Life of an Activist Preacher, "in the Bible, faith is not something you possess but rather something you practice. You have to put it into action or it really doesn't mean anything. Faith changes things. It's the energy of transformation, both for individuals and for a society." For decades, Wallis has channeled the boundless energy of his faith into religious activism. He may be best known as the editor of Sojourners magazine and a founder of Call to Renewal, an evangelical ministry to the poor. Faith Works is a genre-busting book that includes elements of memoir, self-help, sociology, politics, and theology. Each of its 15 chapters conveys a spiritual lesson designed to compel readers to put their faith into action and make a difference in their communities. Here are the first three lessons, which will give you some idea of the respectful, humorous, and demanding tones that sound throughout this book: "Trust your questions," "Get out of the house more often," and "Use your gift."

Author: Tony Cooke

Publisher: Faith Library Publications (2005)

Binding: Paperback, 256 pages