Resource Pack #10

How do I receive a Resource Pack?

We are offering this resource pack to Vanguard members at a cost of $50.00 plus shipping. To order, please call (800) 630-2838. You may charge your purchase to Visa or Master Card or make payment with a personal/business check.

In this Resource Pack, the resources focus on prayer, missions, assimilation, equipping, mobilization, marketing, and church planting—all timely and important subjects. These items will be helpful resources for you and your staff and/or lay leaders.

1. Operation World : When We Pray God Works (21st Century Edition) by Patrick Johnstone & Jason Mandryk

Most of you are familiar with this prayer guide. It has been the standard for global prayer for years. This is the newest release of an old favorite, but now in its 21st century edition, it contains 80% new material. Charisma Magazine, January 2002 says, Operation World is "...the definitive global prayer guide. This 809 page book is filled with informative and inspiring fuel for prayer about every country of the world, it is essential for anybody who wants to make a difference.

This is a tool for your intercessors and missions leaders as well as any other globally focused believer.

2. Community of Kindness: A Refreshing New Approach to Planting & Growing a Church by Steve Sjogren

Steve Sjogren, who pastors the Cincinnati Vineyard and who has made servant evangelism a well know model of evangelism, has written a tremendously helpful book. One must remember that kind acts are not necessarily a presentation of the Gospel itself, but they are things that can and do open the door for presenting the Gospel. This book is packed full of ideas and encouraging words that will help pastors and church planters. It is written to help churches which are newly planted, but its principles are applicable to churches of all sizes. The authors' down-to-earth, practical advice about pastoring is humorous and helpful. The churches I know who have begun to implement some of the ideas contained in this book have found remarkable results. Its format makes it easy to read and scan. Don’t miss his comments on the ‘come and see’ versus the ‘go and do’ approaches—quite intriguing. You'll be glad you read this book.

3. The Equipping Church by Sue Mallory

Sue Mallory, the executive director of Leadership Training Network, has written an extremely helpful resource on equipping and mobilizing church laity. It provides the reader with a comprehensive look at how to mobilize lay members of your church into effective gift-based teams, illustrated with successful examples.

This book describes the benefits, the structure, and the culture of an equipping church and shows how your congregation can become one. It’s about limitless possibilities. Think "vision." What might your church look like if its members became vital, fully empowered partners in ministry? How can you help them discover and release their full potential? How would their roles change--and yours?

Unpacking insights and principles uncovered by Leadership Training Network over the last several years, Mallory helps you customize an equipping system and culture in your church. You'll proceed from preparation (what you need to know), to foundations (what you need to change), to construction (what you need to do). Each chapter includes a section of "Equipping Principles," questions for discussion and reflection, and a summary of different equipping churches from around the country. This book will be a mile marker in your church--and the gateway to a more effective and biblical approach to ministry.

4. Capital Campaign materials from New Life Christian Fellowship at Providence, Chesapeake, VA

Recently, we included a packet of material from another partner church who has raised thousands of dollars for their facilities. Here is the latest partner church to conduct a successful capital campaign. Pastor Dan Backens has chosen to conduct his campaign without the typical consultant and charted several other non-traditional courses. I think you will appreciate the quality and thought-filled promotional materials. Make sure you watch the DVD we included.

5. New Member Orientation Manual from New Life Family Center, Elizabeth City, NC

As most of you know, assimilating new members into the mainstream of body life and grounding them in your church’s vision, values, and philosophy of ministry is critical. Pastor Dowdy has just completed his new manual for new members, which they teach on consecutive Wednesday nights. Maybe it will stir you to reevaluate how you are assimilating your people.