VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 4/1/19)—“The Changing Church: Finding Your Way to God’s New Thing” tackles the reality of the changing Christian church in a rapidly shifting culture. It explores eight paradigm shifts in the history of Christ’s gospel message and birth of the church.
Beginning with Jesus’ parable of the new wineskins for new wine, the text suggests that God is inviting today’s church leaders to consider new ways of being the Body of Christ in the world. Perfect for an eight-week study in small groups or Bible study, the chapters identify a key shift in the New Testament narrative and a related dynamic of change with its relevance for local congregations and their leaders.
The topics explore:
• New Wineskins — Bell curve of change;
• Incarnation — Types of change;
• Born Again — Obstacles to change;
• Kingdom Manifesto — Process for leading change;
• Old & New Covenants — Different approaches to change;
• Resurrection — No quitting in the face of change;
• Pentecost — Triggers of change; and
• Everybody Welcome — Rate or pace of change.
Based in Scripture, “The Changing Church” is written by veteran pastors Daniel M. Cash, D.Min., and William H. Griffith, D.Min., who co-authored “8 Questions Jesus Asked: Discipleship for Leaders” (Judson Press, 2016).
Cash currently serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Columbus, Ind., and an instructor at the Church Leadership Institute of American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky. With more than 25 years in pastoral and regional ministry, he completed his Doctor of Ministry in 2008 with a project titled “Understanding the Pastoral Role in Leading Change.”
Retired after 35 years as a minister and hospice chaplain, Griffith has written three books on dying and grieving, including “More Than a Parting Prayer: Lessons in Care-giving for the Dying” (Judson, 2005). He is experienced in leading churches through organizational and policy changes.
Founded in 1824, Judson Press is a publishing ministry of American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Churches USA. It is committed to producing Christ-centered leadership resources for the transformation of individuals, congregations, communities and cultures.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.