The multisite church model has been consistently challenged by those who deem it unbiblical and incompatible with God's design for the local church, but does Scripture support this claim? In Multisite Churches, pastor and church vitalist Dustin Slaton posits that congregational polity is compatible with the multisite model, dismantling critiques with both urgency and care for the local church's future. At a time when church fostering and church adoption are predicted to increase significantly, the multisite church model is a solution that can support the adoption of churches. Bringing in personal experience and erudite research, Slaton heuristically demonstrates a methodological approach of ecclesiology with a theological framework for the multisite model, fairly addressing both critics and supporters. Multisite Churches is a resource for biblical ecclesiology with wide-ranging benefits for both clergy and congregant. Those prayerfully discerning whether they can transition to a multisite church in a biblical way and those who are interested in the topic will benefit from the guidance and insight provided in this timely resource.

A hands-on resource for both large and small churches It has been predicted that in the twenty-first century extremely large churches would emerge in America that resemble neither an elephant nor a field of mice. Which is better? At one time the answer would have been either/or. Now it's both/and. We want both the intimacy of smallness and the impact of bigness-we want a hybrid of the two. Hybrid Church is a practical guide for clergy and leaders who want to have the best of both church worlds: the intimacy of small "house church" groups and the impact of very large mega-churches. Offers a guide for churches who want to capitalize on their strengths to build intimacy with impact Written by the pastor of one of the "fastest growing" and "most innovative" churches in America with thousands of members organized in small house groups Outlines a vision for how the church of tomorrow could look like the early church. Given that the trend is toward very large and very small, with few churches in the middle, this book will be a welcome resource for both large and small churches.

From saved souls to saved wholes, from transactional to transformational, this book describes fifteen paradigm shifts in how gospel-driven Christian leaders are thinking about churches and ministry in today's world. The church was never designed to be a fortress for the righteous, but a flood of revolutionaries, bringing the Good News of the Kingdom to broken lives and broken communities in a broken world. Today, millions of Christians are awakening to the holism, or wholeness, of the gospel call, expanding their understanding of church from an institution to a movement. Recognizing the Church's past missteps and re-envisioning its role in modern society, Missional Moves, will fundamentally alter your understanding of the church and how its mission is lived out. Rob Wegner and Jack Magruder are church founders and Christian thought-leaders who will walk you through three distinct categories of changes that today’s churches have to understand in order to have the greatest, positive impact: The paradigm shift of our missional imagination. The centralized shift of our local church mission field. The decentralized shift of the global family of Christ. If this calling toward movement and transformation is to be realized, it will require some earth-shaking shifts in our concept of the evangelistic mission: "Missional Moves." This book provides a plan of action for your church that will empower you to unleash each member on a mission, both locally and globally.

Missiologist and church planter JR Woodward offers a blueprint for the missional church--not small adjustments around the periphery of the infrastructure but a radical revisioning of how a church ought to look that entails changing how we think about leadership and what we expect out of discipleship.

In a world where women’s issues are political issues, feminism and religion are often scripted as opposing sides. But, drawing on the messages of love and social justice from within their religious traditions, women are leading feminist movements that promote positive social change at both the micro and macro levels. Religion is fueling women’s efforts to revolutionize the world! Women Religion Revolution is a provocative collection of essays written by women who understand that being passive is not an option. Each story resonates with passion drawn from the well of faith, along with a drive to forge a connection with other women. The experiences that can shape a woman’s soul are often negative and isolating—sexual assault, domestic violence, eating disorders, addictions—but in seeking healing, in seeking to effect revolutionary change, women often find that the path leads toward other women, toward a connectedness that strengthens us all. This is a very stimulating book. This volume brings together nineteen interesting articles from women from a variety of religious and social traditions. A good book to read and to own as a resource in women's experience of feminism and religion. Rosemary Radford Ruether, Professor of Theology, Claremont Graduate University This is feminist religious thought at its most courageous and creative. The narratives by these authors offer inspiring, revolutionary, spiritual insights about women’s lives, bodies, and violence. Traci C. West, Professor of Ethics and African American Studies, Drew University Theological School The women in this volume are bold in uncovering persistent problems and rethinking new possibilities for thought and action. Their essays are personal, based on the authors’ own experiences as Muslims, Jews, Christians, and Mormons; but they articulate their insights in ways that reverberate in many different contexts. These essays touch on all areas of concern for women: reproduction, sexuality, body image, violence and abuse, poverty and wealth, spiritual power and women’s ordination, the sacred and the Divine. These essays will inspire you. Margaret Toscano, Associate Professor of Comparative Studies, University of Utah

A Harvard biologist and master inventor explores how new biotechnologies will enable us to bring species back from the dead, unlock vast supplies of renewable energy, and extend human life. In Regenesis, George Church and science writer Ed Regis explore the possibilities of the emerging field of synthetic biology. Synthetic biology, in which living organisms are selectively altered by modifying substantial portions of their genomes, allows for the creation of entirely new species of organisms. These technologies-far from the out-of-control nightmare depicted in science fiction-have the power to improve human and animal health, increase our intelligence, enhance our memory, and even extend our life span. A breathtaking look at the potential of this world-changing technology, Regenesis is nothing less than a guide to the future of life.

When Jesus thought about the church, what did he imagine? Most churches are small, and rightly so. With power being redistributed in our time, networks of smaller enterprises are both growing and thriving. The yearning for participation and empowerment has us all looking for versions of church that make room for everyone. Perhaps, after all our hand wringing and insecurity about the size of our churches, we have missed the point. Microchurches can be strong, beautiful, accessible and potent portraits of just what Jesus had in mind, if not for all time, at least for ours. This book is a guide to understanding, appreciating and if you are up for it, starting a micro church.

A challenging and encouraging manual for day-to-day life in ministry written specifically for couples who want to do more than survive the process of church planting and leadership—who want to actually thrive and grow in faith together as a family. Though we may feel like we can't show it, every aspect of planting a church is personal. Church planters and those in ministry leadership roles give so much to starting and growing healthy, thriving churches that when some people inevitably criticize the church, or leave altogether, it's hard not to take it personally. Brian and Amy Bloye know firsthand the emotional and relational toll that planting churches can take. In It's Personal—part of the Exponential series, inspiring and equipping next-generation church planters—the Bloye's get personal about finding the right balance of family and ministry. Planting a church is more than a ministry—it's a calling that touches every aspect of your life in very personal ways. With intimacy and wisdom, Brian and Amy discuss topics like: How to protect your marriage while planting a church. How to respond to growth and change. How to lead well while still maintaining space and time for family. How to know when it’s becoming too personal. With a forward by Andy Stanley, It's Personal will challenge and encourage you to avoid some of the pitfalls of planting a church and be equipped to build both strong and prevailing ministries, and healthy marriages and families. Each chapter includes interviews with church-planting couples who share their personal joys and struggles, giving you authentic insight into the issues families face when planting a church.