The development of meaningful relationships, where every member carries a significant sense of belonging, is central to what it means to be the church. So why do many Christians feel disappointed and disillusioned with their efforts to experience authentic community? Despite the best efforts of pastors, small group leaders, and faithful lay persons, church too often is a place of loneliness rather than connection. Church can be so much better. So intimate and alive. The Connecting Church tells you how. The answer may seem radical today, but it was a central component of life in the early church. First-century Christians knew what it meant to live in vital community with one another, relating with a depth and commitment that made 'the body of Christ' a perfect metaphor for the church. What would it take to reclaim that kind of love, joy, support, and dynamic spiritual growth? Read this book and find out.

The development of meaningful relationships, where every member carries a significant sense of belonging, is central to what it means to be the church. So why do many Christians feel disappointed and disillusioned with their efforts to experience authentic community? Despite the best efforts of pastors, small group leaders, and faithful lay persons, church too often is a place of loneliness rather than connection.Church can be so much better. So intimate and alive. The Connecting Church tells you how. The answer may seem radical today, but it was a central component of life in the early church. First-century Christians knew what it meant to live in vital community with one another, relating with a depth and commitment that made "the body of Christ" a perfect metaphor for the church. What would it take to reclaim that kind of love, joy, support, and dynamic spiritual growth? Read this book and find out.

This book is a church leader’s guide for connecting guests and closing the back door. You’ll discover how to intentionally serve people from their first visit, to becoming a flourishing member. You’ll learn how to build a culture of connection that purposefully expresses the value that Jesus places on all people. It’s this connection culture that has allowed Milestone Church to grow to thousands of active members, while maintaining its heart for the one, and a focus on the next one coming. Three intentional sections cover the POWER, the PRINCIPLES, and the PROCESS of connection. The why, the what, and the how—why connection is so powerful, what you can do to be better at it, and how to build a process that creates a culture of connection. Great services and excellent service are imperative, but connection is the value people feel. Connection is more than an action, it’s an attribute. This book will help you deliver on a desire to see people loved into a relationship with Jesus, grow spiritually, and find meaningful relationships in His Church.

Your church can reclaim the kind of love, support, and spiritual growth that the first century Christians experienced! Randy Frazee explores the three elements of authentic community and helps you put into practice the principles that undergird intimate relationships.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE CONNECT TO THE LOCAL CHURCH WHERE CHRIST HAS PLACED US. IT IS THERE WHERE WE GROW IN GRACE THROUGH WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, PRAYER, GIVING, BEARING BURDENS AND CARRYING OUT THE MANDATE THE LORD GAVE TO THE CHURCH "MATTHEW 28:19, 20". BEING FIRMLY ROOTED AND GROUNDED YOU WILL GROW DEEPER IN YOUR FAITH IN GOD AND HIGHER IN YOUR TRUST IN GOD. YOU WILL LEARN HOW AGAPE LOVE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN YOU AND THE BODY. IT IS THERE YOU WILL LEARN GOD'S PERFECT WILL FOR YOUR LIFE. MAKING THE CONNECTION IN THE LOCAL CHURCH WILL HELP THE BODY AND YOU. LET HIM RELEASE HIS SPIRIT IN YOU. LET HIS SPIRIT DO HIS PERFECT WORK IN YOU. DO IT, GET CONNECTED TO THE CHURCH, MAKE THE CONNECTION.

Tim Kimmel gives a comprehensive strategy to churches for family ministry as well as a plan for parents seeking to pass their faith to the next generation. He shares valuable tools for the church to use to build a strong family ministry.A child who has seen grace lived out in front of him at church and at home is much more inclined toward staying committed to a relationship with God into adulthood. So Kimmel shares what a grace-based family ministry looks like in the local church. He also teaches parents how to translate every part of ministry they are exposed to at church to translate into spiritual training at home. The Family Ministry Map, created by Kimmel, is explained in detail, and examples of the program put into practice are given. This book gives a vital message to church ministry leaders and parents equally, making this a must-read for all involved in sharing faith with the next generation.

These six new study guides have six sessions each and enable small groups to explore the power and life application of Jesus teaching on the five biblical purposes of a Christian life by closely examining Christ s model in the Gospels."