wfn.org | ABCUSA: Judson Press Releases New Church Resources

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 8/15/05)--National
Ministries' Judson Press last month released two new resources intended
to increase the effectiveness of the local church.

In All Churches Great and Small: 60 Ideas for Improving Your Church's
Ministry (0-8170-1478-0), authors Kirk and Rosie Farnsworth cite
research revealing that when it comes to the vital qualities of strong
churches, small churches have a decided advantage over larger churches.
They also explore the ingredients of faithful, healthy churches,
offering 60 specific ideas for small churches that want to become more
effective in key areas such as worship, caring, praying, studying,
giving and witnessing.

The Farnsworths are frequent presenters at conferences and church
retreats, and serve as co-pastors of The Gathering Church in Kingston,
Wash. Kirk Farnsworth, a licensed counselor and former college
professor, is the author of 12 books. He received his Ph.D. degree in
counseling psychology from Iowa State University.  Rosie Farnsworth is
an ordained minister who has held several elected positions in the
community as well as leadership positions in the local church.	She
holds a B.S. degree from Wheaton College.

Also released in July was Getting to Amen: 8 Strategies for Managing
Conflict in the African American Church (0-8170-1477-2). In this
groundbreaking book, author Lora-Ellen McKinney addresses the issues
that have weakened the church's status as the strongest institution in
the African American community. Using a set of practical tools based on
Christian principles, psychological theory and research on African
American religious culture, this resource helps churches move beyond
disputes and disagreements to harmony and heartfelt "Amens."

McKinney, the daughter of a third-generation minister, is an expert in
community health, social services, social justice and education and
heads her own consulting firm. Her Kellogg National Fellowship Award
provided her dispute resolution training through the Harvard Negotiation
Project and Eastern Mennonite University's Conflict Analysis and
Transformation program.  She is the author of the Judson Press books
View from the Pew: What Pastors Can Learn from Church Members, Total
Praise! An Orientation to Black Baptist Belief and Worship, and
Christian Education in the African American Church: A Guide for Teaching
Truth.

Founded in 1824, Judson Press is a publishing ministry of National
Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA. To order All Churches Great
and Small or Getting to Amen call 800-458-3766 or visit
www.judsonpress.com.

K/2005ABNS/05ABN86

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA
x2077 / (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org