Most church board members have had little or no training on the vital legal issues your church could face during their term. Because they also are responsible for performing the critical tasks and legal duties that could expose your church and its leaders to legal liability, it is crucial that each member of your board understand the key legal concepts necessary to protect themselves and your church from harm.

The 4-hour Legal Training Program for Church Boards

Richard R. Hammar

Christianity Today International

Although it may yet be difficult to believe, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are the nominees for the 2016 presidential election. Politics always have a way of stirring up ire, but this year’s campaign season has unique challenges. Accusations of dishonesty, criminal behavior, sexism, racism, incompetency, and more have plagued both candidates. The media firestorms (often fueled by the candidates themselves) seem to grow with each passing day. Many Americans are discouraged, disillusioned, frustrated, and downright confused—not only by the political uproar, but also with the harrowing decision we all face come Election Day. Voters are now wondering: Do I vote along traditional party lines? Do I choose a third-party candidate? Do I simply refuse to cast a ballot? Questions like these aren’t easy to answer. So we’ve gathered articles from some of the most thoughtful Christianity Today writers for this CT Book. Our aim is to help you think more deeply and wisely about your political stewardship and responsibility. Included is an interview with Gary Scott Smith on the role of faith in presidential policies; a CT classic article, "How to Pick a President," by Daniel Taylor and Mark McCloskey; and an article by Carlos Campo (president of Ashland University and leader of the educational arm of the National Hispanic Leadership Conference) that explains the voting quandary Hispanic evangelicals find themselves in. At the end of this 10-chapter book is a summary of seven key voting issues from The National Association of Evangelicals. Of course, this eBook won’t tell you who to vote for or where you should stand on these complex issues. But the essays and interviews will help you think more wisely and Christianly about elections, politics, and the American presidency. Who will be the next U.S. President? Whatever the outcome, we trust the voices here will help you make the wisest decision with your one vote.

How To Pick A President: Clinton, Trump, or ?

History

Stetzer, Ed

Anderson, Leith

Galli, Mark

Moore, Russell

Crouch, Andy

Campo, Carlos

World

Beautiful Orthodoxy The Goodness, Truth, and Beauty of Life in Christ All is not well in the world today. People are looking for answers and searching for meaning amid the chaos. People are looking for goodness, truth, and beauty in a world that often falls terribly short. Christians believe that our longing for the good, the true, and the beautiful is found in Jesus Christ. But grasping and living into the fullness of this reality is not so easy. Our answers easily skew into ugly orthodoxy or beautiful heresy. What we need is beautiful orthodoxy. It’s the approach we at Christianity Today believe to be the way forward in the world today. Our orthodoxy is anchored firmly on our risen Christ and his gospel, and is expressed in a language and with lives that model the unconditional love and bloodstained beauty of our Lord Jesus Christ. By examining philosophy’s transcendentals—the good, the true, and the beautiful—Mark Galli casts a vision for how we live out beautiful orthodoxy. Chapters alternate between the common and uncommon expressions of these transcendentals—to show how we yearn for the good, the true, and the beautiful, yet how Jesus Christ transcends our usual understanding of these words. Our world is in desperate need of truth, goodness, and beauty. This book details the wonder and privilege we have in living out and communicating this beautiful orthodoxy to the world. Table of Contents Foreword by Harold Smith Introduction Chapter 1: Common Good Chapter 2: Uncommon Good Chapter 3: Common Truth Chapter 4: Uncommon Truth Chapter 5: Common Beauty Chapter 6: Uncommon Beauty Epilogue Endnotes For more information on CT's cause for Beautiful Orthodoxy, visit http://www.beautifulorthodoxy.org/

Beautiful Orthodoxy: The Goodness, Truth, and Beauty of Life in Christ

Religion & Spirituality

You’ve completed your theological training. You’re eager to serve God and His church with your gifts and talents. So why is someone asking if you want to opt-out of Social Security?If you’re like most new ministers, you’re probably overwhelmed by the legal and tax issues that confront you in the ministry. Who is a minister for federal tax purposes? Should I report my taxes as an employee or as self-employed? What is the housing allowance? What are the tax consequences of living in a church-owned parsonage? What is the clergy-penitent privilege? What legal requirements apply to the performance of marriage ceremonies?Look to church law and tax expert and Richard R. Hammar for the answers you’ll need to begin your ministry with legal and financial clarity and integrity. The QUICK GUIDE: 12 Law &amp; Tax Guidelines for New Ministers features a convenient Q &amp; A format and is written in understandable and concise language. Get the insights you need to make potentially significant legal and financial decisions with confidence.

12 Law & Tax Guidelines for New Ministers: Quick Guide

Hammar, Richard R.

Reference

Live Your Calling is a unique devotional specifically designed for women leaders in the church. Through 40 devotions written by a diverse group of women leaders, you’ll be empowered to boldly live the life God has called you to. Women leaders often face struggles, questions, and obstacles male leaders simply don’t experience. In Live Your Calling, you’ll discover inspiring and authentic insights from leaders who understand. Despite the obstacles, though, women bring a unique and needed perspective to ministry. In this devotional, you’ll be encouraged to gain clarity on your calling, focus on your identity in Christ, get the rest and care you need to lead in healthy ways, lead authentically and vulnerably, face difficult days with confidence, and take bold steps to fully live your calling. With five devotions for each week, creative ideas for the weekend, and tips for leading a group through this devotional, Live Your Calling is designed to help you lead with intentionality. Features: -40 days of devotions, five for each week, including Scripture readings and reflection questions -Suggested weekend activities to go deeper with each week’s theme -Ideas for leading a group through this devotional, including questions and activities -Devotions written by a diverse group of women leaders, including Jenni Catron, Carolyn Custis James, Marlena Graves, Sharon Hodde Miller, Jen Oyama Murphy, Jo Saxton, and Mandy Smith

Live Your Calling

Jackson, Amy

2018 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff

Most small-group leaders don’t have time to read a book on small groups. Most barely have time to lead a group, much less explore the ins and outs of group ministry. They just want to know how to lead their group well! In this book, you’ll find simple, clear answers presented in quick lists so you can easily find what you need. It will answer questions like: How do I start a healthy group? How do I build relationships within my group? How do I help people grow as Christ-followers? How do I help my group become more outward-focused? As a leading voice in small-group ministry and the author of Simple Small Groups, Bill Search has been serving in churches big and small for over 20 years, and he shares wisdom, humor, and realistic tips that every small-group leader—from brand-new to seasoned veteran—can implement in their very next meeting. Every group has struggles. Every group has its ups and downs. Every leader feels overwhelmed at some point. But there’s good news—the answers to your biggest leadership questions are pretty simple. There are easy steps you can take and simple principles you can apply that will solve the most common problems your group will encounter.

The Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders

Search, Bill

What does it look like to follow God -- even when life gets difficult? This Bible study explores the Book of 1 Peter, tackling foundational questions of the Christian life and faith. As we take in the apostle Peter's words to the early believers, we learn: - How we can begin to think differently -- which will radically affect our behavior. - How to be obedient to God and develop an "appetite for being good." - How to create a radical change in our relationships. - How to prepare for suffering that inevitably comes to everyone, trusting a loving God who has promised to care for us. Whether you plan to study on your own or with a group, 1 Peter: Walk the Talk offers a thoughtful, practical look at this epistle. This seven-session study also includes a discussion guide with questions and optional activities.

Walk the Talk: 1 Peter

Reardon, JoHannah

May, Steve

Fulfill Your Church’s Mission by Leveraging Information Technology Having worked with countless churches for decades, Nick Nicholaou has seen what can happen when IT is strategically led. With solid information technology planning, your church ultimately thrives — because the necessary people and policies are in place. In this updated and expanded edition, you’ll learn how to: • Understand the mission of technology within your church and how to ensure technology best serves your church’s needs • Find the best solutions when choosing hardware and software for your church • Retain, train, and manage staff and volunteers • Set up secure networks, use the cloud, and back up and recover data for your church Get the wisdom you need. And be empowered to address the technological questions and needs specific to your situation.

Church IT: Using Information Technology for the Mission of the Church

Nicholaou, Nick B.

Find the Best Ways to Talk about Money How does your congregation feel about money? Do they love thrift or like to take risks? Do they focus on process? Are they competitive? Are they a mixture of any of these? When starting to preach or talk about your church’s finances, it’s best to understand your church’s culture, mindset, and financial setting. This will help you plan and communicate better with them. In this book, you’ll also find biblical principles to study and use to preach about money and to encourage people to become generous givers. Talking about money is also easier when you gather the right people to put together a budget and create a financial team that understands money and mission and aims to: 
<ul>
<li>Develop a budget around ministry categories</li>
<li>Consider a zero-based budgeting approach</li>
<li>Keep everyone accountable</li>
<li>Monitor the finances</li>
<li>Communicate the financial picture</li>
<li>Watch investments</li>
<li>Allow room for growth 
</li>
</ul>This book will help guide you through understanding all this and much more.

Talking to Your Congregation About Money: Quick Guide

Fenton, Gary

Bergström, Richard

Pohl, Wayne

Stobaugh, James

Today, Christianity

Straight, C. Neil

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Christianity Today International publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Christianity Today International