<transcy>Church in Hard Places (Être l'Église là où c'est difficile)</transcy>

It is impossible to alleviate poverty, in the broad sense, outside the local Church.

In recent years, evangelical Christians seem to be more and more involved in the fight against poverty. However, this renewed interest in alleviating poverty is doomed to failure if it is not grounded in the local church, the means established by God to draw the oppressed into a transformative relationship with Him. Emphasizing the priority of the gospel, Mez McConnell and Mike McKinley, two pastors working in successful ministries with the poor, offer Bible counseling and practical strategies for church planting, revitalization and growth where it is. difficult, whether in our own communities or elsewhere in the world.

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Authors

MEZ MCCONNELL (B. A., Moorlands College) is the Senior Pastor of Niddrie Community Church in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the founder of 20Schemes, a ministry dedicated to the planting of gospel-centered churches in the public housing areas of Scotland.

MIKE MCKINLEY (M. Div., Westminster Theological Seminary) is the Senior Pastor of Sterling Park Baptist Church in Sterling, Virginia.

Recommendations

“Coming from both sides of the Atlantic, two pastors unite to tell their stories of pastoring in difficult terrain. Mike McKinley and Mez McConnell care about what the Bible teaches, about people, and about the local church. Their stories are filled with love, joy, humor and wisdom. I pray that this inspiring and compelling book will encourage others to work for the advancement of the gospel in places where there are no witnesses to this day. »
- MARK DEVER, Senior Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC; president of 9Marks

Mez McConnell and Mike McKinley wrote a book we need. Being the Church where it is difficult is timely and will teach the new generation to take seriously the advancement of the gospel and church planting in difficult settings and contexts. Those who have the highest regard for God and grace must be the ones who show the most passion to see the Church grow in the most difficult places. Mez and Mike encourage us in this direction. »
- J. LIGON DUNCAN III, President and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

"McConnell and McKinley have done us a great service in coming together to write an accessible, passionate and fundamental book. Rarely have I read such a mixture of gospel ambition and startling realism. This is probably because the authors are not just theorists; they are also active in the field. May God grant us to see many more rise up and take action, through reading this book, to accomplish the vital task of reaching the hardest to reach. "
- Steve Timmis, Managing Director of Acts 29 Church Planting Network

"Finally! A book that touches on the crucial aspect of gospel mission and that is saturated with scripture, gospel-centered, and church-centered. To be the Church where it is difficult is a gift for the Church. »
- JARED C. WILSON, Strategic Marketing Director at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“If your heart is moved with compassion for the weak and the afflicted of this world, this book is for you. But I have to warn you: this book is not what you think. Rather, this is the book you need to read. Mike McKinley and Mez McConnell argue that while it is cruel to ignore the needs of the weak and the afflicted, their greatest need remains the same as that of all human beings: to turn away from sin, to cling to Christ, and to to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ within a good community of believers who support one another under the faithful leadership of caring pastors who equip the Church for constant ministry. Without it, we only meet temporary needs and offer no immediate hope for a transformed life. »
- Juan R. Sanchez Jr., Senior Pastor of High Point Baptist Church, Austin, Texas

Table of contents

Preface to the series
Preface
Introduction

Part One: The Gospel Where It Is Difficult
1 What is poverty?
2 What gospel do they need?
3 Does doctrine matter?

Part two: The Church where it is difficult
4 The paraecclesial problem
5 The local Church: the solution
6 The work of evangelization
7 The role of preaching
8 The importance of membership and discipline

Part Three: Work Where It Is Difficult
9 Prepare yourself
10 Prepare the ground
11 Prepare to change your mentality
12 Before embarking on a compassionate ministry

Conclusion: Evaluate the cost ... and the reward

Details

Original title : Church in Hard Places
Authors : Mez McConnell & Mike McKinley
Edition : Cruciforme
ISBN : 978-2-924595-47-3
Publication : October 2018
Pages : 214
Format : paperback
Weight : 236 g