Great ideas and programs do not build churches. God does this through People. People empowered by the Holy Spirit and faithfully committed to the Lord Jesus Christ are the backbone of the church. People who serve at every capacity within a local church cannot solely depend on the messages of a faithful Pastor for training and development in their specific ministries. This page is designed to suggest trusted materials and web sites for those serving in a local evangelical Bible believing church. These suggested resources will be presented under different Categories for ease of use and to help you find the best training materials for your ministry.

The prices stated below for recommended books are either from
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/
or from Christian Book Distributors (CBD)   http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/home

1. Church Growth and Development

1.1 The Malphurs Group    http://www.malphursgroup.com/index.html

Dr. Aubrey Malphurs is Professor of Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary and the founder of  The Malphurs Group which assists churches facing growth challenges. Dr. Malphrus has written several books that would be of benefit to any church and a needed addition to the home or church library.

Selected books by Dr. Aubrey Malphurs for Church Leadership:
Malphurs, Aubrey. Leading Leaders: Empowering Church Boards for Ministry Excellence. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Co. 2005. 256 pp. ISBN 0801091780 $12.91 at Amazon

Malphurs, Aubrey. Building Leaders: Blueprints for Developing Leadership at Every Level of Your Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Co. 2004. 288 pp. ISBN 0801091713 $13.48 at Amazon

Malphurs, Aubrey. Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Co. 2003. 240 pp. ISBN 0801091438 $12.40 at Amazon

Malphurs, Aubrey. Contemporary Handbook: Weddings & Funerals. 3rd Edition. Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic & Professional. 2003. 368 pp. ISBN 0825431867 $12.06 at Amazon

Malphurs, Aubrey. Ministry Nuts & Bolts: What They Don’t Teach Pastors in Seminary. 4th Edition. Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic & Professional. 1998 192 pp. ISBN 0825431905 $10.19 at Amazon

1.2   9 Marks    http://www.9marks.org/

Dr. Mark Dever is Senior Pastor at Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC and founder of 9 Marks which is an on-line ministry to pastors featuring audio and printed materials. Interviews with church leaders and scholars are a treasured resource of this site which will benefit all who listen in.

Dr. Dever is also a part of the “Together for the Gospel” team. See:  http://blog.togetherforthegospel.org/
This team includes Dr. Al Mohler Jr. President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ; Dr. Ligon Duncan, Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson Mississippi; C. J. Mahaney, President of Sovereign Grace Ministries; and Dr Mark Dever.

See also the Capital Hill Baptist Church web site for many excellent audio and printed resources:  http://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/

Selected books by Dr. Mark Dever for Church Leadership:
Dever, Mark. The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel. Wheaton: Crossway Books. 2005. 224 pp. ISBN 1581347383 $10.64 at Amazon

Dever, Mark. Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. Wheaton: Crossway Books. 2004. 288 pp. ISBN 158134631X $11.35 at Amazon

1.3 Church Growth Network     http://www.churchgrowthnetwork.com

Dr. Gary L. McIntosh From Talbot School of Theology Website:
As a professor of pastoral ministry, Dr. McIntosh is keenly interested in assisting the pastor to refine his skills. He is a church growth expert who has examined the issue from a variety of perspectives, and edits the Church Growth Network newsletter and the Journal of the American Society for Church Growth. Dr. McIntosh conducts seminars in local churches on the subject of church growth and pastoral leadership. He has published over 100 articles and reviews in Christian magazines and theological journals. He is the author of 13 books including: One Size Doesn't Fit All; One Church, Four Generations; Staff Your Church for Growth; and Biblical Church Growth.

Selected Books by Dr. Gary L. McIntosh on Church Growth:
McIntosh, Gary L. Beyond the First Visit: The Complete Guide to Connecting Guests to Your Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Co. 2006. 192pp. ISBN 0801091845 $11.99 at CBD

McIntosh, Gary L. Biblical Church Growth. Grand Rapids: Baker Bool House Co. 2003. 192pp. ISBN 080109156X $11.99 at CBD

McIntosh, Gary L. Church That Works. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Co. 2004. 272 pp. ISBN 0801091616 $12.99 at CBD

McIntosh, Gary L. One Church, Four Generations: Understanding and Reaching all Ages in Your Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Co. 2002. 256 pp. ISBN 0801091373 $12.99 at CBD

McIntosh, Gary L. One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Bringing Out the Best in Any Size Church. Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell Publlishers. 1999. 176 pp. ISBN 0800756991 $11.99 at CBD

McIntosh, Gary L. Staff Your Church for Growth. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Co. 2000. 208pp. ISBN 0801090954 $11.99 at CBD

2. Elders and Deacons

This is the most referenced book on Biblical Eldership:
Strauch, Alexander.  Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership. Revised Edition. Colorado Springs: Lewis & Roth Publishers. 1995. 337 pp. ISBN 0936083115 $12.06 at Amazon

A condensed version of this book can be found on many Websites. Use a Google search.

Other Selected Books by Alexander Strauch:

Strauch, Alexander. The Study Guide to Biblical Eldership. Colorado Springs: Lewis & Roth Publishers. Spiral Edition. 1997. 168 pp. ISBN 0936083131 $13.59 at Amazon

Strauch, Alexander. The Mentor’s Guide to Biblical Eldership: Twelve Lessons for Mentoring Men to Eldership. Colorado Springs: Lewis & Roth Publishers. 1997. 194 pp. ISBN 0936083123 $14.19 at Amazon

Strauch, Alexander. The New Testament Deacon: The Church’s Minister of Mercy. Colorado Springs: Lewis & Roth Publishers. 1992. 191 pp. ISBN 0936083077 $9.12 at Amazon

Strauch, Alexander. The New Testament Deacon: Study Guide. Colorado Springs: Lewis & Roth Publishers. 1995. 96 pp. ISBN 0936083107 $6.99 at Amazon

Other resources from Alexander Srauch can be found on the Lewis & Roth Publishers Web Site:  http://www.lewisandroth.com/index.html
Statement from the Lewis & Roth Publishers Website:
Lewis & Roth Publishers exists to make Bible-centered resources and training available to the local church for the purpose of equipping elders, deacons, and other leaders to model spiritual maturity, provide spiritual leadership, and cultivate both in others.

Other Publications for Elders and Deacons:

Getz, Gene A. Elders & Leaders: God’s Plan for Leading the Church. Chicago: Moody Publishers. 2003. 256 pp. ISBN 080241057X $12.99 at CBD

Newton, Phil A. Elders in Congregational Life: Discovering the Biblical Model for Church Leadership. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. 2005. 176 pp. ISBN 0825433312 $10.99 at CBD

Webb, Henry. Deacons: Servant Models in the Church. Updated Edition. Nashville: Broadman & Holman. 2001.
127 pp. ISBN 0805424636 $8.99 at CBD

Adams, Jay. Handbook of Church Discipline. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corp. 1986. 128 pp. ISBN 0310511917 $11.99 at CBD

An excellent printed on-line resource is the Biblical Eldership Seminar presented by Dr. John Piper. See Biblical Eldership Seminar under Seminars in the Resource Library heading on the Desiring God Website: http://www.desiringgod.org/

3. Teaching Ministries

3.1 Curriculum Resources:

Cook Ministries Web Site:   http://www.cookministries.com
Cook Ministries has perhaps the most extensive curriculum resources for those teaching in a Church School. Curriculum titles include well known favorites such as: David C. Cook, Scripture Press, Godprints, Echoes, Accents and Reformation Press. This is a on-line retailer featuring many worthwhile resources for those teaching pre-school to adults.

Gospel Light Web Site:   http://www.gospellight.com/

Gospel Light Sunday School Curriculum has been a standard source for excellent teaching materials for those teaching pre-school to grade 6.

Standard Publishing Web Site:   http://www.standardpub.com/
Standard Publishing provides curriculum materials for teachers in a Christian day school program.

Christian Ed Warehouse    http://www.christianedwarehouse.com
Christian Ed Warehouse is another mega-site for Sunday School, VBS, Christian Club and Christian Education teaching resources. Most of the major curriculum publishers are represented on this Site.

3.2 Seniors Ministry

McIntosh, Gary L. One Church, Four Generations: Understanding and Reaching all Ages in Your Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Co. 2002. 256 pp. ISBN 0801091373 $12.99 at CBD

Miller, Paul, Editor. Senior Adult Program Builder. Kansas City: Lillenas Publishing Company.
-Program Builder No. 1: 1985. ISBN 0834196328 $5.49 at CBD
-Program Builder No. 2: 1992. ISBN 0834198274 $4.99 at CBD
-Program Builder No. 3: 1996. ISBN 0834194430 $5.49 at CBD

3.3 Teaching Adults Helpful Books about Teaching Adults:
(Alphabetical list by Author):

Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All its Worth. 2nd Edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corp. 1993. 272 pp. ISBN 0310384915 $11.55 at Amazon

Ford, Leroy. Design for Teaching and Training: A Self-Study Guide for Lesson Planning. Eugene OR: Wifp & Stock Publishers. 2002. 390 pp. ISBN 1579109918 $40.00 at Amazon

Hendricks, Howard. Teaching to Save Lives: Seven Proven Ways to Make Your Teaching Come Alive. Reprint Edition. Colorado Springs: Multnomah Publishers. 2003. 160 pp. ISBN 1590521382 $10.39 at CBD

Hendricks, Howard and William Hendricks. Living By The Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible. Paperback Edition. Chicago: Moody Publishers. 2007. 400 pp. ISBN 0802408230 $12.91 at Amazon

Hunt, Josh and Larry Mays. Disciple Making Teachers. Loveland CO: Group Publishing. 1997. 124 pp. ISBN 0764420313 $12.23 at Amazon

LeFever, Marlene D. Creative Teaching Methods. Colorado Springs: Cook Communications. 1996 305 pp. ISBN 0781452562 $14.19 at Amazon

Richards, Lawrence O. and Gary J. Bredfelt. Creative Bible Teaching. Revised Edition. Chicago: Moody Publishers. 1996. 342 pp. ISBN 0802416446 $23.99 at CBD

Yount, William R. Called to Teach: An Introduction to the Ministry of Teaching. Nashville: Broadman & Holman. 1999. 244 pp. ISBN 0805411992 $17.24 at Amazon

Zuck, Roy B. Spirit Filled Teaching. Nashville: Word Publishing. 1998. 202 pp. ISBN 0849915600 $9.99 at CBD

Zuck, Roy B. Teaching as Jesus Taught. Eugene OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers. 2002. 362 pp. ISBN 1579108628 $35.00 at Amazon

Video on Teaching Adults: Towns, Elmer L. How to Study and Teach the Bible. Video Curriculum. Gospel Light. 1996 VHS & DVD. UPC 0607135000679 $29.95 at CBD

3.4 Teaching Youth (Teens)

Online Resources for ministering to Youth:
Son Life:    http://www.sonlife.com
Youth Specialties:  http://www.youthspecialties.com

Helpful Books about Teaching Youth (Teens):
Alphabetical list by Author:

An extensive list of published resources for youth ministry is available from Youth Ministry Institute:
  http://www.youthministryinstitute.org/  
The list is available in pdf format from this source:   http://www.youthministryinstitute.org/bibliography.pdf

Dean, Kenda C. and Dave Rhan. Starting Right: Thinking Theologically About Youth Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corp. 2001. 304 pp. ISBN 0310234069 $24.99 at CBD

Dean, Kenda C. Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2004. 288 pp. ISBN 0802847129 $14.99 at CBD

Fields, Doug. Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corp. 1998. 390 pp. ISBN 0310212537 $12.99 at CBD

Higgs, Mike. Youth Ministry from the Inside Out: Who You Are Shapes What You Do. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press. 2003. 158 pp. ISBN 0830823999 $9.99 at CBD

Lambert, Dan. Creative Teaching That Changes Lives: How to Teach Teens for Holistic Impact. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corp. 2004. 272 pp. ISBN 0310252474 $24.99 at CBD

Reid, Alvin L. Raising the Bar: Ministry to Youth in the New Millennium. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. 2004. 176 pp. ISBN 082543632X $9.99 at CBD

Robbins, Duffy. This Way to Youth Ministry: An Introduction to Adventure. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corp. 2004. 656 pp. ISBN 0310248698 $29.99 at CBD

Strommen, Merton P., Karen E. Jones, Dave Rahn. Youth Ministry That Transforms: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Hopes, Frustrations and Effectiveness of Today’s Youth Workers. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corp. 2001. 256 pp. ISBN 031023820X $14.99 at CBD

3.5 Teaching Children

Recommended Online Resources:

International Network of Children’s Ministry:   http://www.incm.org/
Groups Publishing - Children’s Ministry:   http://www.childrensministry.com/
Children’s Ministry. Net:   http://www.childrensministry.net/
Kids Sunday School Place:   http://www.childrensministry.net/

Helpful Books about Teaching Children:
Alphabetical list by Author:

Dunlop, Cheryl. Follow Me As I Follow Christ: A Guide to Teaching Children in a Church Setting. Chicago: Moody Publishers. 2000. 208 pp. ISBN 0802410944 $11.24 at Amazon

Feazell, Victoria. An Introduction to Children’s Ministry. 1996. Online Publication from the
Christian Odyssey.org Web Site:   http://www.christianodyssey.org/children/childrensmin.htm

Fowler, Larry. Rock-Solid Kids: Giving Children a Biblical Foundation for Life. Gospel Light Publications. 2004. 142 pp. ISBN 0830737138 $12.99 at CBD

Price, Max. Help! I Teach Children’s Sunday School. Macon GA: Smyth/Helwys Publishing. 2003. 128 pp. ISBN 1573124117 $12.00 at CBD

Tolbert, La Verne. Teaching Like Jesus: A Practical Guide to Christian Education in Your Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corp. 2000. 240 pp. ISBN 0310223474 $11.04 at Amazon

Trent, John, Rick Osborne and Kurt B. Bruner. Editors. A Parents Guide to the Spiritual Growth of Children. Carol Stream IL: Tyndale House Publishers. 2003. 451 pp. ISBN 1589971434 $16.99 at CBD. Audio Cassette Version also available

Trent, John, Rick Osborne and Kurt B. Bruner. Editors. Teaching Kids About God. Carol Stream IL: Tyndale House Publishers. 2003. 181 pp. ISBN 0842376798 $8.99 at CBD

Wamberg, Steve, John Conaway and H. Norman Wright. Faith Teaching. David C. Cook Publishing Company. 2000. 141 pp. ISBN 0781455863 $8.99 at Cook Communication Ministries