Resources- New Beginnings Church

"What the Spirit is Saying to the Churches"

Don't be fooled by it's size! This is a powerful little book recounting Henry Blackaby's experience with Faith Baptist Church in Canada. A serious reading will challenge the individual and the church to examine motivations for action, and bases for decisions made by the church. It is a book about faith and discernment. Although a study guide is available, we've found that the most beneficial way for us to "experience" these truths is through an informal "book club" where each person reads a designated chapter during the week and then gathers to discuss as a group answers to the following questions: What is God trying to tell me through this reading? What truths do I need to apply to my life? What truths does our church need to apply to its life? ("What the Spirit is Saying to the Churches", ISBN 159052036X)

"The Purpose Driven Church"

For any group seeking to start a church, a GREAT resource is the book by Rick Warren titled "The Purpose Driven Church" (ISBN 0310201063). It's a tremendous asset, especially for church members who have never given much thought, or been involved in much study, about what the church is and why it exists. As they say, "form follows function", and what a church "is" should determine what it "does". This would be an excellent initial tool for a group of individuals to read and discuss together as they begin develop and birth their unique vision for the church God is calling them to be. Too often, new churches are started by merely adapting structures, plans, and visions from other churches- and while the good qualities are thus transferred successfully, so are the less desirable qualities. Consider taking the time first to understand what God is calling you to be, and then as a result, what He is calling you to do. If your budget is limited, consider purchasing a used copy from Amazon.com.