Church Growth

All churches like to think that theirs is the friendliest in town. But do visitors see it that way? Church consultant Gary McIntosh invites readers to take a look at their church through the eyes of visitors and potential visitors. His starting point, grounded in an understanding of God as a "welcomer," is that churches should see those who enter their doors as not merely visitors, but as guests, and themselves as gracious hosts. This practical book offers sound advice on assessing and improving the ways in which churches attract people, welcome them, do follow-up, and bring them into the church family. It also offers suggestions for making a welcoming attitude part of the very fabric of the local church.

Monsignor Comiskey offers practical suggestions for extending hospitality in sacramental moments while teaching, serving, greeting, or in day-by-day living. Comiskey begins with the roots of hospitality and its importance in the Bible and concludes with resources useful to parishes looking to reach out and enhance hospitality. Dedicated "To all hospitable people who reach out seeking and finding Christ," Comiskey's work encourages sharing of parish visions and dreams.

Being called or wanting to serve students in your church and community is one thing, but doing so in an effective way that produces fruit is something totally different. In this book youth ministry leaders and supporters will learn practical ways to develop, equip, and empower their youth ministries After The Music Stops . In a day when many youth ministries are focused on the main event whether it s the youth day, youth conference, or youth explosion, this book will help the youth ministry team form a process for what should be done after the big event in order to help the students develop meaningful relationships with Jesus Christ. There are many practical examples from successful youth ministries as well as from Rev Russ s experience. Each section features discussion questions designed to enhance the effectiveness of your youth ministry.

Discover your spiritual gifts, personal style, and God-given passion for serving in the body of Christ Network, the leading course for discovering spiritual gifts and empowering people for ministry has been revised and updated. This material, developed in partnership with the Willow Creek Association, helps churches appropriately guide people to the place of ministry that best reflects who they are. Churches will see increased participation, greater effectiveness, more enthusiasm, and less burn-out in their congregation. Believers in their church will discover the spiritual gifts God has given them. They will have a better understanding of God's will for their lives because of gaining a better understanding of who God created them to be. This complete seminar in a box includes a leader's guide; a participant's guide; a DVD with drama vignettes; and a CD-ROM with a coach's guide, a user's guide, and a PowerPoint. Participants will be assessed on their personal style, spiritual passion, and gifts. Network works with any size group, from small groups of 4 to 12 to large groups of 15 to 150. The six Network sessions can be presented successfully in three flexible formats: three sessions of two hours each; six sessions of forty-five minutes each; or one- two- or three-day retreats.