Bøger af Mark Sayers

How a church disappears . . .For the many Christians sold on proving 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.Why does the Western church look so much like the world?Why are many of my friends leaving the faith?How can we get back to our roots?Disappearing Church will help you with questions like these and guide 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 . . ."

What if what looks like decline in the church is actually the beginning of a spiritual reawakening?For decades, we Westerners set our hopes on technology, politics, and the appearance of peace. We wanted to believe we were headed somewhere better--that progress was happening. But now as our technology ensnares and isolates us, our politics threaten to tear us apart, and mass violence becomes alarmingly normative, people are understandably distressed. But throughout history these periods of decline traditionally precede powerful spiritual renewal--and even revival. What if all the bad news in this world is actually good news for the church? Discover why there's reason to be wildly hopeful and how to prepare yourself and your church to be a part of renewal now and in the future.

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.

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 the heroic, 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, into 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.

We follow the culture of the road because it is everywhere.There's no shortage of prescriptions for restlessness out there: Seek adventure. Live your life. Don't hold back.Sound familiar?Like the characters in a Jack Kerouac novel, we've dirtied the dream of white picket fences with exhaust fumes. The new dream is the open road--and freedom. Yet we still desire the solace of faith. We like the concept of the sacred, but unwittingly subscribe to secularized, westernized spirituality. We're convinced that there is a deeper plot to this thing called life, yet watered-down, therapeutic forms of religion are all we choose to swallow, and our personal story trumps any larger narrative.This is the non-committal culture of the road. Though driving on freely, we have forgotten where we're headed. Jesus said His road is narrow. He wasn't some aimless nomad. He had more than just a half tank of gas - He had passion, objectives, and a destination. Do you?

In The Trouble With Paris, pastor Mark Sayers shows us how the lifestyles of most young adults (19-35) actually work against a life of meaning and happiness to sabotage their faith. Sayers shows how a fresh understanding of God's intention for our world is the true path to happiness, fulfillment, and meaning.