{"product_id":"the-gift-of-small-allen-t-stanton-9781506481937","title":"The Gift of Small: Embracing Your Church's Vocation","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost churches in the US are small-membership congregations. As Allen T. Stanton notes, most church leadership resources focus on membership growth as a central, guiding paradigm for the work of the church. The assumption is that membership growth is a natural outcome of a healthy congregation and successful ministry. However, Stanton argues that this assumption fails to engage theologically with the vocational gifts that small-membership churches offer. This oversight fuels the perception that small congregations are failing in their ministries or lack vitality. Instead, \u003cem\u003eThe Gift of Small\u003c\/em\u003e argues that small-membership congregations are well positioned for the faithful, effective work of the church.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStanton explores the roles that relationships play in faith formation and organizational leadership in small-membership churches. In doing so, he highlights the profiles of people who belong to these congregations and examines the assets they bring. The result is a renewed understanding of the critical role that small-membership churches often play in their members' vocational discovery and community-leadership development. Stanton grounds his observations in Jesus's teachings that use the imagery of small to represent powerful agents of transformation.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Gift of Small\u003c\/em\u003e can help clergy and lay leaders recover from discouragement and disillusionment regarding the often-disregarded work done in small-membership churches. This book will serve as a reinvigorating guide to help such clergy and leaders see their congregations' vital impact with clearer and fresher eyes. This book, in turn, will facilitate a renewed commitment to the work of small-membership churches.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Allen T. Stanton\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1506481930\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781506481937\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Fortress Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/22\/2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 158\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.66lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.40h x 5.50w x 0.50d","brand":"Allen T. Stanton","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46293225505023,"sku":"9781506481937","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_2de3e44e-a42e-4025-aee8-5e72c27c0aec.jpg?v=1730212621","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-gift-of-small-allen-t-stanton-9781506481937","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}