Big Books rescue big ministry problems

Big Book of message rescue

This book has rescued my on several occasions this AWANA TNT year already. Looking back I should have just picked 30 or so of the 52 available lessons on discipleship and had that as the basis of the teaching year. I love the simple format, the opening topic intro games or activities. The lesson content is solid and its indexed perfectly for quick finds by topic or scripture. These Big Books from Gospel Light are must haves for the leader's library but also the teacher's as well.

A book worth reading that has a solid Biblical core

Larry Fowler encourages me every time I listen to him or shake his hand. In Rock Solid Volunteers he wonderfully draws truth, encouragement and easy principles from the evidence from Nehemiah. I loved this book because it was straight from the Bible. I have read and studied Nehemiah's leadership and planning principles many times and yet Larry taught me several things that I just flat our missed. I can't wait to put them in to practice in my church's AWANA ministry and my own life. Ok, books have to accomplish several things to be any good, worth reading, worth owning, worth re-reading and then worth recommending. This one accomplished that and more. Number one: Biblical. I only want to read and suggest books to people that are more God's truth than man's opinions. Done. This one is solid Bible through and through. Number two: Quick. I like books that flow well, read quick and steady, organize thoughts that I can remember and apply. Done. I can remember the things I need to do in ministry from this book by simply remembering the flow of Nehemiah's story. Finally, I like books that translate instantly into my life's needs. Done, I needed a fresh boost of energy concerning my volunteers and for me, a volunteer too. These seven simple and instantly achievable principles are just what I needed. Now, let's see, I've got a wall to finish. Hey, are you still sitting there? Go get the book. See you at the wall.

Big read for Small groups

In What Every Small Group Leader Should Know, Larry Kreider gives the church a very solid training tool for any church's small group ministries. Whether you are a Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader or home fellowship host you will greatly profit from this book.
The book is filled with some basic biblical theology of ministry and small groups. The added strength of the book is the tons of tips, ideas and illustrations about doing it right and learning from doing it wrong.
I like this book. Rarely will a book stimulate whiteboard, dream big sessions with my creativity but this one delivered. I found myself with pen and paper jotting down notes and ideas about my own fellowship group that I lead. Maybe that's the key to this book's success with me: I needed the contents to encourage me to wade out of the shallow end of my small group experience and venture into the deep waters of real ministry. I have left this book encouraged and ready to pursue God with my small group.

Simple, encouraging leadership principles for Church workers

Ok, so there are tons of books on leadership. When I saw that Gospel Light and Regal Books were adding to the list of this genre I was quite skeptical. I wasn't even going to read the book until I met the author, Craig Johnson. Warm, personable, humble and real are my new impressions of this man. His life story, replete with triumph and tragedy, are on display in this book. God is proclaimed and glorified as the victor and ministries across the world should be blessed by this style of leadership. You will certainly benefit from reading this book but more importantly from taking your team through this book this year. Its not heavy theology but should make a heavy imprint on your ministry none the less. Note: I received a free copy of this book from Regal with no expectations to read it let alone review it.