Showing titles in Evangelism

Many bemoan the decline of the church. We hear a steady stream of reports about how droves of people, especially younger generations, are abandoning Christianity. But new research shows that unchurched Americans are surprisingly more receptive and open to the Christian faith than is commonly assumed. Researcher and practitioner Rick Richardson unveils the findings of the Billy Graham Center Institute's groundbreaking studies on the unchurched.

New research finds that Christians are less involved in spiritual conversations today than we were twenty-five years ago. As society has changed, it seems we have become more uncomfortable talking with people about our faith. We are reluctant conversationalists. As a result, many of our churches and communities are shrinking instead of growing. What can we do about this? 

The days of cultural Christianity are fading. It's time to rethink normal. Suffering and exclusion are normal in a believer's life. At least they should be. This was certainly Jesus' experience. And it's the experience of countless Christians around the world today. No matter your social location or set of experiences, the biblical letter of 1 Peter wants to redefine your expectations and reinvigorate your hope. 

In arguably one of the most divisive and polarizing eras, evangelicals are faced with a profound crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that has many dimensions - political, biblical, and theological - as well as a crisis of spiritual formation and discipleship. What ultimately is at the root of this crisis? Mark Galli encourages us to turn our attention away from the politics of the moment, the social issues being discussed online, and the debate du jour among Christians. He asks us instead to take a long and hard look at what’s missing in our spirituality.

There was something different about the way Jesus communicated with the lost: He didn't force answers upon people, he asked questions. So why don't we? Following Christ's lead, Randy Newman has been using a questioning style of evangelism for decades. In this provocative book, he provides practical insights to help Christians engage others in meaningful spiritual conversations. He challenges us to examine how we think about people, their questions, and our crucial message.

Sharing Jesus Without Freaking Out, Second Edition is not a comprehensive theology of evangelism or the methods by which that theological message is communicated. The goal of the book is simply to show what evangelism looks like when it’s part of ordinary, everyday conversations. Sharing Jesus with others isn't a mystery, and it can be as natural as working a job, practicing a favorite hobby, or engaging in any other kind of daily activity. The authors show how anyone can make sharing the gospel a commonplace part of their lifestyle. Without the freaking out part.

How can you share the gospel with someone who doesn’t care? As Western culture becomes increasingly indifferent to questions of faith, diverted by secularism, comfort, and distraction, believers encounter many people who don’t so much doubt God as they are apathetic toward him. In Apatheism, Kyle Beshears urges us to recapture the joy of our salvation and demonstrates how to faithfully display the love of Christ to apatheist friends and neighbors.

Are you a shadow Christian? Shadow Christians are people who work in the margins, in the shadows created by the spotlight shining on others. We often think they - we - are insignificant. But here’s the good news: God chooses and uses shadow Christians.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is an extraordinary thing to believe. Such a supernatural event is the stuff of make-believe, many think. Yet millions of Christians around the world believe that Jesus' resurrection was a real, historical event. Indeed, "if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" and Christians are "of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15). In this concise book, respected apologist Rebecca McLaughlin outlines the evidence that Jesus really did rise from the dead and why it's the best news ever.

One reason Christians don’t share the gospel is because we feel like we’re not good at it. We clam up; we fear what people might think; we feel bad; and the cycle repeats. But what if there was hope for our timid evangelism? Isaac Adams encourages disheartened evangelists to find hope in God, not their efforts.

Persecution in Missions: A Practical Theology presents a scriptural view of suffering, including its role in the Christian life and in the missionary task. Rhodes tackles challenging topics, such as when to flee or face risk, how to minister to those suffering for Christ, and the dangers of downplaying or romanticizing persecution. Reassuring listeners with God's promises of redemption, this compelling study equips missionaries to face suffering and endure with joy.

The average length of Jesus’ conversations as recorded in the Gospels was 42 seconds long. This is good news for all of us. It frees us up to talk about the most important part of our lives in a way that’s natural, meaningful, and helpful instead of clumsy, awkward, and irrelevant. Anyone who has spent countless uncomfortable hours walking from house to house with a clipboard or flash cards that talk about four spiritual laws understands.

Their stories begin with desperation, and the struggle and the perseverance these national translators show is guaranteed to inspire...these are the least of these. Humble people-largely unknown to anyone else in the world. People hungry for God's Word. People willing to risk everything, sacrifice their own ambitions, to be able to read Scripture in their heart language...stopping at nothing until they hold the precious Word of God—in their language—for the very first time.

Andy Bannister brings you this fully updated and revised book, with new chapters, new resources, and new comedy. The Atheist Who Didn't Exist is designed for curious people to tug at the loose threads of atheism and see if it unravels.

Praying in Pine Straw immerses listeners in the raw, rollicking, and deeply human world of Alabama's camp meetings—a Southern tradition where fire-and-brimstone preaching echoed through pine forests and where faith was often accompanied by contradiction. From "treeing the Devil" to "holy laughter," these revivals blended heartfelt worship with all the complications of human nature. 

In Revealing God in Science, astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink ponders if science and Christianity are a match made in heaven. Next, apologist Balajied Nongrum wrestles with whether faith in God must make sense. OB-GYN Christina Cirucci reflects on life and suffering—drawing from experiences in her own life and from time spent performing medical work in Bangladesh. The impact of their stories, and nine others, will be truly life-changing.

Teens and young adults today don't have much in common with the Baby Boomers and Gen X who came before them. Today’s youth are increasingly lost and broken, insecure and uncertain of their identity. They don’t know where to find hope, and instead of running to the church they are running from it. They're not worried about going to hell; they are already going through hell.

Pastor Ulrich Parzany stellt auch nach vielen Jahrzehnten der Christusnachfolge erstaunt fest, dass der Glaube an Jesus keine leeren Versprechen macht. Die vollmundig klingenden Behauptungen sind tatsächlich wahr: Gott will unser Glück. Er möchte dabei erreichen, dass skeptische Leser Vertrauen fassen, vom Zweifeln zum Staunen kommen und erkennen: Jesus Christus ist die Hoffnung der Welt.

Gen Z, born into a complex and rapidly changing world, carries unique questions about life and God. Church methodologies that worked for previous generations often miss their mark with this one. Understanding Gen Z's real questions about faith opens the door to meaningful conversations and deeper connections. In What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God, veteran youth worker and Gen Z expert Tanita Tualla Maddox presents a thoughtful and powerful guide for ministry practitioners striving to connect with this generation.

In a world where workplaces are becoming increasingly diverse, Working for Better by Elaine Howard Ecklund and Denise Daniels offers a timely guide for Christians navigating the modern faith-at-work landscape. Drawing from over twenty years of research and personal insights, Working for Better presents a groundbreaking exploration of how to express Christian faith in professional settings without compromising beliefs or alienating others.