Becoming Barnabas: The Ministry of Encouragement (Book)
Paul Moots, Author. Bethesda, MD: The Alban Institute, 2004.

Becoming Barnabas takes a fairly obscure character in Scripture and crafts around his actions an entire way to do ministry. Paul Moots particularly looks at Barnabas’ generosity, his willingness to partner with others, and his ability to forgive as essential to the work of the church. Written for lay and ordained congregational leaders, this book encourages opening leadership opportunities to the entire congregation. The author understands and responds to the difficulties and fears that arise when leadership responsibilities expand beyond usual channels, persons, or committees. While giving up control is not easy, Moots explores the creative possibilities that can emerge when we are willing to share control with others.
 

The Center for Baptismal Living (Organization)

Believing that all baptized persons are commissioned to serve Christ through their unique ministries, the Center for Baptismal Living supports, encourages, and equips individuals and congregations in their ministries and vocations. While its primary mission is the Episcopal / Anglican denomination, it works cross-denominationally. The Center implements its mission through seven activities: (1) acting as an arena for interacting and networking; (2) consulting to parishes; (3) serving as an information clearinghouse; (4) providing curricula and other resources for baptismal preparation and education; (5) conducting research on baptismal living; (6) training on site, at other locations, and through the Internet; and (7) thinking about liturgical practices and developments.

Centered Life (Organization)

Asserting that humanity's task is "to care for God’s creation and share the gospel of Christ," Centered Life helps individuals and congregations discern and live their callings. ("Callings" refers to all of the ways you spend your time—in your family, community, workplace, and church.) Congregations that join Centered Life complete a seven-phase process to help them equip and support their members with doing God's work. They are supplied with an assessment tool, the assistance of Centered Life staff, and other resources tailored to their particular strengths and needs. Additional resources, such as the "Discover Your Strengths" workshop, are described on the Web site.

Church-going Insider or Gospel-carrying Outsider?: A Different View of Congregations (Book)
Judith McWilliams Dickhart, Author. Chicago, IL: ELCA Division for Ministry, 2002.

While congregational leaders say they want members to carry the gospel into their daily lives, they encourage members to focus instead on sustaining internal church ministries. Judith McWilliams Dickhart challenges lay and ordained leaders to move beyond thinking of their mission as simply perpetuating worship attendance in the same building at the same time each week. She believes we must equip Christians with resources for living their faith in the world. The author supplies narratives that illustrate how some people are finding fruitful ways to integrate faith and life. This book is a resource of the ELCA's Division for Ministry program, "SPLASH! The Ripples of the Baptized."
 

The Continuing Conversion of the Church (Book)
Darrell L. Guder, Author. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing, 2000.

Observing that "we are constantly tempted to assert that our way of understanding the Christian faith is a final version of Christian truth," Darrell Guder argues for redeveloping the theology and practice of mission. The author cites the historical influence of individualism and reductionism on evangelism and discusses present-day challenges to evangelical ministries. He also explores the meaning of "continual conversion" and explains the importance of acting to change church institutional structures and practices. Seminary students and teachers, lay and ordained congregational leaders, and others involved in mission work will find this resource invaluable.
 

Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ (Book)
Greg Ogden, Author. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1998.

Discipleship Essentials is designed to be used in weekly sessions as a small-group (three or four people) curriculum or for individual study. Drawing on the principles and patterns presented in this workbook, groups learn to model their lives after the example Jesus set for his disciples. Three important values drive "disciple-making": a desire to know the truth of God's Word, a willingness to live in caring and ongoing relationships with one another, and a commitment to mutual accountability for our actions and agreements. Lessons to prepare for the weekly sessions are thematically arranged and feature "core truths," Bible studies, and additional readings.
 

Full-Time Christians: The Real Challenge from Vatican II (Book)
William Droel, Author. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 2002.

For Father William Droel, the real challenge of Vatican II lies not in the adoption of new liturgical language or changes in Roman Catholic customs, but in the spirituality of our everyday lives. He believes that our spirituality is most revealed in our daily interactions with those we encounter at work, at home, and in our communities. While Droel acknowledges the enormous contribution of lay people as pastoral counselors and catechists within the church, he also challenges lay people to embrace a life globally centered on the gospel and focused on more fully living the good news of God's universal love and salvation through Jesus.
 

The Gospel and Our Culture Network (Organization)

The Gospel and Our Culture Network (GOCN) operates to "provide useful research regarding the encounter between the gospel and our culture" and to "encourage local action for transformation in the life and witness of the church." Its founders believe that such a network is necessary because shifts in Western society have resulted in the marginalization of the church and the popularization of values (consumerism, individualism) at odds with the gospel. As a network, it fosters intra- and cross-denominational connections between lay persons and clergy, between educators and pastors, and between denominational executives and congregational leaders. Its Web site features online discussion groups, a newsletter, and a book series.

Letting Go: Transforming Congregations for Ministry (Book)
Roy D. Phillips, Author. Bethesda, MD: The Alban Institute, 1999.

This guide offers a process for moving congregations from a maintenance mindset and likely obsolescence to an attitude of embracing and guiding change. Four major shifts in pastoral and congregational outlook are involved: from membership to ministry; from entitlement to mission; from education to spiritual development; and from toleration to engagement. Drawing on process theology and current writing on organizational change, Unitarian pastor Roy Phillips outlines the implications of "letting go." Each major chapter addresses one of the four shifts. In between are sections for personal meditation and assessment. Questions in the margins invite further writer-reader interaction, a practical feature for individuals and groups.
 

Living on the Border of the Holy: Renewing the Priesthood of All (Book)
L. William Countryman, Author. Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Group, 1999.

William Countryman claims that all people minister as priests and receive priestly ministrations from one another. In so doing, they give and receive a new understanding of the world. Each priest’s vocation, whether fundamental or ordained, is "discerned through honest assessment of our individual gifts and longings and in conversation with one another." Countryman suggests ways the fundamental priesthood of all can be facilitated in the functioning of a congregation. He advocates envisioning "team ministries so that they are not merely extensions of the rector or chief pastor." He also advocates forming cluster groups of congregations with shared leadership to support ministries that no one congregation could accomplish singly.
 

Ministry in Daily Life: A Practical Guide for Congregations (Book)
William E. Diehl, Author. Washington, DC: The Alban Institute, 1996.

One of the best known advocates of the "ministry in daily life movement," Bill Diehl tells how his church set out to help its people as they faced the new mission field in their ministries at work, at home, and in the community. Full of practical experience and wisdom, this book describes specific ways to affirm, equip, and support members. The crucial roles of the pastor and director of member ministry are discussed. Offering an historical perspective and outlining the challenges of the future, this book combines the major themes of the movement with examples of how congregations and pastors can support the ministry of daily life.
 

Reclaiming the Church: Where the Mainline Church Went Wrong and What to Do About It (Book)
John B. Cobb Jr., Author. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.

Most churches, particularly those in "mainline" denominations, are facing the problems of declining attendance and increasing marginalization. John Cobb believes the remedy is more foundational than programmatic. It lies with the church (1) re-discovering its passion for the conviction that the Christian faith is of supreme importance to individual church members, the body of the church, and the world; and (2) engaging in serious theological reflection about our shared faith. This book avoids giving easy, formulaic answers and calls for the whole church to engage in the theological endeavor. It will greatly benefit congregational leaders who want to call their churches to a deeper Christian understanding.
 

Recovering the Sacred Center: Church Renewal from the Inside Out (Book)
Howard E. Friend, Author. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 1998.

Using metaphor, story, and reflection, Howard Friend develops a theological and practical guide to congregational renewal. He begins by exploring the concept of "sacred center"—something that is both akin to a true "self" and closely connected to the divine. Next, he reframes four subjects theologically, taking the "sacred center" into consideration: scripture, sacred space, personhood, and transformation. Friend applies this theology to the life of congregations from several different angles. Finally, he shares stories from his ministry experience to highlight the transforming power of recovering the "sacred center." This book will serve as valuable guide for congregations in search of renewed vitality.
 

Reflecting with God: Connecting Faith and Daily Life in Small Groups (Book)
Abigail Johnson, Author. Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute, 2004.

Here is a step-by-step guide for leading theological reflection groups. After explaining why it is important to ponder theological topics, Abigail Johnson moves into the nuts and bolts of setting up theological reflection groups. She then leads the reader through each step of group facilitation, touching on important elements of the process. She also examines the "ripple effect" of reflection groups on a community, recognizing that the conclusion of a group does not mean the end of thinking, examining, and questioning. A reflection group such as the one described by the author helps to develop Christians who are dedicated to taking scripture, theological concepts, and the church seriously.
 

Unfinished Business: Returning the Ministry to the People of God (Book)
Greg Ogden, Author. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003.

Greg Ogden asserts that the unfinished work of the Reformation is to expand responsibility for ministry to all people, not just clergy. Describing the church as an "organism" rather than an "institution," Ogden also expands the venue for ministry to include the church, the world, and all aspects of life. He explores the roles of the church, the pastor, and leadership in the New Reformation and emphasizes the church as an equipping entity. He includes examples and models to support his ideas, making this an in-depth resource on empowering people for ministry. This book is an updated version of a classic text, The New Reformation: Returning the Ministry to the People of God.
 

When the Members Are the Missionaries: An Extraordinary Calling for Ordinary People (Book)
A. Wayne Schwab, Author. Essex, NY: Member Mission Press, 2002.

For Wayne Schwab, the work of the church is supporting members as they discover their callings in the "mission fields" of daily life: home, work, the local community, the wider world, and the faith community. Schwab provides the theological foundations of his vision, examples of individual missions, materials to discern and support missionaries, a process for congregational transformation, and models for judicatory and national church restructuring. This book will be helpful to any congregation—large or small—seeking to reclaim the promise and responsibility offered through baptism. Readers may subscribe to an e-list (Membermission@aol.com) or visit the Web site (www.membermissionpress.org) to learn how congregations are using the book.