Devotionals

Resource	Description
	This is our own devotional written written in a style which we hope will encourage thought and conversation. "In a world that screams "look at me," the Frye Family offers a different message; "Look to Jesus." Whether it's seeing beyond your fears, societal norms, or the seemingly constant change that can so easily distract us from that which is truly important, 101 Devotions for Busy Families will serve as a practical reminder of the importance of faith and family. Tom encourages us to love God and our families ... with scripture as our guide.”... I encourage all to ponder the thoughts that Tom has to offer. —Mary Beth Chapman, author of Choosing to See This book is a great guide to diving into your own history and finding where the seeds of redemption have been sown in it. --Andrew Osenga, formerly of Caedmon’s Call.
	We used both of the following two devotionals when our children were young. These were great to help establish family devotions as part of our normal family routine. It addressed many situations which are common to both children and adults alike and served as a great tool to stimulate discussion.
	Do 6 to 10 year olds face tough choices? You bet they do! Based on the popular original title Sticky Situations, this “little brother” edition includes 365 daily devotionals specifically targeted to younger kids. The situations are familiar―pressure from an older sibling, fears, need for compassion, and finances―but the kids and the solutions focus on younger readers. Kids will look forward to reading the true-to-life stories, Scripture verses, and fun activities that await them each day.

Worship

Resource	Description
	This is a book full of great information for any pastoral staff who has a hand in planning worship services. Professor Constance Cherry unpacks much of the scripture and history behind the importance of the various aspects of our Christian worship services. There are many books available on the topic of worship today, but few provide a comprehensive, practical method for worship design. Constance M. Cherry, a worship professor and practitioner, provides worship leaders with credible blueprint plans for successfully designing worship services that foster meaningful conversation with God and the gathered community. Readers will learn how to create services that are faithful to Scripture, historically conscious, relevant to God, Christ-centered, and engaging for worshipers of all ages in the twenty-first century. The book sets forth basic principles concerning worship design and demonstrates how these principles are conducive to virtually any style of worship practiced today in a myriad of Christian communities. It will also work well as a guide for worship-planning teams in local churches and provide insight for worship students, pastors, and church leaders involved in congregational worship.
	A very helpful book for any pastoral team who maybe leading their congregation through change, especially changing from a traditional style to a more contemporary style of worship. Contemporary worship continues to gain strength as the form of worship of choice for many churches across the country. The Art of Worship is a complete resource to which a musician or pastor can turn when asked to lead contemporary music. It provides in-depth instruction to every aspect of contemporary worship leadership--from assembling the team to choosing the music to conducting rehearsals. Author Greg Scheer takes a balanced, holistic approach, embracing the contemporary style without denying older traditions and encouraging excellence without ignoring the realities of the local church context. Worship team leaders, musicians, and pastors looking for a quality, comprehensive resource need look no further.
These next three books are must haves for any worship leader. They offer helpful insights into the personalities, beauty, and struggles of those with an artistic bent. Helpful in leading worship teams in devotions, and dealing with the conflicts that can naturally arise among artists in a healthy way. Rory Noland is director of Heart of the Artist Ministries (www.heartoftheartist.org), an organization dedicated to turning teams of church artists into communities of grace. A composer songwriter, author, and speaker, Rory is a graduate of the Chicago Musical College at Roosevelt University and served for twenty years as music director at Willow Creek Community Church.
	Over 100,000 sold •Great for individuals and teams •Includes provocative discussion questions “I wish I had your gift!” How do you handle those words as a creative artist? Somewhere between pride and self-abasement lies true humility—just one aspect of the balanced character God wants to instill in you as an actor, a musician, a visual artist, or other creative person involved in ministry. God is interested in your art and your heart. The Heart of the Artist deals head-on with issues every person in an arts ministry faces: •Servanthood Versus Stardom •Excellence Versus Perfectionism •The Spiritual Disciplines of the Artist •The Artist in Community . . . and more The Heart of the Artist will give you a better understanding of yourself and your unique place in the body of Christ. You’ll find wisdom and encouragement that can help you survive the challenges and reap the rich joys of a ministry in the creative arts. “Breathtakingly personal, practical, and poignant.”—Timothy Tien, New York, New York. “I am better for having applied these principles. . . . A must-read for church staff, creative types, growing Christians, human beings.”—Rev. Ginny Allen, Jackson, Mississippi “Rory Noland pinpoints issues that often arise in the life of the artist, and gives good, biblical solutions. A must-have for Christian artists in any field.”—Tom Hinkle, Tulsa, Oklahoma
	• Great for individual or group use • Includes provocative discussion questions and practical action steps • Features four-color art plates and literary quotes It’s not easy being an Artist in the church. But whatever your passion—music, visual art, drama, dance, writing, technical arts—you can not only survive, but thrive. And the rewards far outweigh the pressures of weekly services, artistic differences, and relational conflicts. After all, where else could you consistently make a contribution of eternal significance, experience deep community with other artists, and grow closer to God as a result? Thriving as an Artist in the Church is a practical guide, full of wisdom and pastoral guidance, that will help you surmount the obstacles and flourish in your ministry. It’s packed with examples, discussion questions, personal action steps, and mega-doses of encouragement. Most important, it tackles the real-life issues every artist in the church has to deal with: • Sustaining passion • Developing key relational skills • Dealing with rejection and failure • Cultivating confidence • Resolving artistic differences • And much more! Written by an artist for artists, this book will help make your ministry experience sustainable and life-giving so you can fall in love with the church all over again.
	Whether you serve as a vocalist, instrumentalist, technician, dancer, actor, or in some other role, you know what a blessing it is to serve on your church’s worship team. But you also know that some days you’re more technically prepared than you are spiritually prepared for the ministry of leading others in worship. In the midst of rehearsals, setup, and myriad distractions, not to mention the busyness of daily life, it’s easy to miss the forest for the trees. How can you and your fellow team members be prepared to worship in spirit and truth as well as lead others in worship with integrity? With thirty years of experience in worship leading, Rory Noland knows the issues—in both the private life of the worship team member and the public ministry of a worship team. In this readable book, he offers practical insights on how to • Grow as a private worshiper • Encounter the character of God during worship • Respond to the character of God during worship • Be transformed by the character of God • Learn from ancient worship leaders … and more. So relevant you’ll think the author was eavesdropping on your last church service, The Worshiping Artist is ideal to read either by yourself or as a team.
	One of our most beloved and influential worship writers, Paul Baloche opens up his servants heart to once again disciple worship leaders. This time those who wish to explore the world of writing worship music. (Integrity). This instructional book by songwriters Paul Baloche and Jimmy & Carol Owens covers basic songwriting principles like how to develop a song after inspiration comes, 30 characteristics that make a song memorable, 16 shared qualities of great worship songs and 12 keys to unlock writer's block. You will also learn how to gain the listener's attention quickly, find fresh ways of expressing worship and choose just the right words. God Songs also contains advice on how to make your song its best before releasing it, how to get your songs heard and used by others, and ways to minister most effectively with your music. Song stories and advice from writers and publishers such as Darlene Zschech, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Bart Millard, Craig Dunnagan and Rita Baloche are also included.

Biographies

Resource	Description
	Rich Mullins was an enigma, he was gifted and careless, he was passionate and reckless, he was flawed and yet uninhibited by his short-comings, he was a man with many questions and hang-ups and yet he was a passionate pursuer of Jesus. You don’t have to be a fan of Rich’s to be inspired by his story, but by reading his story you may just become a fan. During his life, Rich Mullins challenged the sensibilities of what it means to follow Jesus in today's world, and now in his death, he challenges all to build upon his legacy of joy, compassion, brokenness, unblinking honesty, and wonder of an Awesome God.
	Through the Eyes of a Ragamuffin A must for any Rich Mullins Fan. Rich Mullins was more than a musician. He was a poet and thinker who left behind a timeless legacy. As a columnist for Release magazine for nearly six years, Rich shared his musings on faith and life, conveying the wonder and awesomeness of his God with the same depth and simplicity that characterized his music. The World As I Remember It is a collection of these personal writings, complemented by striking photography and some of Rich's most memorable quotations. This one-of-a-kind collection will be cherished not only by his fans, but by anyone who appreciates fresh, deep spiritual nourishment.
	While it is not a book, we had to recommend this inspiring story about the life of Rich Mullins.
	Dr. Wess Stafford, President Emeritus of Compassion International shares his personal story of pain and triumph and the lessons he took from them to become a well respected advocate for impoverished children everywhere. Too Small to Ignore will encourage you to turn your good, loving intentions into strategic actions and empower you to help change the world–and the future–forever, one child at a time. The time has come for a major paradigm shift: Children are too important and too intensely loved by God to be left behind or left to chance. Children belong to all of us and we are compelled to intervene on their behalf. We must invest in children all across the world. In Too Small to Ignore, Dr. Stafford issues an urgent call for change. His adventures as a boy raised in a West African village provide an often-humorous and always-captivating backdrop to his profound and inspiring challenges. Wess lived the reality of “it takes a village to raise a child” and calls us to “be that loving village for children everywhere.”
	An inspiring true-story that can only be described as miraculous from a personal friend our ours. Tony Mellencamp awakened one morning, prepared for work and looked forward to voting in a primary election, of which he is was a candidate. He soon found out how lives can be turned upside down in an instant when his wife suddenly began seizing and stopped breathing.