Christianity Today Book of the YearIn the overlooked moments and routines of our day, we can become aware of God's presence in surprising ways. How do we embrace the sacred in the ordinary and the ordinary in the sacred? Framed around one typical day, this book explores life through the lens of liturgy—small practices and habits that form us. In each c… Read more…
How Baptism and the Eucharist Shaped Early Christian Understandings of JesusLong before the Gospel writers put pen to papyrus, the earliest Christians participated in the powerful rituals of baptism and the Lord's Supper, which fundamentally shaped their understanding of God, Christ, and the world in which they lived. In this volume, a respected biblical… Read more…
Modern worship leaders are restless. They have inherited a model of leadership that equates leading worship with being a rock star. But leading worship is more than a performance, it's about shaping souls and making disciples. Every worship leader is really a pastor.The Worship Pastor is a practical and biblical introduction to this essential pastoral ro… Read more…
Author Kurtis Parks understands the realities of being a worship leader. In Sound Check he offers insights about:What it means to worship with authenticityHow to cast a vision of excellence for a worship teamWays to rely on the Holy Spirit in leading worshipPractical approaches to spiritual disciplinesWhat to do about the ongoing struggle of separating perfo… Read more…
Is Lord's Day observance simply a quaint tradition that was nice for previous generations but really isn't relevant for Christians today? Isn't the Sabbath just part of the Old Testament law that New Testament believers don't need to be concerned about? In this pamphlet, author Joseph Pipa carefully guides you through the Scriptures, answerin… Read more…
From one pastor to another...No one is ever fully prepared for the ministry. For pastors just starting out, those needing a little rebalancing, or those growing tired in the trenches, a short guide to the basics is a welcome relief. In On Pastoring, H. B. Charles gives 30 instructive reflections on the pastor’s heart, leadership, and public min… Read more…
The Church at Worship is a series of documentary case studies of specific worshiping communities from around the world and throughout Christian history — case studies that can inform and enrich worship practices today. In Lifting Hearts to the Lord Karin Maag brings together a wealth of primary sources to examine worship as it was taught and practiced … Read more…
The church’s ministry of the Lord’s Supper is vital, but students and pastors often think of this sacrament almost completely in terms of theological differences. Congregations hear few sermons about how God builds his people’s faith, hope, and love at Lord’s Table.
In this brief, practical book for those who serve the Lord’s Supper, Howard Gri… Read more…
In a world where the church is being ignored, it is time to bring the church to the people, and not the people to the church, says researcher and church strategy consultant Wolfgang Simson. His book Houses that Change the World (originally published in the UK) is widely recognized as a classic of the house church movement. Now revised as The House Church Boo… Read more…
Many pastors are confused about what to say during children's time in churches. Feasting on the Word Children's Sermons for Year C offers practical suggestions for preparing and delivering the children's sermon. After explaining the purpose of the children's sermon, noted Christian educator Carol Wehrheim provides a story for each Sunday of t… Read more…
In this introductory volume, perfect for Protestant new member and confirmation classes, acclaimed theologian and writer N. T. Wright explains in clear and vivid style the background of the Last Supper, the ways in which Christians have interpreted this event over the centuries, and what it all means for us today.… Read more…
If the future is creative, is it any wonder that sometimes the church seems stuck in the past? Now is the time for the church to reclaim its role as a center of creativity. Among your members are artists, musicians and other creatives whose gifts can enhance your worship, inform your theology and impact your community. Christian arts advocate J. Scott McElro… Read more…