Audiobooks narrated by Michael B. Carnes

Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls: Learning the Art of Pastoral Ministry from the Church Fathers

Recovering the Wisdom of Early Christian Figures to Effectively Shepherd Modern Churches In addition to the regular demands of preaching and shepherding, modern pastors feel undue pressure to entertain congregants and increase attendance numbers. Often, churches resort to the latest business models to keep pace. But true, life-giving guidance lies in Scripture and the wisdom of those having come before us. Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls helps pastors to embrace a classic, biblical vision of ministry through the study of selected pastoral virtues and early church figures. Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory the Great both referred to ministry as "the care of souls." Calling for a "return to the sources," professors Coleman M. Ford and Shawn J. Wilhite ponder what a scriptural vision of ministry is, how patristic voices help inform this vision, and how pastors today can cultivate this pastoral vision in their churches. Each chapter examines an important pastoral topic―such as humility, the sacraments, and contemplative theology―and brings it to life through a constructive model and profiles of early church fathers. Encouraged by the patristic wisdom of Irenaeus, Athanasius, John Chrysostom, and more, readers learn a simple and slower model for pastoring that they can emulate as they care for their communities. A slower pace of life may, in fact, help pastors cultivate the soil of souls more richly and, as a result, return to ministry as "the care of souls." - Applicable: Enriches the spiritual and ministerial practices of modern pastors through ancient church wisdom, pastoral reflections, and examples from Scripture - Theological and Historical: Features detailed profiles of church fathers, including Ambrose of Milan, Augustine, Gregory of Nazianzus, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and others - Written for Students and Pastors: Ideal for college-level courses, as well as new or seasoned ministers

Coleman M. Ford, Shawn J. Wilhite (Author), Michael B. Carnes (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Foundation of a Disciplemaking Culture: Building a CORE Team to Awaken a Movement

Why do churches need a disciplemaking culture? At the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus commissioned his followers to embrace a way of life making disciples. He extends that mission to us―a way of life rooted in relationship, focused on mutual growth, intentionality, and transformation as we follow Jesus together. Sadly, the activities and events that dominate many churches too often become an end in themselves and actually distract from discipleship. The Great Commission drifts out of focus of the whole church and becomes outsourced to a spiritual elite. Justin Gravitt wrote The Foundation of a Disciplemaking Culture to help you lay the groundwork for a disciplemaking movement in your church. In this powerful, to-the-point resource, you will learn how to: - identify and train other disciplemakers who share your passion and vision - build shared ownership and excitement for making disciples who make disciples - maintain momentum that spreads from your core team into the community - re-vision your church culture around the gospel priority of disciplemaking. A culture of disciplemaking is built and supported by a disciplemaking foundation. This audiobook will equip you with the tools and strategies you need to take the next step in God's mission.

Justin G. Gravitt (Author), Michael B. Carnes (Narrator)

Audiobook

Devoted to Jesus: From First Steps to Fully Surrendered

Jesus started His ministry saying, "Come, follow Me," and finished it by saying, "Go, make disciples." Between these two challenges, His followers learned they could trust Him completely with every area of their lives. From the writing team behind The Love Dare and The Battle Plan for Prayer, and the movie producers of The Forge and War Room, comes an exciting new resource for anyone who desires to grow spiritually and become an on-fire, all-in follower of Jesus. Have you ever been personally discipled? Do you desire to walk closer to Jesus but wish someone would show you how? How can your faith become a thriving relationship instead of a religious duty? What are the keys to assurance of salvation, abiding in Christ, praying effectively, overcoming trials, and deeply loving others? Packed with 52 topical chapters-ideal for reading daily or weekly-and presented with refreshing clarity, Devoted to Jesus is designed to help both new and mature believers grow together. This is a journey you'll first want to experience yourself and then utilize to invest into others. They first learned to be His disciples, then helped others as disciple-makers . . . and so can you.

Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick (Author), Michael B. Carnes (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Soul-Winning Church: Six Keys to Fostering a Genuine Evangelistic Culture

Discover how your church can be truly excited about evangelism and reach out effectively. Your church's sermons often include a call to evangelize. You've held evangelism training events. You give out invites to your Christmas and Easter services. So… where are all the new Christians? Is your church actually reaching the lost with the gospel? For many of us, despite having the best intentions our churches struggle to reach out with the gospel effectively. J.A. Medders and Doug Logan, Jr. have decades of experience in leading churches and mentoring pastors, and here they outline six principles for cultivating a genuine evangelistic culture throughout your church. Includes case studies from a variety of different cultures and contexts to give you practical ideas for implementing these six principles. There are also free resources available, including a podcast series, that will help church leaders to implement the principles they learn in the book.

Doug Logan, J.A. Medders (Author), Michael B. Carnes (Narrator)

Audiobook

Futureproof: How to Live for Jesus in a Culture That Keeps on Changing

How the gospel equips Christians to live confidently for Christ in an increasingly secular society, facing the challenges of the future with confidence. We are living in a time of rapid cultural change, when Christian views are often seen as outdated and even dangerous. This can leave us feeling anxious about how to live out what we believe and uncertain about the future of the church. Steve McAlpine's first book, Being the Bad Guys, sought to explain how our culture ended up so far away from biblical Christianity and how to reach out with the gospel wisely. In this book, he explores where things are heading and what we can do about that now, both as individuals and as a church. Steve examines secular narratives about purpose and authenticity, connectedness and progress, and compares them to the promises made by the Bible. He shows that the Bible offers a more satisfying, more realistic, and more hopeful vision of the future. He also examines the things that cause many Christians and non-Christians to be anxious about the future: technological change, political polarization, clashes over climate, and culture wars around gender and identity. He reminds readers that God is in control and helps them to think through how they can live wholeheartedly for Christ, facing the challenges of the future with confidence and leading the way in terms of citizenship, stewardship, and community. Stephen McAlpine is the Director for Cultural Engagement at City to City Australia. A former pastor, he now writes and speaks on theology, church, and culture.

Stephen Mcalpine (Author), Michael B. Carnes (Narrator)

Audiobook

Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World That Says You Shouldn't

How to live confidently for Jesus in a culture that sees Christians as the bad guys. The church used to be recognised as a force for good, but this is changing rapidly. Christians are now often seen as the bad guys, losing both respect and influence. In our post-Christian culture, how do we offer the gospel to those around us who view it as not only wrong but possibly dangerous? And how do we ensure that the secular worldview does not entice us away with its constant barrage, online and elsewhere, of messages about self-determinism? Author Stephen McAlpine offers an analysis of how our culture ended up this way and explains key points of tension between biblical Christianity and secular culture. He encourages Christians not to be ashamed of the gospel as it is more liberating, fulfilling and joyful than anything the world has to offer. He also offers strategies for coping in this world, with its opposing values, and for reaching out to others wisely with the truth.

Stephen Mcalpine (Author), Michael B. Carnes (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Michael B. Carnes