Here Today, There Tomorrow: Unleashing Your Church's Potential
by Gary L. McIntosh
price $14.99
Now available! Order yours today! Church leaders are frustrated! Larger churches are bogged down by the weight of their own organizations, and smaller churches struggle with the inability to "get things moving."
Veteran leadership expert Gary L. McIntosh provides help to leaders of churches, regardless of size, who struggle to create workable plans to move their congregation forward. This book identifies the best practices on how to assess the unique identity of a church and design a plan for its future.
Loaded with case studies, resources, and chapter-by-chapter action plans, this practical resource contains everything a pastor needs to understand the planning process; identify the church's mission, values and goals; and then put it all together in a plan that works for that local setting.
Let God move your church from where it is to where he wants it to be.
In his easy to read conversational style, Gary provides church leaders a practical tool to strengthen their church for long-term effectiveness. If you are looking for a resource that will help you capture your dream for your church, create a path to fulfill that dream, and courageously pursue the dream, Here Today, There Tomorrow is what you are looking for.--Rev. Phil Stevenson, director of church multiplication and leadership development, Pacific Southwest District of The Wesleyan Church
Gary L. McIntosh gives us a practical and biblical nine-step blueprint for developing a long range plan for our churches.--Rev. Bill Easum, founder and senior consultant, 21st Century Strategies
It has been said that those who do not plan for the future, plan to fail. Gary L. McIntosh has written a book to help local churches plan for the future so they can build and construct an outreach to the lost in their community to become a healthy church to fulfill the will of God. Each chapter is organized around major aspects of the planning process. Therefore the reader can go to a chapter according to the need they have in their church. However, it would be better for the reader to work through the book chapter-by-chapter to get an overview of the planning process in the local church. Anyone dealing with the future of the local church must read this book and plan accordingly.--Dr. Elmer Towns, co-founder and dean of religion, Liberty University
If you are a pastor or a lay leader in a small to mid-sized church that has hit a plateau or is declining, then Gary's book will help direct your church to a new future. It is very practical and easy to understand.--Dr. Doug Talley, executive state pastor, Indiana Ministries of the Church of God
Your first plan for effective ministry will include this practical, must-read focus on intentionally moving a church forward. Gary L. McIntosh has provided a great guide!--Dr. Kent Hunter, leader, Church Doctor Ministries
Here Today, There Tomorrow provides pastors and church leaders with perspective, practical, positive assistance to provide faith-based plans that will help keep churches relevant not only today, but also tomorrow. --Dr. Tom Steffen, professor of intercultural studies, Biola University
This is one of the finest books I have read on the subject of developing a master plan for a local church. This book is the equivilent of a seminary course in planning. Each chapter contains outstanding ideas and practical ways to develop and implement strategies to make your church meet the challenge not only of today but also of our constantly changing culture. This is a book that I believe will be widely used through churches that desire to grow and expand to the glory of God.--Rev. Stephen Babby, district superintendent, Pacific Southwest District of The Wesleyan Church
In this very readable book, Gary L. McIntosh has addressed some essential topics (mission, vision, values, and goals) for those who wish to exercise good leadership in the local church during an era of rapid change. His topics have been addressed before usually in multiple volumes, but this book provides an up-to-date review of these important issues in a succinct and relevant way. I found his explanations and applications to be totally consistent with local church life and needs as I know them. I would recommend this book for new pastors who might discuss the topics with an experienced mentor, and for seasoned pastors who might benefit by being reminded and reenergized on these important concepts of local church leadership.--Dr. Kenneth Bickel, director and Professor of pastoral studies, Grace Theological Seminary
Dr. McIntosh has done it again. He has provided pastors, leaders, and the Church at large with a wonderful template on how to stay relevant in the presentation of the Gospel. This book will be of great value in helping plan, coordinate, and focus their ministry for maximum effectiveness. Bravo, Gary! You have done it again.--Dr. Chuck Lawless, dean, Billy Graham School, Southern Seminary and president, The Lawless Group
He has written a good primer on missional leadership uniting effective evangelism with congregational vitality.--Dr. Lyle Pointer, pastor, congregational consultant, and former professor of evangelism, Nazarene Theological Seminary
Everything Gary writes is "Real Church Ministry Friendly." This latest book, Here Today, There Tomorrow: Unleashing Your Church's Potential is rooted in Scripture, rigorously tested by research and realized in local church ministry. Words of description include: wise, clear, helpful, practical, biblical common sense, conversational, and motivating. This book is a remarkable synthesis of biblical theology of planning and best practices for local church planning that will result in genuine increased kingdom effectiveness. A major bonus is how these chapters will serve as a tool to translate the life vocational skills and gifts of lay leadership into actual ministry reality. Any church at any size, stage, or shape will profit for the sake of the Gospel by working the steps and process of this superior planning pathway.--Dr. Dennis Baker, senior ministry consultant, The Goehner Group
Faith Legacy: Six Values to Shape Your Child's Journey
by Jim & Jerolyn Bogear
price $16.99
What will you pass on to your children?
Every parent wants to pass on something of value to their children, but often we think primarily in financial terms. Much more valuable than the wealth, power, and financial security that the world craves, you can pass on to your children a legacy of faith.
In this easy-to-read, highly practical book, veteran parents Jim & Jerolyn Bogear share their secrets for instilling godly character and values in their children. Having taken each of their three children on a Legacy Trip to reinforce the values they'd been teaching them, the authors outline the six biblical values that will help your children lead healthy, productive, and holy lives.
The appendices are packed with Bible studies, journals, and more that will help you pass on biblical values to your children.
Learn how to leave a spiritual legacy!
A major question parents ask today is, "Where can I find help for raising my family without reading dozens of books?" Faith Legacy provides the answer. It covers the "waterfront" of issues in raising faithful children. The writers are humble in their approach and invite readers to "write their own book" through their children. A MUST read and practice for the twenty-first century.--Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, Founder of World Hope International and General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church
This book is biblically-based and backed up by the actual experience of its authors, with a lot of practical ideas for parents to learn from and apply. As you read, you will find yourself adopting the core values found in this book and applying the practical side of passing on values. What has blessed me most is the authors' passion to instill biblical values in their children. I am sure God will use this book to bless many families.--Peter Tan-Chi, Founder and Senior Pastor, Christ's Community Fellowship, Philippines
Our kids are designed to have an intimate relationship with God. Getting there is a journey best shared through intimate experiences with family and friends. My prayer is that every parent and grandparent reading this book will courageously and creatively execute a life changing faith Legacy Trip. Thank you, Jim and Jerolyn, for inspiring Anne and me to begin planning a faith Legacy Trip for our son and daughter. I hope this idea spreads like wildfire!--Damian Williams, Founder and President of The Leadership League, providing leadership development for the Pittsburgh Steelers and other high performing organizations
Faith Legacy gives parents the tools they need to guide their children to embrace biblical values and to lead a life of character. Well done!--Kevin A. Myers, Founder and Senior Pastor of 12Stone(TM) Church in Lawrenceville, Ga.
I embrace, applaud, and highly recommend this practical resource Jim and Jerolyn Bogear have given us. As a pastor for twenty years, but more importantly, a dad to three sons, I'm convinced Faith Legacy is a must-read book all parents should use.--Alan E. Nelson, Author of Kidlead: Growing Great Leaders
If you want to help your children learn to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, Faith Legacy gives you the guidance you need. Written in clear, practical language, this book is a great value for the busy parent.--Sherwood Carthen, Lead Pastor, Bayside of South Sacramento
ReThink Your Life: A Unique Diet to Renew Your Mind
by Stan Toler
price $19.99
In ReThink Your Life, best-selling author and leadership mentor Stan Toler outlines the practical steps anyone can take to discover purpose, focus, decision-making, and improve their quality of life by renewing the mind. This helpful book will lead readers to genuine life change through the most basic Christian discipline renewing the mind.
"Your mind operates on the same principle as your body. Working from that concept, pastor Toler presents a self-help book intended to assist readers in better aligning their minds with God. The chapters are based on steps to achieving a healthy mind, which he describes as one ripe with productive and positive thoughts and devoid of negative influences. Each chapter has questions intended to cement the lesions in the reader's brain and promote deeper thinking."
Magazine Review "ReThink Your Life is based on Philippians 4:8, which lists several subjects on which one is admonished to think. Another supporting verse is Proverbs 23:7 "As [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he." With solid teaching, Toler drives home the importance of building and protecting one's thought life. He includes a life application at the end of each chapter, following the story of a man named Jake, and concludes by giving five action steps to take in putting the lesson into practice. The author also gives four steps toward practicing right thinking: detoxification, realignment, reinforcement, and perseverance. Detoxification, he says, means ridding oneself of wrong thinking--sinful thoughts, negative images, and all kinds of evil. Monitor what you are feeding your mind through television, movies, the Internet, magazines, etc. Realignment is to stop believing negative thoughts, especially about oneself, and start believing the facts of the Bible. For example, the Bible says I am a child of God and loved by Him; He has a wonderful plan for my life, and I can be filled with the Holy Spirit and serve Him by exercising the gifts He has given me. Reinforcement is a reminder of the crucial role of accountability both to God and to one's fellowman. Regular prayer connects one with the spiritual resources made available by the Holy Spirit. A critical part of the Christian life is associating oneself with other believers to provide accountability and encouragement. Finally, perseverance means this is a lifestyle, not merely a momentary resolution. I must maintain the posture of a learner, find sources of solid food to nourish my soul, and practice spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible reading, meditating on Scripture, and being a vital part of the church. Toler is one of my favorite authors. I continue to be amazed by his insights and clarity of presentation and am blessed by his spiritual applications. I highly recommend this book to our readers." -- Dr. Harold Dalton, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, www.iphcExperience.com
Television interview with Carla Hinton from NewsOK
People who know the Rev. Stan Toler's busy schedule often wonder how he finds time to write books that range from collections of church humor to inspirational narratives and leadership guides. Despite being named to a national Church of the Nazarene leadership position this week, the prolific author said he will continue to write faith-themed books.
The latest book by Toler, longtime pastor of Trinity Church of the Nazarene, 7301 S Walker, is "The Inspirational Speaker's Resource," released Wednesday. However, Toler said "ReThink Your Life," released earlier this year, is his "defining book." Toler is known for his optimism and diligence, and it is hard for people to believe he once characterized himself as a pessimist. Nevertheless, the preacher just elected to the Church of the Nazarene Board of Superintendents said he had a less-than-positive outlook many years ago.
Steps toward his attitude change are recounted in "ReThink Your Life."
Through a character named Jake, the book loosely chronicles Toler's journey from pessimist to optimist. "It defines how I was influenced by great positive thinkers," Toler said.
Toler said he grew up in a poor community in West Virginia where his dad was a coal miner. When Toler was 11, the family moved to Ohio, hoping for a chance at a better life. But Toler's father died soon afterward, leaving a widow and three young sons.
Toler said he had a pessimistic attitude when a friend took him to a motivational rally at age 18. He said the event included a roster of big-name speakers such as Robert Schuller, Paul Harvey and Zig Zigler, much like the "Get Motivated" conference Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
The seeds of positive thinking were sown at that rally, Toler said. He had been called to the ministry at age 14, so he combined tenets of his faith with his newfound appreciation for positive thinking..
Readers of "ReThink Your Life" follow Jake on his search for a new attitude amid an overload of negative information threatening to distract him from fulfilling his God-given life purpose.
Toler said "ReThink Your Life" includes the following advice for those who seek a similar attitude adjustment:
Remember that you are shaped by God with unique talents. Know that God says you have potential. Live up to it. Go on a diet from media TV, music, Internet, social networking and anything else that might have a negative influence. Audit your beliefs; determine what you believe. Determine your values.
Toler said this wisdom should serve him well on his new ministry path. His last Sunday in the pulpit at Trinity will be July 12. "I've narrowed my beliefs down to this: I believe my God can do anything," he said.
"If we're not careful with all this information we have, if we're not careful, we lose sight of the big picture of what God has for us."-- by Carla Hinton, NewOK 07.04.09
Preteens (ages 10 to 12) are at a critical time of transition and spiritual formation. Not quite teens, but no longer children, they require a focused attention to help them grow and mature through this difficult and confusing time.
Explore, a discipleship series for preteens, will help you lead preteens from salvation to church membership, from serving within the church to serving outside its walls. The series includes four student books, each containing six weeks of lessons, for a total of twenty-four weeks of material. Each set of six lessons culminates in a celebration event.
This Leader's Guide contains the material you will need to lead small group or individual discipleship lessons based on student books three and four.
Book Three: Experience God's Power in You
Bible study
Prayer
Evangelism
Fellowship
Service
Stewardship
Celebration: Student Leadership
Book Four: Encounter Your Mission for God
Fruits of the Spirit
Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual Disciplines
Compassion
The Call
Missions
Celebration: Mission Experience
Each student will need a copy of the Explore student books. (Leader's Guide Part 2 Explore consists of four sets of 6-week discipleship lessons.)
Explore provides biblically based, small-group discipleship training for preteens that is instrumental for their spiritual formation. Your Tweens are among today's young adults embarking on a culture that is urgently in need of an infusion of followers of Christ. The intentional discipleship provided in Explore will ground them in their faith, establish routines that will move them forward in their journey, and prepare them to face a world desperately in need of the Savior.
Explore provides biblically based, small-group discipleship training for preteens that is instrumental for their spiritual formation. Your Tweens are among today's young adults embarking on a culture that is urgently in need of an infusion of followers of Christ. The intentional discipleship provided in Explore will ground them in their faith, establish routines that will move them forward in their journey, and prepare them to face a world desperately in need of the Savior.
Explore provides biblically based, small-group discipleship training for preteens that is instrumental for their spiritual formation. Your Tweens are among today's young adults embarking on a culture that is urgently in need of an infusion of followers of Christ. The intentional discipleship provided in Explore will ground them in their faith, establish routines that will move them forward in their journey, and prepare them to face a world desperately in need of the Savior.
iFollow: Connecting Belief and Behavior to Who You Are in Christ
by Scott Simmons
price $9.99
Who do you follow?
The world is always trying to put you in a box and give you a label. What do you do? How do you look? What do you know?
But life is so much more and so much deeper than that. What is it that truly defines you as a person?
We all follow somebody or something. Nothing defines us better than our commitments--how we choose to invest our time and energy.
Only you can decide who you will follow. Follow Jesus and you invest in something that will last forever and never fade away.
iFollow is a ten-week journey that begins with your decision to follow Jesus. Discover what it means to become like him, discern his purpose for your life, and set the course for your journey.
iFollow is more than just a book; it is a process - geared to bring students through one on one discipleship. It leads students to understand themselves, God, and how their story goes together. I would highly recommend this book for any youth pastor/student that has a new christian teenager that needs to grow in Christ and become set apart. -- Dustin, youth pastor at Welcome Wesleyan, Welcome, S.C.
The Ultimate Blessing: My Journey to Discover God's Presence
by Jo Anne Lyon
price $14.99
Know God's Presence and Power.
The word blessing often conjures up images of material prosperity, success, health, and personal comfort and convenience. What else could it mean in today's world? Many Christians are learning that God's blessing is much less about experiencing success as the world perceives it and much more about experiencing God's presence and power in their lives.
In The Ultimate Blessing, Jo Anne Lyon leads you on an incredible journey to experience the presence of God through power, loss, reconciliation, and hope. She demonstrates that those who experience God's greatest blessing will be changed--and will be world changers!
Discover the blessing that is deeper and more satisfying than personal comfort.
Dr. Jo Anne Lyon is an honest, true, down-to-earth mentor for believers, meaning she's not afraid to share some of her insecurities as a Christian woman of God. In The Ultimate Blessing she walks readers through her life and search of the ultimate blessing, a deep relationship with God, and relationships with others in hopes to inspire others to dig deeper into the Word and draw closer to God. Through the pages of her book, she makes her daily walk come alive, and best of all, offers advice on how the average, common Christian can do the same. Dr. Lyon challenges readers to dream the impossible with God, and believe that it is possible with him--it may not be what we expect, but she helps us realize that with God, we can do great things. -- A. Whittington
Holiness for Ordinary People (25th Anniversary Edition)
by Keith Drury
price $14.99
Can God Really Make Me Holy? YES!
The Bible makes it clear that holiness is God's plan for every Christian. Yet many Christians doubt whether holiness can even fir into their busy, complicated lifestyles, much less become a priority.
For more than twenty-five years, Christians have found help and hope in the clear, practical, and compelling teaching found in Holiness for Ordinary People.
Now in this revised and expanded 25th Anniversary edition, Keith Drury has updated his classic book for a new generation, including five new chapters on topics like gender, sex, and healing.
Holiness for Ordinary People is a message of optimism, hope, and encouragement. It will show you the pathway toward becoming the person you were created to be.
Discover the life-transforming possibilities of holiness.
Find the only power that can defeat your urges to sin.
Learn how you can live a life of genuine love for others.
You can live an authentic, Christ-like life by God's power!
Listen to Keith Drury address the following questions in this FREE video!
Does holiness mean I am perfect?
What gets in the way of holiness?
Explore Leader's Guide (Part 1)
price $14.99
Explore God's Word with Preteens!
Preteens (ages 10 to 12) are at a critical time of transition and spiritual formation. Not quite teens, but no longer children, they require a focused attention to help them grow and mature through this difficult and confusing time.
Explore, a discipleship series for preteens, will help you lead preteens from salvation to church membership, from serving within the church to serving outside its walls. The series includes four student books, each containing six weeks of lessons, for a total of twenty-four weeks of material. Each set of six lessons culminates in a celebration event.
This Leader's Guide contains the material you will need to lead small group or individual discipleship lessons based on student books one and two.
Book One: Uncover the Truth about God
God
The Bible
Jesus
Humanity
Salvation
Baptism
Celebration: Baptism
Book Two: Discover Your Place in God's Plan
The Trinity
Temptation
Bible Study and Prayer
Holy Living
Worship
Membership
Celebration: Membership
Each student will need a copy of the Explore student books. (Leader's Guide Part 1 Explore consists of four sets of 6-week discipleship lessons.)
Explore provides biblically based, small-group discipleship training for preteens that is instrumental for their spiritual formation. Your Tweens are among today's young adults embarking on a culture that is urgently in need of an infusion of followers of Christ. The intentional discipleship provided in Explore will ground them in their faith, establish routines that will move them forward in their journey, and prepare them to face a world desperately in need of the Savior.
Explore provides biblically based, small-group discipleship training for preteens that is instrumental for their spiritual formation. Your Tweens are among today's young adults embarking on a culture that is urgently in need of an infusion of followers of Christ. The intentional discipleship provided in Explore will ground them in their faith, establish routines that will move them forward in their journey, and prepare them to face a world desperately in need of the Savior.
Explore provides biblically based, small-group discipleship training for preteens that is instrumental for their spiritual formation. Your Tweens are among today's young adults embarking on a culture that is urgently in need of an infusion of followers of Christ. The intentional discipleship provided in Explore will ground them in their faith, establish routines that will move them forward in their journey, and prepare them to face a world desperately in need of the Savior.
This practical guide offers real help for ordinary Christians who want to read God's Word and understand it for themselves. Schenck skillfully guides readers through key issues for understanding the Bible in its context and offers practical principles for applying scriptural truths to real life.
Making Sense of God's Word will give you confidence to read and understand the Bible so you can hear God's message for yourself!
Dr. Kenneth Schenck, associate professor of religion at Indiana Wesleyan University, has written an insightful and concise guide for reading the Bible: Making Sense of God's Word.
Though one of the deepest thinkers in our tradition, Schenck handily simplifies the very complicated issues of biblical hermeneutics. Through a clear, step-by-step process, the readers is taught to move from the historical and literary context of a passage to life experience and today's application. This is helpful guide is easily one of the best-ever books on interpreting the Scriptures. It will prove to be a valuable tool for teachers, preachers and others concerned with "rightly dividing the Word of Truth."--M. Wilson
God's Story Revealed: A Guide to Understanding the Old Testament
by Dr. Stephen Lennox
price $19.99
See God's Plan Unfold!
Many people want to learn more about the Bible, but don't know where to begin. Dr. Stephen Lennox solves that problem by showing how God's amazing plan unfolds through each of the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament. In this concise introduction, Lennox focuses on the big picture of the Old Testament while providing important information about the history and culture of ancient times. You will learn how each book fits into God's overall story and plan and how it impacts your life.
This accessible volume includes--
Concise information, overview, and reading tips for each book
Interesting articles that dig deeper into important questions and concepts
Useful summaries of key facts such as: author, date of writing, and purpose
You will--
See the big picture of the Old Testament
See how God worked over hundreds of years to prepare for the coming of Christ
Understand the unique message of each Old Testament book
Realize why the Old Testament is important for Christians today
God's Story Revealed will open up brand new possibilities for your study of the Old Testament!
Dr. Lennox transports the reader through time, geography, culture, and redemption, all while orchestrating their relevance for us today. God's Story Revealed will revolutionize your understanding of both the Old Testament and God's ever faithful love for His people. It is a must read for any lover of God's Word, any group that seeks to go deeper, or any pastor who longs to get caught up in our Lord's masterful work. --J. Summers
God's Plan Fulfilled: A Guide to Understanding the New Testament
by Dr. Kenneth Schenck
price $19.99
Dig Deeper into God's Word!
Many Christians are familiar with a few favorite Bible verses but have little idea how to understand the entire New Testament. Dr. Schenck guides your study of Scripture, showing how God's plan for the world comes to fulfillment in the startling claim that "Jesus is Lord!"
In this easy-to-grasp text, Schenck walks step-by-step through each book of the New Testament, helping you see its overarching story in the context of ancient history and culture. You will come to see Jesus and His disciples not as characters in a story, but as real people who lived in the real world. From Matthew to Revelation, this helpful resource provides a basic understanding of each New Testament book.
This highly readable guide includes--
At-a-glance introduction and overview of each book
Background information to illuminate your study
Questions for personal reflection or group discussion and application
You will--
See the big picture of the New Testament
Understand how God's story finds fulfillment in Jesus
Discover the unique contribution of each New Testament book
Learn how the New Testament connects with our lives today.
God's Plan Fulfilled is an essential resource for your personal study and spiritual growth!
Dr. Schneck does a phenomenal job by giving a scholarly and in-depth survey of the New Testament, all while packaging it in an easy-to-read format and engaging the reader with great questions and thoughts to explore. At a time when there seems to be an abundance of books on biblical subjects, God's Plan Fulfilled is a jewel for the serious student, teacher or pastor of scripture.--J. Summers
by Edited by Joel B. Green & William H. Willimon
price $39.95
Written in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV),The Wesley Study Bible focuses on the formation of Christians' lives marked by holy love and growth in faithful living. With notes written in the Wesleyan-Arminian perspective, scholars introduce each book and highlight references to the writings of John Wesley. Readers will also find explanations from Wesley experts on core terms and issues plus inspirational and practical examples of daily faith from pastors.
"The result of such teamwork is an applicable study edition that, through constructed around Wesley's timeless thoughts, allows for a singular voice to be heard: God's" --Ministry Today
These days there are so many viewpoints on that question that it can make your head spin. Amazingly, things were no different in the early church. The Apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians brings clarity to that all-important question and asserts that Jesus is Lord! This rich and thoughtful letter equips Christians to live faithfully and confidently in a spiritually muddled world by focusing on the supremacy of Jesus.
In Celebrate Colossians, Pastor Keith Loy unpacks the rich teaching of this life-transforming letter.
Celebrate Video Series: Colossians is a DVD resource that provides 12 interactive small-group lessons that encourage people to authentically engage with the Scripture and each other. Pastor Keith Loy uses in-depth teaching and thought provoking questions to take viewers on a life-changing journey through Colossians. Each of the easy-to-lead lessons moves participants to apply what they have learned to their lives, church and community. From an individual to any size group or class Colossians will strengthen your faith, encourage your walk and challenge your devotion to Jesus Christ. --J. Summers.