Paternoster Spiritual Growth Collection (4 Vols.)

Becoming More Like Christ: A Contemporary Biblical Journey

• Author: Peter R. Holmes
• 152 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2007

None of us are born Christ-like, none of us becomes Christ-like at conversion, and none of us becomes more Christ-like by just being in church, or even reading the Bible. We all need to personally change to become more like Jesus—to become more human.

In contemporary society, change is identified as essential to the journey toward personal maturity. This book suggests that from a biblical perspective, personal positive change is central to a journey of discipleship—wholeness, toward a greater personal Christ-like maturity. The book calls for a rethinking of current church practice, where people are normally expected to change at conversion, becoming more like other members, but subsequently are not required to change much at all. The book outlines and introduces the reader to a step by step approach to personal positive change and wholeness, for anyone wishing to begin a journey toward greater Christ-likeness.

Peter R. Holmes (Ph.D.) is co-founder of Christ Church Deal in Kent and of Rapha. He is a member of the Association of Therapeutic Communities and a management trainer. His previous books include Becoming More Human and Trinity in Human Community.

A concrete and practical approach toward discipleship that helps us to apply Christ's likeness to our lives while avoiding ‘clone-making.’
—Mike Gammil, pastor in Houston, Texas

Chrysalis: The Hidden Transformation in the Journey of Faith

• Author: Alan Jamieson
• 168 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2008

Drawing on the three principle phrases of a butterfly's life and the transformations between these phrases, this book suggests subtle similarities with the Christian faith. Increasing numbers of Christian people find their faith metamorphosing beyond the standard images and forms of Christian faith but questions about where this may lead remain. Is this the death of personal faith or the emergence of something new? Could it be a journey that is Spirit-led?

Chrysalis uses the life-cycle of butterflies as a metaphor for the faith journey that many contemporary people are experiencing. Drawing on the three principal phases of a butterfly's life and the transformations between these phases, the book suggests subtle similarities with the zones of Christian faith that many encounter. For butterflies and Christians, change between these phases is substantial, life-changing, and irreversible.

This book accompanies ordinary people in the midst of substantive faith change. Chrysalis is primarily pastoral and practical, drawing on the author's experience of accompanying people in the midst of difficult personal faith changes.

Alan Jamieson is a minister at Spreydon Baptist Church in New Zealand, and is the author of A Churchless Faith, Journeying in Faith, and Church Leavers.

This is accessible, spiritual, affirming, clear, positive, and contains some wonderful practical ideas.
—Christianity

Gems from Martin Lloyd Jones

• Editor: Tony Sargent
• 256 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2008

This anthology of carefully chosen quotations from Martin Lloyd Jones is drawn from the vast range of Lloyds Jones's sermons. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was among the finest evangelical preachers of the twentieth century. His sermons at London's Westminster Chapel drew large crowds and stirred the hearts and minds of his congregation.

Here was a man to stir the passions of the evangelical soul! His published works have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and many of his books remain in print to this day.

Tony Sargent has spent many years studying the works of Martin Lloyd Jones and putting together quotations on a wide range of topics. Now an anthology of carefully chosen quotations, drawn from across the vast range of Lloyd Jones' sermons, is available for preachers, teachers and Christians seeking spiritual wisdom and inspiration. Entries are organized alphabetically by topic to aid quick and easy use.

Tony Sargent is the Principal of International Christian College, Glasgow. He is author of The Sacred Anointing.

Check out the Selected Works of Martyn Lloyd-Jones (10 Vols.)!

This is 300 pages of distilled wisdom…Preachers would benefit most from this as well as lay ministers who would want to sit at the feet of one of the most gifted men in the evangelical world during his time.
—Online reviewer

What a book! I absolutely devoured it. There is so much wisdom here...you will be challenged, encouraged, and convicted...sometimes all in the same quote. He's a genius and master wordsmith.
—Online reviewer

Soaring in the Spirit: Rediscovering Mystery in the Christian Life

• Author: Charles J. Conniry, Jr.
• 224 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2007

How can the church recover corporate discernment and thus achieve “spiritual soaring” in the realization of its threefold purpose of worship, discipleship, and witness?

This is a book about Christian spiritual growth. James McClendon, Jr. observes four key elements of the church's communal practice: preparation (marked by catechesis), conversion (marked by baptism), following (marked by the Eucharist), and Christian soaring (marked by communal discernment). The claim of this book is that ongoing spiritual growth—Christian soaring—is the birthright of every follower of Jesus Christ, and that the church's historic practice of communal discernment is the principal means by which disciples grow.

This is a thoughtful, stirring, and ground-breaking book on the neglected topic of Christian soaring through discerning discipleship.

Charles J. Conniry, Jr. is Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at George Fox Evangelical Seminary, Portland.

Conniry's book is a tour de force. It not only blessed me but drew me to pray...It can be read with profit...by anyone who longs to soar in the spirit.
—Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel

This book is readable, challenging, and encouraging.
—Baptist Times