Empowered Witness (Foreword by Kevin DeYoung)

by Alan D. Strange

Author	: Alan D. Strange
Publisher	: Crossway
Total Pages	: 155
Release	: 2024-01-23
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 1433584301

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Rediscovering the Spirituality of the Church in Our Highly Politicized Age The goal of the church should be simple—share the gospel to the ends of the earth. But in our highly politicized age, Christians can tend to place earthly political and social agendas over God's spiritual mission of the church. In Empowered Witness, author Alan D. Strange examines the doctrine of the spirituality of the church, making a clear distinction between the functions of the church and other institutions. Strange argues that if the church continues to push political agendas, no institution will be focused solely on the Great Commission and the gospel will be lost entirely. This book calls readers to become aware of the church's power and limits and shed light on moral issues in a way that doesn't alter the deeply spiritual and gospel-centered mission of the church. Explores the Spirituality of the Church: An important biblical doctrine developed in the 19th century Appeals to Thoughtful Laypeople and Church Leaders: Considers the critical distinctions between the church and other institutions Historical: Examines the purpose of the church throughout history and the development of the spirituality of the church in the 19th century Foreword by Kevin DeYoung: Author of Just Do Something; Crazy Busy; and The Biggest Story

What Is the Mission of the Church?

by Kevin DeYoung

Author	: Kevin DeYoung
Publisher	: Crossway
Total Pages	: 290
Release	: 2011-09-08
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 143352693X

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Social justice and mission are hot topics today: there's a wonderful resurgence of motivated Christians passionate about spreading the gospel and caring for the needs of others. But in our zeal to get sharing and serving, many are unclear on gospel and mission. Yes, we are called to spend ourselves for the sake of others, but what is the church's unique priority as it engages the world? DeYoung and Gilbert write to help Christians "articulate and live out their views on the mission of the church in ways that are theologically faithful, exegetically careful, and personally sustainable." Looking at the Bible's teaching on evangelism, social justice, and shalom, they explore the what, why, and how of the church's mission. From defining "mission", to examining key passages on social justice and their application, to setting our efforts in the context of God's rule, DeYoung and Gilbert bring a wise, studied perspective to the missional conversation. Readers in all spheres of ministry will grow in their understanding of the mission of the church and gain a renewed sense of urgency for Jesus' call to preach the Word and make disciples.

Don't Call It a Comeback (Foreword by D. A. Carson)

by Kevin DeYoung

Author	: Kevin DeYoung
Publisher	: Crossway
Total Pages	: 254
Release	: 2011-01-06
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 1433521725

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Recent cultural interest in evangelicalism has led to considerable confusion about what the term actually means. Many young Christians are tempted to discard the label altogether. But evangelicalism is not merely a political movement in decline or a sociological phenomenon on the rise, as it has sometimes been portrayed. It is, in fact, a helpful theological profile that manifests itself in beliefs, ethics, and church life. DeYoung and other key twenty- and thirty-something evangelical Christian leaders present Don't Call It a Comeback: The Same Evangelical Faith for a New Day to assert the stability, relevance, and necessity of Christian orthodoxy today. This book introduces young, new, and under-discipled Christians to the most essential and basic issues of faith in general and of evangelicalism in particular. Kevin DeYoung and contributors like Russell Moore, Darrin Patrick, Justin Taylor, Thabiti Anyabwile, and Tim Challies examine what evangelical Christianity is and does within the broad categories of history, theology, and practice. They demonstrate that evangelicalism is still biblically and historically rooted and remains the same framework for faith that we need today.

Grace Defined and Defended

by Kevin DeYoung

Author	: Kevin DeYoung
Publisher	: Crossway
Total Pages	: 85
Release	: 2019-04-17
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 1433564424

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Christians love to celebrate grace, but often talk about it in vague generalities. But such an important biblical concept ought to be clearly defined so it can be consistently defended. In this book, best-selling author Kevin DeYoung points modern readers back to an old document originally written to do just that. Warmly pastoral and broadly accessible, this book introduces readers to the Canons of Dort, a 17th-century work summarizing the central doctrines of the Christian faith. Widely regarded as a key pillar of the Reformed tradition, the Canons of Dort stand as a faithful witness to God's grace—offering a depth of understanding that the church still needs today. In three concise sections—covering history, theology, and practical application—DeYoung explores what led to the Canons and why they were needed, the five important doctrines that they explain, and Dort's place in the Reformed tradition today.

You Are What You Love

by James K. A. Smith

Author	: James K. A. Smith
Publisher	: Brazos Press
Total Pages	: 224
Release	: 2016-03-29
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 1493403664

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You are what you love. But you might not love what you think. In this book, award-winning author James K. A. Smith shows that who and what we worship fundamentally shape our hearts. And while we desire to shape culture, we are not often aware of how culture shapes us. We might not realize the ways our hearts are being taught to love rival gods instead of the One for whom we were made. Smith helps readers recognize the formative power of culture and the transformative possibilities of Christian practices. He explains that worship is the "imagination station" that incubates our loves and longings so that our cultural endeavors are indexed toward God and his kingdom. This is why the church and worshiping in a local community of believers should be the hub and heart of Christian formation and discipleship. Following the publication of his influential work Desiring the Kingdom, Smith received numerous requests from pastors and leaders for a more accessible version of that book's content. No mere abridgment, this new book draws on years of Smith's popular presentations on the ideas in Desiring the Kingdom to offer a fresh, bottom-up rearticulation. The author creatively uses film, literature, and music illustrations to engage readers and includes new material on marriage, family, youth ministry, and faith and work. He also suggests individual and communal practices for shaping the Christian life.

Brothers, We are Not Professionals

by John Piper

Author	: John Piper
Publisher	: B&H Publishing Group
Total Pages	: 320
Release	: 2013
Genre	: Business & Economics
ISBN	: 1433678829

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John Piper pleads with fellow pastors to abandon the professionalization of the pastorate and pursue the prophetic call of the Bible for radical ministry.

Church in Hard Places

by Mez McConnell

Author	: Mez McConnell
Publisher	: Crossway
Total Pages	: 122
Release	: 2016-01-14
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 1433549077

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Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, paying particular attention to the downtrodden and the poor. As followers of Jesus, Christians are called to imitate his example and reach out to those who have the least. This book offers biblical guidelines and practical strategies for reaching those on the margins of our society with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The authors—both pastors with years of experience ministering among the poor—set forth helpful “dos” and “don’ts” related to serving in the midst of less-affluent communities. Emphasizing the priority of the gospel as well as the importance of addressing issues of social justice, this volume will help pastors and other church leaders mobilize their people to plant churches and make an impact in “hard places”—in their own communities and around the world.

Compassion without Compromise

by Adam T. Barr

Author	: Adam T. Barr
Publisher	: Bethany House Publishers
Total Pages	: 0
Release	: 2014-10-21
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 9780764212406

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Loving, Biblical Answers on Homosexuality In the next year at least one of these things will happen in your life: • A family member will come out of the closet and expect you to be okay with it. • Your elementary-age child's curriculum will discuss LGBT families. • Your company will talk about building a tolerant workplace for LGBT co-workers. • Your college-age child will tell you your view on homosexuality is bigoted. Are you ready? In their role as pastors, Adam Barr and Ron Citlau have seen how this issue can tear apart families, friendships, and even churches. In this book they combine biblical answers with practical, real-world advice on how to think about and discuss this issue with those you care about. They also tell the story of Ron's personal journey from same-sex attraction and sexual brokenness to healing. Truth does not preclude kindness--and a good dose of humility is necessary to love our neighbors. With sensitivity and winsomeness, this book will offer an honest but inviting message to readers: We are all in need of the healing that can only come from the truth of the gospel.

The Gospel at Work

by Sebastian Traeger

Author	: Sebastian Traeger
Publisher	: Zondervan
Total Pages	: 132
Release	: 2014-01-28
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 0310513987

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Find God’s vision for your job. Reclaim God’s vision for your life. Many Christians fall victim to one of two main problems when it comes to work: either they are idle in their work, or they have made an idol of it. Both of these mindsets are deadly misunderstandings of how God intends for us to think about our employment. In The Gospel at Work, Sebastian Traeger and Greg Gilbert unpack the powerful ways in which the gospel can transform how we do what we do, releasing us from the cultural pressures of both an all-consuming devotion and a punch-in, punch-out mentality—in order to find the freedom of a work ethic rooted in serving Christ. You’ll find answers to some of the tough questions that Christians in the workplace often ask: What factors should matter most in choosing a job? What gospel principles should shape my thinking about how to treat my boss, my co-workers, and my employees? Is full-time Christian work more valuable than my job? Is it okay to be motivated by money? How do you prioritize—or balance—work, family and church responsibilities? Solidly grounded in the gospel, The Gospel at Work confronts both our idleness at work and our idolatry of work with a challenge of its own—to remember that whom we work for is infinitely more important than what we do.