Leadership Institute Speaker Books

Engaging worship and intentional follow-up processes are important, but what compels guests to return to our churches is the warmth of our welcome and hospitality that goes beyond their expectations.

The Art of Hospitality, a new comprehensive program developed by hospitality experts from the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, promises to guide a local church in exactly what the program's title implies: the artform of creating radical hospitality that infiltrates the heart and culture of the entire church. Complete with techniques and strategic planning throughout, The Art of Hospitality will effectively change how you do church, leaving guests surprised, delighted, and eager to return.

Complementing the program study for leaders is a companion guide meant to prepare the congregations' hearts and minds for a new way of doing church with radical hospitality. Broken into three chapters, this study is designed to coincide with pastor sermons and provide further reading and learning away from the pews. Free downloadable sermon starters will be available online (and in the Implementation Guide) for pastors as they design their sermon series. The three chapters are divided into the following:

1. Biblical Hospitality
2. The Ministry of Notice
3. Three Questions: Why do people need Jesus?; Why do people need the Church?; Why do people need this church?

Additional components purchased separately include:

The Art of Hospitality: A Practical Guide for a Ministry of Radical Welcome Book A foundational guide targeting pastors, staff, and lay leaders across all ministry areas of a church.

The Art of Hospitality: Implementation Guide Includes step-by-step implementation strategies for leadership teams tasked with developing and leading hospitality ministry.

The Art of Hospitality: Implementation DVD A supplemental DVD to accompany Implementation with visual training in all areas of hospitality.

This compelling and practical program has been created by two hospitality leaders with credentials to claim their expertise: Debi Nixon is the Executive Director of ShareChurch, and Yvonne Gentile is the Senior Director of Guest Connections at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection--the largest United Methodist Church in the United States with more than 22,000 members and 13,000 average weekly attendees across its campuses.

Engaging worship and intentional follow-up processes are important, but what compels guests to return to our churches is the warmth of our welcome and hospitality that goes beyond their expectations.

The Art of Hospitality, a new comprehensive program developed by hospitality experts from the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, promises to guide a local church in exactly what the program's title implies: the artform of creating radical hospitality that infiltrates the heart and culture of the entire church. Complete with techniques and strategic planning throughout, The Art of Hospitality will effectively change how you do church, leaving guests surprised, delighted, and eager to return.

The Implementation Guide contains step-by-step implementation strategies for leadership and teams tasked with developing and leading hospitality ministry.

Additional components purchased separately include:

The Art of Hospitality: A Practical Guide for a Ministry of Radical Welcome Book: Loaded with key principles and methods honed by hospitality experts Debi Nixon and Yvonne Gentile in their work at The Church of the Resurrection, this guide is designed to engage staff across all ministry areas in creating a common language around the ministry of welcome.

The Art of Hospitality: Implementation DVD A supplemental DVD to accompany Implementation with visual training in all areas of hospitality.

The Art of Hospitality: Companion Book Three-chapter book for the congregation as a whole or small groups to coincide with a sermon series in order to prepare the hearts and minds of the people in the pews.

This compelling and practical program has been created by two hospitality leaders with credentials to claim their expertise: Debi Nixon is the Executive Director of ShareChurch, and Yvonne Gentile is the Senior Director of Guest Connections at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection--the largest United Methodist Church in the United States with more than 22,000 members and 13,000 average weekly attendees across its campuses.

Engaging worship and intentional follow-up processes are important, but what compels guests to return to our churches is the warmth of our welcome and hospitality that goes beyond their expectations.

The Art of Hospitality, a new comprehensive program developed by hospitality experts from the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, promises to guide a local church in exactly what the program's title implies: the artform of creating radical hospitality that infiltrates the heart and culture of the entire church. Complete with techniques and strategic planning throughout, The Art of Hospitality will effectively change how you do church, leaving guests surprised, delighted, and eager to return.

Loaded with key principles and methods honed by hospitality experts Debi Nixon and Yvonne Gentile in their work at The Church of the Resurrection, this guide is designed to engage staff across all ministry areas in creating a common language around the ministry of welcome.

Additional components purchased separately include:

The Art of Hospitality: Implementation Guide Includes step-by-step implementation strategies for leadership teams tasked with developing and leading hospitality ministry.

The Art of Hospitality: Implementation DVD A supplemental DVD to accompany Implementation with visual training in all areas of hospitality.

The Art of Hospitality: Companion Book Three-chapter book for the congregation as a whole or small groups to coincide with a sermon series in order to prepare the hearts and minds of the people in the pews.

This compelling and practical program has been created by two hospitality leaders with credentials to claim their expertise: Debi Nixon is the Executive Director of ShareChurch, and Yvonne Gentile is the Senior Director of Guest Connections at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection--the largest United Methodist Church in the United States with more than 22,000 members and 13,000 average weekly attendees across its campuses.

The church must get "unstuck" from its current context in order to address the context of younger generations; otherwise, it will not be relevant to younger people and will die with the older generations. As an example, a letter from the Younger Generations to Baby Boomers: Dear Baby Boomers,
Thank you for all you've done, but I don't want your church. I want you, our relationship, our engagement, but not your church structure and outdated assumptions.
Signed, The Younger Generations
Blank Slate guides leaders to envision, and actually design, the future church. The authors start by describing each generational group currently living in the US, helping readers understand the varied context of people in every age group. Next, they explore five innovative secular organizations, drawing sharp lessons for the church. The last section includes a seven-step process for ministry leaders to engage current and upcoming generations. This book, with questions for individual and group reflection in each chapter, is a powerful planning tool for ministry teams. "In a time when so many of us want a blueprint for how to do ministry in a rapidly changing world, McIntosh, Smothers, and Smothers hand us a pencil and tell us to draw it ourselves. God has entrusted us to be the designers and visionaries for a new way. Blank Slate is the guide that you and your team need to design a new future together." -Jacob Armstrong, pastor, Providence Church, Mt. Juliet, TN

Catch is a comprehensive program for invitational evangelism developed by the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, one of the fastest-growing churches in the U.S. This newly revised and updated resource shows you how to attract visitors to your church, connect them with your faith community, and help them learn to know, love, and serve God. The Catch program has three phases:

The Implementation Guide is a vital follow-up resource, for use by church leaders and other teams to put the Catch principles into practice at your church. This step-by-step guide will enable you to convert principles, inspiration, and excitement into action.

The guide describes the four parts of the Catch program:
1. Attracting People in Your Community (Marketing)
2. Making Visitors Feel Welcome (Hospitality)
3. Connecting and Following Up with Visitors (Connection)
4. Inviting Others to Grow in Faith (Membership)

For each part, the steps are described, and the tasks to accomplish those steps are listed. Forms, scripts, and other reproducibles are provided.

Catch is a comprehensive program for invitational evangelism developed by the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, one of the fastest-growing churches in the U.S. This newly revised and updated resource shows you how to attract visitors to your church, connect them with your faith community, and help them learn to know, love, and serve God. The Catchprogram has three phases: 

The Implementation Guide is a vital follow-up resource, for use by church leaders and other teams to put the Catch principles into practice at your church. This step-by-step guide will enable you to convert principles, inspiration, and excitement into action. 

The guide describes the four parts of the Catch program: 

1. Attracting People in Your Community (Marketing) 
2. Making Visitors Feel Welcome (Hospitality) 
3. Connecting and Following Up with Visitors (Connection) 
4. Inviting Others to Grow in Faith (Membership) 

For each part, the steps are described, and the tasks to accomplish those steps are listed. Forms, scripts, and other reproducibles are provided

Catch is a comprehensive program for invitational evangelism developed by the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, one of the fastest-growing churches in the U.S. This newly revised and updated resource shows you how to attract visitors to your church, connect them with your faith community, and help them learn to know, love, and serve God. The Catch program has three phases:

This Small-Group DVD contains short, inspiring videos to be used during a four-week small-group study as part of the Catch program. The videos feature Adam Hamilton, Debi Nixon, and other leaders at Church of Resurrection describing their evangelism ministries.

1. Becoming Relentlessly Outward Focused (3:05)
2. Asking Three Important Questions
· Why Do People Need Jesus Christ? (1:51)
· Why Do People Need the Church? (1:34)
· Why Do People Need Your Church? (3:12)
3. Making Visitors Feel Welcome
· A Welcoming Worship Environment (2:57)
· Faithful to Jesus’ Command (1:59)
4. Inviting Others to Grow in Faith (7:31)

The accompanying Leader Guide includes information on:

· Setting up and leading small groups
· Coordinating small-group study with worship and program activities
· Discussion questions
· Activities putting program into action

Catch is a comprehensive program for invitational evangelism developed by the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, one of the fastest-growing churches in the U.S. This newly revised and updated resource shows you how to attract visitors to your church, connect them with your faith community, and help them learn to know, love, and serve God. The Catch program has three phases: 

This Small-Group DVD contains short, inspiring videos to be used during a four-week small-group study as part of the Catch program. The videos feature Adam Hamilton, Debi Nixon, and other leaders at Church of Resurrection describing their evangelism ministries. 

1. Becoming Relentlessly Outward Focused (3:05) 
2. Asking Three Important Questions 
          Why Do People Need Jesus Christ? (1:51) 
          Why Do People Need the Church? (1:34) 
          Why Do People Need Your Church? (3:12) 
3. Making Visitors Feel Welcome 
          A Welcoming Worship Environment (2:57) 
          Faithful to Jesus’ Command (1:59) 
4. Inviting Others to Grow in Faith (7:31) 

The accompanying Leader Guide includes information on: 

Setting up and leading small groups 
Coordinating small-group study with worship and program activities 
Discussion questions 
Activities putting program into action 

A colorfully illustrated children's Bible storybook that will engage the children through simple storytelling and open-ended questions that encourage the children to wonder about the Bible story and make connections between the Bible and their lives. Includes 150 stories!

"The Nutcracker" is a delightful and whimsical Christmas classic that children and adults look forward to every year. First performed in 1892, the music, dance, and story of this classic hold a special place in our cultural Christmas celebrations.

In The Gift of the Nutcracker, Matt Rawle, author of The Redemption of Scrooge, explores the story to help us understand God's greatest gift of the Christ child, and the kingdom Christ came to establish.

Additional components for a four-week study include a comprehensive Leader Guide, a DVD featuring Matt Rawle, a Worship Resources Flash Drive, and youth and children's resources.

Victor Hugo's Les Misérables is a truly epic story. Whether you've tackled the 1,400-page 19thcentury novel, witnessed the Broadway musical (and memorized its soundtrack), or seen the several screen adaptations of it, you already know the power of its story.

In the six-week Lenten study The Grace of Les Misérables, author and pastor Matt Rawle dives into six ideals found in the story--grace, justice, poverty, revolution, love, and hope--each represented by a character in Hugo's story. As these imperfect and relatable characters interact, we can see how these ideals work together (perhaps even in spite of each other) out in the world.

In keeping with his previous works, Matt Rawle brings us to the intersection of Church and Pop Culture by drawing parallels between the iconic story and musical and our Christian calling, inspiring us to both understand our faith and live it out in the world.

The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.

Be Transformed this Advent Season!

 

His parents gave him the name Jesus. But the prophets, the shepherds, the wise men, and the angels addressed him by other names. They called him Lord, Messiah, Savior, Emmanuel, Light of the World, and Word Made Flesh.

 

In Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, best-selling author Adam Hamilton examines the names of Christ used by the gospel writers, exploring the historical and personal significance of his birth.

 

This Advent season church families will come together to remember what's important. In the face of uncertainty and conflict, Christians reclaim the Christ Child who brings us together, heals our hearts, and calls us to bring light into the darkness.
Now more than ever, we invite you to reflect upon the significance of the Christ-child for our lives and world today!

 

Incarnationis a standalone book, but works beautifully as a four-week Bible study experience perfect for all age groups during the Advent season.

 

Additional components include a comprehensive Leader Guide, a DVD with short teaching videos featuring Adam Hamilton, as well as resources for children and youth.

His parents gave him the name Jesus. But the prophets, the shepherds, the wise men, and angels addressed him by other names. They called him Lord, Messiah, Savior, Emmanuel, Light of the World, and Word Made Flesh.

In Incarnation, best-selling author Adam Hamilton explores the meaning of these titles and what they tell us about the child whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. Join him and reflect upon the significance of the Christ-child for our lives and world today!

Chapter topics include:

1. The Royal Titles: Lord and Messiah
2. The Deliverer's Title: Savior
3. The Incarnate Title: Emmanuel
4. The Light of the World
5. Epilogue: The Word Made Flesh

The four-session DVD features Adam Hamilton guiding participants through the study. The video sessions are approximately 10-12 minutes in length and, when combined with the six book chapters, make an ideal six-week group study. All videos sessions are closed captioned.

His parents gave him the name Jesus. But the prophets, the shepherds, the wise men, and angels addressed him by other names. They called him Lord, Messiah, Savior, Emmanuel, Light of the World, and Word Made Flesh.

In Incarnation, best-selling author Adam Hamilton explores the meaning of these titles and what they tell us about the child whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. Join him and reflect upon the significance of the Christ-child for our lives and world today!

Chapter topics include:

1. The Royal Titles: Lord and Messiah
2. The Deliverer's Title: Savior
3. The Incarnate Title: Emmanuel
4. The Light of the World
5. Epilogue: The Word Made Flesh

The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.

Good pastoral leadership is not a "by the numbers" proposition. It is a matter of heart and soul, of devoting the whole self to the vision God gives for the congregation in which one serves. Yet neither is it purely intuitive; it requires hard, careful thinking about the directions and details of the path down which God calls. When Adam Hamilton became pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, its membership consisted of himself and his family. Ten years later the church averages between five and six thousand worshipers per weekend. Throughout this remarkable period, Hamilton learned many serious lessons about both the broad visions and the specific details of pastoral leadership.

Bringing a depth of analytical skills often lacking in visionary leaders, in this book he goes beyond simply telling the story of Church of the Resurrection. He shares the questions that he learned to ask about the largely unchurched population to which Church of the Resurrection has reached out. Further, he demonstrates what he learned by listening to the answers to these questions, and how doing so has made possible a number of strategically crucial decisions the church has made. One of those crucial decisions was to make more traditional forms of worship and praise the center of the congregation's life. The result is that the example of Church of the Resurrection offers pastors and church leaders (especially those in mainline denominations) the realization that they need not completely change their liturgical and theological identity in order to reach out to the unchurched.

Drawing on his own experience, as well as the detailed research on the characteristics of highly successful congregations he undertook during a sabbatical leave, Hamilton offers pastors and other church leaders solid, substantive thinking on steps that congregations can take to become centers of vibrant outreach and mission.

Also available in:
Adobe Ebook 9780687026753
Microsoft Ebook 9780687027491

Headlines in The United Methodist church today include words like "division," "death tsunami," and "Affinity Group X vs. Affinity Group Y." So, where does one find hope in The United Methodist Church today? The Marks of Hope, written by three UMC parish pastors, demonstrates that the church can be a hopeful model in a world affected by changes in understanding and expectations related to gender, technology, justice, mission, social entrepreneurship, etc. Each chapter concludes with a "communion" section jointly written by the authors to present ideas for working together as leaders, lay people and congregations to be a model of hope. The authors outline practical steps to hold each other close with mutual love and accountability. From the Introduction written by Matt Rawle: "So what does it mean to find hope in The United Methodist Church today? To be honest, I don't have much of an answer to what the future global structure of The UMC needs to be. What I do know is that every day I'm charged with loving, serving, challenging, and leading the folks who have found a home in my local church and those who don't yet know God's amazing grace in Jesus Christ... We can say with great conviction that conflict takes advantage of the space between us. The further apart we are, the easier conflict can find room to cause havoc. Our culture has grown accustomed to smearing our neighbor with our computer keys, but it is much more difficult to slander the person sharing a cup of coffee with us. The Marks of Hope is our offering of six ways we might hold one another close with mutual love and accountability. Hope is our destination, faith is trusting in that destination, and love is how we get there."

The Marks of Hope is part of the Faultlines collection, resources intended to inform conversations around human sexuality and the church.

Is redemption possible for Ebenezer Scrooge? Pastor and author Matt Rawle believes so as he discovers the teachings of Jesus in the words of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Rawle dives deep into the dark, sad, greedy world of Scrooge and discovers a man in dire need of a second chance. Along with Scrooge, we meet the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future and in the process learn about living with and for others in a world blessed by Jesus. Rediscover and reinvigorate your Christian faith this Advent and Christmas season and look at this familiar classic through the lens of faith.

Chapters include:

1. Bah! Humbug!
2. The Remembrance of Christmas Past
3. The Life of Christmas Present
4. The Hope of Christmas Future

How is the follower of Jesus to understand the words of the Old Testament? How are those words relevant to the New Covenant he is establishing? What might the words of the Lord's Prayer have conveyed to his initial followers, and why is that historical information essential to the prayer two millennia later?

In Sermon on the Mount, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine takes a detailed and colorful overview of Matthew 5-7, collectively known as Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Through Dr. Levine's engaging method of biblical interpretation, readers will come away with a solid understanding of the Sermon on the Mount in its historical and theological context.

Chapters include:

1. The Beatitudes
2. The Extensions
3. Practicing Piety
4. Our Father
5. Finding Your Treasure
6. Living into the Kingdom

Explore the major topics in the most popular sermon ever delivered and unpack how Jesus makes his points using a solid knowledge of Hebrew Scriptures and moral teachings.

The Leader Guide includes session outline for each group meeting with Scripture, prayer, opening activity, discussion questions, activity, and ending call to action.

God's plan for the church calls for each member of the Body of Christ to play a vital role. Sometimes we think that serving God is an obligation, a duty, and that it isn't meant to be enjoyable. The truth is, though, that God wants us to find joy and fulfillment when we serve. That happens when we serve in a role that matches who God created us to be.

In this updated edition of Serving from the Heart, church members will take a 6-week journey of self-discovery as they learn more about how the Body of Christ is intended to function, and what that means to each person.

This study (also workable in 7 Sunday School sessions) leads adults through assessing their spiritual gifts, talents and abilities, resources, individual style, dreams and experiences...all adding up to an enhanced capacity to serve God and neighbor.

Also available are a Workbook and DVD.

By outward measures, of money, possessions, and influence, Lia McIntosh was successful. Twelve years of climbing the corporate ladder resulted in stock options, travel bonuses, and invitations to elite leadership training experiences. On the outside everything looked great. Inside, her soul was depleted. She had a deep sense there was more to life. This book is filled with Lia's true to life stories revealing her journey from depletion to audacity, rising as a warrior chick. Lia's writing is concise and direct, providing realistic and practical coaching to help you move forward. She has a solid foundation in Christ, and is filled with humility, kindness, and a passion for helping others live their best lives. Read this book, follow the exercises, and you'll want to live more authentically, and with purpose. Enjoy the journey.

Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in first-century Palestine was very different from our world today, and many traditional interpretations of Jesus' stories ignore this disparity and have often allowed anti-Semitism and misogyny to color their perspectives.

In this Bible study based on her Short Stories by Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine analyzes these "problems with parables" taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. With this revitalized understanding, she interprets these moving stories for the contemporary reader, showing how the parables are not just about Jesus, but are also about us--and when read rightly, still challenge and provoke us two thousand years later.

This participant guide provides an introduction to the main text as well as further Scripture commentary and reflection questions.

The thought of speaking in public strikes fear in the hearts of many. But we are often called upon to speak, teach, preach, or make presentations in our work and personal lives. In Speaking Well, Adam Hamilton offers nineteen powerful tips and tactics that lead to excellent speaking in any setting.

“One of today’s masters instructs us in the art of public speaking. I wish I’d had this book twenty years ago!” —Cal Turner, retired CEO of Dollar General

“A great and fun book for all who speak in public . . .” —Jerre Stead, Chairman and CEO of IHS Inc.

“Adam teaches us how to use the gift of words effectively and in ways that elevate and inspire those who hear them. ” —Irvine O. Hockaday Jr., retired President and CEO of Hallmark Cards (1985–2001)

“This little book will improve your preparation, content, delivery, and impact.” —Patricia Farris, Senior Minister, First United Methodist Church, Santa Monica, CA

“Want to be a better speaker? Read this book! It will remind you of things you know but have forgotten and will give you new practices to follow.” —O. Wesley Allen Jr., Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX

“An unbelievably helpful pocket resource . . .” —Frank Thomas, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN 

“If you want to become a better public speaker, take lessons from a master.” —Mike Bonem, speaker, consultant, and author of Leading from the Second Chair

 

Truth is, a mere handful of fears work for us--fear of stepping in front of a bus, for example, or not taking care of our health. But the vast majority--fear of others, of failure, of the future--have almost no basis in reality, yet tie us in knots and steal our peace of mind. These fears, experts say, are often vestiges of primitive 'fight, flight, or freeze' instincts that, mostly, no longer apply. Making matters worse, our hyper fractious era of hate media, divisive politics, and multiplying natural disasters wreak havoc on our state of mind, leaving us troubled and unhappy.

Fortunately there's abundant good news. As Adam Hamilton shows in Unafraid, we can escape the echo chamber of anxiety and dread. With insight, intention and faith, we can learn to overcome what oppresses us, and live with courage and hope.

Drawing on fresh research, psychology, biblical principles, and his long experience shepherding a diverse faith community in Red State America, Hamilton helps readers untangle the knots of fear and truly embrace Jesus's recurring counsel: "Do not be afraid." He writes with generosity and intelligence for a wide audience in accessible language that will ring true to believer and unbeliever alike.

For anyone struggling with fear, worry, or anxiety--or who wonders how families and communities can live as peacemakers in troubled times--Unafraid offers an informed and inspiring message full of practical solutions.

We know Jesus tells us, "Do not be afraid," but with everything going on in the world, how is it possible not to be anxious? In this five-week study based on his book Unafraid, Adam Hamilton explores the worries and fears most of us experience. Your small group can learn to identify fears and discover practical steps for overcoming them...all in the light of Scripture and a faith that promises again and again that we can live with courage and hope.  The five-session DVD features Adam Hamilton presenting to a group in his engaging style. The video segments are approximately 10-12 minutes each and, when combined with the book, make an ideal five-week group study. All videos sessions are closed captioned. The five video session topics include: Understanding and Countering Your Fears Crime, Race, Terrorism, and Politics Failure, Disappointing Others, Insignificance, and Loneliness Apocalypse, Change, Missing Out, and Finances Aging, Illness, Dying, and Fear of the Lord

Americans are anxious people. A recent study found that one in five of us has an anxiety disorder and we spend over $2 billion a year on anti-anxiety medications. Often our life events play a significant role in our worries and fears.

In this study based on his book Unafraid, Adam Hamilton explores the most common worries and fears experienced by Americans today. He considers practical steps for overcoming these fears, and reflects upon fear in the light of Scripture and a faith that promises again and again that we don't need to live in fear. We can live with courage and hope.

This Youth Study Book takes the ideas presented in Adam Hamilton's book and interprets them for young people grades 6-12.

How do we walk with Christ--daily follow him, grow in him, and faithfully serve him? In the Gospels, Jesus modeled for us the Christian spiritual life. The apostles taught it in their writings. And the Church has, through the last 2,000 years, sought to pursue this Christian spiritual life.

In The Walk, Adam Hamilton focuses on five essential spiritual practices that are rooted in Jesus' own walk with God and taught throughout the New Testament. Each of these practices is intended as part of our daily walk with Christ while also being an essential part of growing together in the church.

In each chapter, Hamilton explores one of these practices, its New Testament foundation, and what it looks like to pursue this practice daily in our personal life and together in the life of the church. Deepen your walk with Christ as we explore the five essential practices of worship, study, serving, giving, and bearing witness to our faith.

The six-session DVD features Adam Hamilton guiding participants through the study. The video sessions are approximately 10-12 minutes in length and, when combined with the six book chapters, make an ideal six-week group study. All videos sessions are closed captioned.