VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 9/7/10)—Two of the titles on Judson Press’s five book fall list are authored by American Baptist leaders.
New this month is Making Friends, Making Disciples: Growing Your Church through Authentic Relationships by Rev. Dr. Lee Spitzer, Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches of New Jersey. In this unique resource, Spitzer proposes friendship as a transformative paradigm for church growth, not only in terms of the number of people who join but in regard to the maturity of disciples who participate in the life of the Body of Christ.
Spitzer examines how Jesus understood and practiced the art of friendship, and from there develops a theology of friendship based on the totality of biblical teaching. Spitzer’s compelling resource introduces the Friendship Circles model and explores how we may practice friendship as a personal and corporate spiritual discipline. Making Friends, Making Disciples concludes with nine key friendship circles exercises for personal and church group use.
Making Friends, Making Disciples is the first title in Judson Press’s new “Living Church” series, edited by Rev. Dr. J. Dwight Stinnett, Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region. Each title in the series will consider the needs of today’s churches and offer constructive critiques and creative strategies for addressing the issues.
Earlier this summer, Judson Press released Deacons in Today’s Black Baptist Church by Rev. Dr. Marvin A. McMickle, Judson’s most prolific author and pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland. In this, his ninth Judson Press book, McMickle explores the scriptural basis and historical context for the ministry of deacons, and considers the practical issues that bring this ministry to a crossroads today. This insightful resource concludes with a series of profiles of deacons in various church settings. Through their voices and perceptions readers will gain added insight into the roles and responsibilities of Deacons in Today’s Black Baptist Church.
Making Friends, Making Disciples and Deacons in Today’s Black Baptist Church are both available from Judson Press by calling 800-458-3766 or visiting www.judsonpress.com. Save 20% off each book’s $16.00 retail price by ordering online.
Founded in 1824, Judson Press—a publishing ministry of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies—produces Christ-centered leadership resources for the transformation of persons, congregations, communities and cultures.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.