Resources
SCRIPTURE
I Thessalonians 1:5 guides us as we seek to impact our community and lead many to Christ:
The “message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.”
We long to see the gospel come in word and power. Many of our Japanese friends have become more interested in the message of the gospel after seeing the power of God. Throughout I Thessalonians we read of the very close relationship the authors had with the people of the church. We plan to develop that by living right where we are reaching out, growing close to the people with whom we are sharing the gospel.
BOOKS
We have been encouraged through books and interviews with Japanese pastors. Here’s a list of the books which have helped shape our ministry and the Harvest Church Tokyo strategic plan:
Canoeing the Mountains • by Tod Bolsinger
The Discipleship Difference • by Robert E. Logan and Charles R. Ridley
Embodying Our Faith: Becoming a Living, Sharing, Practicing Church • by Tim Morey
Finding the Flow: A Guide for Leading Small Groups • by Tara Miller and Jenn Peppers
Growing Young • by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder and Brad Griffin
Lead Like a Shepherd • by Larry Osborne
The Leadership Difference • by Robert E. Logan
The Missional Journey • by Robert E. Logan with Dave DeVries
Movements that Change the World • by Steve Addison
The New Gold Standard • by Joseph A. Michelli
Next Door as it is in Heaven • by Lance Ford and Brad Brisco
Organic Church • by Neil Cole
Planting Missional Churches • by Ed Stetzer and Daniel Im
The Starbucks Experience • by Joseph A. Michelli
Why Men Hate Going to Church • by David Murrow
Cultivating a Life for God • by Neil Cole
Another inspiring book has been The Church Planting Journey by Robert E. Logan. His five-step approach to multiplying congregations is helping shape our ministry.
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9-10 (NIV)
