New Releases

Missional Small Groups
M. Scott Boren
Baker Books, July 2010
Small groups are a great place to connect with other churchgoers, but many wonder, is this all there is? Is sitting in a living room, talking about a book or watching a video the extent of what we can do together? Isn't being a Christian community about something more than this? Pastor and author Scott Boren thinks so. In this latest release from missional thinktank Allelon, Boren gives leaders and members of small groups the tools they need to make an impact on their communities. Beginning with a gentle critique of current small group models, Boren goes on to show how a uniquely Christian paradigm can set groups free to transform their communities. The final section of the book offers over twenty practices that groups can do to become more missional. Ultimately Missional Small Groups is about helping groups follow Jesus by equipping them to bring his message and healing to a hurting world.

The Mentor Leader
Tony Dungy
Tyndale, July 2010
'Without a hint of exaggeration,' says pastor and author Bill Hybels in his new book, The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond, 'the ability to discern divine direction has saved me from a life of sure boredom and self-destruction. God's well-timed words have redirected my path, rescued me from temptation and re-energized me during some of my deepest moments of despair.' In The Power of a Whisper, vision is cast for what life can look like when God's followers choose to hear from heaven as they navigate life on earth. Whispers that arbitrate key decisions, nudges that rescue from dark nights of the soul, promptings that spur on growth, urgings that come by way of another person, inspiration that opens once-glazed-over eyes to the terrible plight people face in this world---through firsthand accounts spanning fifty-seven years of life, more than thirty of which have been spent in the trenches of ministry, Hybels promotes passion in Christ-followers' hearts for being wide open to hearing from God, and for getting gutsier about doing exactly what he says to do. For more information go to: www.thewhisperwall.com.

Life in the Balance
Joni Eareckson Tada
Regal Books, July 2010
Never before has it been so important for Christians to discover the answers God’s Word holds to our culture’s biggest ethical and social dilemmas. Every day, the 24-hour news cycle offers stories from around the world of unimaginable physical, mental and emotional suffering. Yet more often than not, these stories and the underlying problems they represent are reported with no suggestions for resolution. Can it really be true that there are no solutions to our world’s biggest crises? Joni Eareckson Tada refuses to believe it. On her TV show, she has interviewed scores of people who have faced life’s toughest battles—and emerged victorious! In Life in the Balance, Joni and her friends take on some of the most difficult issues covered by the evening news, such as street violence, abortion, autism, genocide and stem-cell research. But they won’t just tell the stories; they’ll dig deep into the Word of God to find real and lasting solutions to so-called “unsolvable” problems. This workbook, designed for participants in a Life in the Balance individual and group study (Leader Guide with DVD sold separately), will guide readers to apply the timeless yet timely truth of God’s Word to society’s greatest challenges.

Letters to God DVD
Vivendi Entertainment, July 2010
A heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption. Tyler Doherty is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy facing his daily battle against cancer with bravery and grace surrounded by a loving family and community. Inspired by a true story Letters to God is an intimate, moving and funny story about the effect one child's belief can have on his family , friends and community.

VeggieTales Sweetpea Beauty DVD
Big Idea Productions, July 2010
In July, Big Idea released its first ever VeggieTales(R) adventure for girls on DVD, VeggieTales(R): Sweetpea Beauty-A Girl After God's Own Heart. This creative fairy-tale parody teaches a valuable lesson about true beauty based on 1 Samuel 16:7 and features the song, "Beautiful For Me," from singer-songwriter Nichole Nordeman.


Children of God Storybook Bible
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Zonderkidz, July 2010
The Children of God Storybook Bible is a collection of beloved Bible stories written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and presents the idea of God's forgiveness and reconciliation to children. Each of the stories emphasizes God's desire for all people to live in community.