“...after much prayer and meditation, God spoke to me.” I combed through scriptures, reading about the church and more about Jesus and His relationship with his disciples, especially focusing on Peter and his bond with the church. What was its purpose? Why couldn't the thoughts of the church, the Body of Christ, the pure meaning of its intent be left alone? My brothers and sisters, after countless days of tumultuous soul searching and restless nights, God has revealed to me that the transformation begins with the acceptance of His Son. However, at times we are alienated and an enemy of Christ, destitute by the wicked works of our minds. Conversely, through his sacrificial death, He has reconciled us, to present us “holy, unblameable and unreproveable” to himself. When you journey through the pages of this book, allow the process to continue. Jesus works from the inside out. The mind is the center for change. As you continue to walk in Christ, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. Let this book be the compass that guides you back on course so that you too, can become the church that Christ intended you to be!

The Church of God with Strength In the New Testament times, there was a strong church at Ephesus. The church at Ephesus is today's model of strong church. Paul started the church at Ephesus with great ministry and open doors for the gospel. The church at Ephesus was strong because of the Holy Spirit, Prayer, the Word of God, Faith and the Name of Jesus Christ. After Paul went to be with the Lord and all other witnesses of Jesus Christ and ministers of the word, many churches became weak and they lost their strength and impact. But the church at Ephesus continued to be strong in the Lord and in the ministry. The apostle Paul left a young minister and witness, Timothy continued His ministry. Timothy is respected and recognized as a pastor of the church at Ephesus. Timothy was instructed by pastoral Epistles of Paul (1 and 2 Timothy). Timothy was servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, as a key pastor of this great church. The gift of ministry in his life, he received it by prophecy through the laying on of hands by presbytery. The aim to write this book: 21st Century Church, is to strengthen the people of God. Do not be weak, but be strong in the Lord and in the ministry. God has given you the gift of ministry. Be strong in your gift and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ who is strong in power and grace is able to strengthen you in all things. In reading 21st Century Church, you will learn about: Jesus Christ and Church, Sound Ministry, Dynamic Holy Spirit, Divine Word and Strong Church. As you read my book on Church strength, may you find strength on your spirit, soul and body. May you be strong in the Lord. May your church also be strong. May the church of today, be the church of strength and longevity.

Why are 80 percent of our congregations stagnant or dying? There are a variety of reasons. This book dives deeply into one of the main reasons--the failure to adapt to the cultural changes of our day. When the Reformation began 500 years ago it sparked a number of radical changes (like worshipping in the vernacular rather than in Latin, etc.) that shocked the church. Over time many saw the merit of those changes and adapted. In the very same way today, major cultural changes are taking place. Is the church open to understanding those changes? And are congregations making the necessary effort to appropriately adapt to them without compromising our central message, the Gospel of Jesus Christ? This "transformational manual" addresses the cultural shifts and provides practical and experience-based ideas to appropriately respond while keeping a strong emphasis on the Gospel of Jesus. Are you ready to become a 21st century church?

This volume provides an account of the surprising ‘in-breaking’ of spiritual life that persists in our culture, despite the best efforts of atheist spokespersons and secular theorists. Spirituality in its varying forms is irrepressible, resisting our attempts to exclude it by continuing to seep through the cracks and leak through the gaps. When it is allowed to manifest itself through the Christian faith-tradition, it has the power to surprise, transform and renew everything it touches. This volume contains a series of case studies, each of which describes the inner-functionings and out-workings of the spiritual life as a transformative point of contact between God, world, society and self. Each chapter contains high-level inquiry, drawing on best-practice scholarship that is deeply aware of the needs and opportunities that confront 21st-century society.

The Prosperity Gospel has been one of the most talked about discussions of the 21st century, particularly within the Christian Community. The battle line has been drawn by prominent theologians, influential scholars, pundits, and televangelists alike, who are on different sides of this debate and no one is conceding ground to anyone else. The narrow view simply places emphasis and focus on a more capitalistic view of prosperity, such as exquisite homes, fashionable wardrobes, excessive wealth, expensive cars, material and temporal possessions. Things which are tangible and are seen have come to symbolize for many prosperity and achieving the American dream. On the other hand the broader perspective of prosperity is associated with possessing good health, accomplishing ones goals, experiencing a changed life, having a healthy home life, seeing others become productive members of society, and maintaining a perpetual fellowship with the creator. Wherefore, this material will help the reader to be more distinct and precise in defining the different nuisances of prosperity from a historical and theological perspective.

From the author of Dying for Change, a book on how to bring change to a local church to meet the challenges of a changing society.

This book represents not only the storms of life which the authors have experienced but also their unquenchable hope for a better tomorrow. For each, the Black church has been not only a source of personal valuation; but it has also been the foundation upon which each has been sustained, renewed, and revived. The authors hope that the reader of this book will also find something of personal, communal, and spiritual value which will assist them in maintaining hope in a world gone mad. Readers will find the various roles the Black church has provided over the years, along with some examples which can be replicated in twenty-first-century America. The authors believe in the immortal words of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, former president of Morehouse College who said, "It must be borne in the mind that the tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not a disaster to be unable to capture your ideal, but it is a disaster to have no ideal to capture. It is not a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim is a sin." God bless. Creigs C. Beverly, PhD Olivia D. Beverly, PhD

The Protestant Church in the Netherlands (Dutch: Protestantse Kerk in Nederland, abbreviated PKN) is the largest Protestant Christian denomination in the Netherlands. This volume marks the 10th anniversary of the denomination, which occurred on May 1, 2014. The book outlines the long history that preceded the unification and the developments that occurred during the first decade of the church's existence. Furthermore, contributors from other countries share the stories of their united churches. Their contributions enrich the picture of what church unification may entail. Thus, the book contributes to the field of ecumenical theology. Additionally, theologians from different backgrounds share some reflections on the issues raised by the book's articles. (Series: Church Polity and Ecumenism. Global Perspectives - Vol. 4) [Subject: Religious Studies, History, Ecumenism]

SING UNTO HIM A NEW SONG!!...(psalm 33:3) Did you ever wish you had permission to change the way you "do church"? Well, now you have it. You have permission to: Welcome His presence Grow in Christ as He has desired Experience a God-orchestrated meeting Become the Church, not attend the church Grow in intercessory prayer This "how to" book provides proven tactics to move your church into a "Third Day" realm fully committed to worship. Follow along with authors Graham Cooke and Gary Goodell as they share their years of experience developing new ways to welcome His presence into your church, home, community, your life and the lives of those in the congregation. God gives all of His children His permission to become the Bride He loves and adores. Remember, "...on the third day, anything can happen."