{"product_id":"the-gift-of-small-embracing-your-churchs-vocation-9781506481937","title":"The Gift of Small: Embracing Your Church's Vocation","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost churches in the US are small-membership congregations. As Allen T. Stanton notes, most church leadership resources focus on membership growth as a central, guiding paradigm for the work of the church. The assumption is that membership growth is a natural outcome of a healthy congregation and successful ministry. However, Stanton argues that this assumption fails to engage theologically with the vocational gifts that small-membership churches offer. This oversight fuels the perception that small congregations are failing in their ministries or lack vitality. Instead, \u003ci\u003eThe Gift of Small\u003c\/i\u003e argues that small-membership congregations are well positioned for the faithful, effective work of the church.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStanton explores the roles that relationships play in faith formation and organizational leadership in small-membership churches. In doing so, he highlights the profiles of people who belong to these congregations and examines the assets they bring. The result is a renewed understanding of the critical role that small-membership churches often play in their members' vocational discovery and community-leadership development. Stanton grounds his observations in Jesus's teachings that use the imagery of small to represent powerful agents of transformation.  \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Gift of Small\u003c\/i\u003e can help clergy and lay leaders recover from discouragement and disillusionment regarding the often-disregarded work done in small-membership churches. This book will serve as a reinvigorating guide to help such clergy and leaders see their congregations' vital impact with clearer and fresher eyes. This book, in turn, will facilitate a renewed commitment to the work of small-membership churches. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=AUTH-13760418\"\u003eAllen T. Stanton\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Fortress Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/22\/2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 158\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.66lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.40h x 5.50w x 0.50d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781506481937\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1506481930\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBISAC Categories:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=CAT-REL\"\u003eReligion\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=BISAC-REL071000\"\u003eLeadership\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=CAT-REL\"\u003eReligion\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=BISAC-REL074000\"\u003eChristian Ministry | Pastoral Resources\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=CAT-REL\"\u003eReligion\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=BISAC-REL108010\"\u003eChristian Church | Growth\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Fortress Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48458169745645,"sku":"9781506481937","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0550\/8097\/6621\/files\/img_9f9c7f12-a113-4a1d-b54f-304e32f308a4.jpg?v=1753596541","url":"https:\/\/sureshotbooks.com\/products\/the-gift-of-small-embracing-your-churchs-vocation-9781506481937","provider":"SureShot Books Publishing LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}