What should the church look like today? What should be the focus of its message? How should I present that message? We live in as pivotal and defining an age as the Great Depression or the Sixties–a period whose definition, say some cultural observers, includes a warning of the church’s influence. The result? A society measurably less religious but decidedly more spiritual. Less influenced by authority than by experience. More attuned to images than to words. How does the church adapt to such a culture? Or should it, in fact, eschew adapting for maintaining a course it has followed these last two millennia? Or something in between? These are exactly the questions asked in The Church In Emerging Culture by five Christian thinker-speaker-writers, each who advocate unique stances regarding what the church’s message should be (and what methods should be used to present it) as it journeys through this evolving, postmodern era. The authors are: Andy Crouch–Re:Generation Quarterly editor-in-chief Michael Horton–professor and reformed theologian Frederica Mathewes-Green–author, commentator, and Orthodox Christian Brian D. McLaren–postmodernist, author, pastor, and Emergent senior fellow Erwin Raphael McManus–author and pastor of the innovative and interethnic L.A.-based church, Mosaic Most unique about their individual positions is that they’re presented not as singular essays but as lively discussions in which the other four authors freely (and frequently) comment, critique, and concur. That element, coupled with a unique photographic design that reinforces the depth of their at-once congenial and feisty conversation, gives you all-access entrée into this groundbreaking discourse. What’s more, general editor Leonard Sweet (author of SoulTsunami and AquaChurch, among several other acclaimed texts) frames the thought-provoking dialogue with a profoundly insightful, erudite introductory essay–practically a book within a book. The Church In Emerging Culture is foundational reading for leaders and serious students of all denominations and church styles.

The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives

History

Erwin Raphael McManus

Leonard Sweet

Michael Horton

Brian D. McLaren

Andy Crouch

Frederica Matthewes-Green

World

Zondervan

We all have theories and ideas about things we haven’t experienced. But when life doesn’t work out like we expect, we are sometimes forced to reverse our opinions. This collection of stories will inspire you or your small group to consider, debate, and reflect on the wisdom of fellow believers who have changed significant opinions in their life. How does a fundamentalist become less conservative? What makes a person intent on marrying choose to remain celibate and enter the priesthood? How can a scientist give up believing in certainty? What makes an organ-playing pastor’s wife hit the road with a band and her bass guitar?Every now and then something comes along that challenges our strongly held beliefs: new information, new experiences, or disillusion. Because we’ve all been there, even when we disagree we respect the beliefs of those who come to their conclusions through careful consideration. And those who have completely reversed their opinions about deeply entrenched ideas are especially compelling. What can we learn from entrepreneurs, pastors, theologians, writers, grief counselors and others about the process of how we form our beliefs?From popular voices such as Leonard Sweet and Frederica Matthews-Green to many new and compelling writers, discover the difference an open mind makes in the lives of those courageous enough to confront their own deeply held beliefs.This book is available as an e-book! Click here to see other selections available electronically.

180: Stories of People Who Changed Their Lives by Changing Their Minds

Religion & Spirituality

Multiple-Authors

Christian Books & Bibles

The House Studio

"So that ineverything He might have the supremacy."
-Colossians 1:18
Christians have made the gospel about so many things-thingsother than Christ. Religious concepts, ideas, doctrines, strategies, methods,techniques, formulas, "its" and "things" have all eclipsedthe beauty, the glory, and the reality of the Lord Jesus Himself. On the whole,Christians today are starved for a real experience of the living Christ. Weknow a lot about our Lord, but we don't know Him very well. Weknow a lot about trying to be like Jesus, but very little about living by Hisindwelling life.
JESUS MANIFESTO presents a fresh unveiling of Jesus as not only Savior andLord, but as so much more. It is a prophetic call to restore the supremacy andsovereignty of Christ in a world-and a church-that has lost sight of Him. 
Every revival and restoration in the church has been arediscovery of some aspect of Christ in the process of answering the ultimatequestion that Jesus put to His disciples: "Whodo you say that I am?" 
Read this book and see your Lordlike you've neverseen Him before.

Jesus Manifesto: Restoring the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ

Frank Viola

Thomas Nelson. Inc.

What is your story?
We all have stories. Some are funny, some are painful—all contribute to who we are. What we don’t always see is that God is weaving an overarching story that started before time, extends through history, and will reach far beyond our lifetimes. God extends an invitation to each of us to step into His story and experience the ongoing narrative of His Word in our lives.
In this unique DVD-based study, your group will join visionary author Ben Arment and four of the most creative and effective communicators in the church today—Leonard Sweet, Chris Seay, Pete Wilson, and Ginny Owens—as they reveal some of their personal stories and expound on key stories in King David's life. Your group will examine the concepts of backstory, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution within the life of David and within your own lives.
Step into the power of God’s story and see where He can take yours.
Kit includes:
<ul>
<li>Seven videos featuring Ben Arment, Leonard Sweet, Chris Seay, Pete Wilson, and Ginny Owens (12-16 minutes each)</li>
<li>Conversation guide with seven sessions of interactive study</li>
<li>Leader's guide for group facilitator</li>
</ul>
Additional Conversation Guides available for purchase (ISBN: 9781401677251).

The Power of Your Story DVD-Based Study

Ben Arment

Thomas Nelson

11 Indispensable Relationships You Can't Be Without

David C. Cook Distribution

I Am a Follower: The Way, Truth, and Life of Following Jesus

"Follow Me."These two words echo the heart-defining call of our Lord Jesus Christ to his disciples. Sadly, this life-changing invitation has lost much of its original meaning. Immersed in a society that worships success, we have succumbed to a trendy fixation with leadership. In I Am a Follower, author Leonard Sweet explains how Christians in a twenty-first-century corporate-obsessed culture have shifted away from a Jesus art of following toward a popularized form of leading.Through a colorful mélange of practical applications, imaginative metaphors, and probing biblical exposition based in gospel truth, Sweet reveals that the summons of Jesus and the message of the New Testament point clearly to an emphasis not on imitation but on incarnation, not on leading but on following.Join Sweet on an exciting and intentional journey from leadership cult to followership culture. Discover for yourself the way, the truth, and the abundant life of following Jesus Christ and what it truly means to “Follow Me!”

I Am a Follower

Thomas Nelson on Brilliance Audio

What is Christianity? It is Christ. Nothing more, nothing less. Christianity is not an ideology and not a philosophy. Christianity is the Good News that beauty, truth, and goodness are found in a Person. And conversion? It's more than a change in direction; it's a change in connection.

christianaudio

Jesus Human: Primer for a Common Humanity

Spiritventure Ministries, Inc.

Peregrinos do Novo Seculo

Garimpo

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Books by Leonard Sweet