The Church's New Front Door introduces Christians to the critically important concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, an era that will be dominated by powerful technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced robotics. While the Fourth Industrial Revolution is powered by technological developments, it has far-reaching political, socio-economic, ethical, and spiritual implications as well. To be missional, the church needs to be relevant; and in order to be relevant in the twenty-first century, believers must engage with novel technologies and the impact they are having on areas like work, education, and healthcare. Each chapter includes discussion questions and suggestions for further reading, making this book an accessible resource for diverse audiences, including church members, ministry leaders, and students at Christian colleges and seminaries. Whether you agree or disagree with the author's description of how our world might change in the next ten to twenty years--this book will make you think!

Most church members don't see their churches clearly. In almost all of Thom S. Rainer's consultations, church members perceive their church to be friendly. But as he surveyed guests, he found that the guests typically saw church members as unfriendly. The perception chasm existed because the members were indeed friendly . . . to one another. The guests felt like they crashed a private party. Bestselling author Thom Rainer (I Am a Church Member, Autopsy of a Deceased Church) has a game plan for churches to become more hospitable. In a format that is suitable for church members to read individually or study together, Rainer guides readers toward a practical framework for making a difference for those who visit their church. Churches may use Becoming a Welcoming Church to assess and audit where they are on a spectrum between welcoming and wanting. Additionally, churches can use the companion book We Want You Here to send guests home with a compelling vision for what pastors want every guest to know when they visit.

Author and church-growth expert Charles Arn reveals how vital congregations are good at empowering their people to pursue their unique strengths. It is by discovering the passions of its individual insiders that a church can creatively and effectively draw the outsiders into its fellowship and into Jesus. This book is crucial not only for a church's leadership, but for all motivated members who have a vision for engaging more of their local body in relevant ministry. See how God has been drawing believers out of the pews, through their church's walls, and directly into their communities by way of their side doors. God is using his people to make disciples, and they are actually loving it! FREE downloads available, including Planning Guide, Assessment Charts, Congregational Survey, discussion guide, and more!

Monthly magazine devoted to topics of general scientific interest.

The Encyclopedia of Northern Kentucky is the authoritative reference on the people, places, history, and rich heritage of the Northern Kentucky region. The encyclopedia defines an overlooked region of more than 450,000 residents and celebrates its contributions to agriculture, art, architecture, commerce, education, entertainment, literature, medicine, military, science, and sports. Often referred to as one of the points of the "Golden Triangle" because of its proximity to Lexington and Louisville, Northern Kentucky is made up of eleven counties along the Ohio River: Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Mason, Owen, Pendleton, and Robertson. With more than 2,000 entries, 170 images, and 13 maps, this encyclopedia will help readers appreciate the region's unique history and culture, as well as the role of Northern Kentucky in the larger history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the nation. • Describes the "Golden Triangle" of Kentucky, an economically prosperous area with high employment, investment, and job-creation rates • Contains entries on institutions of higher learning, including Northern Kentucky University, Thomas More College, and three community and technical colleges • Details the historic cities of Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton, and Ludlow and their renaissance along the shore of the Ohio River • Illustrates the importance of the Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport as well as major corporations such as Ashland, Fidelity Investments, Omnicare, Toyota North America, and United States Playing Card

Welcome to the life of the Golden family. Al Golden, a man. A reformed drug dealer turned entrepreneur and pastor of the largest church in Newark, New Jersey. The Goldens have it all: Looks, fame, fortune, faith and God's favor. Another thing they have that is not so apparent to the untrained eye of the public that praises them, is flaws. Lauded and loved by the residents of the city of Newark they can do no wrong. Or so it seems from the outside looking in. The invisible dome that had surrounded the Golden family for so long begins to crack beneath the weight of unresolved issues and grief at the passing of their beloved Carla Golden, the matriarch. The Goldens shiny exterior begins to tarnish before everyone's very eyes as their past comes back to haunt them and bad habits hidden in the darkness; secrets held behind the closed doors and the velvet rope of the pulpit of the church are brought to light. Will they survive under the weight of the pressure of exposure? In mid fall off of the religious pedestals set so high by the community, do they have the strength to keep their composure? A microcosm for the hypocrisy that lies underneath the covers of American society, the Golden family, a sleeping giant, is about to be exposed. A tale of truth and lies; loss, lust, love, life and grace and humanity; They are left to wonder if their faith has failed them or if they are their own undoing. Can this Golden family survive the impending implosion that is their lives? This is a barrier breaking story about the rise and fall of the kings of the church. A narrative that depicts reality in the raw. It is humanity, heaven, hell and high water for the reader. Not for the faint of heart, it is an adventurous drama that reflects the real lives of the haves and the have nots. Dispelling religious dogma, this deep read serves salvation and nakedness. A must read. This work will change the life of every reader and make you rethink your relationship with yourself, God and others. You are guaranteed to never be the same after ingesting this soul food. I wrote this book to dispel myths about God, salvation, people and life. What influenced the journey to The Doors... were my experiences at various churches over the years. Me being a confused Christian having been trapped by religion. Having been beaten into submitting to man's will, not that of God. Fortunately enough, I was not raised in a religious household. In hindsight, I believe that as a youth, I may have enjoyed too much freedom. Because of such libertarian rearing or lack thereof, depending upon view, worshipping authoritative figures has never been a priority on my list. I have always been rebellious in that aspect. Keeping in mind, I believe in giving respect where it is due, in the same token, I am also a firm believer that God is no respecter of persons not withstanding, there is a time and place for everything. Even Jesus encouraged people to render to Caesar what was his. Give respect and honor where it is indeed due. There is a way to come before kings as God is a God of order. As there is God-ordained authority and leadership where in fact we must submit in many instances, We must bear in mind, dominion and authority are not given exclusively to "men" as in the sex, per se. Often times where we see "man" or "men" in biblical text, it means the whole of humanity. Not just males. Not just leadership. We all have something to bring to the table. As equally, we are all very flawed creatures who ourselves need to submit to the leadership of God's Holy Spirit.

Most churches in America struggle to have a significant percentage of their adult attendance in small groups. According to recent research done by Lifeway Research, only “33 percent of churchgoers attend classes or groups for adults (such as Sunday school, Bible study, small groups, or Adult Bible Fellowships) four or more times in a typical month. Fourteen percent attend two or three times a month.” Life transformation happens best within the context of community, so if a church is going to be intentional about discipleship they have to develop on-ramps to small groups that reach people on the fringes and beyond. If we continue to offer small groups to the normal church attenders, a majority of the people who show up to church are never reached. Pastors, church staff and small group leaders are trying to figure out how to make small groups work in their church and they don’t know how. Small Groups For The Rest Of Us gives them practical, proven strategies on moving people from the fringes into biblically based communities.

Forty-year-old Nikolis McQuaigecalled NikkiMacis a teacher in Trenton, New Jersey, and is smart, quick, and loyal to her friends. Shes also single and struggles to be a good Christian. She thinks of herself as a work in progress, and God has been helping her make improvements in various areas of her lifesuch as in her choice of men. But men arent the only thing on NikkiMacs mind. Theres her best friend, Jacee, and a new friend, Anna Maria. Theres her friend Cletus, whos trying hard to stay on the wagon and do right by the twins he finds out are his biological children. And then theres Sister Chloe, a new member of the church, who is coolalmost downright rudeto NikkiMac for reasons NikkiMac cant fathom. She even finds time to think of the new, eligible assistant preacher named Adam Greene. By turns humorous and poignant, Beyond Church Doors invites us into NikkiMacs world of urban grittiness and sass, where being a Christian means asking forgiveness when her anger at another woman leads to near tragedy. It means not giving up on asking friends to church. It means being willing to don a bright orange lifeguard outfit and whistle to stand by the baptistery so that a churchgoer, terrified of drowning, can let herself be baptized. NikkiMac doesnt practice Sunday-morning-only Christianity, but lives her faith in the community 24-7 with a refreshing candor. Author Sylvia Brown-Roberts reunites us with her vivid characters as they seek to translate their faith into Godly behavior. An inspirational novel. Dr. Michael A. Brown, author of In Search of the Narrow Way

Volumes for 1942- include Minutes of the ... annual meeting of the woman's auxiliary. volumes for 1949- include Minutes of the ... annual meeting of the Episcopal churchman's association.