Is your congregation living up to its mission? After all, making disciples is what churches are supposed to do. So how do churches go about making disciples? What is a disciple, anyway? And how do congregations know whether they are actually helping people to grow in their faith? Charting a Course for Discipleship provides a step-by-step plan that will help any congregation design a disciple formation process that is effective for its particular context. It will help your church to: identif...

Renowned author Henri Nouwen offers a welcome message for our chaotic times: "Come home to God, and you will no longer feel like a stranger to yourself or the world." Nouwen, a beloved pastor and teacher who authored more than 40 books, had an unusual ability to help readers see the simplicity and beauty of the spiritual life. The deep wisdom and sensitivity that shine forth in his writing encourage people to move closer to the heart of God and dwell in the knowledge of God's love. In this br...

In the face of grief and loss, have you ever wondered how you will ever move beyond your tears and emptiness? Is it possible to find purpose and meaning after you have suffered the death of a loved one? "The risen Christ meets us in our tears." With these gentle words Trevor Hudson invites you to enter the deeply moving Gospel story of the garden encounter between the risen Christ and Mary Magdalene on the first Easter morning. In the Foreword, Dallas Willard describes Trevor Hudson as "remar...

Do you dread growing old? The Last Third of life, from age 60 on up, doesn't have to be feared. When viewed from a Christian perspective, this season of life can be meaningful, endurable, and even joyful, say authors Jane Thibault and Richard Morgan. Thibault and Morgan suggest approaching the Last Third as a pilgrimage—a journey full of purpose, ripe with opportunities for spiritual growth. The authors, ages 65 and 82, dig deeply into the realities of their lives and give you 7 ways to open ...

Soon after the angel Gabriel announced to Mary the astonishing news that she would bear the long-awaited Messiah, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also expecting a child. As Mary greeted Elizabeth, the child in Elizabeth's womb (John the Baptist) leaped inside her. Elizabeth exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you among all women. Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Mary responded by singing a song of praise to God, commonly known as the Ma...

Usually when we think of the Advent story, Mary, Joseph, and the angel Gabriel come to mind. Okoro approaches Advent a little differently, inviting us to sit for a while with Zechariah and Elizabeth and the story of how they came to bear their only son, John. "The Advent story we so often associate with the joy of Christmas actually begins with deep sorrow and longing. But thankfully, in the kingdom of God, there is always more to the story than meets the eye," Enuma Okoro writes. Zechariah ...

One of the most critical elements in successful Emmaus and Chrysalis communities is the relationship between the two. The Emmaus and Chrysalis movements were designed to function as partners in ministry. This booklet is for Emmaus communities that are supporting the Chrysalis movement in their area. It explains the way Chrysalis was meant to be formed and organized, and how to build lasting relationships that are mutually supportive of Chrysalis and Emmaus.

Hey, guys. God has a question for you: Are you in, or are you out? If you've ever thought church was boring or irrelevant, or it seems like you're just going through the motions in your spiritual life, Derek Maul has news for you. God wants your life to be fulfilling, or more completely charged! Church is meant to be so much more than just one more social club. Toss aside your preconceived ideas about Christianity. Learn how to live a purpose-filled, exciting life in Christ. Maul, a popular c...

What kind of fruit are you bearing for Christ? The apostle Paul uses the term "fruit of the Spirit" to describe traits of the Holy Spirit that should be evident in every Christian. The fruit we bear indicates how much we resemble Jesus, our model and mentor. The fruit of the Spirit, listed in Galatians 5:22-23, include: love joy peace patience kindness goodness gentleness self-control The fruit of the Spirit should characterize each Emmaus or Chrysalis team, Board of Directors or standing...

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,the courage to change the things I can,and the wisdom to know the difference." Countless people around the world have prayed this prayer, and it has helped them find peace in the midst of their harried lives. Did you know that the above words are just the beginning of a longer prayer? In this book, beloved pastor and teacher Trevor Hudson explores the entire Serenity Prayer, giving insights into each phrase and making the prayer...