For teens whose faith seems a little blurry, Clear will help put it into focus. The interactive exercises in this book will help students develop a better understanding of God and his truths so they can be more like Jesus.
A New Kind of Youth Ministrychallenges you to take a fresh look at your ministry through the concept of “reculturing”—the act of changing theway things are done or simply creating a culture of change. No fly-bynight, change-for-the-sake-of-change concept, it’s about altering our paradigms for the sake of life change.
Today’s teens are even more passionate about changing the world than the generation before them. They are learning just how closely their lives tie in to God’s sweeping story of redemption. And as they see how their journeys of faith are connected to an ongoing story, they are asking how to go deeper into that story. So how can we help align their passion with God’s mission so that their lives and the world can be changed? Story, Signs, and Sacred Rhythms presents a new model for youth ministry that is relevant to the missional church and the changing culture. After challenging youth pastors around the world to consider A New Kind of Youth Ministry, Chris Folmsbee now brings a practical approach to youth ministry that will: • offer a clear and compelling vision of a narrative-missional youth ministry • present a theologically rich and accurate summary of God’s story and mission • equip you with an approach to youth ministry that enables you to create, sustain, and refine environments for Christian transformation • unpack a ministry design that’s customizable, measurable, and evaluative, allowing you to refine and change course as needed • empower you to transform an emerging generation, resulting in teens joining God in his mission to restore the world By exploring a narrative approach that is about God’s story, looking at the signs of God, which are God’s images and metaphors to guide our lives, and discovering the saintly cadences that provide the connection between God and mission, you’ll find concepts and ideologies of an entirely new way of thinking about and doing youth ministry.
This book has no rules of engagement.No table of contents.No chapters.No time frame.God doesn’t always move in an orderly, expected way, so why should your devotional experience be contained? Bounce was created to allow you to explore where God leads you--to be an ongoing experience that allows you to encounter God through your own rhythm.Bounce around, read all the entries on a specific topic at once (there is an index in the back to help you out with that), or read the book front to back or back to front. It’s up to you.So start the journey however you would like; may the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit be with you as you explore the places where God is.
We all worship something. Whether it's popularity, beauty, success--you name it--there's something we've made most important in life. But we've been called to a life that's bigger than that.As new creations in Christ, we're called to place him first, to let God reign in our hearts and in every aspect of our lives. And not just for our benefit. When our lives reflect that Jesus is truly Lord, we make the kingdom of God real to our friends, family, teammates, and teachers through our words and actions. Jesus is Lord will help you discover what it means to let Jesus be the Lord of your life. Because when he is, it changes everything.
How can we introduce younger lay people to the practical and accessible Wesley? In The Wesley Challenge Participant Book small groups or whole churches will spend three weeks working through 21 questions that will engage their physical, spiritual and emotional lives and their relationship with God and others. With fast-paced emphasis on graphics and short content bits, the challenge will inspire us to a new kind of commitment—one that is more authentic, vulnerable and soul shaping resulting in thousands of people who have a renewed passion to discover deeper levels of commitment to God and others. Additional components for a three-week study include a comprehensive leader guide and a DVD featuring author Chris Folmsbee, and a youth study guide.
Within the church today there are five generations represented: Traditional, Boomers, Xers, Millennials, and Gen Z. Each generation has value and influences the church community, but research indicates that churches are not engaging Millennials and Generation Z for the purpose of making lasting disciples and that a trend of decline has developed. There will always be a “next generation” to reach. The Garden Resonates will equip church leaders with a framework for sharing the gospel in relevant and compelling ways to the emerging generations. It reframes the gospel narrative and provides leaders with practical help to reverse the trend of decline while weaving a new story of growth and vibrancy.
The Wesley Covenant Prayer has been used in Methodist services around the world on the first Sunday of the year since John Wesley introduced it in 1755. Wesley expected that people would pray this prayer as a way of remembering, renewing, and surrendering themselves in complete trust to God. When we pray it, we are to remember what living like Jesus looks like and what loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and loving our neighbor as ourselves requires of us. In The Wesley Prayer Challenge, author Chris Folmsbee invites readers to consider words from the Wesley Covenant Prayer each day for three weeks while reflecting on their meaning in the context of the larger piece. Each day’s reading will include scripture, prayer, and a challenge for daily life. Additional components for a three-week study include a comprehensive leader guide and a DVD featuring author Chris Folmsbee.
The Wesley Covenant Prayer has been used in Methodist services around the world on the first Sunday of the year since John Wesley introduced it in 1755. Wesley expected that people would pray this prayer as a way of remembering, renewing, and surrendering themselves in complete trust to God. When we pray it, we are to remember what living like Jesus looks like and what loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and loving our neighbor as ourselves requires of us. In The Wesley Prayer Challenge, author Chris Folmsbee invites readers to consider words from the Wesley Covenant Prayer each day for three weeks while reflecting on their meaning in the context of the larger piece. Each day’s reading will include scripture, prayer, and a challenge for daily life. The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the 21-day challenge including session plans and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.
Gladhearted Disciples: Equipping Your Congregation with Generous and Enduring Faith addresses a critical need for church leaders and pastors: How can we guide people to live like Jesus and to draw others into that life? This is a book to study and with your leaders and teams. Gladhearted Disciples starts with an indisputable yet often ignored reality: In a post-modern, post-Christian world, we can no longer attract people by convincing them of our “truth.” We must instead embody the Gospel in such clear and compelling ways that they will be attracted to our way of life. This is the true measure of discipleship. Folmsbee provides a template for the spiritual formation of hopeful, grace-filled, kingdom-focused disciples who represent God’s love in the world. Pastors, Christian educators, and small-group leaders will find here an inspiring new perspective to inspire and support their work.--Ann Michel, Associate Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership I recommend this book for faith communities and all who yearn for a new way of understanding our sacred calling as followers of Jesus.--DJ del Rosario, Sr. Pastor, Bothell UMC, Bothell, WA If you are seeking to guide others in following Jesus into the mission field that exists right outside your front door, read this book. You’ll encounter vivid stories and a theologically grounded, practical, and missional approach to discipleship in a post-Christian world. --Sara B. Thomas, Chief Strategist for Vital Congregations, Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church Gladhearted Disciples takes a radically different and welcome approach to evangelism and discipleship. It is a winsome and accessible book with two audaciously important messages. First, Christian discipleship is grounded in grace, characterized by humility, upwardly focused in gratitude, and outwardly-turned in compassion. Second, Christian communities should be marked by the same. Every church would do well to heed this prophetic yet hopeful message. --Robert K. Martin, Dean and Professor of Christian Formation and Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary If you seek a fresh way to understand and share our faith—a way that makes sense in our current reality, I invite you to delve into this book. May you be newly inspired! --Dottie Escobedo-Frank, author of The Jesus Insurgency with Rudy Rasmus, from Abingdon Press
Different people react to journaling in different ways. To some it comes easy and to others just getting a few pages down is hard. As a spiritual discipline, the act of trying is almost as important . if not more important . than the result. Journaling is an excellent way to connect with God and to practice this discipline is to simply record what we experience physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially and intellectually.With a beautifully designed interior and pocket-sized exterior, The Practice of Journaling will lead you through different waysto develop journaling as a spiritual discipline.Bloom Books can be used in many ways: retreats, small groups, individually, or as a large group. Buy now:QuantityPriceDiscount0-9$1.6510-24$1.4910%25-49$1.3220%50-99*$0.9940%*When you purchase 50 or more you will receive a link to download a Leader’s Experiential Learning Guide that will help you navigate the conversation with your students in engaging, experiencing, processing and applying the discipline to their faith. Size: 3.75. x 3.75., 24 Pages
Different people react to journaling in different ways. To some it comes easy and to others just getting a few pages down is hard. As a spiritual discipline, the act of trying is almost as important . if not more important . than the result. Journaling is an excellent way to connect with God and to practice this discipline is to simply record what we experience physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially and intellectually.With a beautifully designed interior and pocket-sized exterior, The Practice of Journaling will lead you through different waysto develop journaling as a spiritual discipline.Bloom Books can be used in many ways: retreats, small groups, individually, or as a large group. Buy now:QuantityPriceDiscount0-9$1.6510-24$1.4910%25-49$1.3220%50-99*$0.9940%*When you purchase 50 or more you will receive a link to download a Leader’s Experiential Learning Guide that will help you navigate the conversation with your students in engaging, experiencing, processing and applying the discipline to their faith. Size: 3.75. x 3.75., 24 Pages
A World Unbroken is about actively engaging the story of God on your campus, in your community, and in this world. This experience is designed to stretch you spiritually and show you the healing attributes of displaying a Christlike love to a broken and shattered world.Throughout this devotional experience you will have opportunities to dream and then act upon those very dreams. Engage in God's story and participate in his mission to restore the world to its intended wholeness.Big dreams.Bold prayers.Brave actions.Discover the world, not as it is, but how it could be - unbroken.
Different people react to journaling in different ways. To some it comes easy and to others just getting a few pages down is hard. As a spiritual discipline, the act of trying is almost as important . if not more important . than the result. Journaling is an excellent way to connect with God and to practice this discipline is to simply record what we experience physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially and intellectually.With a beautifully designed interior and pocket-sized exterior, The Practice of Journaling will lead you through different waysto develop journaling as a spiritual discipline.Bloom Books can be used in many ways: retreats, small groups, individually, or as a large group. Buy now:QuantityPriceDiscount0-9$1.6510-24$1.4910%25-49$1.3220%50-99*$0.9940%*When you purchase 50 or more you will receive a link to download a Leader’s Experiential Learning Guide that will help you navigate the conversation with your students in engaging, experiencing, processing and applying the discipline to their faith. Size: 3.75. x 3.75., 24 Pages
Different people react to journaling in different ways. To some it comes easy and to others just getting a few pages down is hard. As a spiritual discipline, the act of trying is almost as important . if not more important . than the result. Journaling is an excellent way to connect with God and to practice this discipline is to simply record what we experience physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially and intellectually.With a beautifully designed interior and pocket-sized exterior, The Practice of Journaling will lead you through different waysto develop journaling as a spiritual discipline.Bloom Books can be used in many ways: retreats, small groups, individually, or as a large group. Buy now:QuantityPriceDiscount0-9$1.6510-24$1.4910%25-49$1.3220%50-99*$0.9940%*When you purchase 50 or more you will receive a link to download a Leader’s Experiential Learning Guide that will help you navigate the conversation with your students in engaging, experiencing, processing and applying the discipline to their faith. Size: 3.75. x 3.75., 24 Pages
Prayer is, very simply, a response to the presence of God. His presence surrounds us all the time. God is everywhere that we are. Practicing the presence of God through prayer leads us toward knowing God more and responding to God.s intended ways of life more deeply. With a beautifully designed interior and pocket-sized exterior, The Practice of Journaling will lead you through different ways to develop journaling as a spiritual discipline. Bloom Books can be used in many ways: retreats, small groups, individually, or as a large group. Buy now: QuantityPriceDiscount0-9$1.6510-24$1.4910%25-49$1.3220%50-99*$0.9940% *When you purchase 50 or more you will receive a link to download a Leader's Experiential Learning Guide that will help you navigate the conversation with your students in engaging, experiencing, processing and applying the discipline to their faith.Size: 3.75. x 3.75., 24 Pages
Where’s God when times are hard? He’s winking to let us know He’s with us! Life is mysterious and cryptic. It defies explanation, especially in times of suffering and distress. We wonder, Where is God in all of this? He’s with us—and the Scriptures wink to show us His redemptive activity unfolding in our lives. In Winks from Scripture, Chris Palmer takes you through familiar New Testament stories and points out unfamiliar features that have the effect of a punchline. When the Scriptures wink, you’ll be surprised, delighted, and challenged not to give up hope. “Biblical stories are loaded with mystery,” Chris says. “That mystery keeps us asking questions about the story’s details. In doing so, little ironies and nuances emerge that we hadn’t seen before. This is God winking at us, letting us know He’s there, guiding our lives.” In Winks from Scripture, you will: • Come to embrace mystery • Learn how to appreciate uncertainty and integrate it into a vibrant life of faith • Discover how God triumphs over suffering • Observe how the New Testament writers understood the Old Testament through Jesus • Renew your hope in God’s beautiful plan of creation and redemption Guided by careful scholarship and heartfelt, pastoral reflection, these thirty studies offer a fresh perspective to the most difficult questions of the Christian faith, certain to bring comfort to your soul.
If your vision is out of focus, simple tasks like driving, reading, and writing become difficult to do well. Faith is not all that different.In order to follow Jesus and become more like him, it helps if you can see your faith clearly—it helps to have a theology that you live by. Theology is simply the study of God and the Christian faith, and the understanding of how God and faith play out in our everyday lives. In Clear, you’ll walk through the foundations to a Christian theology so that you can better understand God and bring his truths into focus. You’ll learn more about: • God• Jesus• The Holy Spirit• Humanity• Sin• Salvation• The Church• Heaven At your own pace, you can work through the interactive exercises in this book to grow closer to God and to bring your faith into focus. You’ll have opportunities to study the Bible, pray, put your new knowledge into action, and much more. If any part of your faith seems a little blurry, this book will help you see it more clearly.
Today’s teens are even more passionate about changing the world than the generation before them. They are learning just how closely their lives tie in to God’s sweeping story of redemption. And as they see how their journeys of faith are connected to an ongoing story, they are asking how to go deeper into that story. So how can we help align their passion with God’s mission so that their lives and the world can be changed? Story, Signs, and Sacred Rhythms presents a new model for youth ministry that is relevant to the missional church and the changing culture. After challenging youth pastors around the world to consider A New Kind of Youth Ministry, Chris Folmsbee now brings a practical approach to youth ministry that will: • offer a clear and compelling vision of a narrative-missional youth ministry • present a theologically rich and accurate summary of God’s story and mission • equip you with an approach to youth ministry that enables you to create, sustain, and refine environments for Christian transformation • unpack a ministry design that’s customizable, measurable, and evaluative, allowing you to refine and change course as needed • empower you to transform an emerging generation, resulting in teens joining God in his mission to restore the world By exploring a narrative approach that is about God’s story, looking at the signs of God, which are God’s images and metaphors to guide our lives, and discovering the saintly cadences that provide the connection between God and mission, you’ll find concepts and ideologies of an entirely new way of thinking about and doing youth ministry.
The Wesley Covenant Prayer has been used in Methodist services around the world on the first Sunday of the year since John Wesley introduced it in 1755. Wesley expected that people would pray this prayer as a way of remembering, renewing, and surrendering themselves in complete trust to God. When we pray it, we are to remember what living like Jesus looks like and what loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and loving our neighbor as ourselves requires of us. In The Wesley Prayer Challenge, author Chris Folmsbee invites readers to consider words from the Wesley Covenant Prayer each day for three weeks while reflecting on their meaning in the context of the larger piece. Each day’s reading will include scripture, prayer, and a challenge for daily life. Additional components for a three-week study include a comprehensive leader guide and a DVD featuring author Chris Folmsbee.
A New Kind of Youth Ministrychallenges you to take a fresh look at your ministry through the concept of “reculturing”—the act of changing theway things are done or simply creating a culture of change. No fly-bynight, change-for-the-sake-of-change concept, it’s about altering our paradigms for the sake of life change.
The Wesley Covenant Prayer has been used in Methodist services around the world on the first Sunday of the year since John Wesley introduced it in 1755. Wesley expected that people would pray this prayer as a way of remembering, renewing, and surrendering themselves in complete trust to God. When we pray it, we are to remember what living like Jesus looks like and what loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and loving our neighbor as ourselves requires of us. In The Wesley Prayer Challenge, author Chris Folmsbee invites readers to consider words from the Wesley Covenant Prayer each day for three weeks while reflecting on their meaning in the context of the larger piece. Each day’s reading will include scripture, prayer, and a challenge for daily life. The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the 21-day challenge including session plans and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.
Within the church today there are five generations represented: Traditional, Boomers, Xers, Millennials, and Gen Z. Each generation has value and influences the church community, but research indicates that churches are not engaging Millennials and Generation Z for the purpose of making lasting disciples and that a trend of decline has developed. There will always be a “next generation” to reach. The Garden Resonates will equip church leaders with a framework for sharing the gospel in relevant and compelling ways to the emerging generations. It reframes the gospel narrative and provides leaders with practical help to reverse the trend of decline while weaving a new story of growth and vibrancy.
How can we introduce younger lay people to the practical and accessible Wesley? In The Wesley Challenge Participant Book small groups or whole churches will spend three weeks working through 21 questions that will engage their physical, spiritual and emotional lives and their relationship with God and others. With fast-paced emphasis on graphics and short content bits, the challenge will inspire us to a new kind of commitment—one that is more authentic, vulnerable and soul shaping resulting in thousands of people who have a renewed passion to discover deeper levels of commitment to God and others. Additional components for a three-week study include a comprehensive leader guide and a DVD featuring author Chris Folmsbee, and a youth study guide.
Gladhearted Disciples: Equipping Your Congregation with Generous and Enduring Faith addresses a critical need for church leaders and pastors: How can we guide people to live like Jesus and to draw others into that life? This is a book to study and with your leaders and teams. Gladhearted Disciples starts with an indisputable yet often ignored reality: In a post-modern, post-Christian world, we can no longer attract people by convincing them of our “truth.” We must instead embody the Gospel in such clear and compelling ways that they will be attracted to our way of life. This is the true measure of discipleship. Folmsbee provides a template for the spiritual formation of hopeful, grace-filled, kingdom-focused disciples who represent God’s love in the world. Pastors, Christian educators, and small-group leaders will find here an inspiring new perspective to inspire and support their work.--Ann Michel, Associate Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership I recommend this book for faith communities and all who yearn for a new way of understanding our sacred calling as followers of Jesus.--DJ del Rosario, Sr. Pastor, Bothell UMC, Bothell, WA If you are seeking to guide others in following Jesus into the mission field that exists right outside your front door, read this book. You’ll encounter vivid stories and a theologically grounded, practical, and missional approach to discipleship in a post-Christian world. --Sara B. Thomas, Chief Strategist for Vital Congregations, Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church Gladhearted Disciples takes a radically different and welcome approach to evangelism and discipleship. It is a winsome and accessible book with two audaciously important messages. First, Christian discipleship is grounded in grace, characterized by humility, upwardly focused in gratitude, and outwardly-turned in compassion. Second, Christian communities should be marked by the same. Every church would do well to heed this prophetic yet hopeful message. --Robert K. Martin, Dean and Professor of Christian Formation and Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary If you seek a fresh way to understand and share our faith—a way that makes sense in our current reality, I invite you to delve into this book. May you be newly inspired! --Dottie Escobedo-Frank, author of The Jesus Insurgency with Rudy Rasmus, from Abingdon Press
Pastor Chris does some really neat Bible Studies; when he taught one on the gospel stories that are unique to Luke, I thought he should write a book about it. He said yes, if I include my thought in it as well. The Young Pastor-Pastor Chris Halverson is currently the Pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran, South Plainfield, NJ. He came here directly from Seminary at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Before that he was a Missionary in England and did an M. Phil. in Intertestamental Studies at the University of Cambridge (St. Edmund's College). The Not So Young Parishioner-Linda Nietman, a life long Lutheran is a retired Navy Nurse. She worked at the bedside and as a nursing instructor for 25 years. While she at one time considered the ministry, she had found her true calling as a nurse and as an active parishioner.
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