“The Gift of Small” featuring Allen Stanton

Douglas Poe and Lovett Weems' 'Sustaining While Disrupting' addresses the challenges faced by church leaders in an evolving context. The book emphasizes the importance of maintaining core values and foundational elements while embracing innovation. It provides practical guidance on navigating the tension between preserving tradition and adapting to new realities. Poe and Weems explore strategies for fostering a culture of innovation within congregations while ensuring that essential aspects of church life are strengthened. The book offers insights on leadership, change management, and the integration of faith and contemporary culture. 'Sustaining While Disrupting' is a valuable resource for church leaders seeking to lead their congregations effectively in a rapidly changing world.

Alan Stanton's 'The Gift of Small' celebrates the unique strengths and potential of small churches. The book challenges conventional notions of church growth and success, instead focusing on the inherent relationality and community impact of smaller congregations. Stanton explores how small churches can leverage their size to foster deeper connections, engage in meaningful discipleship, and address the specific needs of their local communities. He provides practical guidance on leadership, ministry, and the cultivation of a strong sense of belonging. 'The Gift of Small' encourages church leaders to embrace their congregation's vocation and to see their size as an asset rather than a limitation. The book offers a refreshing perspective on the vital role that small churches play in the larger Christian landscape.

Alan Stanton's 'Reclaiming Rural' explores the unique challenges and opportunities faced by rural congregations. The book challenges common assumptions about rural decline and provides practical strategies for building thriving ministries in rural contexts. Stanton emphasizes the importance of understanding the local community, fostering strong relationships, and adapting ministry approaches to fit the specific needs of rural populations. He addresses issues such as declining membership, limited resources, and the changing demographics of rural areas. 'Reclaiming Rural' offers hope and guidance for church leaders seeking to revitalize their rural congregations and make a positive impact in their communities. The book serves as a valuable resource for those committed to the vitality of rural churches.

In 'Good to Great,' Jim Collins and his research team investigate why some companies achieve long-term greatness while others do not. The book identifies key concepts such as Level 5 Leadership, the Hedgehog Concept, a Culture of Discipline, and the Flywheel Effect. These principles are derived from a comprehensive study comparing companies that made the leap to greatness with those that did not. The research highlights that greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance but rather a result of conscious choice and discipline. The book provides practical insights and case studies to help businesses and leaders understand and apply these principles to achieve sustained greatness.

Alasdair MacIntyre's "After Virtue" is a highly influential work in moral philosophy that critiques modern ethical theories and proposes a return to virtue ethics. MacIntyre argues that modern moral philosophy has lost its way, leading to a fragmented and incoherent understanding of morality. He traces the historical development of ethical thought, identifying the decline of virtue ethics and the rise of emotivism and other relativistic approaches. MacIntyre proposes a revival of virtue ethics grounded in the Aristotelian tradition, emphasizing the importance of character development and the cultivation of virtuous dispositions. His work has had a profound impact on contemporary ethical debates, inspiring renewed interest in virtue ethics and its application to various social and political issues.