Book: The Upside Down Church by Greg Laurie

Looking for ways to light a fresh fire under a church whose flame is burning low?

In the book, The Upside Down Church, Pastor Greg Laurie uses the biblical guidance found in the book of Acts to show what the New Testament church really looked like, and what we find is that we have come a long way from them.

The Upside Down Church is a must-read for pastors and church lay leaders to help them grasp the principles of biblical church growth. This book will help you rediscover the first century church priorities of fellowship, evangelism, worship, and discipleship.

By in large the early church and much of the Calvary Chapel movement has used growth methods that are upside down when compared to today’s church grown models (such as The Purpose Driven model for example). The approach many churches have taken is from the business world instead of following God’s Word.

Pastor Greg Laurie demonstrates in this book how the mission of Harvest Fellowship (the church he pastors at) has simply been to live out the Great Commission and be the church that honors God.

This book helps readers to learn about God’s original plan for His Church, discover God’s plan to save the world, understand how twelve men turned the world upside down, recognize the power of prayer, and concluded that God can use you too.

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Book: Life@Work (Marketplace Success for People of Faith) by John C. Maxwell

Authors John C. Maxwell, Stephen Graves, and Thomas Addington identify the basic tools followers of Jesus should always have in their work toolbox: Calling, Serving, Character, and Skill.

The conventional wisdom of leadership sees character as a muscle of leadership. In truth, character is a muscle of the heart. Our culture is enamored with leadership when it should be enamored with character.

The lines of our behavior draw picture of our character. Behavior and character are related, but they’re not the same. Behavior is what we do. Character is the person our behavior has made us into. Behavior is just one action. Any behavior, duplicated and reduplicated, forms a part of our character. Character is a fruit of the heart.

If characters is what counts most, then it is critical that we build and protect a strong pure heart. As the book of Proverbs says “as the heart goes, so we go.” The heart is where character is forged. After God gives us a new heart, it is up to us to water and nurture it.

This book helps readers learn how to better integrate faith and work and why it is crucial that we do so.

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Book: Out of the Comfort Zone by George Verwer

In this book George Verwer reflects on his forty-three years as leader of Operation Mobilization to talk straight about what he believes is needed in missions for the twenty-first century.

This is a humble and hard-hitting approach at the same time. He doesn’t pull any punches in his heart’s cry for a ‘grace-awakened’ approach to mission, and wants to cut through any superficial ‘spirituality’ that may be lurking inside you.

He shows how many Christians have the feeling that someone else will take care of it and have a vague, detached and unrealistic attitude to what mission is about. This book will challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and adjust your view of how missionary work is being done.

George Verwer is known throughout the world as a motivator and mobilizer. Out of the Comfort Zone should only be read by those who are willing to accept God’s grace, catch His vision and respond with action in the world of mission.

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Book: On the Mountain of the Lord (Elijah Chronicles) by Bodie Thoene and Ray Bentley

(The first book in the Elijah Chronicles series)

Watch history, prophecy, and current events leap to life as best-selling author Bodie Thoene and prophecy scholar Ray Bentley lead you on a journey that melds the past, present, and future into one unforgettable story.

Submerged in doubt after a brutal car accident ripped his wife, child, and faith from him, Dr. Jack Garrison travels to Israel on a fact-finding mission. When he begins to experience inexplicable visions within hours of landing, he knows he’s in over his head.

Join Dr. Garrison as he teams up with longtime friend Lev and a dauntless female Israeli Border Police officer to battle a furtive yet deadly enemy. His journey will take him from the city streets of London to the furthest shores of the Mediterranean as he’s forced to confront his doubts and accept the astonishing possibility that he is witnessing an ancient prophecy unfold.

This book is a must read for students of Bible prophecy.

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