Category Archives: books and resources

Preaching that Pleases God

By caryschmidt | June 14, 2010

A New Book by Tom Farrell from Striving Together Publications.
If you are interested in growing teacher or preacher of the Word of God, you must read Preaching that Pleases God by Tom Farrell. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read on the subject, and it will challenge you to be a more faithful [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged book review, books, communication, striving together | Leave a comment

Costs of Pastoring a Growing Church

By caryschmidt | June 3, 2010

The June Spiritual Leadership Podcast from Pastor Paul Chappell
The June edition of the Spiritual Leadership Podcast has posted from Dr. Paul Chappell. This lesson is entitled “The Costs of Pastoring a Growing Church” and it challenges spiritual leaders to embrace the cost that comes along with ministry fruit. So often we want “success” but we [...]

Also posted in leadership | Tagged church staff, leadership, ministry, podcast | 1 Comment

Why Ministry127.com?

By caryschmidt | May 14, 2010

Two months ago, we launched a new website—Ministry127.com. It has had a wonderful start. Friends and co-laborers from all over the world have written and expressed appreciation for the site and the resources it contains. Contributors have continually sent in submissions that are practical and helpful. The site has been overwhelmingly received and used in [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged church staff, leadership, local church, media & tech, ministry, music, podcast, team, technology | Leave a comment

Student Ministry Idea-Gift Planners

By caryschmidt | May 8, 2010

Note regarding this post: Part of the purpose of this blog is to share helpful news of resources from Striving Together, and part of the purpose is to share ideas and thoughts on student ministry. This post falls under both of these purposes. Bear with me as this is more than a commercial for a [...]

Also posted in student ministry | Tagged education, striving together, student ministry, teen life | Leave a comment

Why Use Sunday School Curriculum?

By caryschmidt | May 1, 2010

Are there some really compelling reasons to use Sunday School curriculum? We believe YES! For nearly two and a half decades, God has developed strong Christians at Lancaster Baptist Church, and a huge part of that process is the Adult Bible Class Ministry and curriculum. Several years ago, through Striving Together Publications, we made a [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged book review, books, striving together, sunday school, teaching | 4 Comments

New Curriculum-Grace for the Pace

By caryschmidt | April 30, 2010

In a fast-paced world of heavy demands and competing responsibilities, spiritual survival is a challenge. Yet God offers a resource to His children that enables them to far surpass mere survival and finish their course with success and victory. This power is the sustaining grace of God.
Many Christians think of grace only in relation to [...]

Posted in books and resources | Leave a comment

New Podcast-4 Attributes of a Spiritual Christian

By caryschmidt | April 7, 2010

The April edition of the Spiritual Leadership Podcast has posted from Dr. Paul Chappell. This lesson is entitled “Four Attributes of a Spiritual Christian” It’s a great challenge to Christian leaders, encouraging them to take inventory of their own spiritual lives. This lesson was taught to our staff and served as a great reminder that [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged biblical living, church staff, leadership, podcast | Leave a comment

Introducing Ministry127.com

By caryschmidt | March 29, 2010

For many years, God has placed a passion on Dr. Paul Chappell’s heart for independent Baptist leaders to strive together for the faith of the Gospel (Philippians 1:27.) In that spirit, our team has been working for months on a new resource website called Ministry127.com (based upon Philippians 1:27.)
Just as the annual Spiritual Leadership Conference brings [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged church staff, leadership, local church, ministry, podcast | 1 Comment

New SL Podcast—Scheduling Your Priorities

By caryschmidt | March 23, 2010

The March Spiritual Leadership Podcast has posted! You can listen to it above or click here for more information and to receive the complimentary outline!
This lesson is entitled Scheduling Your God-Given Priorities. In it, Pastor Chappell gives a practical look at sorting through the chaos of life to actually accomplish that which God would call [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged leadership, podcast, productivity, time management | Leave a comment

Great Books for Christian Parents

By Cary Schmidt | March 8, 2010

Frequently someone asks what books I would recommend on youth ministry or parenting. They are generally the same books. While there are some good books on youth ministry, the most helpful to youth ministry are those on the family. Whether you are a parent or a youth pastor, I would urge you to read everything [...]

Also posted in family, student ministry | Tagged adolescence, biblical living, book review, books, family, parenting, student ministry, teaching, teen life | 6 Comments

Great News about Striving Together!

By caryschmidt | February 25, 2010

Great news—Striving Together Publications is growing! Today, we launched several new specials and features:
1. A Beautiful New Home Page—this new home page has been in the works for a couple of months and we’re excited to finally launch it. You’ll find three primary rotating graphics featuring newest resources or specials. Then further down the page [...]

Posted in books and resources | Leave a comment

New SL Podcast—Striving Together

By caryschmidt | February 1, 2010

The February edition of the Spiritual Leadership Podcast has just posted! And Pastor Paul Chappell shares an insightful “in-studio” interview regarding the lesson.
Originally taught at the Spiritual Leadership Conference 2009, it is entitled “Striving Together.” This lesson focuses on how we should encourage one another in ministry.
The Spiritual Leadership podcast is a free resource from [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged leadership, ministry, podcast, striving together | 1 Comment

New Curriculum—Salt and Light!

By caryschmidt | January 28, 2010

Striving Together Publications is excited to announce the soon availability (Feb. 12) of this new adult curriculum from Dr. Mark Rasmussen! This 13 lesson series was over two years in development, and I’m extremely happy with the finished product. Dr. Rasmussen is one of the greatest Christian educators alive today, and you will find this [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged biblical living, book review, local church, striving together, sunday school, teaching | Leave a comment

New SL Podcast—By His Spirit

By caryschmidt | January 13, 2010

The January edition of the Spiritual Leadership Podcast has just posted!
Originally taught this past fall at our staff orientation, this lesson is entitled “By His Spirit.” In it, Pastor Chappell challenges you with what can be done if we will submit to the power of God.
The Spiritual Leadership podcast is a free resource from Striving [...]

Posted in books and resources | Tagged leadership, local church, ministry, podcast | Leave a comment

Christian Books for the Kindle

By caryschmidt | December 11, 2009

Do you have a Kindle? Good news! Striving Together Publications is committed to entering and supporting the digital publishing realm. We are now offering resources for the Kindle digital reader. I’ve been asked several times just today—hence this post. (We are working on the website announcement and links.)
Presently, you can find the following books (from [...]