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Mission and Evangelism

 

 

 

 
GOING TO CHURCH: A user's guide, by John Pritchard (SPCK 2009) £8.99
Do you go to church wishing it was (more often) a more uplifting experience? Are you contemplating giving church a try?
If so, this book is for you.  It's a route-finder through the mess, mystery and magic of the church, written by someone who fully understands the problems but is confident about the value.  Looking in turn at the church as it is, the church as it's meant to be, and the church as it might become, John Pritchard's highly readable volume offers not only humour and insight, but encouragement to feel that going to church is really worthwhile.

 

 


 

 

Mission-shaped Spirituality: by Susan Hope (CHP2007) £7.99
If your shelves are overloaded with books on how to do mission and evangelism, create some space to engage with this book. No to-do lists. No win-win strategies.  Instead, this discerning books reflects on the inner resources and attitudes of mind required to engage in mission in a postmodern, pluralist society.
 



 
Mission-shaped and rural: growing churches in the countryside, by Sally Gaze (CHP 2007) £7.99
Using a compelling mix of theological reflection, sociological analysis, real-life case studies and personal experience, this book explores ways forward for mission in a rural context in both traditional and fresh expressions of church.

 

 

Mission-shaped Parish: traditional church in a changing context, by Paul Bayes & Tim Sledge (CHP 2006) £7.99
'A practical book: how to make Mission-shaped Church real in your parish.' (John Finney, Former Bishop of Pontefract)

What do the bread-and-butter things that churches regularly do look like through the lens of the values in Mission Shaped Church? This accessible books takes a fresh look at a typical parish church's worship, pastoral contacts, civic and public responsibilities, its faith nurturing opportunities, administration and government, and creatively points to how all of this can be seen from the point of view of God's mission.
 



 
Mission-shaped Children: moving towards a child-centred church by Margaret Withers (CHP 2006) £7.99
Too often, church for children is about containing and entertaining, rather than engaging with and growing young Christians who can give as much as they receive.   Mission-shaped Church touched on the importance of involving and nurturing children and young people in the Church, but only in passing.   Mission-shaped Children fills this gap. The book outlines the many obstacles that are currently preventing growth in children's work in the Church, and suggests practical and effective strategies for overcoming these.
 



 
Mission-shaped Youth: rethinking young people and church, by Tim Sudworth (CHP 2007) £7.99
Following on from Mission-shaped Church, this book examines what it means to have a 'youth-mission-shaped-church'.  It challenges us to intersect with today's young people in their daily lives and culture. The authors urge us to offer a mission that isn't just about evangelism, but is also about providing support, both pastorally and spiritually.

Mission-shaped Youth challenges us to expand our vision beyond the standard mode for youth work and asks what church should be for young people.  If you want to do something new for God and for young people, this book is an essential tool.
 


 

Mission-shaped  Questions: Defining issues for today's Church, edited by Steven Croft (CHP 2008) £14.99
In 2004 Mission-Shaped Church presented a challenge to church leaders.  Now Mission-shaped Questions addresses the big theological and practical issues that have arisen as ministers and leaders have south to apply its lessons.
Mission-shaped Questions  tackles questions such as:-
What exactly is Church?, What  is the role of sacramental ministry in Fresh Expressions?  Can we be mission-shaped and kingdom focused?


 

Fresh Expressions DVD 1:stories of church for a changing culture (CHP & Methodist Church) £14.99
Presented by Diane Louise Jordan, the DVD tells 14 stories of Fresh Expressions and describes some of the lessons learned so far. An excellent training tool for those interested in setting up or understanding more about fresh expressions.  Be inspired!
 

 

 

Fresh Expressions DVD 2: Changing Church in every place (CHP & Methodist Church) £14.99
Following on from Fresh Expressions DVD 1,  this dvd focuses on four specific areas where fresh expressions of church are breaking new ground. Each film looks at fresh expressions with a distinct focus: work and leisure, rural, sacramental and youth.
 



 
 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

God-shaped Mission: Theological and practical perspectives from the rural Church by Alan Smith, (Canterbury Press 2008) £14.99
"We live in a world where some people think food comes from supermarkets not farms; where some children grow up unable to recognise a carrot, and who don't know chips are made from potatoes.  An urban mindset has gripped our nation and, unfortunately, many of those writing about the mission of God's church are also shaped by the predominant urban and suburban worldview.
Bishop Alan Smith is not one of them. He knows his spuds. These perspectives from the rural church offer a theological vision and practical pointers for the growth of a God-shaped mission in the countryside.  It is locally produced wisdom for the rural church and a healthy and substantial meal for those infatuated by the quick fix solutions of the city." (Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading)
 

 

 

 

 


 

 



 
 
 

 


 


 
Church Unplugged: remodelling church without losing your soul, by David Male (Authentic 2008) £8.99
This book gives an essential framework for creating church in the twenty-first century.  It is a call to think and work outside the box of  recent practice in bold and risk-taking ways.   "Church Unplugged"  tells the story of one of the first "Fresh Expressions of Church" in England: the Net in Huddersfield, and shows how it was started from nothing but a passion to reach people who would not normally associate with church.  "Church Unplugged" is an honest account which examines not just the ups but also the downs and clearly shows what the Net learnt about community and how being community is never easy.
 
The Provocative Church :third edition with study guide by Graham Tomlin  (SPCK 2008) £9.99
Sometimes Christians assume that people 'out there' are eager to listen to what the Church has to offer.  But why should those we try to evangelize want to hear the Gospel?  Surely people will only be intrigued by Christian life and community when they seen something provocative or attractive.  Then they will want to know what's going on.
This book offers a liberating understanding of evangelism as a corporate activity, in which all the gifts needed to enact the life of the Kingdom - to stir people into asking, 'what does this mean?' - are spread throughout the whole Church.  It encourages the development of a theology of conversion that sees beyond 'becoming a Christian' to bring each individual life increasingly under the rule of God.
This is without doubt the best, most honest, most theologically grounded and therefore most practically helpful book on evangelism I have read for a long time.'  (Church Times reviewer)

 

 

 



 

The Challenge of Change: a guide to shaping change and changing the shape of church, by Phil Potter (BRF 2009) £7.99
Change can feel uncomfortable and risky, but these days it is an ever-increasing force in society and will continue to have a dominating effect on how we view our world. Decisions on what and how and when we change will inevitably affect growth or decline in a church, and also have a major impact on people.  Leaders can end up burnt out by their attempts to bring about change, or by facing up to the challenge of it, while congregations are left damaged and disillusioned because they could not catch the vision.

This book offers a map for healthy and godly change. Writing as a pastor and practitioner, Phil Potter explains ways of shaping all kinds of change in the life of a church, particularly in the context of the 'fresh expressions' emerging. This book is for leaders wanting to take their congregations through change, and for church members wanting to be equipped for whatever lies ahead.
 




 
An Emergent Theology: for emerging Churches, by Ray S Anderson (BRF 2007) £8.99
This book explores the parallels between challenges facing the Church today and the first-century Antioch church, where St Paul shaped 'emergent theology', developing from the 'parent' Jerusalem church.
At a time when there is much talk of 'emerging/mission-shaped church'. Ray's book is a challenge to 'think theologically' and ensure that all such initiatives are rooted in a dynamic, transformative and biblically informed faith.  It is essential reading for visionary church leaders, those training future leaders, and all concerned about presenting the gospel message in a fast-changing culture.

 

Re-Emerging Church: Strategies for reaching a returning generation, by Roger Standing (BRF 2008) £7.99
When people return to church for the first time in years, are congregations ready to welcome them?    One of the largest generational groups ever, the 'Baby Boomers', are now approaching retirement, when questions of spirituality, life and death often resurface.  This was the last generation for whom 'Sunday School' was a normal part of childhood - so reconnecting with church may be tinged with nostalgia.   At the same time, Baby Boomers grew up in an era of unprecedented personal choice and increasingly sophisticated consumer attitudes, so how can churches help them feel at home while still engaging them with a clear gospel message?

This book discusses how congregations and leaders alike can be prepared for reaching out to those rediscovering Christianity, or at least giving church a try again.
 

 

 

High Street Monasteries: fresh expressions of committed Christianity, by Ray Simpson  (Kevin Mayhew 2009) £10.99
Alongside the traditional Church comes a new wave of committed Christianity.   This book explores this incoming tide, illustrating how new monasticism is becoming the hear of our global village, focusing on community, peace and beauty, and the fact that the Holy Spirit is speaking through us all.
 


 

 



 
Night Vision : Mission adventures in club culture and the nightlife, by Jon Oliver, (Canterbury Press 2009) £14.99
Night Vision
offers a collection of inspiring and challenging stories about people finding a meaningful expression of their faith, engaging with the mission of God and exploring new forms of church - all within club culture and the nightlife.
From London to Ibiza, from Belfast to Ayia Napa, within the nightlife of countless  towns and cities, there is a new excitement emerging for the adventure of mission.  Here, front-line practitioners - clubbers, DJs, pastors, evangelists and priests - share their experiences of prayer, outreach and pastoral care in the clubs and on the streets.

 

 

 

Church after Christendom, by Stuart Murray (Paternoster reprint 2008) £9.99
How will the western church negotiate the demise of Christendom> Can it rediscover its primary calling, recover its authentic ethos and regain its nerve?
If churches are to thrive - or even survive - disturbing questions need to be confronted and answered.  In conversation with Christians who have left the church and with those who are experimenting with fresh expressions of church, Stuart Murray explores both the emerging and inherited church scenes and makes proposals for the development of a way of being church suitable for a post-denominational, post-commitment and post-Christendom era.  With chapters on mission, community and worship, the book offers a vision of church life that is healthy, sustainable, liberating, peaceful and missional.
 

 

 

Re-Shaping Rural Ministry: A theological and practical handbook
Edited by: James Bell, Jill Hopkinson and Trevor Willmott
Canterbury Press 2009
isbn 9781853119538     £14.99

Re-shaping rural ministry explores the imaginative responses of many rural churches to decades of challenges and changes, and offers practical and theological reflection from leading writers on the questions it is addressing today.

An essential book for all engaged in rural ministry, those considering it, and all involved in ministerial selection and training.

  

  

All-Age Worship by Lucy Moore.    BRF Publications 2010

 isbn: 9781841014326   £7.99

Lucy Moore sets out a compelling vision for all-age worship -full of inspiration and deeply practical.   Read this book and you will be left in no doubt that all-age worship really can be spiritually engaging and nourishing for everyone.   Essential reading for any minister or children's leader in any church that wants to grows its work among children and families.

  

   
   

 


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/ Siop Lyfrau Eglwysi Ynghyd Telephone: (029) 20227736 Fax: (029) 20225190 Email: admin@ctbooks.org.uk