PARTICIPATION

(if interested, click on title or image for more information or to purchase from Amazon.com)

Beyond the Ordinary: Ten Strengths of U.S. Congregations (Paperback)

"This book is an intricate look at vitality and health in congregations based on a comprehensive database of information gathered from the 2001 US Congregational Life Survey, the largest-ever survey of U.S. worshippers. Based on that research the authors believe that there are ten strengths to congregations: Growing Spiritually, Meaningful Worship, Participating in the Congregation, Having a Sense of Belonging, Caring for Children and Youth, Focusing on the Community, Sharing Faith, Welcoming New People, Empowering Leadership, Looking to the Future. They conclude that every congregation has these strengths to one degree or another, and that by building on their strengths, they can transform their futures.  By using actual survey data from more than 350,000 worshippers in more than 2,000 congregations representing more than 50 denominations, this book will help congregations recognize the factors that make them unique, discover their strengths, identify areas where change is needed, and begin to determine where and when change can begin."

The Newer Deal: (Paperback)

"The Newer Deal is a brave book, arriving just in time for a society searching for new ways to organize its practices of compassion and care. Ram A. Cnaan presents both a provocative analysis of the past century´s estrangement of social work from religion and a bold proposal for a new, limited partnership between these two indispensable caring communities that suddenly face a very different America. This book provides surprising resources and sobering reality checks for policy makers, social workers, religious leaders, and all who strive for the common good."

Building a Church of Small Groups: A Place Where Nobody Stands Alone (Paperback)

"This book provides pastors and church leaders with the vision, values, and initial steps necessary to begin building a church where small groups are integrated throughout the entire ministry.  At Willow Creek Community Church, small groups are so important that they define the core organizational strategy. Willow Creek has gone from being a church with small groups to being a church of small groups. Sharing insights from that transition, its two chief architects tell how your churchwhatever its size and circumstancescan become a place where people of all ages can experience powerful, transforming community."

Leading From Your Strengths: Building Intimacy In Your Small Group (Hardcover)

"Being part of a small group can be a bit like climbing a mountainit has risks but the payoff is immense. That is why Trent, Cox, and Tooker have styled this second book in the Leading From Your Strengths series like a mountain climbing expedition. Just like climbing Mount Everest, climbing the mountain to intimacy in your small group involves five stages, or camps. You begin at your "base camp" commitment, and then move through the various stages of honesty, acceptance, closeness, and finally the mountains peak of intimacy."

The Big Book on Small Groups: (Paperback)

"What's so big about small groups? With proven results in drawing people into community and helping them grow to maturity in Christ, small groups have established themselves as a crucial ministry of the church to its members and its mission field. But whether leading a small group, coaching small group leaders or implementing a churchwide ministry, you need vision, knowledge and skill to minister effectively through small groups. Jeffrey Arnold knows the pressures of small group ministry, but he has also seen the power of small groups in many ministry settings. In this revised edition of The Big Book on Small Groups, he breaks down small groups so that you can see them from all angles."

The Small Group Leaders Training Course: Everything You Need to Organize and Launch a Successful Small Group Ministry in Your Church/Trainers Manual (Paperback)

"Nothing is more vital to the success of a small group than its leadership. Now, with The Small Group Leaders Training Course, you have all tools you need to help your leaders develop good communication skills, identify their own unique leadership styles and then refine them for maximum effectiveness."