Recommended Reading
What Is A Healthy Church?
How can you tell if a church is healthy? What does it look like and do? Many of us aren’t sure how to answer these questions, even though we probably have a preconceived idea. In this book Mark Dever seeks to help believers recognize the key characteristics of a healthy church.
What Is A Healthy Church Member?
Thabiti Anyabwile delivers a helpful volume in the wake of Mark Dever’s What Is a Healthy Church? by asking the infrequently-asked What Is A Healthy Church Member? An extremely important book for those wondering what their involvement with the local church should look like. John MacArthur writes, “In an era when Christians seem confused about what kind of community the church ought to be, here’s a helpful book outlining the church’s true biblical priorities, especially as they apply to individual church members.”
The Cross of Christ
John Stott’s The Cross of Christ has had an impact on more than one generation of readers. Stott’s simple style combined with a deep desire to communicate the beauty and glory of the redemption which Christ accomplished on the cross make this volume not to be missed.
The Atonement
Why is the cross central to Christianity? The Bible uses different words and images to answer to this question–words like covenant, sacrifice, Passover, redemption, reconciliation, and justification. In plain English Leon Morris explains each of these words, thereby opening up the meaning and significance of the cross. Whether you desire an introduction to the death of Christ or a deeper understanding, this book is an excellent resource.
Knowing God
J. I. Packer’s Knowing God moves the reader toward a greater understanding of and joyful inclination to God. There are not many books that have changed more lives, other than the Bible itself, than this very book. If you or you know someone who might know of God, but not know him personally through the Lord Jesus Christ, this is an excellent volume with which to gift them. A true feast for the soul.
Web Resources
Bible Study Tools
Bible Gateway Several translations available and searchable online for free.
Bible.org A helpful resource for general Bible study.
Biblical Training Biblical Training has a smorgasbord of evangelical teaching. Offering full-length online audio class lectures from basic Christianity to advanced seminary-level topics, this is an invaluable resource if you want to learn more about a particular or general area of the Christian faith. And it’s totally free! Perfect for the iPod.
e-Sword e-Sword is an excellent, free Bible software program.
ESV Bible Home of the English Standard Version Bible. Read and search (and even listen to!) any part of the ESV Bible.
Historical & Cultural Contexts Context is key in understanding the Scriptures.
The Roman Empire Another helpful site that reveals the cultural context of the New Testament.
Life and Worship
Sovereign Grace Music The church is in SGM’s debt for the hundreds of Christ-exalting hymns and choruses churned out in the last few decades.
Ministries
9 Marks Ministries An outstanding resource for understanding what makes a healthy church and a healthy church member.
Christian Counseling & Education Foundation CCEF helps us to understand what biblical counseling looks like in a world where therapeutic counseling is the norm.
Compassion International Compassion International is a ministry that changes the lives of children with the power of the gospel and the provision of basic needs. Sponsoring a child is a wonderful way to personally extend the gospel’s reach across the world.
Desiring God The ministry of John Piper. He has influenced several generations to treasure Christ and be satisfied supremely in Him.
International Mission Board The IMB exists to partner with Southern Baptist churches to help them spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
North American Mission Board NAMB exists to equip American churches to reach Americans for the gospel. NAMB is also responsible for coordinating disaster relief in America.
Setting Captives Free An online ministry providing Christ-centered hope and freedom for those in bondage to sin. Special courses devoted to pornography, homosexuality, alcohol, food, and many more.
Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association EMBC partners with the SWBA to accomplish the biblical mission in our immediate area.
The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood CBMW exists to articulate and defend the biblical roles of men and women as defined in Scripture.
The Southern Baptist Convention We are part of the SBC.