Resources

Other useful resources for your ministry

Resource persons are available to congregations and regions for leadership in workshops, seminars, retreats, and special events focusing on effective evangelism skills, spiritual renewal and development, and revitalization issues. For specific information, or to discuss your congregation's particular needs, contact any DHM staff person at (888) 346-2631.

One Disciples pastor, the Rev. Ken Collins, has put together a comprehensive online resource for congregations. From articles about the liturgical seasons to a Christian wall calendar generated to your specifications, you'll find lots of useful information. You can find his Web site at www.kencollins.com.

Also, The Shepherd's Cote is a free resource for anyone ministering to the spiritual needs of the developmentally disabled and is sponsored by the Covenant Center Chapel of the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, Morganton, N.C.

If you are looking for a particular resource, check out our resource list below. Unless otherwise noted, these resources are available from Christian Board of Publication in St. Louis. Call (800) 366-3383 for more information.

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Renewing, revitalizing congregations

The Purpose Driven Church, by Rick Warren. Zondervan, 1995.
Description: The premise of this book is that a healthy church grows. Warren provides principles and processes for helping churches become healthy by defining their purpose, organizing around their purpose, effectively reaching out to the community, and building people who will build the church.
Order #03102-01063

Reclaiming Evangelism: A Practical Guide for Mainline Congregations,by Jan Linn. Chalice Press, 1998.
Description: Linn's work is based on the belief that evangelism flows from spirituality and is the intentional witness to Jesus Christ in everything the church does. He outlines eleven steps for congregational transformation.

Kicking Habits: Welcome Relief for Addicted Church , by Thomas Bandy. Abingdon Press, 1997.
Description: Churches that are not growing or declining are addicted to self-destructive practices. Bandy identifies these "habits" and provides a phase-by-phase strategy for transformation into a thriving church system, with emphasis on small group ministries, multi-track worship experiences, and lay ministry development.
Order #068700-31893

Spiritual Entrepreneurs, by Michael Slaughter. Abingdon Press,1994.
Description: An innovative pastor shares how focus on Jesus Christ, Scripture as the primary source, discovering new forms of worship, and equipping the laity for ministry can transform a congregation.
Order #0670-07992

Renewing the Church for a New Day: A Conversation with Michael Slaughter Video
Description: In this 27 minute video Dr. Slaughter discusses his principles for renewal. This video provides a good start for conversations in the congregation.
Order by calling: (888) 346-2631

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Visioning and planning

Faithful Planning WorKbook, by Board of Church Extension and Disciples Home Missions staff team
Description: A guide for a 6-month planning process that can be done in-house by the congregation, or can be done with the help of a Partner provided by the general church or the region. The process involves a team of leaders in gathering and interpreting information about the church and its neighborhood and involves the whole congregation in dreaming about the future and determining priorities. The result of the process is a vision statement, "Statement of Calling" and a plan to accomplish goals for the next 3-5 years, a "Ministry Plan."

Claiming God's Vision, by Board of Church Extension and Disciples Home Missions staff team
Description: A guide for a planning process for smaller membership congregations that involves the entire congregation in a weekend visioning time. A Vision Team works after the weekend retreat to create a vision statement and several concrete goals for the church in the near future.
Order by calling Disciples Home Missions toll-free: (888) 346-2631

Moving Off the Map, by Thomas Bandy. Abingdon Press, 1998.
Description: This innovative book addresses the questions, "Where do we begin?" "How do we go about change?" It contains processes to help congregations identify their strengths and weaknesses, receive Biblical visions, and shape ministries for the future.
Order #06870-68002

Twelve Keys to An Effective Church, by Kennon Callahan. Jossey-Bass, 1997.
Description: This classic book for church planning identifies the essential characteristics of effective, growing churches and shows how these can be developed in any church. It provides practical ideas and long- range planning tools, plus rich theological understanding that enables congregations to build on their strengths.
Order#10T1864

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Leader development

Church Leadership, by Lovett H. Weems. Abingdon Press, 1993.
Description: Four crucial elements of effective leadership are discussed in this book: vision (a picture of a preferred future), team (those needed for the vision to become reality) culture (the values and patterns of the congregation), and integrity (congruency of the vision and reality for both the leader and the church). Building a good relationship between leaders and followers is stressed.
Order #10C3349

Building Church Leaders, edited by David Goetz. Christianity Today, 1998.
Description: This large binder contains a wealth of material on important themes for leader development such as building character, promoting church health, skills for reaching new people, handling conflict, motivating volunteers, and building a team. The material can be duplicated for use in your congregation.
Order from: Christianity Today (800) 806-7798

The Ministry of Elders, articles by Judy Turner
Description: This packet has a brief overview of ways elders are serving as spiritual leaders in growing Disciples congregations today. The packet also contains articles on effective shepherding programs, the elders as a prayer team, elders and evangelism, and a sample elder covenant.
Order by calling Disciples Home Missions toll-free: (888) 346-2631

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Leading meetings, making decisions

Transforming Church Boards into communities of spiritual leaders,by Charles Olsen. Alban Institute, 1995.
Description: This book provides a model for a new way of working on church boards and committees that can be fulfilling instead of draining. The model transforms the way we do meetings with shared stories, biblical and theological reflection, prayer, and spiritual discernment.
Order #10T2476

Take, Break, and Receive, by Ruth Fletcher. Disciples Home Missions,1999.
Description: A guide for congregations wanting to use a group spiritual discernment process in making important decisions, this booklet describes the steps in a process especially designed for use in Disciples congregations. The resource has a helpful "toolbox" for those who lead the process of seeking God's guidance.
Order by calling Disciples Home Missions toll-free: (888) 346-2631

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Discovering and using spiritual gifts

Discover Your Gifts and Learn How to Use Them, by Alvin J. Vander Griend, CRC Publications, 1996.
Description: A comprehensive but easy to use group study designed for 7 sessions. A Student Manual and Leader's Guide are available. The resource includes assessment instruments for spiritual gifts, temperament, ministry-passion, skills/talents, spiritual maturity, and availability.
Order from: CRC Publications (800) 333-8300

The Holy Spirit: A Study of Its Origins, Development, and Application, by William Mackie. First Christian Church of Baton Rouge, 1999.
Description: Written by a Disciples minister, this resource is a study of the work of the Holy Spirit as described in the Old and New Testaments, a description of the gifts of the Spirit in the New Testament, an inventory of spiritual gifts, and suggestions for ministry opportunities which correspond with each of the spiritual gifts.
Order from: First Christian Church, Baton Rouge, LA. Phone: (225) 926-4175

Spiritual Gifts and Your Personal Ministry, by Jeanette Calamusa. First Christian Church of Baton Rouge, 1999.
Description: This binder contains a description of how the congregation restructured around spiritual gifts, becoming a "Gifted to Serve" congregation. Also included are the design for training sessions to help people identify their gifts, assessment instruments, and the process by which the congregation invites people to ministries based on their gifts.
Order from: First Christian Church, Baton Rouge, LA. Phone: (225) 926-4175

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Christian education

Blueprints for Christian Education, by Douglas D. Cripe. Christian Board of Publication.
Description: A basic manual for where to start in designing a Christian education program for the congregation. Topics include choosing a model for Christian Education, creating vision or mission statements, selecting curriculum, recruiting teachers and leaders, administration of the program.
Order #93A2568

The Teaching Church, by Eugene Roehlkepartain. Abingdon Press.
Description: This book offers congregations ideas for evaluating their particular settings and offers models for expanding educational ministries. The Effective Christian Education Study, conducted by the Search Institute, provides the basis for much of this material.
Order #10T2377

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Small group ministries

Developing Deeper Discipleship (3-D), created by Cathy Myers-Wirt, Disciples Home Missions
Description: This is a small group program for groups of mature youth and adults who spend 30 hours together in Bible study, prayer, and action. The folder of materials contains master sheets for the lessons (duplicate as many copies as you need), guidelines for recruiting and training leaders and inviting people to participate. It has supplemental materials for becoming involved in local mission and the mission of the wider church. Everything needed for the program is included in the folder.
Order by calling Disciples Home Missions toll-free: (888) 346-2631

The Willow Creek Guide to Leading Life-Changing Small Groups, by Bill Donahue. Zondervan, 1996.
Description: Written by people who effectively lead small groups, this guide helps with forming small groups, training leaders, keeping groups healthy and growing, and conducting group meetings.
Order #03102-05956

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Spiritual growth

Soul Feast, An Introduction to Spirituality, by Marjorie Thompson, Westminster, John Knox Press, 1995.
Description: Written in clear and beautiful style, this book provides an excellent prayer/study guide for individuals and groups wanting to go deeper in relationship with God.
Order #1053117

A Spiritual Formation WorKbook, by James Bryan Smith. HarperSanFrancisco, 1993.
Description: The workbook provides materials for eight 60-90 minute meetings of a small group. The approach is a balanced strategy for spiritual growth exploring the major traditions of Christian spiritual formation: the contemplative, holiness, charismatic, social justice, and evangelical.
Order #00625-16264

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Enriching worship services, starting new services

Planning Blended Worship: The Creative Mixture of Old and New, by Robert Webber. Abingdon, 1998.
Description: This book is designed to show ministers, music directors, and other worship leaders the practical, structural, and theological steps for designing worship services characterized by Biblical depth, historical awareness, and contemporary relevance. Charts are included that show how music and other arts can be integrated with liturgical texts.
Order #06870-32237

So You're Thinking About Contemporary Worship, by Tim and Kathy Carson. Chalice Press, 1997.
Description: This practical guide for congregations of every size addresses these questions: What is the theological basis for contemporary worship? Why contemporary worship? How do you get started? What kind of resistance might you meet?
Order #08272-34376

How to Start a New Service, by Charles Arn. Baker Books, 1997.
Description: A clear, step by step guide for congregations in designing new worship services to reach new people, giving serious consideration to the congregation's character, values, and sense of call.
Order #08010-90377

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Making the church facility more inviting

First Impressions, by Robert A. Lee. Abingdon Press, 1993.
Description: Written by a church architect, this book helps congregations evaluate their facilities and plan improvements to make their facilities inviting.
Order #10f1713

24 Effective Ideas for the Small Membership Church, by Steven Murray. Discipleship Resources
Description: This booklet provides good ideas for low-budget, high impact things small congregations can make or do themselves to make their space welcoming.
Order #088817-71708

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Inviting and welcoming worship guests

Develop the Welcoming Habit, by Sherry Willerton. Disciples Home Missions, 1999.
Description: A resource with an assessment tool to help congregations evaluate their hospitality, a Bible study on hospitality, ideas for encouraging members to invite guests, and ways the congregation can follow up with worship guests.
Order by calling Disciples Home Missions toll-free: (888) 346-2631

Making Your Church More Inviting, by Roy Oswald. Alban Institute,1992.
Description: Fifteen sessions which can help a group of church leaders assess and plan for more effective evangelism are provided by this book. Oswald distills the essentials of reaching and assimilating new people in this step by step guide.
Order #15669-90556

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Sharing faith in daily life

A Witness, Who Me?
Description: A short video with accompanying workbook helps Disciples learn how to talk with others about becoming a Christian, what being a Christian means to me, the beliefs and practices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and what my congregation has to offer.
Order #34R0977

Becoming a Contagious Christian, by Mark Mittleberg, Lee Strobel, Bill Hybels. Zondervan
Description: This kit contains everything you will need to lead an 8 session training course or retreat on relational evangelism in your church to help your people learn how to share Christ with people they know. The kit contains a video, Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide, and overhead masters.
Order from: Zondervan (800) 727-3480

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General evangelism resource

Net Results
Description: A monthly journal with good practical ideas and strategies for congregational renewal and evangelism. To subscribe: Call (806) 762-8094
e-mail: netresults@netresults.org Home Page: www.netresults.org