Title: Churches that make a difference : reaching your community with good news and good works /
Authors: Sider, Ronald J.; Olson, Philip N.; Unruh, Heidi Rolland.
Publisher: Baker Books,
Year: 2002
Subjects: Church work United States.; Church charities United States.
Abstract: Churches over the past generations have been weakened by a failure to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of their communities. Many have adopted a narrow vision, focusing on only one aspect of ministry. But in today's environment of faith based opportunities many Christians are eager to start reaching out to their world with both Good News and good works, and therefore they are searching for appropriate ways to integrate both into their ministry. In Churches That Make a Difference, bestselling author Ron Sider and his coauthors give those involved in community outreach a comprehensive resource for developing holistic ministry a balance of evangelism and social outreach. Illustrations and helpful organizational tips detail the how to's of an effective holistic ministry. Case studies that show how different churches across the United States reach out to their communities provide a variety of ideas and practical applications. User friendly tools are included as well for congregational studies, surveys, evaluations, and community assessments. The authors draw on extensive experience with church ministries and faith based organizations as they share the life changing vision and biblical mandate for living the whole gospel. Church leaders will be encouraged in their process of developing and maintaining a holistic ministry, and local churches will rediscover a passion for loving the whole person the way Jesus did.
Contents: Pt. 1. Understanding holistic ministry. What does holistic ministry look like? ; The Church's calling to holistic ministry ; Making evangelism central ; Embracing social action -- from relief to public policy ; Integrating evangelism and social outreach -- Pt. 2. The essential elements of holistic ministry. Divine love and power outreach ministry ; A commitment to community outreach ; A healthy congregational base for ministry ; Church leadership for holistic ministry ; A ministry-centered organizational structure ; Ministry partnerships -- Pt. 3. Cultivating and implementing the vision. Developing holistic ministry vision for your context ; Rallying support for the vision ; Dealing with fears, change, and conflict in your congregation -- We can do it -- Profiles of the churches in the congregations, communities, and leadership development project -- Holistic ministry resources.