Theologian and author Michael Jinkins probes the present state and future of the Reformed faith.

Before he was one of the best-known church consultants in the country, Bill Easum served a lengthy pastorate in San Antonio, Texas. When he arrived at the church it was in serious decline, with the possibility of having to close its doors beginning to loom over it. By the time he left it was the most vibrant, fastest-growing congregation in its city and region. Shortly after he arrived, Easum preached a series of sermons on the book of Acts that challenged the congregation to become an authentic New Testament church. He called on parishioners to step out of their comfort zones, stop expecting their pastor to be a personal chaplain, and join together to reach their city with the message of Jesus. Preaching for Church Transformation provides updated versions of the sermons Easum preached as he issued this challenge to the congregation shortly after his arrival. Interspersed with the sermons is commentary telling the reader how to adapt them for her or his own situation. Anyone wanting to lead a congregation from the status quo to growth and faithful witness will find Preaching for Church Transformation an indispensable resource.

Lingenfelter sets out a model for understanding the workings of a society and then applies this model to conflicts missionaries and nationals often face over economic and social issues. He makes the second edition more accessible than the first by clarifying concepts, adding case studies, and reducing the book's length. October '98 publication date.

This book is a must-read for serious Christians hoping to obey the Great Commission to make disciples in Africa. Vernon strikes an admirable balance between academic depth and practical application, helping us to appreciate the interface between the gospel of Jesus Christ and the traditional African worldview. I heartily recommend this book to all thinking Christian leaders in Africapastors, teachers, and missionaries. Kevin G. Smith, DLitt, PhD Vernon Light wrote this book with an apostolic passion in the way the apostles presented and proclaimed the Gospel to world religions and cultures. It is an exciting study of African traditional religion and its relation to Christianity. It shows that for Christianity to thrive and be relevant, biblically and transformationally, in Africa, firstly, Christian scholars and theologians are needed who understand and address Africas traditional heritage and Western modern, postmodern, and pluralistic ideologies and, secondly, the Gospel must be contextually, relevantly, meaningfully, and practically taught through an effective discipleship program. The book, based on extensive research and massive use of resources, is a valuable tool for students, pastors, scholars, and theologians interested in the state of Christianity and religious change in Africa. Professor Yusufu Turaki, PhD Much more than being a useful resource, this is a book with a mission. Like Jeremiah of old (Jer 20:9), Vernon is a man with a passion and message from God to the society to which God has called him. Like Jeremiah, Vernon is totally convinced of the absolute truth of his message in the midst of a myriad of conflicting opinions and that his message will change society from disaster to hope. Would that it is heard! Professor David T. Williams, DTh The Rev. Vernon E. Light (BSc, BDHons, MTh) is a member of the academic staff at the South African Theological Seminary.

This much-needed book seeks to understand the nature of Anglicanism's adaptation to modern culture.

In this scripturally rich exploration, senior missiologist Craig Ott unpacks the mission statement of the church: to glorify God by multiplying transformational churches among all people. This concise yet robust biblical-theological treatment focuses on God's glory, a strong ecclesiology, the importance of Scripture, and practical implications for congregational and mission practice. Ideal for launching discussion and reflection, the book helps readers refocus their vision and reignite their commitment to fulfilling God's purposes for their church or mission.

"For fifty years, a parade of writers has labored to show declining churches the route to new growth. Bill McConnell, from extensive experience and wise reflection, has written one of the most interesting and useful books of the type. As this book is read by church leadership teams (not by the pastor alone), it will catalyze the turnaround of several thousand local churches, at least." -Dr. George G. Hunter III, Distinguished Professor of Evangelization, Asbury Theological Seminary "Bill McConnell is a delightful writer, and this book is as easy to read as it is substantive in its content. It is intelligent, intuitive, and informed. There is no substitute for wisdom born of experience and perseverance, and that wisdom is found here. Full of practical insights and suggestions, this book also provides a window into Bill's personal journey as a successful leader of congregational transformation." - Dr. Dick Hamm, author, coach-consultant, partner of The Columbia Partnership, and past president and general minister of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) "Although not textbooks, I wish Bill McConnell's books could be required reading for all mainline denominational churches. As a successful pastor and an advisor to many churches, McConnell writes from a wealth of experience that is immensely practical and applicable. All church leaders and pastors who wish to move their churches forward toward a healthy and exciting future should get this book." - Margo Woodworth, Retired Executive Director of Net Results, Inc. Dr. Bill McConnell is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, has served in the church for over forty years, and is a church transformation consultant and Christian leadership coach. He speaks in many venues around the nation on the subject of church transformation. He is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Asbury Theological Seminary, and Kingsway Theological Seminary.

This book attempts to inspire both church leaders and lay people through serious discussion of strategies as to how to restore the church in the midst of a struggling and declining age. The author identifies the factors that have contributed to the decline of the church. Choe utilizes his experience working with a struggling ministry to propose twenty-four ideas and programs for the restoration of the church. He calls specifically on church leaders to inspire others to come together and rebuild the church. This book finds a decisive solution between Sunday pastor and Everyday pastor.

The area of community development provides a unique opportunity for the church to partner with God in his mission to see the world transformed. In Transforming Church, Tim Monger draws from over a decade of experience working in integral mission alongside local congregations in East Africa. Providing an overview of the current landscape of African community development, he engages the question of how the church can be truly effective in alleviating poverty and bringing hope to its communities. He explores the theological and biblical foundations for integral mission, alongside its practical realities, and casts a vision for what can be achieved when the church engages the development context in ways that are biblically grounded, culturally appropriate and practically relevant. This book is an excellent resource for practitioners, students and Christian leaders involved, or seeking to be involved, in rural and urban community development, especially in Africa. Transforming Church calls readers to think biblically, theologically and culturally about their work, while inviting them to expand their vision of the church’s role in ushering in the kingdom of God.

The Yearbook of Chinese Theology is an international, ecumenical and fully peer-reviewed annual that covers Chinese Christianity in the areas of Biblical Studies, Church History, Systematic Theology, Practical Theology, and Comparative Religions. It offers genuine Chinese theological research previously unavailable in English, by top scholars in the study of Christianity in China.