Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Shape of Faith to Come
    The Shape of Faith to Come
    The Shape of Faith to Come
    Ebook307 pages4 hours

    The Shape of Faith to Come

    By Brad J. Waggoner

    5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Various studies suggest Christians in North America are not qualitatively different in their character and practices than non-believers. While some churches are growing numerically, many wonder to what impact. Can we determine if our churches are producing Christians who look, think and act like true followers of Jesus Christ?

    In The Shape of Faith to Come, research expert Brad J. Waggoner and his team measure the beliefs and actions of 2,500 active Protestant churchgoers from across the country against seven key standards of Biblical spiritual formation:
    • Learning the truth
    • Obeying God and denying self
    • Sharing faith
    • Serving God and others
    • Exercising Biblical faith
    • Building solid relationships
    • Seeking God
    The findings reveal the current state and forecast of spiritual formation in the U.S.A. Adding encouragement to his insights, Waggoner calls all Christians to spiritual maturity and challenges church leaders to intentionally take up the mantle of making true disciples.

    Endorsements:

    "Descriptive and prescriptive, this work will be seen as one of the best books ever written on what is really taking place in the discipleship process of Christians."
    Thom S. Rainer, coauthor of the #1 best seller Simple Church

    "The elephant in the room of evangelicalism is the surprising lack of discipled believers in all different kinds of churches. We have produced a cafeteria Christianity rather than a robust orthodoxy and Jesus-shaped spirituality. In this challenging and disturbing book, Brad Waggoner draws on twenty years of research in discipleship and spiritual formation to not just show us who we are, but to point us to what we must do. The Shape of Faith to Come will become a milestone as evangelicals begin to take discipleship seriously once again."
    Ed Stetzer, coauthor of Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and Churches that Reach Them

    "This book comes closer than any study with which I’m familiar to providing an insightful and objective evaluation of the spiritual condition of the church in America. Where is the church weak, and where is she strong? Some of the answers indicated by The Shape of Faith to Come may surprise you."
    Donald S. Whitney, author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBH Publishing Group
    Release dateOct 15, 2008
    ISBN9780805460933
    The Shape of Faith to Come
    Author

    Brad J. Waggoner

    Brad J. Waggoner is president and publisher of B&H Publishing Group. A former dean of the School of Leadership & Church Ministry at Southern Seminary, he holds a Master of Arts degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a Master of Religious Education degree and Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also the co-editor of Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue. Waggoner and his wife have two sons and live in Nashville, Tennessee.

    Related to The Shape of Faith to Come

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Uncharted Cultural Waters

      Mar 18, 2022

      Uncharted Cultural Waters
      2 min read

    • Article

      How Should We Respond To Celebrities Coming To Christ?

      Dec 30, 2019

      If you’ve been following the news lately, you will have noticed a significant wave of celebrities who are turning to Christ. In what is referred to as a massive spiritual movement, the sinful city of Hollywood is turning more and more stars away from

      5 min read

    • Article

      MENTORING: A Biblical Responsibility

      Sep 24, 2021

      Mentoring is one of the missing biblical portals that we do not often see taking place in the Body of Christ. Mentoring is not only biblical, it is a requirement. We serve a generational God who, in establishing perpetuity, expects us to facilitate g

      2 min read

    • Article

      Pastors Need A Firm BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

      Dec 30, 2019

      The Gospel is the most powerful force on this earth. The transformative power of the Cross changes lives around the world daily. If the Gospel is not changing hearts, then it is not the full Gospel that is being preached. In Africa today we see a num

      4 min read

    • Article

      The Kingdom In The Marketplace

      Apr 13, 2020

      There are so many Christians in the marketplace who remain hidden or silent, despite so much teaching available from the church, internet, TV, and other media. Why are these believers and their faith so hidden? Here are a few pointers to assist you i

      1 min read

    • Article

      Where is God IN THE CHAOS?

      Mar 18, 2022

      We live in extremely challenging times. Our unemployment rate is among the highest in the world. Our economy is tanking. Skilled people are emigrating. Crime, poverty, corruption, and violence are endemic in our society. Chaos seems to be overtaking

      3 min read

    • Article

      Koinonia Discipleship Training Academy

      Jun 24, 2022

      With this year of service to Jesus, the Koinonia Discipleship Training Academy in Mossel Bay offers an exciting opportunity for young people to grow in their faith and build practical skills and self-knowledge to deal with life’s challenges. They wil

      4 min read

    • Article

      INTRODUCTION TO BASIC Christianity

      Mar 16, 2020

      The dictionary defines a religion as “the service and worship of God or the supernatural.” So, Christianity is obviously a religion. But what makes it different to any other religion? If the only thing separating it from other religions is a set of u

      1 min read

    • Article

      In LGBT-Welcoming Britain, Church of England Tries to Find Its Path

      Dec 22, 2017

      Anglican membership in Britain has shrunk radically in recent decades, particularly among youth. One cause is Britons' embrace of LGBT issues, which has outpaced the church's. But the church's efforts to respond are causing internal tensions.

      4 min read

    • Article

      Hybels Steps Down From Willow Creek Following Allegations Of Misconduct

      Apr 11, 2018

      CHICAGO - Forty-two years after founding one of the nation's most influential evangelical megachurches, the Rev. Bill Hybels told his congregation Tuesday night that he would step down from the helm of Willow Creek Community Church six months ahead o

      5 min read

    • Article

      The Anglican Church’s Controversial Political Stance On Israel

      Oct 27, 2023

      A decision by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) to declare Israel an apartheid state “is highly concerning” as it “portrays a false view of the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel,” says Bafana Modise, head of communications at S

      3 min read

    • Article

      Sunday, February 17

      Dec 14, 2018

      RECENTLY, A PASTOR REMINDED ME of something. Sunday morning at eleven o’clock is the most segregated hour of the week. I took some time to think about that. I didn’t grow up in the church and didn’t come to know Christ until my early adulthood. But w

      1 min read

    • Article

      Caregivers For The Spirit

      Jul 21, 2020

      Caregivers For The Spirit
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Rise Of The Chaplains

      May 17, 2020

      The Rise Of The Chaplains
      3 min read

    • Article

      WHO’S In The NEWS?

      Jun 16, 2023

      Dr Tim Keller dies after three-year battle with pancreatic cancer: ‘I’m ready to see Jesus’ Christian author and pastor Dr Tim Keller has died after a more than three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Keller and his wife, Kathy, founded Redeemer P

      2 min read

    • Article

      Helping Gen Z

      Oct 27, 2023

      Helping Gen Z
      2 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Shape of Faith to Come

    5/5

    1 rating0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      The Shape of Faith to Come - Brad J. Waggoner

      ĵ1^book_preview_excerpt.html\ݎƙ}zl5 A,d-[b/nzHVENs>IU3##1&~SK?/o=>yv=LchzjÀ/È~i7S?ݾ<O?|ǎ[WՇyծ:Tv:T[ߵ֏:BF_c;\0\X}66Tnh*<{UUmuntǫj :<ӹ0_6N"VthiA[c r*)ѱ?LU;_m'R?ڱ<܆1n)7[C5Xc*?aI ܤOnu /$w ; >F{m;~rg:Da/amG؉[Ԉ=ݻH"V߇'mGsFP|!-0(PCou3*ُeW+⼠9N~vx=CԥME7 7qtmy<ctg?n壔3sXV~Ԋy(acDFk4qÀ 30akC!4B|9T.vnj;#~Gun6` =V&#:|Y~]v렡iC f&C;zYi9S} ž6{'YspM68a179 ?M$ ܏ @/6mzbNM4p(bEqBqasݝ0W}aa("_4.)/23&/~"㮡ؤ;ewrSvLBms\WO?YDyweh8䏙Ş=Ìmk@5I{7.e=M2Q"wӊ=K-+˲&&)5/Ԑ%IeÑ ŗ< ]wGc5NTewnl9M9i,Eo >^80Vo-h=xKlC+$  u~xc"!ᒏ*c2Jm+a i`;Jg,Yɉn@]x8hsj(b~OO\c`{`+bdwDFFi HIO!I] 3$d80 Z?%"5Y 6oЛ*p'Н>>L lŒk;v !0c`,XPe ik/)ޒ=4ܶQ 8q>o]7g 1!pR+P%NF K'n|Bl#nSzƼv ݭornKto1ϯ $: ц:p~r3 (nZ$&/7<WT$ nLp~B Pb.a&B JLaxhN0^o\+ Ys*Vbo( NV;>gORpoO 71`C=u n1{ٻP LҲe=! /3ygwoj%'ȅ$/ֲoƧ`N'GL>IfpR2oa@'sZzSuz+},_Jt%y2mˣI͋6nrbgޡV 7Ń>2S&xnoy^gOX^PeA kqT瀜]嗮2TqD e&_88p ȬHY`cYy<,4"ùьgwՉ9:}F}i+3vBt 0u>U>{bOTT 8@*wy-%nR ] KӨv\:U6_[ eRtAegI=Ѯ2iNޟ-{[f]PgzLX6AR|G8bLY 8&7il93&I_3ᲃZ6u* +@Kd=qc!0(RGtzW\ ϛ?.*ͤϠ*Y`vJx]~4OY~G>G'yLI$AlS}٣ǟ +2ʖ1Y"|B]7u:p"T!zF:j\oz٠鸜*Y;w]zҖc{EC$]VrI;17iۉRjHTPٴ8/mu33e.~jֵ5$k-%h*sbZݴ(M0!ha_?Ew*ej *b9Gf,3Jjx13Ju87=~$j'5To<2aTsr *cYHj*FTs*hbjŠDj2x5e!rSdn J:kƌ$V`s.!aFK z%b= u@"%w]YP\q֡Bv,DNv.ᘜ*S1b%[%‡ߚD%fnѕn\)=bIYLPv""~1W 8:Wȝz,yR^_E+ _Nm_]YV?ɖ}7D*Ų6ҞDSGd -9:H.ۻiR/1wB"? T Ffi-2HPS ɔ;Bzv JW#~2ف0חmO,=n%Ei c(> ?>a8:~gz`!SGԉ{P}i"L܅kAUl~WVUXO{\:(gxLZ$k,9$E>-s#(u p** .Sa q&jA> ,ME{ ^2B#PLaʁ)tTg(Gjc$ /-Y)CĒf.kxiFd:MIj!s3݅ԳX\Dz&ὁŬ8v3+QH- 4,\Ćb/e3픕^,sdA4\x#Y,-GNK3a w+Q~E8M ~=G?^B̉{}6IP96w\$#ݬ}v'DeAz)5̗N\r],yWU3Eֲt_8)? fjɂF?xVnvj$y$91%iXZU !cDO>&1+ai7$Pr?֙g5r81C{K1[x O>e㟰n}k+E$ѲU(mc=[̊w-icYT~j45XڸjzVk.%`lr*YcCNLǀsAhR=.ŗjanjqJ*Zw4`2Q=qzFjma"/ns5 0M[7QY97us×h-Y6v;|z i?-HTY\4 Wk(VԜFr뗱GN .SiVFÏM;N6oFif[S[bШtM$n5ꕦ,HJl bީSSh aAZHY`v侊g3+֬ mju WN؍[Z319k8Z&1k }}R=`422(M`)RW}:xxrq4Yj[>F,ysT|*~`^!d)o02}v}T7,V0 _;npKOj!ۑh6ΉSMޡ(8UGZu_9DΈ 6ZeyJNJRHS9>y}z`( Y*stVs­X̜VߐPv5"c9\Wgz/Qٿ<R,dζS]k9+{\f*y'2W'3"kL  sNJKe-._a8/e.VZZ734OsνU!t{kS`rΖ5US-| cu"D̾\!]|;hGc;x2W{x=l]XNh-: o%jl ga?}"p[~ffBHok»+K4?"as[ϛ?:A+o!lOml0tii:Bc`c'$,#n4!H-N%D`"f5Wd.P$y(5iСm2|ȋ'VSˍ)QԌ0j 4*N$AJj̡q qP0*I5 zhIt8"N!jn/6K,5Jtq.} Ui@P@.3OO͵C h#'ܴ]1[>I!8,nP+ +֝RH2q Pw<.ڮU̝ *>\=4Y-h5Yܸz}\fGGoi:`i5) +.'v3a}FU[ʚpV{]o.'$Qwci>Mz2 KIC/9Nܵo `M7#Ǧٍ.bSLMe#MZ.|=G:Il24*I\ޮQ#OPwNރSG!461@@- m m_3 ۶W-g'`]2&L~`UIccPcQM*oً#4ȼ.*._uT@sww #yPx4 4 т*R bc%U« æhq^,5-C1)e/2 Ga;Q~{MEU*sZ6oBܝ hCW3J#rze/V<'FUWv[nY{Y`ZJ ;d|%gW=¤*ъ#@ѥh^'u +0lEH`B-TQncHD#/ؑPw.&slu (Lt=/~)_w:ӧuUڢ,$K8{qRH%p~6\Ӳ ׅ) ;,{WB,?v~)mj}};%kJݏ2F^+SoNU7ɼ˜oKunvLWgOz{Ae|~Ŭ[hҀYg(-g=O˦B+Wny B\5ddH\U晋 Y?m dϊ4l{jgLh?%3rZ* f3ː{.}u_񀗅9MxuF^4x#S%UjMo0S}C9x~Vbd/Leg(JU? wBr38%eVԷ)g6;UXR.kV5"w=dк] >׏i}0( bS&4 ~&}R<53M{YMBŇ9QRQƶaSBSƹV3R.~3͜imRWL,@@_r&['Z4@{Xg&TRΑBʻg* ?UxOdt[;NV.ݵdv\Jk
      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1