Navigating the Storm: Resources of HOPE for Church Leaders by HOPE Network Ministries
HOPE Network exists to be helpful to church leaders and congregations. Like the first disciples on a boat with Jesus in a windstorm, today’s leaders and congregations feel the storm in our culture and the world. Regardless of the kind of storm, leaders are called to help navigate the storm and calm God’s people with the spirit of Jesus. We are a group of people experienced in church life with a deep commitment to the health and growth of God’s people. This book is a compilation of resources for leaders in navigating the storm—however you define it. We are convinced, that Jesus is not asleep on the boat and he is awake calming the winds and the waves. He does it today through leaders who refuse to let the waters swamp the boat. We look forward to navigating the storm with you to the glory of God!
Doing God’s Work: A Primer for Church Leaders by HOPE Network Ministries
This book is a compilation of wisdom from the members of Hope Network Ministries. Think of it as both an introduction and an invitation. It’s an introduction to the practical nature of what Hope Network does. Each chapter is written by someone in the trenches who both understands the challenges of contemporary ministry and has experience in navigating them. It’s also an invitation to reach out to any of the authors of this volume for deeper conversation. They didn’t write their chapters to show off what they know. They wrote them to make you aware of their availability to walk this path with you. While each chapter of this book addresses ministry challenges from a different perspective, they all communicate the same basic message. That message is that you are not alone in your struggle. There is hope in the form of a network of other ministers who are here to assist you.
The Practice of Communal Discernment
This tool is designed to guide your team of leaders through the discernment process. It offers detailed guidelines and reflection questions that help the difficult process of group discernment remain productive and beneficial.
Communication Timeline
Communicating news at church presents problems for sure, but when you want people to take action, it becomes critical to have a strategy that will produce results. The communication timeline delivers in a big way and will help any large or small-scale project achieve success.
The Carpenter’s Plan
This organization provides churches and non-profits with guidance and assistance with capital campaigns. Hope Network Ministries Partner Jason Thompson is a Senior Consultant for the Carpenter’s Plan.
Leaders Who Last: 12 Conversations
This resource is designed for leaders for peer learning and friendship. Some may choose to use it for mentoring with a more experienced leader; however its primary design is for peers in leadership. The questions are designed to be as “open” as possible. They do not have a specific or “right” answer. You are encouraged to bring your life stories to the questions and apply your experiences as they fit for you.
Congregational Transition
Interim Ministry Partners
IMP helps churches through seasons of transition … to transition so effectively that those churches are transformed. They believe that the transition to a new pulpit minister marks one of the most important and significant seasons in the life of a church, and they help the church embrace and take advantage of the interim time by asking important questions and helping the church rethink the call of God on their communal life and ministry. Hope Network Partners Doug Peters, Greg Anderson, Randy Daugherty, David Fleer, Mark Frost, Grady King, Rob McRay, and John York serve as the ministers for Interim Ministry Partners.
Spiritual Formation
eleven:28 Ministries
eleven:28 Ministries, founded and directed by Hope Network Partner Rhesa Higgins, exists to offer spiritual vitality to all who serve in the Kingdom of God. It is a safe place to ask questions, explore who God is, and deepen your experience of God.
God Hungry
This blog, “A Place for the God-Hungry,” is where Hope Network Ministries Partner Jim Martin shares encouraging ideas about life, marriage, parenting, leadership, and ministry. Each week, he dedicates at least one post to those who serve as church leaders.
In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen
For a society that measures successful leadership in terms of the effectiveness of the individual, Father Nouwen offers a counter definition that is witnessed by a “communal and mutual experience.” For Nouwen, leadership cannot function apart from the community. His wisdom is grounded in the foundation that we are a people “called.” This beautiful guide to Christian Leadership is the rich fruit of Henri Nouwen’s own journey as one of the most influential spirtiual leaders of the 20th century.
Growing Love Network
Growing Love Network, founded and directed by Hope Network Ministries Partner Jon Anderson, exists to help struggling and/or failing marriages through weekly classes, seminars, retreats, and professional counseling.
Growing Love: The 9 Essentials of Lifelong Love by Jon R. Anderson
A nine-week guide to transforming relationships. Designed for optimal use as a class curriculum or group study, this workbook can also be used as a self-growth aid for individuals whose mate or spouse is unwilling to get help. No matter how tough your past relationships, or how hopeless you see your future, within the pages of this book you’ll find your unique path to a transformed heart.
365 Days of Growing Love by Jon R. Anderson
Devote just a few moments, every day for a year, to growing the way you love, and your marriage can’t help but get profoundly better. 365 Days of Growing Love is like taking a daily supplement of all the essential nutrients for your relational health. It doesn’t take much time and the rewards far outweigh the effort!
by HOPE Network Ministries
They Smell Like Sheep
by Henri Nouwen
by Robert Elmer
by Henri Nouwen
by Robert Elmerby Peter Scazzero
by Peter Scazzero
Growing Love Networkby Jon R. Anderson
by Jon R. Anderson