Bøger af Sean Benesh

The Bikeable Church: A Bicyclist's Guide to Church Planting is an off-the-cuff look and exploration into the bicycling world in Portland. More than that, it pokes and prods church planting in the urban petri dish to discover what it'd be like to plant pedal-powered churches. Chalked full of stories, antics, and slightly questionable research, The Bikeable Church spins forward the church planting revolution in light of the changing transportation infrastructure in cities like Portland, and asks whether we can truly start churches where the primary vehicle of use is the bicycle. This book is for the everyday bicyclist and ordinary church planter. You'll be happy to hear that no spandex was worn for the writing of this book.

I've had more awkward and uncomfortable conversations with church planters than I can count. Often times we're sitting in a coffee shop where in hushed tones we talk about the kinds of topics that everyone knows about ... but no one really wants to say out loud. These are the elephant-in-the-room types of conversations. You don't hear these questions and topics in typical denominational meetings, church planting conferences, network meetings, and more. Questions like ... Why do white church planters get more funding than minority planters? Why do church planters avoid low-income communities as a whole and instead plant in hip gentrified neighborhoods or nice suburbs? Why do most church planters fail (even though we're told otherwise)? Why is there so much competition between church planters over fundraising and resources? Why do church planters succumb to celebrity culture? Why? AWKRD was written in order to bring to light the kinds of conversations we're all having ... but no one says out loud publicly. It is time. I invite you into the conversation. Let's make a commitment to say these things out loud so we can change them ... for the betterment of our communities and the furtherance of the gospel

How do you land on a startup idea? When there are endless ideas and opportunities around ... how can you cut through the noise and pick one? Does it feel overwhelming? Rest assured. You're a lot closer than you realize. Finding Your Flow was written as a guide book to help you navigate the terrain of startups. More importantly, to help you uncover your own journey. To see that throughout your life there have been signs leading you along to help you determine what to start. This book not only helps you uncover those trail markers, but shares a map of your own startup adventure. Sometimes the way forward begins with assessing who you are, where you've come from, what you're good at, and what you're passionate about and interested in. All of those point to what to start ...

We desperately need more pastors and churches as Christianity continues to disintegrate in the United States and Europe. At the very same time, the old pools of resources are drying up and the antiquated systems of supporting emerging leaders are becoming less and less accessible. How do those who sense a call from God to ministry move forward in the face of these realities?Many pastors and ministry leaders have begun to do ministry part-time. In some circles the co-vocational ministry movement is being pumped up as the next new thing. To others, working a job outside of ministry feels like failure, or at best, a necessary evil. But in all circles, part-time pastoring is on the rise.Andy and Sean are not new to this conversation. They have been living the bi-vocational life for much of their ministry careers. In this little book you'll find their stories, reflections, lessons learned, and encouragements for those considering part-time pastoring themselves. Whether you are moving toward Christian leadership, making a career change, or supporting someone who is, you'll find Part-Time Pastoring to be a helpful invitation to consider the possibilities, the pitfalls, and God's faithfulness amidst it all.

What happened to the adventure of church planting? It has been taken out of the hands of the pioneers and explorers and placed into the hands of bureaucrats and people who love spreadsheets. It was tamed. Neutered. Domesticated. Where are the days when it was led by explorers, pioneers, and misfits? Through Barren Wastelands is a ministry travel journal of sorts that details the search for these long lost figures.

Calling and vocation are elusive terms shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Who's called? What does calling mean? How is calling and vocation interrelated? Are only paid ministry professionals called? The Adventure of Vocation addresses these topics and more as it offers you a trail map for navigating this terrain. Together we'll set off on this adventure as we explore the connection between calling, place, and identity.

What role does the church play in shaping the built environment of the city? Or does it? Blueprints for a Just City is an exploratory journey looking at the ways in which God's people have played a pivotal role in not only influencing life in the city, but in the actual built environment as well. Together we will delve into the parameters of the Gospel, the role of common grace in the city, and God's involvement in shaping urban form. If God's heartbeat is for justice and equity, as part of the Gospel story, how then does the church immerse itself into the city influencing and shaping the built environment? The outcome of Blueprints for a Just City is to collect and synthesize blueprints for what a just and equitable city can look like when marked by the Gospel.

As the tide has turned and a wave of church planters have washed up on the shorelines of city centers many are learning to navigate the intricacies of urban life for the first time. Many of today's North American church planters are migrating in from the suburbs, smaller cities, and rural towns as they are confronted with a culture, lifestyle, and built environment that is more foreign than they thought ... or would admit. What do church planters need to know about the city in order to be effective? Exegeting the City was written for you, the church planter, to expand your understanding of the city. This will aid you in the process of contextualization as you discern how to embody, teach, and proclaim the Gospel in the city. Besides, your city needs you to do this. Throughout the book you will be exposed to different trends that are reshaping the city both in culture and urban form. This in turn influences how people experience and live in the city which then has direct bearing in how you plant a church. Exegeting the city today is of critical importance.

Many people feel stuck at their jobs. It's not what they thought it would be when they entered their careers. Now what? How do you pivot? What do you pivot to? Many are embarking on the road to launching a startup. However, the idea and task of establishing something from scratch are daunting and overwhelming. Where to even begin?Ten Low-Cost / No-Cost Startup Ideas to Help You Ditch Your Day Job was written to help give you ideas and inspiration that you can do this! Ten ideas. That's it. They are enough to stimulate your thinking and imagination. Starting a new business or non-profit is about finding the meaning, purpose, and lifestyle you want to live. Let's journey together.

Often times books on theology offer a map of sorts of territory explored. There's a finality. "X" marks the spot. Treasure found. We know from church history that most of theology was hammered on the anvil of life and ministry as we sorted out what we believe and why. This happens as we're confronted with new territory and reality. On the Backside of the Desert is a theology book. In particular, a theology of church planting. Too often, books on church planting are how-to's, techniques, models, and success stories. Instead, we're starting from the beginning. The foundation. The origin story of church planting. Throughout On the Backside of the Desert, we'll together explore different doctrines as we map out a theology of church planting. The goal is to inform the what, how, and why of church planting. Theological foundation plus cultural exegesis and contextualization then leads to application.

As city centers become more revitalized, desirable, hip, and trendy, there is a wave of new church planters moving in. A direct correlation can be seen between the "livability" of a place and the number of new churches planted there. But should the driving goal of church planters be to move and plant the Gospel in cities and neighborhoods that are deemed desirable? What about uncool paces? What about the urban hinterlands? Benesh includes frank confession and discussion about motives in church planting, the value of place, ministry calling, and personal identity. He also challenges prevailing perceptions of what makes a city livable.

Often times the Bible is associated with rural pastoral settings. The Israelites wandering in the desert wilderness living in tents, David playing his harp for sheep out in the pasture, and Jesus strolling along dusty roads between remote villages. But what if I told you that the Bible is an urban book and that the center stage for where the drama of biblical events played out was truly the city? Starting in Genesis, all of the way to the end of the Bible in Revelation, the whole trajectory of humanity and the focal point for the Missio Dei was and is urban and not rural. When Jesus erupted into history through the womb of a teenager he lived in the most urban region in the world. The early church was birthed in the city and spread to the largest most influential cosmopolitan urban centers of the day. For the first-century Christian, to be a follower of Jesus was synonymous with being an urbanite. The Urbanity of the Bible explores the urban nature of the Bible and displays the urban trajectory of the Missio Dei. The city was and is a dominant theme of the setting, backdrop, and purposes of God throughout history. As the world today has flooded to the cities this book is good news. We were meant to live in the city.

As the world hurtles towards urbanization at an ever-increasing pace, there arises the need for further theological reflection on the city. Globalization, international immigration, and densification in cities are having a transformative impact on the urban landscape. Urban mission is at the forefront of many denominations, church planting networks, ministries, and mission organizations yearning for citywide transformation. How are we to think biblically and theologically about the city? View from the Urban Loft will take readers through the development of cities throughout history, act as a guide to navigating the current forces shaping urban environments, and seek to uncover a theology of the city that gives Christians a rationale and a biblical understanding of the meaning and purposes of the city and then how to live in it for the glory of God.

As the world hurtles towards urbanization at an ever-increasing pace, there arises the need for further theological reflection on the city. Globalization, international immigration, and densification in cities are having a transformative impact on the urban landscape. Urban mission is at the forefront of many denominations, church planting networks, ministries, and mission organizations yearning for citywide transformation. How are we to think biblically and theologically about the city? View from the Urban Loft will take readers through the development of cities throughout history, act as a guide to navigating the current forces shaping urban environments, and seek to uncover a theology of the city that gives Christians a rationale and a biblical understanding of the meaning and purposes of the city and then how to live in it for the glory of God.

Metrospiritual: The Geography of Church Planting is about church planting in the city. There is an outpouring of new expressions of church being started throughout metro areas across North America. Where are these new churches being started? Maybe a more subterranean question is, "Why"? Why are churches being started where they are and why is there is a bias towards one part of the city and an overall neglect of other parts? Metrospiritual explores these questions and more as it builds off of recent research and surveys of hundreds of church planters in seven large cities in the United States and Canada. There is a deeper look at pivotal issues such as gentrification, the Creative Class, community transformation, urban renewal, and the role new churches play in all of these.

Description:Metrospiritual: The Geography of Church Planting is about church planting in the city. There is an outpouring of new expressions of church being started throughout metro areas across North America. Where are these new churches being started? Maybe a more subterranean question is, ""Why""? Why are churches being started where they are and why is there is a bias towards one part of the city and an overall neglect of other parts? Metrospiritual explores these questions and more as it builds off of recent research and surveys of hundreds of church planters in seven large cities in the United States and Canada. There is a deeper look at pivotal issues such as gentrification, the Creative Class, community transformation, urban renewal, and the role new churches play in all of these.Endorsements:""It is important for church planters who hope to affect their cities to put on new glasses. Sean Benesh has successfully provided such a tool. By looking at not only the raw data of a city but its life--its laments as well as what brings joy--along with a deep theological impetus, we are brought into the grand and possible challenge of planting in an urban context. Both needed and timely!""--Rob FairbanksPresidentChristian Associates International""I really enjoyed Sean Benesh's Metrospirtual: The Georgraphy of Church Planting. I found it fresh, challenging, and comprehensive of things that are critical in selecting and identifying the community in which to work and the issues at play in the community. I highly recommend every church planter to devour it slowly.""--Bob Roberts Jr.Senior Pastor NorthWood Church ""In recent decades there have been a number of helpful books on church planting. They generally fall into two categories: a successful church planter who presents a formula or a technical approach that is highly theoretical. Sean Benesh avoids both extremes. His approach is both accessible and based on good research. Throughout the book there are many personal anecdotes drawn from his own church-planting experiences in a number of cities. His concern is for the urban context. He knows how to exegete the city. And he identifies the Creative class as a primary group to engaged because they shape the culture and set a course for the future of the location. It is rare to find an author who is both a skilled practitioner and an academically trained theoretician.""--Eddie GibbsSenior Professor of Church GrowthFuller Theological SeminaryAbout the Contributor(s):Sean Benesh is planting the Ion Community, a church in metro Vancouver, BC, Canada. He teaches as an adjunct professor in the areas of a theology of the city, community transformation, and other urban issues. Sean has been involved in church planting both as a planter and a strategist, in addition to being a hiking and mountain biking guide.