Mark Sayers

"In the kingdom of God, if servanthood is beneath you, leadership is beyond you." The church has been in crisis for too long. From high-profile cases of abuse to the post-Christian culture of self-love, the decline of Christianity in the West seemed like an inevitability. But that decline isn’t happening. Instead, there is hope. Real hope. People are quietly returning to church, reading the Bible and turning to prayer. They are looking for God – seeking him with all their hearts. This astonishing reversal, this quiet revival needs a new kind of leader with a new approach – one that is transparent, authentic and welcoming to the lost. Amazingly, a new brand of leader has been quietly emerging from the ashes and rubble, as if in readiness. These leaders are hungry, holy and humble, answering the call to return to the cruciform way – a leadership style rooted in humility; in the sacrificial, cross-shaped example of Jesus. Alain Emerson, with encouragement and discernment, offers strategic guidance and the practical tools for these new leaders to be part of this exciting change. From the author of the raw and profound Luminous Dark comes this hard-hitting new book on biblical leadership in the Church. Our leaders should mimic the character and example of Jesus, who gives us a servant-hearted understanding of ministry, and the early apostles, in the ways they strove to lead the early church in unity and humility. With unapologetic sincerity, Alain lays bare the failings at the heart of the Church and points to the solution – cruciform leadership.

A biblical response to living in a platform society. Platform: A mentality, a way of approaching life, which promises to reinforce our uniqueness, deliver on our desires, and offer validation and visibility. A platform society emphasizes individualism and performance. It's rooted in the belief that self and personal desires are preeminent. In Platforms to Pillars, cultural expert Mark Sayers explores how platform mentality is misshaping our contemporary world and contrasts this to the biblical call of Christians to live as pillars. By looking at the ancient world--a world remarkably similar to our own--Sayers explores the flaws of a platform society. Sayers takes a deep dive into the influence and allure of digital platforms on individuals and society, and he invites readers to envision a legacy that lives beyond themselves. Like columns in buildings, human pillars provide support and strength. They work together to create space for others, partnering with God as He advances His kingdom in the world. Human pillars fortify and protect community through virtue and character and pass these values to others. Sayers shows us how to delight in God's presence, enjoying the freedom that flows from belonging to Him. A much-needed corrective, Platforms to Pillars models a biblical and better way for Christians to live.

Take a faith of leap and become the good-news person God created you to be. In a volatile world, it's tempting to cling to safety and control whenever we can. But when we apply this to our lives as disciples, we miss the simple fact that faith involves risk. In this revised edition of The Faith of Leap, Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch urge a new generation to break free from the constraints of a risk-averse Christianity, embrace the unknown, and rediscover the exhilarating adventure of following Jesus. With a blend of theological reflection, practical guidance, and inspiring stories, this book equips believers to shake off mediocrity and become communal, courageous missional disciples who are ready to shape the future of the church and impact their communities.

For much of recent history individuals and institutions could plan, execute, and flourish with their visions of a better world. Volatile, complex forces could be addressed and confronted with planning and management. But crisis is a great revealer. It knocks us off our thrones. It uncovers the weaknesses in our strategies and brings to light our myths and idols. Our past strategies run aground, smashed by unpredictable and chaotic waves. Yet in the midst of the chaos of a crisis comes opportunity. The history of the church tells us that crisis always precedes renewal, and the framework of renewal offers us new ways forward. A Non-Anxious Presence shows how that renewal happens and offers churches and leaders strategic ways to awaken the Church and see our culture changed for Christ.

When church and culture look the same... For the many Christians eager to prove we can be both holy and cool, cultural pressures are too much. We either compartmentalize our faith or drift from it altogether--into a world that's so alluring. Have you wondered lately: Why does the Western church look so much like the world? Why are so many of my friends leaving the faith? How can we get back to our roots? Disappearing Church will help you sort through concerns like these, guiding you in a thoughtful, faithful, and hopeful response. Weaving together art, history, and theology, pastor and cultural observer Mark Sayers reminds us that real growth happens when the church embraces its countercultural witness, not when it blends in. It's like Jesus said long ago, "If the salt loses its saltiness, it is no longer good for anything..."

There are two styles of leadership at war in the world. On one side the mechanical leader casts a vision of heroic action aided by pragmatism, reason, technology, and power. On the other side the organic leader strives to bring forth creativity, defying convention, and relishing life in culture's margins. This leadership battle is at the heart of our contemporary culture, but it is also an ancient battle. It is the reinvocation of two great heresies, one rooted in an attempt to reach for godlikeness, the other bowing before the sea monster of the chaotic deep. Today's leader must answer many challenging questions including: What does it mean to lead in a cultural storm? How do I battle the darkness in my own heart? Is there such a thing as a perfect leader? Weaving a history of leadership through the Enlightenment, Romanticism, tumultuous 19th-century Paris, and eventually World War II, cultural commentator Mark Sayers brings history and theology together to warn of the dangers yet to come, calling us to choose a better way.