Unleashed Book Calls the Church Back to Acts
Dudley Rutherford introduces Unleashed, a forthcoming Standard Publishing book inspired by the revolutionary mission of the early church in Acts. The article connects the book’s theme with the 2011 North American Christian Convention and calls Christians to boldness, Spirit-empowered witness, and renewed commitment to the Great Commission.
- Unleashed uses the book of Acts as a foundation for challenging the church today.
- The book features contributions from nine Christian leaders.
- The article emphasizes boldness, outreach, prayer, giving, risk, and persistence in mission.
By Dudley Rutherford
When you read in the Bible about the powerful ministry of Jesus or the revolutionary witness of the first-century church, does a longing well up inside you to capture that same strength and vigor in your personal effectiveness for the kingdom of God?
The church in the New Testament impacted the world. It changed culture from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and to the ends of the earth. The early disciples turned the world upside down with their message, their lives, their commitment, and their passion. Can you imagine today’s church having the same influence in our world, being a part of such wondrous miracles, and seeing people receive Jesus like never before?
The Church Unleashed
The time has come for the church to be unleashed—to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and fueled by a passion to reach the lost and influence the world for good! That’s the theme of the dynamic sermons planned for the NACC. And that passion is behind a new book available soon from Standard Publishing.
A New Book from Standard Publishing
Written by nine of the most inspiring Christian leaders in the country, Unleashed uses the book of Acts as a foundation to share powerful examples of how the church today can fulfill the revolutionary mission of Jesus by demonstrating its . . .
- Dynamite power from above (Acts 1:1-5)
- Diversity and unlimited reach (Acts 1:8; 10:1-48)
- Exponential growth (Acts 2:41-47; 4:4)
- Confrontation of culture (Acts 4:13-22)
- Supernatural prayer (Acts 4:23-31)
- Extravagant giving (Acts 4:32-37)
- Willingness to risk (Acts 5:17-42)
- Seizing of all opportunities (Acts 13:41-52)
- Unswerving persistence to go and turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6; 20:22-24).
As you read Unleashed, you will be challenged to pray for boldness—no longer being afraid to offend—and you will go from status quo to Spirit flow in your power and participation in the Great Commission. It’s time for you to be unleashed—to join the radical mission of Jesus in your church, community, and world!
Contributors to Unleashed
Unleashed is written by Dudley Rutherford, president of the 2011 North American Christian Convention and senior pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Church, Porter Ranch, California; Francis Chan, best-selling author and sought-after speaker; Daryl Reed, lead minister of DC Regional Christian Church, Washington, D.C.; Greg Nettle, senior pastor of RiverTree Christian Church, Massillon, Ohio; Mike Breaux, weekend teaching pastor at Heartland Community Church, Rockford, Illinois; Phil Allen, pastor of the Vine, a ministry of Shepherd of the Hills Church, Porter Ranch, California; Dave Stone, senior minister of Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky; Jeff Vines, senior pastor of Christ’s Church of the Valley, San Dimas, California; and Jeff Walling, senior minister of Providence Road Church of Christ, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Learn more about Unleashed at www.standardpub.com/unleashed.
Author: Dudley Rutherford
Dudley Rutherford is the author of Compelled: The Irresistible Call to Share Your Faith (available at all online retailers) and the senior pastor of Shepherd Church, which has three campuses in the Greater Los Angeles area of Southern California.
