Book - Acts to Action

Acts to Action is a 90 day devotional journey to missional living. 

This resource is ideal for individuals, bible studies or even a congregational worship series.     It is written by a Lutheran pastor and mission director, with Lutheran congregations in mind.

It will help you explore is my faith and my local church still relevant? 

The answer of course is a resounding, “YES!” 

But only the Word of God, and especially that Word as it come to us in the Acts of the Apostles, can make it so. This 90-Day devotional journey leads readers on a guided tour of the entire Book of Acts to see and learn anew how God is always working through His people, His leaders, and His local congregations to grow His kingdom. The first century church changed the world for the better. The Lord of the church wants to use you and your 21st century congregation to do the same.

The journal will you :

• Appreciate how God uses His people to save people
• Love people from all backgrounds, races, nations, and ethnicities
• Follow the example of the early church and be intentionally engaged in the mission of God
• Bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ to your family, friends, neighbourhoods, and communities

Available through Amazon

Book: Faith Notes: A Christ-Centered Survival Kit for Young Men

Today's youth are facing big problems and challenges, and they need life-saving truth that speaks directly to their unique circumstances.

Faith Notes: A Christ-Centered Survival Kit for Young Men, and its companion title for young women, is an engaging and practical devotional that candidly addresses the real hurts and heartaches of adolescence. In contrast to the daily media onslaught that young people are subjected to that leads to comparison, anxiety, perfectionism, and confusion, Faith Notes offers Jesus, grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone. They offer a survival guide that lead to eternal life.

In all, Faith Notes offers 96 devotionals on general subjects: Relationships; Spiritual Life; Thoughts and Feelings; Friends; the Future; Character; Family and Home; Anxiety; and Mistakes.

The author, Rev. Michael W. Newman, has been a pastor in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and has served and ministered to youth for decades, giving him unique insight into what's troubling the youth of today, and how to respond Christ-like to those troubles.

Buy Faith Notes here

Book: Future Church - 7 laws of real church growth

Church growth models have often been long on promises and short on disciple-making. We continue to watch consistent church attendance shrink, and our desire to reach the lost is infected with a need for self-validation by growing our numbers at any cost. If we believe that God wants his church to grow, where do we go from here? What is the future of the church?

Drawing from his 20 years and 15,000 hours of consulting, author Will Mancini shares with pastors and ministry leaders the single most important insight he has learned about church growth. With plenty of salient stories and based solidly on the disciple-making methods found in Scripture, Future Church exposes the church's greatest challenge today, and offers 7 transforming laws of real church growth so that we can faithfully and joyfully fulfill Jesus's Great Commission.

Chapters

1. Real church growth starts with a culture of mission, not worship. 
2. Real church growth is powered by the gospel, not relevance. 
3. Real church growth is validated by unity, not numbers.
4. Real church growth is local, not imported. 
5. Real church growth is about growing people, not managing programs. 
6. Real church growth is led by calling, not celebrity. Call every believer to engage their parish and serve God through their vocation.
7. Real church growth is energized by shared imagination, not shared preference. 

2024 Australian Christian Diary

 The 2024 Australian Christian Diary is now available

This popular Australian Christian Diary contains the following:

• Lectionary Bible reading for each day
• All Church Year festivals
• Week to an opening,
• Monthly planner
• Australian holidays and school terms

Available from Australian Christian Resources

Book: Canoeing the Mountains

 Over 100,000 Copies Sold Worldwide!

Canoeing the mountains is a book to help Christian leaders to prepare for leading their church and ministries into the future.  

Explorers Lewis and Clark had to adapt. They had originally canoed up a waterway, and expected this waterway to continue all the way to the Pacific Ocean, instead they found themselves in the Rocky Mountains, with no water way.  So what got them to where they were was not going to help them for the next part of the journey.   You too may fe

el that you are leading in a cultural context you were not expecting. You may even feel that your training holds you back more often than it carries you along.

Drawing from his extensive experience as a pastor and consultant, Tod Bolsinger brings decades of expertise in guiding churches and organizations through uncharted territory. He offers a combination of illuminating insights and practical tools to help you reimagine what effective leadership looks like in our rapidly changing world.

If you're going to scale the mountains of ministry, you need to leave behind canoes and find new navigational tools. Now expanded with a study guide, this book will set you on the right course to lead with confidence and courage.

Reviews
Lutheran Church Workers

Andrew Fuller Blog

Journey UCA 

Book: This is most certainly true - learning Jesus Christ through Luther's Small Catechism

This is most certainly true - learning Jesus Christ through Luther's Small Catechism

Dr Mark Worthing

This is most certainly true is an engagement with Luther's Small Catechism that helps us discover Jesus Christ for today's context, with a biblical focus.  Dr Worthing discusses more deeply in an easy to digest manner each section of the catechism and their relevance for knowing Jesus, life and faith.

This book is ideal for:

• Anyone new to the Christian faith or Lutheranism
• Confirmation instruction
• New Members classes
• Small groups looking to  review or renew their faith
• Resource for worship and sermons
• Devotional resource

Reviews and recommendations

"This clear, lively engagement with Luther's Small Catechism grows you in faith, while at the same time helping you to reflection what this means for daily living. Ideal for small groups focused on discipleship."  Robert Bartholomaeus - Bishop, Lutheran Church of Australia, NSW & ACT

"This is Most Certainly True highlights beautifully the brilliance of Martin Luther's Small Catechism. [It] reminds us how relevant and applicable Luther's Small Catechism still is today and how it cuts through to the basic simple truths of God's love for us, and how we can live a purposeful and meaningful life."   Carolyn Teusner, mother and carer

"Dr Worthing;s explanation of Luther's Small Catechism clears up much confusion surrounding Christian faith and values today with a clear presentation of the message of the gospel. It will be of great help both to Church leaders, including clergymen/women, and to everyday believers seeking uphold professional and moral standards and to live as people of faith."  Peter Garang Deng, educator

"Not having been brought up in a Christian family, this book was a wonderful inspiration for me and will benefit anyone wanting a better understanding of the essentials of the Bible. It is a clearly written and concise analysis of Luther's Small Catechism and will appeal to those wanting to learn more about Lutheran doctrine as well as Christianity generally. This is Most Certainly True is a powerful tool for the Christian life which I highly recommend."   Peter Geyer, lawyer

Australian Christian Resources

Book: Faithfully Connected - Integrating Biblical Principles in a Digital Worl

We know what it means to be a good citizen. We follow the law, obey local regulations, and listen to governmental authorities. From a young age, children learn how to be good citizens of their city, state, and country.

But there is a new kind of citizenship—digital citizenship: the appropriate and responsible use of technology. Now, educators and parents have the responsibility of teaching children how to be God’s faithful people in a digital world.

Faithfully Connected integrates biblical principles with the concepts of digital citizenship for the formation of young people in a variety of educational settings. Drs. Boche and Hollatz speak authoritatively as Christian educators with a pulse on the generation growing up with digital media as its first language.

Whether in the classroom, church, or home, Faithfully Connected equips you to teach students what it means to be both a digital citizen and a faith citizen. Lesson plans and discussion guides for Christian schools and catechism classes are included.

Reviews 

“[A] precious gift to pastors, parents, and especially Christian educators around the world. ”  —Dr. Bernard Bull, Vice Provost for Curriculum and Academic, Innovation at Concordia University Wisconsin and Author of Digitized: Spiritual Implications of Technology

“A road map to be safe, savvy, faith-filled digital citizens on the information highway.”  —James G. Rush II, English (EFL) Instructor, Luther University—Yongin, South Korea

“Show[s] classroom teachers, pastors, layleaders, and parents how to prepare children with the skills and traits of godly citizens for a future we can’t predict.”  —Tim Schumacher, Assistant Professor of Educational, Technology, Concordia University Irvine

“A must-read for Lutheran educators as we embrace digital technology with Christian character and integrity!”  —Sharon Frydendall, Middle School Teacher, St. John’s Lutheran School, Orange, CA

“An excellent resource for any teacher or pastor who wants to empower their students to be faithful ambassadors of Christ in their increasingly digital world.”  —Jonathan P. Orr, LAT, ATC, MEd, Director of Innovation, and Continuous Improvement, Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School

Book: HINGES - Opening your church's doors to the community

This is one of a number resources that help pastors and congregations who are pursuing God's mission for their church that will assist them in the work of revitalisation.   

In the past, the doors of the church opened inward, but now people are no longer coming in through church doors as they once did. Instead, God is calling the church to open the doors outward as the people of God take the Gospel to their community.

The central theme of this book is based on extensive statistical research, personal pastoral experience, and practical work with over one thousand churches.   From this Transforming Churches Network has found the eight key factors that open the doors of the church outward and empower the church to have an impact upon the community God places it in. 

Read Hinges to discover these eight factors and go beyond mere theories about what might work. Many who have follow these practical steps and have found new life and fruitfulness in their church.

Book: Inspired by the Holy Spirit - 4 habits of faithful living

 The world is bustling with consumerism and digital connection. Yet, there's still a bone-deep longing for something personal. In a world that has given you distraction and impersonal modes of communication, reach out to the Holy Spirit to guide you toward the most personal connection of all: one with God. 

Christina Hergenrader invites you to travel with her and the Holy Spirit in four weeks to re-evalute your spiritual habits. Read personal annecdotes from Christina's journey on the same path and find yourself in her stories. Focused on four cornerstones of healthy spiritual habits—word, prayer, praise, and reflection—you can find fulfillment of that soul-deep want for connection with guidance from the Holy Spirit. 

4 main sections

• Word
• Prayer
• Praise
• Reflection

This Bible study is perfect for individual study, groups of all sizes, or as an event kick-off. Each day ends with Bible verses to read or challenges to take your journey into your life and off the page. Pray at the end of each session to connect with God and the Holy Spirit as you go forward and reconnect, personally, with Him. 

Book: It takes a church to baptize

Scot McKight's book it takes a church to baptize, unpacks the issues of baptism that have divided Protestant Christianity.  McKnight a lecturer at a Baptist Seminary, and an ordained Anglican explores how infant baptism is theological, biblical, historical and personal.   He answers many questions people have about Infant baptism in this book, It takes a church to baptize.

This book will be helpful in responding to people who struggle with Infant Baptism.

About the book

The issue of baptism has troubled Protestants for centuries. Should infants be baptized before their faith is conscious, or does God command the baptism of babies whose parents have been baptized?

Popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight makes a biblical case for infant baptism, exploring its history, meaning, and practice and showing that infant baptism is the most historic Christian way of forming children into the faith. He explains that the church's practice of infant baptism developed straight from the Bible and argues that it must begin with the family and then extend to the church. Baptism is not just an individual profession of faith: it takes a family and a church community to nurture a child into faith over time. 

McKnight explains infant baptism for readers coming from a tradition that baptizes adults only, and he counters criticisms that fail to consider the role of families in the formation of faith. 

Editorial Reviews

"As someone who grew up Baptist and has wrestled deeply with questions about infant baptism, I wish I could have read this book years ago. McKnight has given the church an enduring gift--a book that is theologically rich, serious, and steeped in tradition yet accessible and readable. As a mother of young children and as a priest, I will put this book in the hands of many a friend and parishioner. If you are a parent deciding whether to baptize infant children, this book is essential reading."
--Tish Harrison Warren, priest in the ACNA, co-associate rector (Church of the Ascension Pittsburgh), and author of Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life

"Able, strong, wise, and biblically and theologically rich. There are a great number of confusions and misunderstandings about infant baptism that Scot thoughtfully clarifies. So even if you don't end up being convinced, you will know why people like Scot (and me) think it is a practice essential for proper Christian discipleship."
--Mark Galli, editor in chief, Christianity Today

"A cogent apology for the sacrament of infant baptism. McKnight, a New Testament scholar, writes in a comfortable and non-academic style that his readers will surely appreciate."
--Kathryn Greene-McCreight, Episcopal priest and author of Darkness Is My Only Companion: A Christian Response to Mental Illness

"McKnight provides a controversial though ultimately compelling case for infant baptism. It is not just the who and how of baptism that he tackles; the genius of this book is that McKnight elegantly explains what baptism is even about, what it means, what it does for the recipient, and why it really does take a church to baptize a child. This book could change your whole view of conversion, faith, family, children's ministry, and the church!"
--Michael F. Bird, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia

"The most compelling case for infant baptism available today. Not content to sprinkle with prooftexts, McKnight immerses his reader in the biblical, historical, and sacramental theology of this ancient Christian practice, and seals it with a testimony of how his mind was changed."
--Joel Scandrett, Robert E. Webber Center, Trinity School for Ministry

Lutheran EBOOK Library

 Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry is a  non-profit publisher of Christian books. They offer ebooks and paperbacks. All Ebooks are provided without charge. Paperbacks are at cost. 

They seek to provide solid, encouraging material to strengthen you as a believer in Christ

Visit:  https://www.lutheranlibrary.org/ to view their selection

Book: Making Sense of the Cross

The cross is central to Christianity.   Yet there is much to learn about its role for us.
This book draws us into a conversation between two people having an open and candid discussion about the cross. One assumes the role of teacher or coach, someone who has had the time and opportunity to study the faith in some depth. The other is curious, knows a little bit about the faith, and brings a lot of questions: 

• So what’s with the cross? 
• What does the cross say about God? 
• What’s the big deal? 
• Did Jesus have to die?

Book: The Intergenerational Church: Understanding Congregations from WWII to www.com

In The Intergenerational Church, Peter Menconi shows you why understanding today's generations is crucial for the survival and thrival of the local church. But understanding the generations is not enough. 

In this book you will learn how to: - Minimize generational tension. - Get all the generations moving in the same direction. - Develop leaders from all generations. - Deliver intergenerational preaching. - Cultivate intergenerational worship and community. - Stimulate intergenerational mission and outreach.

Main sections
Intergenerational Realities
Understanding today's generations
Toward an intergenerational church

Book: Word of Life - Introducing Lutheran Hermeneutics

Renowned Reformation scholar Timothy J. Wengert explores the genesis of Lutheran biblical interpretation by tracing the early work of Martin Luther, Melanchthon, and other Wittenberg exegetes. Their new approach led them to view Scripture in terms of "law and gospel," to read and translate the Greek and Hebrew text, and to focus on a theology of the cross and justification by faith. Luther and his colleagues found God working in the last place anyone would reasonably look: on the cross, in weakness and foolishness. Wengert demonstrates how these key historical and theological perspectives can be demonstrated in preaching, reflection, and teaching today. Using brief examples of preaching The Seven Last Word of Christ and reflecting on Luther's work on a variety of Psalms, the author provides a path for students and pastors alike to plumb the depth of Lutheran hermeneutics in their preaching and teaching.

Book: Spirit filled: Normal Christian Living

Being filled with God’s Spirit is not a special blessing locked up for the select few, but the normal experience God has planned for all Christians.

Spirit Filled is written in plain language for ordinary Christians. While it is perfectly designed for group use, it can be equally enjoyed as a book in its own right.

The authors Steen Olsen and Noel Due are experienced Lutheran pastors and church leaders who know the difficulties and demands of everyday life. Every chapter is filled with encouragement, and the whole book is a breath of fresh air to weary hearts.

Chapters
Meeting the Holy Spirit in the Bible
Meeting the Holy Spirit in person
Meeting the Holy Spirit as the people of faith
Meeting the Holy Spirit:  God's ultimate gift
Being filled with the Spirit
The Holy Spirit:  the giving gift
Participating in the Spirit's gifts
Enjoying the fruit of the Spirit
The Spirit teaches us to cry 'Jesus is Lord'
The Spirit teaches us to cry 'Come'
The Spirit and your future.

Endorsements:
If you are worried whether the Holy Spirit is active in your life, if your Christian faith is a bit wobbly, your love has cooled, and your hope become uncertain, this is just the book for you – and anyone you know who is in the same situation. This wonderful study doesn’t tell you what you have to do to get back on track in your spiritual life, but what God has done for you and is still doing. Here is the gospel of the Holy Spirit who implants us into Christ who leads us to the heavenly Father.
Noel Due and Steen Olsen present profound theology in simple, non-technical language.
What I love most is the way in which they don’t refer to the scriptures in order to find proof texts, but let the Spirit-inspired Word be the first and most important voice. Communal listening to the sacred text and sacramental celebration have priority over individual experience. The twelve chapters reflect familiarity with debate on the person and work of the Holy Spirit, but without being confrontational or argumentative.
That being Spirit-filled is the normal thing in being a believer is a breath of fresh air. If you sense that I’m excited about this book you are not wrong. Please read and share it.
Revd Dr Vic Pfitzner emeritus Lecturer and former Principal of Luther Seminary/Australian Lutheran College, Adelaide South Australia

A strong, loving, and wise book designed for use in ordinary local churches and small groups within the church community. Strong theology, indeed, very strong theology that is well exposited for a lay audience. Loving, the authors clearly love their Lord, His Church, and the life of the Holy Spirit in everyday life. Wise, they have lived with these sentences and state their lessons from experience with careful, reflective, responsible clear thoughts and proposed actions.
Revd Dr Patrick Keifert Professor emeritus of Systematic Theology, Luther Seminary, St Paul MN, USA

Book: On Justification through Faith - Theological Commonplaces

Originally published in 1613, On Justification through Faith presents Johann Gerhard’s classic voice on this crucial doctrine. While his theology is, in many respects, nothing new beyond what other Lutherans such as Martin Chemnitz said before him, his perspective is distinctively helpful to modern readers, especially in his dealing of topics not dealt with by previous theologians.

Gerhard’s basic position is that justification is a judicial term, and thus the appropriation of God’s grace through faith alone (justification) is not the transfer of divinity—of the essence of the God-man—or of any qualities (created or divine) from God to the believer, but instead it is a change of status before God. For Gerhard, justification is unthinkable without the real person of Christ being apprehended through faith.

Table of Contents
Commonplace XIX: On Justification through Faith
Chapter I: On the efficient cause of justification
Chapter II: The meritorious cause of justification
Chapter III: On the instrumental cause of justification
       Section I: On justifying faith and its parts. 
       Section II: On the various divisions of faith.
       Section III: The principal efficient cause of faith is the Holy Spirit, 
       Section V: The effect of faith, which is justification.
       Section VI: On the properties of justifying faith, that is, Whether they can be separated from love and the other virtues.
Chapter IV: On the formal cause of justification. 
Chapter V: On the final cause of justification. 
Chapter VI: On the use of the doctrine of justification and on its definition.

Children's Book: The Day when God made the church

Children love birthday parties. This is a book – a first if its kind – to help kids understand and celebrate the birthday of the Church. The Day When God Made the Church is the story of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit shaped, and continues to shape, who we are as God’s Church. Children will learn the story of Pentecost: the sights, sounds, and events of that miraculous day described in the Book of Acts. They will also discover who the Holy Spirit is and how God calls each of us to follow Jesus. At the end, parents, educators, ministers will discover fresh ways to celebrate Pentecost with children in their own churches and families.

Reviews
A great addition to your Pentecost shelves: This book is a wonderful telling of the story of Pentecost: the sights, the sounds and the people that began the community of the Church. We recommend placing this book on the bottom shelf of your Pentecost shelves.
—The Rev. Cheryl V. Minor, Ph.D.
Co-Rector, All Saints' Church, Belmont, MA
Director of the Center for the Theology of Childhood
The Godly Play Foundation

"Readers and listeners of all ages will discover much to stimulate their understanding of Pentecost through this theologically grounded book. Its engaging qualities and vivid images rhythmically connects children to the movement of The Holy Spirit, and the birth of the Church. Rebekah seamlessly helps children understand this sometimes difficult celebration in the liturgical year." —Melanie C. Gordon, Director of Ministry with Children, Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church

“This is a delightful and powerful telling of the birth of the church. Your child will love this book. The Day When God Made Church invites the parent, teacher, and child to engage in conversation about God, love, and the church. This is the book we have been waiting for….”
—The Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones award winning author of God Created and Jesus, the Word

Good children’s storybooks about Pentecost are few and far between. So when a new one appears it is worth sharing. "The Day When God Made Church: A Child’s First Book about Pentecost," by Rebekah McLeod Hutto, is a good addition to a church’s resources for children’s classes and libraries. Though it is rather long (5 minutes to read aloud), it could also be read in worship. Read it just before or after reading the biblical text to add color and detail to the story. If you are lucky enough to have a small number of children, read it with them seated around you so they can follow the wonderful illustrations. Savor the TALL words in the text and pause to reflect on the details in the pictures.
If you observe Ascension of the Lord on the Sunday before Pentecost, read only the first three pages about WAITING just before the benediction of that service and invite worshipers back the following week for the story and party that come next.
I mention this book now so that you have time to order it as you plan for Pentecost on May 15.—Carolyn C. Brown, author of Forbid Them Not, and Gateways to Heaven, worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com

The Day When God Made Church immediately draws readers of all ages into the Acts 2 story of Pentecost. Haig’s illustrations give deep meaning to Hutto’s child-like words that tell how the disciples wait…wait…WAIT in the Upper Room. At first, the reader sees men, women, children, and animals portrayed plainly in solid colors. The first inkling of the Holy Spirit comes visually with a bright blue spark, and the patterned orange flame of an ancient lamp. One turn of the page makes the reader gasp in awe at the Holy Spirit’s presence: joyful patterns of bright colors fill the pages, swirling around the people, dog, cow, and dove!
The story continues as colors visually represent the Holy Spirit’s wind and fire, warming the disciples’ hearts. Blue swirls turn into drops of rain filled with words from a host of different languages, eliciting sounds like drumbeats and whispers. Young readers will love to interact with these pages as their imaginations, curiosity, and enthusiasm are engaged by a sense of wonder.
The story draws readers into the disciples’ questions: Who is the Holy Spirit? …  What is happening? … Why do we feel so different? … Why do we hear so many languages?
These questions beautifully set the scene for remembering Jesus, as well as for Peter’s definition of the church: We are a family that shares, eats, and worships together. The story ends with a jubilant “Alleluia!” and a visual invitation to the Lord’s table, evoking the famous Holy Trinity icon.—Alexis Kruza, Building Faith

The story of Pentecost is so familiar that a summary is not necessary.  This, however, is a first person narrative which invites us to be participants.  This is a more comprehensive telling of Acts 2 than is usual for children.  It includes Joel’s prophesy, (without identifying it), Peter’s sermon, a reference to baptism, and the shared life of the new community as well as the gift of the Spirit and varied languages.  Some of the story is omitted but the essential outline of Pentecost is here, enriched by metaphors and highlighted by feelings. The story is told in simple, direct sentences with print variation and color contributing to the excitement.  But without pictures or print, it’s easy to hear this story as an aural experience.  The art adds details about this being an intergenerational group and animals are present. The author makes a number of suggestions about how to celebrate Pentecost on the concluding page. Pentecost is relatively free from the cultural takeover of Christmas and Easter.
“Finally a story for young children about Pentecost! … Children will enjoy reading about the birthday of their church, and they—along with the adults who love them—will be better able to wrap their hearts and minds around this curious celebration called Pentecost. Alleluia!”
 —Rev. Matt Matthews, author of the novel Mercy Creek and Pastor, St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC.

Book: Rewiring your preaching

What preachers preach is not necessarily what hearers hear. Have you ever wondered why some hearers are affected by a sermon but not others? The issue may not necessarily be the content or delivery of the message. It may be how your hearers' brains process what you say. Modern neuroscience illuminates how our brains understand and hear sermons. Verbal stimuli can be accepted or rejected depending on the context of how they are received. The brain processes new information differently than information that reinforces already-held beliefs. To have long-term effect, new information must connect with previous memory. Psychologist, physician and preacher Richard Cox shows that better understanding of the brain can help preachers be more effective in their preaching. Intentional, purposeful preaching can actually produce new neural pathways that change how the brain thinks and how its owner acts. Our brains are intimately connected with how our bodies work, especially in how brain stimuli produce behavioral responses and how people experience comfort and healing in times of pain. God is at work in our brains to enable his people to hear him. Preach with the brain in mind, and help your hearers grow in mental, physical and spiritual health.

Contents
1. Brainstorm vs. Short Circuit
2. Linking Brain and Sermon
3. The Brain Sees Preaching As Unique
4. The Brain Uses Preaching For Healing
5. The Core Process of Preaching is Brain Work
6. Preaching Provides Brain Energy
7. Brain Stimuli Produce Behavioral Responses
8. Preaching and Pastoring Are Different
9. Getting To the Brain with Theology
10. Preaching and the Brain in Pain
11. Brain Healing and the Soul
12. Brain Healing and the Mind
13. Brain Healing and the Body
14. Brain Healing and the Community

Book: The apologetics of Jesus

Apologetics books abound, but how did Jesus defend the faith? The Apologetics of Jesus presents the Savior at his convincing best. The most tentative Christian--or belligerent skeptic--will find meaty arguments for the godhead of Christ through his parables, prophecies, and more. This hard-hitting resource shows how Christ led the curious to commitment.

In this original book, readers will find a new way of looking at the message and miracles of Christ and will be revived by the example of Christ's caring approach to dealing with doubters. Recommended for both laypeople and ministry leaders alike.

Contents
 1. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Testimony 
 2. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Miracles 
 3. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of the Resurrection 
 4. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Reason 
 5. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Parables 
 6. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Discourse 
 7. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Prophecy 
 8. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Arguments for God
 9. Jesus’s Alleged Anti-Apologetic Passages 
 10. Jesus’s Life as an Apologetic 
 11. Jesus and the Role of the Holy Spirit in Apologetics 
 12. Jesus’s Apologetic Method 

E Book: What happened to our churches? - Regaining Spiritual energy

“What Happened to Our Churches?” is a free eBook from David S. Luecke.

What happened to our churches is a Collection of 52 blogs About Regaining Spiritual Energy.

The Apostle Paul was an organizational genius and a world-class entrepreneur. He was also a high-level analyst who could spot what wasn’t working in churches he oversaw and figure out what to do about it. His letters to churches were his report along with an explanation for God’s empowering presence that would bring the intended results.

How would the Apostle Paul assess what is happening with the current steep decline of mainline Protestant churches in America, after serving so well and faithfully for centuries?

With a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, Dr. David Luecke fills the role of Analyst in his latest book release. This collection of blogs is Dr. Luecke’s analysis of what’s happening in mainline churches that are in steep decline. They are losing their spiritual energy and the only way to regain it is to take the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence more seriously in church life and ministries.

Contents
Chapter 1: Six Perspectives on Regaining Spiritual Energy
Chapter 2: Motivated by the Spirit
Chapter 3: Recognizing the Spirit
Chapter 4: Discipled by the Spirit
Chapter 5: Waiting on the Spirit
Chapter 6: Culturally Shaped Experiences of the Spirit
Chapter 7: Organizing the Spirit’s Fellowships

About the Dr Luecke
There was a time in Dr. Luecke’s professional career when he had the title “Analyst.” His Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior was great preparation for a consultant as well as a professor. For six years, Dr. Luecke taught the M.B.A. Organizational Behavior course at Washington University in St. Louis. For ten years he taught the Doctor of Ministry course on Church Management at Fuller Seminary, where he was an administrator and associate professor. He also taught Strategic Management as a professor at Valparaiso University.
These 52 blogs address what Dr. Luecke sees has gone wrong with traditional mainline churches that, fifty years ago, were healthy but are now in steep decline. Luecke thinks Lutheran, as well as Presbyterian, Reformed, Episcopalian, Methodist, and United Church of Christ churches, have lost their basic spiritual energy. The only way to regain it back is to pay much more attention to who the Holy Spirit is and how he works today — that is, to recover the emphasis in Paul’s theology that Dr. Luecke gained from Gordon Fee’s detailed exegetical study God’s Empowering Presence (1994).
In 1990, Dr. Luecke received a call to plant a new Lutheran church in a suburb of his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. He saw it as a great opportunity to practice what he had been teaching. That church just moved into its large new sanctuary in a choice location in Broadview Heights. From their, Dr. Luecke moved on to become the Administrative Pastor at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church in the neighboring suburb of North Royalton, where he still serves as a semi-retired Missions Pastor. Dr. Luecke was ordained 50 years ago and has a multitude of experience with what works and what doesn’t in congregations.

You can download the book here