Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel
By Russell D. Moore (B&H)
As the culture continues to change all around us, it’s no longer possible to pretend the church and biblical Christianity represent a moral majority, and that’s not an entirely bad thing. Lukewarm, cultural Christianity is not transformative. In these shifting times what’s needed is neither a doubling-down on the status quo nor a pullback into isolation.
Instead, the church needs to speak to social and political issues with a bigger vision in mind—the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christianity seems increasingly strange, and even subversive, to our culture, we have the opportunity to reclaim the uniqueness of the gospel, which is what gives the gospel its power in the first place.
Also available Onward – Bible Study Book.
Unleashed: Being Conformed to the Image of Christ
By Eric Mason (B&H)
You’re a Christian, so now what? God not only saved you from something, but for something—to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Pastor Eric Mason is passionate about helping Christians unleash the transformative power of God in their lives as they learn to be faithful disciples of Jesus. Being conformed to the image of Christ is a lifelong journey for every Christian, and Unleashed outlines the process of spiritual growth from the first moments of faith to the last.
The Things of Earth: Treasuring God by Enjoying His Gifts
By Joe Rigney (Crossway)
The world is full of good things. The laughter of children. College football. Scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. But what happens to these earthly pleasures when Jesus shows up? Do the things of earth grow strangely dim? Or does He shine in all that’s fair?
In The Things of Earth, Joe Rigney offers a breath of fresh air to Christians who are burdened by false standards, impossible expectations, and misguided notions of holiness. Steering a middle course between idolatry on the one hand and ingratitude on the other, Rigney reminds us that every good gift comes from the Father’s hand, that God’s blessings should drive us to worship and generosity, and that a passion for God’s glory is as wide as the world.
Teams that Thrive: Five Disciplines of Collaborative Leadership
By Ryan T. Hartwig and Warren Bird (IVP)
What do the top church teams do to thrive together? Researchers and practitioners Ryan Hartwig and Warren Bird studied churches of various sizes and traditions throughout the United States that have learned to thrive under healthy team leadership.
Using church examples, they present their discoveries here, culminating in five disciplines that will enable your team to thrive. Their book is a great coaching tool for senior leadership teams struggling to thrive, and a helpful resource for teams doing well but wanting to do even better.
Finding Truth: 5 Principles of Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes
By Nancy Pearcey (David C. Cook)
Don’t Think, Just Believe. That’s the mantra in many circles today, but it doesn’t work well in real life. In Finding Truth, Nancy Pearcey explains five principles that penetrate to the core of any worldview—secular or religious—to uncover its deepest motivations and weigh its claims.
She shows how the Christian worldview matches reality—that it is not only true but attractive, granting higher dignity to human beings than any alternative. Using personal stories and real-world examples, the book makes a clear and compelling case for the truthfulness and usefulness of Christianity.
Heaven, How I Got Here: The Story of the Thief on the Cross
By Colin S. Smith (Christian Focus Publications)
What if you woke up one morning knowing it was your last day on earth? That’s what happened to the thief on the cross, who died a few feet from Jesus. Heaven, How I Got Here is his story, told in his own words, as he looks back from heaven on the day that changed his eternity.
Author Colin Smith says, “To me, the story of the thief shows what Jesus Christ can do for a person more clearly and more directly than any other. The thief had not lived a good life, and on his last day he had no opportunity to turn over a new leaf or make a new start. The inspiration for this book is there is hope for every person in Jesus Christ.” A short, captivating book that is perfect for giving away to others who may not know Jesus.
