How Do We Measure Success in Our Ministry to Kids?In children's ministry, the essence of what we do is to impact the immeasurable--the heart of a child.While Bible knowledge is highly valuable in this endeavor, knowing Scripture does not automatically translate to changing the heart of a child. Practical application is also desirable, but changing behavior can be done without a heart change. Relating Scripture in such a way that i...

Children's pastors and ministry leaders consistently point to recruiting and retaining dedicated volunteers as their number-one challenge. How can they keep volunteer workers engaged in ministry that will change people's lives?Larry Fowler, director of program and training for Awana Clubs International, believes that there are seven biblical principles, drawn from the book of Nehemiah, that will help pastors and leaders more effectively motivate and manage volunteers. Rock-Soli...

Generations of the Anderson family lived on farms in southern Maryland. Henry Anderson was tutored in religion by his mother and as a result of his strong religious upbringing, he chose church ministry as his profession.After pastoring a small Community Church, Henry was asked by the District Superintendent to begin a church in Maine. Rev. Anderson, his wife Ruby, son Alex, and youngest son Gary moved into a large white New England home in Bath, Maine and Rev. Anderson became the p...

Even under the best circumstances, it takes time and intention to disciple grandchildren and pass on a legacy of faith. So how much harder is the assignment in a family experiencing fractures such as divorce, estrangement, or prodigals? How are grandparents to reach grandchildren for Christ when there are such barriers? In Overcoming Grandparenting Barriers, Larry Fowler, founder of the Legacy Coalition, offers a helpful guide to influencing grandchildren's spiritual lives even in...

Imagine this scenario for a typical teenager in your church: He's separated from his family and sent to live in a hedonistic, no-holds-barred culture. He's stripped of his spiritual support, left alone, and treated unfairly. Then, at his most vulnerable point, his ego is stoked with power and success. Throughout this rollercoaster ride, would he continue to serve God?This very test was given to the Old Testament Joseph, whose faith remained rock solid. Yet it seems that our youth a...

The Crystal in the center of the Golden Cross contained The 7 Miracle Leaves picked from the tree of life on the New Earth. The 7 Miracle Leaves have supernatural powers to heal the nations.The whole world is involved in the political turmoil, terrorism and violence that underlie the current crisis in the Middle East and East Asia. In addition to political turmoil, religious differences of ethnic groups and discrimination play a part in the current crisis. Significant change is nee...

If you long to reach kids and see their lives changed by God, this comprehensive guide shows you how. Purpose Driven® Youth Ministry will do for youth ministry what Rick Warren's Gold Medallion award-winning, The Purpose Driven® Church is doing for pastoral ministry. It's an indispensable guide to creating and maintaining youth ministry for the long run. It will help you create a solid spiritual team that builds the foundations of the Christian faith into the hearts and lives of young peop...

A simple and sustainable path to a deep and satisfying walk with ChristThere are thousands of how-to books for improving various areas of life--self, relationships, finances, fitness, business, marriage, family. And there are nearly as many books written for believers offering a framework for the "right" approach to a new life in God.What if it were possible, Pastor Stovall Weems asks, to boil it all down to one practical, uncomplicate...

Brandon O'Brien helps pastors and church leaders understand that a smaller church is sometimes better than a big one. He demonstrates the strengths of small congregations, including that today's church "shoppers" want services that are local, personal, and intimate. Also, small churches provide space to nurture close relationships across age and lifestyle barriers, and they facilitate a higher level of commitment from laypeople. And small church budgets are often more effective because of ...

Dangerous churches are willing to put everything on the line for the one thing that matters most: reaching lost people.Through probing questions and amazing stories of God's grace, John Bishop confronts church leaders to embrace what matters most to the heart of God, whatever the cost.Most churches naturally gravitate to what is safe and familiar. Church leaders who take risks are bound to fail, and fear drives us to continue in our comfortable, but ineffec...

Stand Strong in Life’s Furnaces How do you respond when the bottom drops out? What happens to your character quotient when things don’t go the way you planned? How do you react when the temperature is rising, you are under attack, and God seems far away? Daniel discovered that the furnace experiences of life refine and define us. Spiritual integrity rarely grows when everything goes our way. Instead, God uses things like a furnace, a lion’s den, a mad king, and exile in a foreign country t...

Followership teaches leaders how to replicate effective, biblical leadership qualities. CEOs, managers, parents, clergy, and students alike gain insight from the practical principles presented. If you lead, serve, or want to build a motivated, innovative, and successful team, you will receive outstanding results as you apply these teachings. Followership: • Teaches principles for both leaders and followers and can be practiced in any aspect of building an organization....