Not only do new church starts in significant numbers bring systemic change and renewal to mainline denominations, but new church development brings similar change to individual aging congregations in their vicinity. Author Stephen Compton argues that a decline in new church starts in the last half of the 20th century was the major contributor to the decline of mainline church groups―not liberalism or lack of faith, as is often cited. He shows in this book how introducing considerable numbers of new congregations into these old denominations can cause these venerable institutions to revisit the meaning of "church" and "congregation," develop a clearer vision of their collective mission, and grow in their ability to bring about positive change in the world. In effect, he contends, new churches in an aging organization do not merely make it grow. They make it change in ways that make it more effective in its mission and ministries. This book will appeal to leaders across denominational lines, including those not ordinarily called "mainline," and especially to pastors and leaders of older congregations.

Rekindling the Mainline: New Life Through New Churches

Stephen C. Compton

Religion & Spirituality

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Collecting North Carolina Pottery: Earthenware, Stoneware, and Fancyware displays and describes hundreds of examples of North Carolina pottery with 450 photographs that include commonplace wares as well as rare and highly collectible one-of-a-kind pieces. Most were made in the years spanning from about 1750 to 1950. Of special significance are examples of Moravian and Quaker-made earthenware created in eighteenth and early nineteenth century settlements. Twentieth century art pottery - so-called Fancyware - in addition to both salt-glazed and alkaline-glazed utilitarian stoneware, rounds out the book's contents. An opening essay, illustrated by some never-before-published historic photographs of the state's potters and potteries, provides an overview of the region's role in ceramics production. Of inestimable value to collectors, historians, archaeologists, antiques dealers, and gallery and museum curators, Collecting North Carolina Pottery: Earthenware, Stoneware, and Fancyware is the most comprehensive catalog of North Carolina pottery, including up-to-date price estimates, available today. 2011 values.

North Carolina Pottery: Earthenware, Stoneware, and Fancyware, Identification and Values

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Antiques & Collectibles

Collector+books

Located near the geographic heart of North Carolina, Seagrove is known as the pottery town. Though not the only place where pottery has been made in the state, when you say Seagrove to people, they suspect that you're talking about pottery. From its modest 18th century beginnings with a few Quaker potters from Pennsylvania and Nantucket, the Seagrove region today hosts more than one hundred potters.

Seagrove Potteries Through Time (America Through Time)

Arts & Photography

Photography & Video

America Through Time

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Books by Stephen C. Compton