Simple Student Ministry fine tunes the proven methods of #1 best seller Simple Church for the unique field of youth discipleship.Coauthor Eric Geiger, who contributed to the latter, takes a step forward here, neatly unpacking the key ideas of Clarity, Movement, Alignment, and Focus that will transform any over-stimulated youth program into a simpler, more results-oriented spiritual development process. Fun is still allowed, by all means, but the ultimate emphasis on maturing faith is simply essential. The anecdotal comparisons are current and on-target (Starbucks' well-publicized decision to retrain baristas in coffee making introduces the idea that youth leaders might also be wise to revisit the gospel essence of their ministry). And case study data gleaned from small to mega churches and parachurch ministries will give every youth leader a relatable reference point from which to begin the successful metamorphosis to Simple.

Is Your Biggest Ministry Obstacle Writer’s Block? As an active member in ministry, writing is usually inevitable. Perhaps you approach these opportunities with excitement—or maybe you procrastinate to avoid the task altogether, your pages remaining forever blank. No matter how you feel about writing, approaching a project can be overwhelming. Knowing what to say can be as confusing as knowing where to begin. Perhaps for you, the first step in the writing process is simply to demystify the writing process, to realize that you are capable of accomplishing your projects. If so, then Writing for Life and Ministry is for you. Seasoned writer and writing coach Brandon J. O’Brien examines the obstacles that often inhibit ministry leaders from thriving as writers. Most importantly, he simplifies the writing process, so it is both accessible and flexible to fit your style. Don’t let the craft of writing keep you from flourishing in your ministries. With this resource, you’ll learn how to plan, draft, and revise. The included exercises will enable you to hone your craft and develop your skills. Best of all, you’ll be ready to tackle that writing project you’ve been putting off with confidence.

What is Christ's calling to you? You may be seeking an answer; you may be avoiding the question, but when the Lord calls, he will be answered. God's call came suddenly to Elisha; he was plowing a field when Elijah cast the prophet's mantle on him. Levi was in a toll booth, and Peter held a fishing net when Jesus called them. But how does the Lord call today? You have not been blinded by a heavenly light on the road to Damascus, but you are ready to say with Saul of Tarsus, "Lord, what wouldst thou have me to do?" How does the Lord answer that question? - Introduction.

Is it possible for churches and organizations to foster healthy mixed-gender ministry collaboration? Longtime ministry leader Rob Dixon casts a compelling—and encouraging—vision for flourishing partnerships between women and men. With research findings, biblical examples, real-life stories, and practical next steps, this roadmap equips teams and individuals with next steps for making that vision a reality.

Do you know the four inescapable “transitions” that every ministry team must face?The answer to that question lies at the heart of successful ministry teams and is found in the powerful book, Leading from Your Strengths: Building Close-Knit Ministry Teams. Whether you’re a pastor or in para-church ministry, a lay leader or a team member, the principles you learn here can make a tremendous difference in how effective and intimate your ministry team becomes.From eye-opening stories, to understanding the four inescapable “transitions,” to taking an online strengths assessment, you’ll discover your unique God-given strengths, learn to understand and appreciate the strengths of others, and learn to blend the differences.Building strong, effective ministry teams is like taking a whitewater-rafting trip, with many unexpected rapids along the way. Join Dr. John Trent, Rodney Cox, and Eric Tooker, your guides on the journey to Leading From Your Strengths™.

What is youth ministry actually for? And does it have a future? Andrew Root, a leading scholar in youth ministry and practical theology, went on a one-year journey to answer these questions. In this book, Root weaves together an innovative first-person fictional narrative to diagnose the challenges facing the church today and to offer a new vision for youth ministry in the 21st century. Informed by interviews that Root conducted with parents, this book explores how parents' perspectives of what constitutes a good life are affecting youth ministry. In today's culture, youth ministry can't compete with sports, test prep, and the myriad other activities in which young people participate. Through a unique parable-style story, Root offers a new way to think about the purpose of youth ministry: not happiness, but joy. Joy is a sense of experiencing the good. For youth ministry to be about joy, it must move beyond the youth group model and rework the assumptions of how identity and happiness are imagined by parents in American society.

Now in paperback, this multi-awarded national best seller shares a clear message from case studies of 400 North American congregations: church is done best when it's kept simple.

In spite of good intentions, too many Christian workers today burn out and quit. How can you avoid failing as a Christian leader?

An accomplished theologian recovers the biblical theme of union with Christ, showing how it affects current theological and ministry issues.

The EU-funded project aimed to strengthen institutions and capacities for strategic decision-making, planning, regulation, quality control and management in the food and agriculture sectors, including livestock. The evaluation found that the project was well aligned with the needs and priorities of national stakeholders, with FAO’s strategic objectives and with community beneficiaries. Several strategies, assessments and policy papers were developed, pilot initiatives were started, the Ministry of Agriculture was sensitized to reform processes and its changing role in the context of a market economy. Furthermore, capacities for delivering animal health services have improved considerably and are used. The project managed to navigate across institutional changes, although it suffered from delays that impeded the complete implementation of the pilot initiatives on agrarian reform.Acknowledging FAO’s comparative advantage in assisting the initiation of agrarian reform, the evaluation makes a number of recommendations for a successful policy reform, which include continuing to work closely with all involved ministries and stakeholders at all levels, to guide and steer the process from the start through endorsement; alongside a systematic approach to capacity building and training for involved ministries.