Bruce B. Miller

The demand for quality leaders constantly outstrips the supply. If you’re a pastor, team leader, staff member, or board member, you’re always challenged with a leadership shortage. But what can you do about it? More than you’ve ever imagined. The Leadership Baton equips you with a solution that’s time-proven and right at hand: church-based leadership development. More and more churches are adopting it, and no wonder—the principles that made the early church such a spiritual powerhouse are just as effective today. Leadership was never a matter of institutional learning or professional expertise. Rather, starting with Jesus and his apostles, it involved seasoned leaders passing the baton to ordinary people right within the local body of believers. That same approach can help ensure your own church is never at a loss for dependable men and women to enter the leadership race with wisdom, vision and passion. Drawing on the field-tested expertise of the Center for Church Based Training, The Leadership Baton will help you get the leaders you need up and running, developing leadership qualities they can in turn hand off to other up-and-coming leaders. Part 1 casts a vision for church-based leadership training—not merely a program, but a leadership development culture based on biblical and historical foundations. Part 2 presents a whole-life approach to leadership development that is wisdom-based (through courses), relationship-based (through the church community), and personal (through mentoring). Part 3 describes a comprehensive plan for leadership development, then breaks it down to target the needs of governing boards, emerging leaders, pastoral staffs, and interns. With discussion questions at the end of each chapter, this book concludes with two appendices, including a self-inventory for church leaders to help them assess their personal strengths and weak areas that need development. Put the principles in The Leadership Baton to work with patience, and in time your church will never lack the right people at the right time to help it fulfill its kingdom mission.

Do you ever wonder, "why is life hard?" why is there suffering?" or "what is my purpose in life?" You are not alone. No matter your faith background, we all have questions about God, our purpose, and why bad things happen. Trying to find reliable answers can be overwhelming. It's hard to know who to trust with the questions you are most afraid to ask. You need a safe space to ask these common questions about faith. The 7 Big Questions invites you to explore some of the most common questions about faith. Does life have a purpose? Is there a God? Why does God allow pain and suffering? Is Christianity too narrow? Is Jesus God? Is the Bible reliable? Can I know God personally? Bruce B. Miller guides you through a thoughtful approach to finding answers for yourself.

Si quieres honrar a Dios con tu dinero, entonces quieres saber lo que Dios dice sobre dar. En alg n momento del camino hacia la madurez en Cristo, los cristianos sinceros se hacen estas tres preguntas fundamentales:1. Por qu deber a regalar mi dinero? En otras palabras, qu te motiva a dar en primer lugar? A primera vista, parece que tendr as menos si dieras m s.2. Si decides dar, a qui n debes dar tu dinero? Hay muchas organizaciones buenas y causas importantes. Todos estamos bombardeados con solicitudes. En la Biblia, Dios revela prioridades divinas para los destinatarios de nuestra generosidad.3. Y finalmente, cu nto dinero quiere Dios que des? Algunas personas ense an "el diezmo". Otros dicen, da hasta que duela. Dios te gu a para responder esta pregunta. En La Bendici n de Dar, Miller da respuestas claras a estas preguntas importantes y te proveecon una gu a de estudio basada en El proceso de SABIDUR A. Este es un gran libro para usarcomo estudio en grupos peque os. Los ejercicios pr cticos te permiten poner los conocimientos directamente en acci n.

Biblical Guidance for Ministering God’s Love in a Sexually Diverse Culture In a time when sexual norms are changing rapidly, how can a local church be a place of grace—a loving community for all kinds of people—where everyone can flourish and disagreements are overcome in a Christlike spirit while at the same time stay true to biblical standards? In a way that appeals to pastors and lay leaders alike, Bruce offers a biblical theology of sexuality and provides practical wisdom for how a church can approach ministering to, and alongside, people who identify their sexuality in diverse ways: LGBTQ+. Here is a church-tested program full of wise pastoral insights to help church leaders think through day-to-day decisions, such as how to handle baby dedications, small groups, who can serve, membership, baptism, retreats, the Lord’s Supper, weddings, funerals, teaching, hiring, and caring for those caught in sin. If you are a leader who is facing any of these challenging issues and decisions, then this practical, grace-filled book is for you.

Jesus shocked and offended his original audience because he turned most people's view of life upside down. Many of us are familiar with famous lines in history's most influential speech, such as: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," "Turn the other cheek," "Go the extra mile," and "Don't Judge." However, this very familiarity dulls our minds to what Jesus is really saying. Follow Jesus' kingdom vision and you will stand out as a bright light in this dark world, stand up when storms come, and step up to receive God's eternal reward. Jesus calls us to be all-in, holding nothing back. You will never be the same This book also offers a unique study guide based on the WISDOM Process for your own study, and for small groups who want to read the book together to explore Jesus' longest address.

In this crazy world it can seem like God is far off or indifferent. His failure to act makes no sense. Why do some people prosper and other people suffer? By unpacking each chapter of Habakkuk, Miller helps us see that when life is shaking you like a leaf in a storm, you can hold on to the unshakeable God who controls the storm. Listen in on a perplexed prophet's intense interchange with God himself. In the face of injustice and violence, Habakkuk cries out, "WHY?" Journey with the prophet-from confusion to confidence-from frustration-driven questions to faith-filled declarations-from interrogating God to praising God-from anguish to adorationMiller writes as a pastor-theologian, relying on world-class scholarship, which he presents in a way the average person can grasp and yet be challenged to learn and grow in Christ. He uses The WISDOM Process(c), a six-step innovative learning approach that helps a group engage the Word of God in a transforming way. Your group will never be the same.

If you are facing pressure in your workplace, if you think your world is coming apart, Daniel has some perspective for you. If you feel like you are being thrown to the lions, he has been there. This fresh look at the book of Daniel shows us that the key to living a less stressful life in a sinful world is a more complete view of our awesome God. When your vision of God expands, you will be better able to handle whatever chaos life throws your way.

A gentle new way for church leader’s to survive stress and burnout Bruce Miller debunks the idea of balance—basically trying to have it all, all the time. Most churches and their pastors try to do everything at once and feel guilty if any one aspect (worship, ministries, outreach, etc.) is neglected. He replaces the exhausting concept of balance with the idea of rhythm: churches, like people, need to give attention to different programs and ministries at different times, basically by attending to their seasons and cycles. Offers an innovative new model for church leadersMiller has been influential in the formation and promotion of “Church-Based Training” as in international movementOffers a proven method for avoiding burnout for church leaders and members by doing the right things at the right time The author offers much-need help to overwhelmed leaders and shows them how to apply Miller’s seasonal/cyclical approach to church life.