Acclaimed church leader, blogger, founder and chief strategic officer of The Unstuck Group, Tony Morgan unpacks the lifecycle of a typical church, identifies characteristics of each phase, and provides practical next steps a church can take to move towards sustained health. Think about your church for a moment. Is it growing? Is it diminishing? Is it somewhere in between? Acclaimed church leader, blogger, and founder and chief strategic officer of The Unstuck Group, Tony Morgan has identified the seven stages of a church's lifecycle that range from the hopeful and optimistic days of launch, to the stagnating last stages of life support. Regardless of the stage in which you find your church, it carries with it the world's greatest mission—to "go and make disciples of all the nations . . ." With eternity at stake the Church should be doing most everything within its power to see lives changed forever. The Church should strive for the pinnacle of the lifecycle, where they are continually making new disciples and experiencing what Morgan refers to as "sustained health." In The Unstuck Church, Morgan unpacks each phase of the church lifecycle, and offers specific and strategic next steps the church leader can take to find it's way to sustained health . . . and finally become unstuck. The Unstuck Church is a call for honest an assessment of where your church sits on the lifecycle, and a challenge to move beyond it.
Concise Wisdom from a Pastoral Veteran The Kingdom Pastor’s Library is a new series that brings you a succinct, complete pastoral philosophy and training from Tony Evans. The Centrality of the Church will help you sort out the structure and strategies you need to have in place in your congregation. From installing elders and deacons to cross-departmental communication, Dr. Evans gives you an invaluable tutorial in the affairs of Christ’s church. Faithful. Powerful. Practical. Become a kingdom pastor today.
The Christian life isn't very complicated; but we've made it so through our ignorance of principles central to the Christian walk. There are some basics with which people need to be equipped to live a more victorious Christian life. Tony Evans has heard the people's cry for these sometimes difficult principles to be made simple and explained clearly and succinctly. In his new Tony Evans Speaks Out . . . booklet series, Evans tackles four basic elements of Christianity with a clarity and simplicity characteristic of his popular style.
Eight years ago the popular and outspoken priest Tony Flannery was withdrawn from his ministry by his religious congregation, the Redemptorists, under orders from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican. The CDF took issue with some of his writings, saying they were heretical. He was forbidden to perform priestly duties, or to write any articles or give interviews. Refusing to submit to this sentence, the intervening eight years have given him a greater degree of freedom of thought and action than he had ever experienced during his life as a priest in ministry. From the Outside is a product of what he has ascertained and come to believe during those years. The Church is facing many challenges. A great many people are leaving or have left; priest numbers are declining; clerical sex abuse still festers; women are excluded from ministry and decision-making, and that is becoming more and more of an anomaly as time goes by. Leadership in the Church seems incapable of dealing with these challenges, leaving the Church with a serious credibility issue. Along with these issues, From the Outside also deals with a much more fundamental and intractable problem, namely the problem of Church doctrine. Many of what are regarded as fundamental doctrines in the Church date from the early centuries of Christianity. To hold that what was defined about God over fifteen hundred years ago must be accepted without question in the twenty-first century is no longer credible. Flannery outlines what needs to be changed, both in the content and language of doctrine, and in the images and metaphors used. Challenging and controversial, From the Outside asks the Church leadership to look again at some of its basic doctrines. Change is needed. Tony Flannery is a Redemptorist priest, well known for his writings on a variety of Church issues. His previous books include A Question of Conscience (2013), From the Inside: A Priest’s View of the Catholic Church (1999), Keeping the Faith (2005), and Death of Religious Life? (1997).
The church has been established as that place where the values of eternity operate in history. It is a place where weary people can go to find truth, acceptance, freedom, forgiveness and hope. Operating in the world while being a model for the world, it offers an alternative to the world. God has so positioned and postured this unique body of Christ as a community of individuals spiritually linked together with the primary purpose of reflecting and legislating the values of His kingdom. In One Church Under God, Dr. Tony Evans explores the purpose, Person, presence, people, power and proclamation of the church in order to equip believers to fully live out the great commission of Christ. This booklet is a part of the Life under God series, a 5-book series adapted from the 5 sections found in The Kingdom Agenda, the legacy work of Dr. Tony Evans. This booklet is based on the “One Church under God” section.
Concise Wisdom from a Pastoral Veteran The Kingdom Pastor’s Library is a new series that brings you a succinct, complete pastoral philosophy and training from Tony Evans. Our Witness to the World teaches you how to equip every member of your church to go out into their neighborhoods for effective outreach. It also demonstrates how important social impact is for spreading the gospel. Faithful. Powerful. Practical. Become a Kingdom Pastor Today.
How to grow in love for your church. God calls us to be "devoted to one another in love" (Romans 12:10). What does this look like for us today? How can we be the kind of church member who makes a real difference? This engaging book by Tony Merida explores what church is, why being part of it is exciting, and why it’s worthy of our love and commitment. He sets out eight privileges and responsibilities of a church member: to belong, to welcome, to gather, to care, to serve, to honour, to witness and to send. As we see how wonderful it is to belong to God’s family and be a part of his amazing witness to both the earthly and the heavenly realms, we’ll grow in our love for and commitment to our local church. This is a great book for every churchgoer to read, whether they’re new or have been attending for some time but need re-energising with God’s vision for the local church. With a discussion guide at the end of the book, Love Your Church is also a great resource for small groups.
The Christian life isn't very complicated; but we've made it so through our ignorance of principles central to the Christian walk. There are some basics with which people need to be equipped to live a more victorious Christian life. Tony Evans has heard the people's cry for these sometimes difficult principles to be made simple and explained clearly and succinctly. In his new Tony Evans Speaks Out . . . booklet series, Evans tackles four basic elements of Christianity with a clarity and simplicity characteristic of his popular style.
The Christian life isn't very complicated; but we've made it so through our ignorance of principles central to the Christian walk. There are some basics with which people need to be equipped to live a more victorious Christian life. Tony Evans has heard the people's cry for these sometimes difficult principles to be made simple and explained clearly and succinctly. In his new Tony Evans Speaks Out . . . booklet series, Evans tackles four basic elements of Christianity with a clarity and simplicity characteristic of his popular style.
Picture this: it’s Saturday afternoon, and you’re putting the finishing touches on tomorrow’s sermon. You’ve been thinking, researching, and praying about this message all week, and thankfully, feel prepared. That is, except for one small detail—you aren’t sure how to begin. For more than 30 years, Tony Evans has been connecting with audiences around the world. Now his tools are available for you. Don’t leave your listeners to connect the dots. Let Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations help you illustrate your point in a way they can’t forget.
Tony Evans defines the church in vibrant terms: it is a continuation of Christ's incarnation. As such, it is the most important spiritual institution in human history. He helps the church discover its identity and purpose for existence, and provides believers a biblically healthy context in which to grow and live out their lives. This book will inspire you to help make your place of worship all that God intends it to be.
Pastor and popular church culture blogger Tony Morgan once worked as a city manager, a CEO-type job with the suit and tie, corner office, the works. Despite his top-rank status, Tony’s list of responsibilities still included killing cockroaches whenever a freaked out co-worker spotted one in the building. That’s where this unconventional, unforgettable book on church leadership begins. Morgan’s point is that great leaders don’t have to do everything. The key is to play from your strengths while building a team that manages around your weaknesses. Written in a relaxed style similar to marketing guru Seth Godin, Killing Cockroaches’ 142 offbeat, on-target entries will delight and energize church leaders. Chapter titles include “10 Easy Ways to Make Your Church Services More Boring” (creative services), “Action Speaks Louder than Advertising” (meeting people’s physical needs), and “The Power of Simple” (eliminating noise).
Oneness is hard to achieve. Let the kingdom unity of Scripture point the way. Today’s world is torn apart. Tension is everywhere. Brother is pitted against brother, sister against sister, citizen against citizen, even Christian against Christian. It’s so hard to find agreement—much less real harmony—in our polarized society. Can there be a way forward? Tony Evans knows how elusive unity can be. As a black man who’s also a leader in white evangelicalism, he understands how hard it can be to bring these worlds together. Yet he’s convinced that the gospel provides a way for Christians to find oneness despite the things that divide us. In the Word of God, we find a kingdom-based approach to matters of history, culture, the church, and social justice. In this book, you’ll get: A Biblical Look at Oneness A Historical View of the Black Church A Kingdom Vision for Societal Impact Although oneness is hard to achieve, the Christian must never stop striving. It’s a kingdom imperative. As Tony reminds us, “Glorifying God is our ultimate goal. Oneness exists to enable us to reach our goal.”
Do you want to be challenged to deepen your understanding of the characteristics and requirements of Almighty God? The Understanding God Series contains the bulk of Pastor Tony Evans' compelling and hard-hitting resources on the essentials about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Spiritual Warfare, and prophecy. Now available in paperback, readers will not want to be without a single book in the series by this popular and powerful speaker and author.What are the central precepts a person should know to fully follow Christ? As only he can, Tony Evans very clearly presents what he terms 'four absolute necessities' to following the Lord. Readers will be led into a more intense, passionate walk with Christ as they come to understand what's required.
“That they may be one even as we are one” - Jesus the Messiah In a response to today’s racially charged climate, Dr. Tony Evans speaks from a spiritual perspective and discusses the need for racial healing in our nation and in our churches. He proposes that at the core of racial disunity lies the failure to understand and execute righteousness and justice from God’s perspective. In this timely digital ebook, which concludes with a personal challenge to all believers, Dr. Evans calls readers to be intentional about embracing God’s desire for oneness.
The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. Some Christians are intensely critical and even fearful of what the twenty-first-century church is becoming—citing its lack of holiness, compassion, biblical literacy, relevance to the world, and more. But when has the church not faced tribulation? In The Triumphant Church, Tony Suárez invites you to journey with him as he examines the birth and growth of Jesus’ glorious church—full of flaws and imperfect people, yet beautifully and wonderfully made. Using the stories from Acts, Tony encourages you to:invest in the church instead of leaving it.prioritize unity amidst threats of division.trust God to fulfill his promises when facing doubt and fear.expect the best from God when you hear the worst from the world.rise up and make disciples.We are trusted by God to carry out His mission of sharing the gospel to all nations. The noise in the news that says the church is in decline is simply not true. The body of Christ continues to grow and show that what God promises, He fulfills.
“Loss. Fear. Doubt. What does anything mean when your ground of being is stripped away?” Tony met God when he was four years old through the love of his mother. When he was twelve, he realized he had a crush on one of his male friends and grew convinced God would have nothing to do with him. At sixteen, Tony reencountered God who affirmed that nothing stood between them but love. When he was twenty-three, married to the girl of his dreams, and on staff at a church, Tony’s secret came out, and he came close to losing it all. What followed was arduous years of deconstruction, losing everything he thought he knew about God, only to rediscover God in the mystery. This God was not a new God—it was the same one as before, just seen with regenerated faith. This God was more beautiful and restorative than Tony could have ever imagined. Tony’s story is not uncommon in the modern evangelical landscape. Thousands of people throughout the West are experiencing a crisis of faith that is commonly referred to as “deconstruction.” With raw honesty, Tony uses his own story as a starting point for a dialogue on the deconstruction process. Tony unpacks what the deconstruction process is, why it happens, and how the church can help people experiencing a crisis of faith without worsening it along the way. In this memoir, Tony candidly pleads for the church to make a turn: not to a trendier, “progressive” version of Christianity, nor to a stricter form of fundamentalism, but to the revolutionary, Jesus-centered movement that changed the face of the earth. A movement once better known for its society of healing love than its dogma.
The culture in North America is shifting out from under the Christian church. This book demonstrates how this shift is calling for change in the church and the art of Jesus proclamation. On the one hand, the church is losing its place of influence within greater society, but on the other hand, this post-Christian citizenry are more open (less anxious) when faced with many Christian expressions. One particular hope for the church, as it discovers a new life within post-Christendom, will be found in historically grounded, liturgical worship. Welcome to the Table was written by a churchman who is also a citizen of post-Christian culture. It provides a thoughtful discussion of the place of liturgical worship within the culture shift, addressing it thematically and providing specific and practical suggestions for the administration of ancient forms.
If the Bible is allowed to be the standard by which blacks and whites determine truth, then freedom from this moral and racial malaise will be the outcome; for as Jesus taught, the truth has a unique capacity of making people free. Dr. Tony Evans Respected and beloved pastor Tony Evans provides an accessible overview of black church history. Evans opens the eyes of the reader to the black presence in the Scriptures and takes a focused look at the uniqueness and place of the black church. Drawing from stories and historical events, best-selling author Evans addresses the myth of black inferiority and looks at the rise of black evangelicalism. In addition, Evans faithfully interacts with movements such as Black Lives Matter, Critical Race Theory, and the 1619 Project. This timely resource is for anyone seeking unity and understanding. In an age where division and confusion abound, A Survey of the Black Church in America provides a divine, clear, kingdom-focused perspective.
Some would say that Christianity is dead in America. No cultural Christianity may be dead, but the Church is alive and well. It just needs to reach the culture. Written by the founding pastor of Sonrise Community Church in Santee, California and the chair for the advisory board of World Help, Tony Foglio shares a message that pastors and churches need to hear today.
Where Have All the Servants Gone? compares the first three Israelite Kings to the way we lead churches today. Where Have All the Servants Gone? uses the servant parable to tie the three kings to the job description Jesus laid out for us as church leaders and also to how we should lead the next generation into their roles in church.
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…” Ephesians 3:10 Churches have been uniquely called to impact our society for good. In this timely digital eBook, Dr. Tony Evans offers "the plan" we have all been looking for to not only bring about racial unity in our country but to also restore our communities. He unveils a local model for the church that will impact your community and effect change in the lives of many. This step-by-step plan is sure to transform communities, and our nation.
What if the path toward an extraordinary life is becoming more ordinary? Ordinary is not a call to be more radical. If anything, it is a call to the contrary. The kingdom of God isn’t coming with light shows, and shock and awe, but with lowly acts of service. Tony Merida wants to push back against sensationalism and “rock star Christianity,” and help people understand that they can make a powerful impact by practicing ordinary Christianity. Through things such as humble acts of service, neighbor love, and hospitality, Christians can shake the foundations of the culture. In order to see things happen that have never happened before, Christians must to do what Christians have always done. Christians need to become more ordinary. Let’s think together about how we, ordinary people, doing ordinary things, might turn the world upside down.
In this book the authors explore some dynamic trends in society and church that are pushing believers into simpler ways of doing church. -- from back cover.
A thrilling backstage account of how God is restoring divine order in his house, shifting the church from church-as-we-know-it to church-as-God-wants-it.
The 2020 murder of George Floyd ignited a racial firestorm throughout America, provoking lament and grief over a long history of tragedy. The widespread protests gave way to a heated discussion about terms such as systemic racism, white privilege, and Critical Race Theory, all framed by the slogan “black lives matter.” The beginnings of a helpful dialogue on diversity became a heated battle, one that quickly spread to the church. Drawing on forty years of ministry experience, Tony Evans writes with a fearless and prophetic voice, probing to the heart of the issue and pointing to God’s Word as the solution. Kingdom Race Theology helps people and churches commit to restitution, reconciliation, and responsibility. His penetrating and practical ideas will help pastors and church leaders sort through the conflicting theories, finding sensible solutions in the form of individual and collective action plans. Christians can work together across racial lines to repair the damage done by a long history of racial injustice.
Bestselling author and modern-day prophet Tony Campolo believes that one of the best ways to tell the grand story of the gospel is to tell stories of everyday life where God is at work...just as Jesus did during his earthly ministry. This collection of stories from Tony's lifelong friendships and international travels allow readers to "overhear" the gospel at work around the world. Set around Romans 8, the stories center on eight gospel themes: freedom of condemnation, new life in Christ, intimacy with God, the call to rescue creation, living with hope, praying in the Spirit, God's plans for us, and the assurance we need. Whether humorous or poignant, each one is an unforgettable echo of God at work around us and within us.
Everything you need to know about Scripture The Wonder of the Word gives you a complete survey of the Bible and shows you how Scripture produces power in someone’s life. It is the second book in the Kingdom Pastor’s Library from Tony Evans and will reinvigorate your love for Scripture. Dr. Evans explores the nature and benefits of God’s Word, as well as how to sow and grow the seed. It will also cover important topic such as: The revelation of Scripture The inspiration of Scripture The illumination of Scripture The interpretation of Scripture The canonicity of Scripture Learn the essentials of Scripture from the gifted, veteran pastor, Tony Evans. The Kingdom Pastor’s Library is a series of books that brings you a concise, complete pastoral philosophy and training from Tony Evans. Faithful. Powerful. Practical. Become a Kingdom Pastor today.
Miracles of the Past Preparing You for the Future The Body of Christ is ordained to walk in the supernatural. That has always been the plan, and you have a part to play in the mercy, power, and love of God being demonstrated in the earth. Despite claims that miracles ceased with the apostles, Jesus said that believers would do the same works He...
The God who set aside power in order to live out love--fully expressing that love on Calvary's tree--is at the core of the Christian message to the world. Yet in the centuries since Christ's refusal to yield to Satan's temptation to establish his kingdom through economic, political, and religious power, the Church has struggled to make the same refusal. In Choose Love Not Power, scholar, activist, and modern-day prophet Tony Campolo explores the relationship between love and power, beginning with an examination of Jesus' life and working toward a "theology of power" for Christians today. He surveys the implications of choosing love over power when it comes to the global community's most pressing issues--environmental degradation, economic inequality and instability, and perpetual war. Dr. Campolo suggests that the choice between love and power begins close to home: Christ-followers who choose love over power in marriage and in parenting will likewise opt for love in their churches, communities, and governments. The growing number of believers seeking a more authentically Christlike way to be Christian in a diverse, pluralistic society will be challenged and encouraged by this unflinching look at Jesus's example of love.
Moving from Passivity to Purpose For many Christians, "church" is defined by attending an occasional Sunday service mired in an audience mentality. Virtually ineffective and having no impact, we have become a cultural Christianity that creates passive believers. Yet the Church is meant for so much more! Tony Cooke challenges the way some see church with biblical and historical evidence that paints a radically different picture.Through New Testament exhortations, Tony mobilizes the body of Christ to action. He reminds us to be a living, fully engaged body carrying life to those who are lost and without hope. The End of Spectator Church launches you from inactivity to full participation– across the street, across town, or across the ocean. Tony writes with contagious zeal and encouragement as he reveals: Your divine purpose for "such a time as this" Hurting people are waiting on the gifts inside you The body of Christ only functions fully when each part is in place What the true "priesthood of all believers" looks like today The call to radical engagement is sounding, and it's time to answer. Take your place in a fully awakened and activated Church!
There is a crisis in church leadership today. Because of widespread scandals, significant power struggles within denominations and local churches, and self-serving clergy and laity, society has lost confidence in the Church as a moral voice. What is the solution? The Cross and the Towel provides an ancient prophetic voice in overcoming the sins within the church. It is a guidebook for pastors and church leaders who have a sincere desire to achieve God's true mission in the world. About the Author Tony Baron holds a double doctorate in psychology and theology and currently serves as president of Servant Leadership Institute at Datron World Communications, Inc., headquartered in Vista, California. An ordained Anglican priest and canon within the Anglican Mission in the Americas, Dr. Baron teaches leadership, pastoral ministry, and Anglican studies at Azusa Pacific University School of Theology. A past regional director within the Order of St. Luke Healing Ministry, Dr. Baron is board certified in forensic medicine, is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychological Specialties, and consults with leaders around the world on how to live for the sake of others. He is also the author of The Art of Servant Leadership: Designing Your Organization for the Sake of Others.
Stand on the shoulders of giants!Have you ever wished you could have a mentor like the Apostle Paul—someone trustworthy to guide your spiritual development and ministry? Tony Cooke, author, teacher, and student of church history, has assembled a panel of the greatest Christian spiritual leaders of all time, curating a profound, yet...
Orphanology unveils the grassroots movement that’s engaged in a comprehensive response to serve hundreds of millions of orphans and “functionally parentless” children. You’ll see a breadth of ways to care with biblical perspective and reasons why we must. Heartwarming, personal stories and vivid illustrations from a growing network of families, churches, and organizations that cross culture show how to respond to God’s mandate. The book empowers: - churches—to plan preaching, teaching, ministering, missions, funding adoption, supporting orphans; - individuals and families—to overcome challenges and uncertainties; - every believer—to gain insights to help orphans in numerous ways. Discover how to - adopt; - assist orphans in transition; - engage in foster care; - partner with faith-based fostering agencies; - become orphan hosts. Along with their families’ adoption stories, Merida and Morton give steps for action and features on churches doing orphan ministry, faith-based children’s homes, orphan-hosting groups, and other resources.
Church planters Tony and Felicity Dale and acclaimed researcher George Barna bring a big message to God’s church. How might we change the world if our Christian faith began multiplying at a rapid pace—through a way of life that is explosive and transformational? It happened once before, in the early days of the church; what will it take to bring us to that point of urgency and determination again? Small Is Big (originally published as The Rabbit and the Elephant) offers keys to 21st-century evangelism: leveraging the power of the small—and taking the gospel to where the people are and the pain is. And as God uses us to channel Jesus’ love into a hurting, desperate world, we’ll see his church grow beyond anything we could have imagined.
The purpose of this book is to help you discover a biblical perspective about winning in life. Genesis 1:26 reads: God said let us make man in our image and in our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the heavens, over the livestock and over all the earth and everything that creeps on the earth. (KJV) This verse sets the stage for the entire context of this book, as it lays the foundational truth about who you area winner! Whether you feel like one, look like one, or act like one now is irrelevant. The most important factor is to see how God made youjust like Him. In His image and likeness, and with His characteristics and nature. Heres the good news: God is a winner, thus YOU have been predetermined and designed to win in life as well. Over recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in the Church concerning these truths. More and more Christian leaders have begun to acknowledge this biblical understanding of ruling as kings in this life, as taught by Jesus Himself. With this understanding, can you begin to see Gods original intent for humanity? It is His will for you to win in life! Now, its time for you to live in this same victory and dominionjust as God intended you to live. Together, we can become the winners God has designed us to be. You have been CREATED TO WIN!
With an introduction by Sir Patrick Stewart. Tony Church, actor, director and teacher was a founder member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, head of drama at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Dean of the National Conservatory in Denver, Colorado. In a career spanning six decades, starting with the part of Grumpy in Snow White and culminating in a one-man show, he performed on a variety of stages worldwide: from the Vatican to a field in Greece, from Windsor Castle to a table top in California. This warm and entertaining memoir takes the reader on a lively journey through the world of twentieth century theatre. Concluding the book is a description by Geoffrey Church, Tony's son, of the last ever performance on the old stage at the Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. Featuring a star-studded cast this was also Tony's farewell to the stage.
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