The Heart of the Mission

The Heart of the Mission
Author: Cande de Leon
Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor
Total Pages: 90
Release: 2020-12-30
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1681926652

As Christians, and especially as people who work for the Church, we are part of an incredible mission: to bring people to Jesus. Jesus himself gave us this mission when he said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19). Yet it is far too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day details of our work — so much so that we can lose sight of our true mission. In The Heart of the Mission: Simple Ways to Bring People to Jesus, Cande de Leon shows what it takes to get back on track. With wisdom and humor born of his own experience, he shows how our Christian mission always begins and ends with people. To help us live this in our daily life and work, he guides us through three transformational principles for ministry and life: Strengthening relationships Boldly growing engagement Connecting people to the mission Whether you are a pastor, part of a parish staff, or a volunteer at your home parish, these principles apply to you. Because if we really want to make transformational change in our Church and our world, we first have to recognize the people in front of us — who they are, what they need, what gifts God has given them, and how he is inviting them to participate in the mission of the Church. Not merely another program to transform your parish, this book offers a simple yet radical invitation to roll up your sleeves and make a difference by getting back to basics.>/p> ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cande de Leon has served as executive director of the Office of Mission Advancement for the Diocese of Phoenix since 2016. He leads a team committed to advancing the mission of Christ through stewardship, evangelization, and discipleship formation. He spent seven years in the Diocese of Corpus Christi serving as the director of parish stewardship and development, where he raised over $37 million (with a goal of $18 million) for the Legacy of Faith ~ Future of Hope Capital & Endowment Campaign. Cande has been married to his wife, Rosemary, for 22 years. They have four daughters.

Living the Mission

Living the Mission
Author: Renovare
Publisher: Zondervan
Total Pages: 162
Release: 2007-05-29
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0060841265

Living the Mission explores what it means to be a Christian today. By examining the early church's struggle in the wake of Jesus's devastating death and awe-inspiring resurrection in the book of Acts, we learn how we can follow Jesus, how Jesus is still with us in the Holy Spirit, and how we are called to form communities into which we are forever inviting others. Conveniently organized for individual or group study, Living the Mission explores the heart of what it means to follow Jesus and be a part of his church.

The Mission of Motherhood

The Mission of Motherhood
Author: Sally Clarkson
Publisher: WaterBrook
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2009-01-21
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 0307564665

Discover how understanding God’s purpose and design can empower you to be the mother you long to be. No calling is greater, nobler, or more fulfilling than that motherhood. Every day, as we nurture our children, mothers influence eternal destiny as no one else can. Tragically, today’s culture minimizes the vital importance of a mother’s role. In The Mission of Motherhood, Sally Clarkson helps you rediscover the joy and fulfillment to be found in the strategic role to which God in all his wisdom has called you, for a purpose far greater than you can ever imagine.

The Mission

The Mission
Author: Dick Evans
Publisher: Heyday Books
Total Pages: 184
Release: 2017
Genre: Photography
ISBN: 9781597143608

A photographic trip through San Franciscos legendary district, the changes it has experienced, and those that it faces.

Beyond Duty

Beyond Duty
Author: Tim Dearborn
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2013-01-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781480052819

DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD, but feel overwhelmed by all there is to do? Do you sometimes doubt that significant change is even possible? There is good news. God isn't worried about the future of the world, nor is God merely bringing minor changes. “Behold, I make all things new,” says the Lord. The coming kingdom brings total transformation, metamorphosis. What's more, God doesn't call us to carry the burdens of the world and its transformation on our own shoulders. Christ carries the world and by the power of the Spirit we live in Christ.We do not have a mission for God in the world. Rather, the God of mission has us in the world.Each of us has a vital role in the world. We are invited to participate God's generous love bringing heaven to earth through us, now!The seven sessions of BEYOND Duty guide individuals, groups and churches to our places as participants in God's mission in the world.I originally wrote Beyond Duty to help liberate mission fanatics like me from enslavement to a human-centered approach to mission. That liberation is still needed today. In our eagerness to make a difference in the world we can quickly subvert the good news of God's sovereign love into our ambitious, burdensome and at times tedious effort to fulfill our mission in the world. This revised and expanded edition pursues this, seeking God's liberating grace to free us from the vain presumption that the future of God's mission is up to us. Through a combination of our compassion regarding urgent needs, what feels to us like the inactivity of God, and the drive of our own need to make a difference in the world—many of us all too easily take the needs of the world onto our shoulders as our personal responsibility. This sounds so foolish. However, mission narcissism runs deep. Though it may be obvious, it still deserves to be said again: Our central commitment is to God and God's kingdom, not to ourselves or our service for God in that kingdom. To make anything other than loving God and living in God's love for our neighbor—even something as good and noble as God's mission in the world—the central passion and commitment of our life is just plain old idolatry dressed in Christian clothing. I've lived much of my life seeking to serve in God's mission, but I wonder at times for whom I am really working. My suspicion is that sometimes I've spread the unpleasant aroma of my need to make a difference in the world more than the “sweet aroma of Christ.” In my more honest moments, I admit that some of “my mission” was to reinforce my sense of significance. It's so easy to become intoxicated by the seductive lies of our society that size determines significance, speed measures impact, and worth depends on success. The gospel frees us to live from the center of God's encompassing love. We needn't live from the burdensome center of “me”. It's not about my mission, ambitions, work and weaknesses. We can live as grateful participants in God's love for the world. In the midst of our obedient service, we can sing and play and not take ourselves so seriously.What others are saying about BEYOND Duty:“A refreshing departure from usual mission books.” Emmanuel Katongole “I am pleased to recommend this book to you.” Bill Hybels “This may be the most important book I've read all year!” Steve Haas “An excellent, practical tool for churches.” Ron Sider “Read this rich reflection and serve with freedom.” Mark Labberton “Inviting, full of stories, Christ-centered.” Steve & Sharol Hayner“Substantial and practical. I commend it warmly.” Vinay Samuel “This is a wise guide.” Tom Theriault

Mercy for Today

Mercy for Today
Author: Jonathan Parnell
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Total Pages: 80
Release: 2020-01-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1535959266

You cannot make it without God’s mercy. Do we just need God’s grace in dark and shameful moments? Are prayers for mercy only for those times when we really mess up? Jonathan Parnell says we need God’s mercy all the time. In fact, contrary to many church cultures, Parnell shows that asking God for mercy should be as regular as asking God for our daily bread. There’s no doubt that David was in a terrible predicament when he first prayed the words of Psalm 51. It was a dark and shameful moment in the Bible, and one so dark and shameful it seldom feels relevant to us today. But David’s most desperate prayer is really a prayer for all of us—and not just for our worst moments, but for our every moment. In these pages, you'll discover: how to pray a daily, memorable prayer derived from Psalm 51 how to practice daily repentance and soul care how to pursue God and experience his joy in the Christian life This is God’s mercy, and it’s Mercy for Today.

The Heart of the City

The Heart of the City
Author: Alexander Garvin
Publisher:
Total Pages: 266
Release: 2019-05-07
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1610919491

Downtowns are more than economic engines: they are repositories of knowledge and culture and generators of new ideas, technology, and ventures. They are the heart of the city that drives its future. If we are to have healthy downtowns, we need to understand what downtown is all about; how and why some American downtowns never stopped thriving (such as San Jose and Houston), some have been in decline for half a century (including Detroit and St. Louis), and still others are resurging after temporary decline (many, including Lower Manhattan and Los Angeles). The downtowns that are prospering are those that more easily adapt to changing needs and lifestyles. In The Heart of the City, distinguished urban planner Alexander Garvin shares lessons on how to plan for a mix of housing, businesses, and attractions; enhance the public realm; improve mobility; and successfully manage downtown services. Garvin opens the book with diagnoses of downtowns across the United States, including the people, businesses, institutions, and public agencies implementing changes. In a review of prescriptions and treatments for any downtown, Garvin shares brief accounts--of both successes and failures--of what individuals with very different objectives have done to change their downtowns. The final chapters look at what is possible for downtowns in the future, closing with suggested national, state, and local legislation to create standard downtown business improvement districts to better manage downtowns. This book will help public officials, civic organizations, downtown business property owners, and people who care about cities learn from successful recent actions in downtowns across the country, and expand opportunities facing their downtown. Garvin provides recommendations for continuing actions to help any downtown thrive, ensuring a prosperous and thrilling future for the 21st-century American city.

Mission Drift

Mission Drift
Author: Peter Greer
Publisher: Baker Books
Total Pages: 250
Release: 2014-02-10
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1441263438

A Christianity Today 2015 Book Award Winner Is your organization in danger of Mission Drift? Without careful attention, faith-based organizations drift from their founding mission. It's that simple. It will happen. Slowly, silently, and with little fanfare, organizations routinely drift from their purpose, and many never return to their original intent. Harvard and the YMCA are among those that no longer embrace the Christian principles on which they were founded. But they didn't drift off course overnight. Drift often happens in small and subtle ways. Left unchecked, it eventually becomes significant. Yet Mission Drift is not inevitable. Organizations such as Compassion International and InterVarsity have exhibited intentional, long-term commitment to Christ. Why do so many organizations--including churches--wander from their mission, while others remain Mission True? Can drift be prevented? In Mission Drift, HOPE International executives Peter Greer and Chris Horst tackle these questions. They show how to determine whether your organization is in danger of drift, and they share the results of their research into Mission True and Mission Untrue organizations. Even if your organization is Mission True now, it's wise to look for ways to inoculate yourself against drift. You'll discover what you can do to prevent drift or get back on track and how to protect what matters most. "No organization is exempt from the danger of drifting away from its original mission. In Mission Drift, Peter and Chris provide solid guidance for remaining laser-focused on core values--from the board level to daily organizational culture. This book is a timely message for any organization working hard to remain Mission True." --Wess Stafford, president-emeritus, Compassion International "Peter Greer and Chris Horst have identified one of the deepest challenges any leader faces: how to ensure that an organization stays true to its mission, especially when that mission becomes countercultural." --Andy Crouch, executive editor, Christianity Today "Essential reading for twenty-first-century believers if we are to gain new vision, unity, and strength. Mission Drift is spine straightening, mind clearing, and courage inspiring. This book is true-north wisdom for leaders--and a gift of hope for the world God loves." --Kelly Monroe Kullberg, founder, The Veritas Forum and author, Finding God Beyond Harvard "Many of us in leadership have learned--often painfully--that our mission needs to be built into every aspect of our organization, from leadership to receptionist, from hiring to implementation. We can't afford not to follow the lessons in this valuable book." --Richard Stearns, president, World Vision U.S. and author, The Hole in Our Gospel "Keeping an eternal perspective is essential in our work. Mission Drift gives a clear message inspiring and challenging us to intentionally keep Christ at the center of all efforts." --David Green, founder and CEO, Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. "Written with clarity, boldness, and urgency, the authors provide insight into and examples of the causes and solutions to drift using the stories of real organizations...A must-read! Recommend this book to every business and church leader."--CBA Retailers+Resources "This book is a must-read for leaders, easy to read, practical, engaging and inspirational. The principals outlined not only apply to major corporations, but also to any organization, church and even to one's own personal life. Mission Drift . . . will be well worth the effort and time, and you will find yourself wanting to begin implementing what you've learned to safeguard your organization from drifting away from its mission."--Foursquare.org

The Mission Song

The Mission Song
Author: John le Carré
Publisher: Little, Brown
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2006-09-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0759568073

Full of politics, heart, and the sort of suspense that nobody in the world does better, The Mission Song turns John Le Carre's laser eye for the complexity of the modern world on turmoil and conspiracy in Africa. Abandoned by both his Irish father and Congolese mother, Bruno Salvador has long looked for someone to guide his life. He has found it in Mr. Anderson of British Intelligence. Bruno's African upbringing, and fluency in numerous African languages, has made him a top interpreter in London, useful to businesses, hospitals, diplomats -- and spies. Working for Anderson in a clandestine facility known as the "Chat Room,"Salvo (as he's known) translates intercepted phone calls, bugged recordings, and snatched voice mail messages. When Anderson sends him to a mysterious island to interpret during a secret conference between Central African warlords, Bruno thinks he is helping Britain bring peace to a bloody corner of the world. But then he hears something he should not have... By turns thriller, love story, and comic allegory of our times, The Mission Song is a crowning achievement, recounting an interpreter's heroically naive journey out of the dark of Western hypocrisy and into the heart of lightness.