Audiobooks narrated by Rick N. Jones

The ROI of LOL: How Laughter Breaks Down Walls, Drives Compelling Storytelling, and Creates a Health

Read by the authors. Laughter is a powerful remedy to what ails today's teams and organizations. There are a host of neuroscientific explanations for why laughter makes us feel so great. Laughter triggers 'feel good' chemicals in the brain which activate opiate receptors throughout your body and mind. Creating a workplace culture in which laughter is not only allowed but expected is an important step in building the trust, openness, authenticity, storytelling, and teamwork (TOAST) that are essential to any healthy collaborative environment. What all this means for your business is that by harnessing the prodigious power of your own unique individual sense of humor (and empowering your employees to do the same), you can increase morale, collaboration, communication, and productivity. You can find new and unexpected ways to connect with your external stakeholders. And you can have fun doing it. - Learn the role laughter plays in the five critical elements of a strong corporate culture: Trust, Openness, Authenticity, Storytelling, and Teamwork. - Understand how the skills learned by stand-up comics like reading a room, being vulnerable or self-deprecating, listening, and overcoming objections are critical to leaders in today's business climate. - See how improv fosters teamwork and can be a unifying force in any organization. - Gain insights into how other kinds of comedy like sketch comedy and creative collaboration can be applied in a business setting to build critical skill sets. Photos, assessments, and resources are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Clayton Fletcher, Steve Cody (Author), Clayton Fletcher, Linda Rutherford, Rick N. Jones, Steve Cody (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Burning House: Redeeming American Evangelicalism by Examining its History, Mission, and Message

Despite the civil rights progress he fought for and saw on the horizon in the 1950s and '60s, Martin Luther King Jr.-increasingly concerned by America's moral vision, admitted-'I've come to believe that we are integrating into a burning house.' In A Burning House, Brandon Washington contends that American Evangelicalism is a house ablaze: burning in the destructive fires of discrimination and injustice. The stain of segregation remains prevalent, not only in our national institutions, but also in our churches, and this has long tarnished the witness of Christianity and hampered our progress toward a Christ-like vision of Shalom-peace, justice, and wholeness-in the world. Common doctrine may unite black and white evangelicals, but rifts such as social ethics and cultural influences still separate us. Throughout this challenging but reconciliatory book, Washington gives a historical and theological appraisal of American evangelicalism to understand how we came to be where we are and what our response should be. Instead of calling the movement to become something new, he challenges it to live into what it has always been in Christ and strive for deliberate and sacrificial integration-the unity of believers of all ethnicities. A Burning House is a rallying call to a waning movement whose most public leaders have often turned a blind eye to, or even justified, the sin of racism-a movement whose theology is sometimes compromised by a secular anthropology. This is a call to both white and black evangelicals to better understand our past so that we can better embrace the unifying and comprehensive message of the gospel we preach.

Brandon Washington (Author), Charles Ray, Rick N. Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

Disruption: Repurposing the Church to Redeem the Community

Current church planting, growth, and development strategies cannot be sustained. We need to work smarter in our rapidly changing world. We must become disruptive. And yet we typically hesitate to embrace change. We like our traditions. We prefer our familiar patterns and comfortable ruts. Still, America has dramatically changed. And make no mistake, such change is affecting the church, and more change is coming. So the way we understand things must also change. We must disrupt the status quo, create new patterns, embrace new models, and promote new forms to advance the gospel in our increasingly diverse and cynical society. In Disruption, thought-leading author and pastor Mark DeYmaz presents a proven, practical guide to help you rethink your approach to church. Whether your congregation is currently growing, plateauing, or declining, if you are a church planter or pastor, or a denominational or network leader, this book is for you. Mark will help you understand why we need to challenge conventional wisdom, learn what new practices to establish and how current metrics are not the primary measure of a church's influence. Disrupters turn the way we do things on its head. They . . . - break the mold, change our thinking, and then hand us new rules for how things work - can see and sense what lies ahead, around the next corner - not only envision the future, but create and establish it - challenge what is and inspire what is to come Mark DeYmaz is a disrupter. And in Disruption he challenges you to join him in preparing the American church for the unpredictable future. To advance spiritual, social, and financial transformation in your city, read this book to become more like Christ-a disruptor.

Mark DeYmaz, Mark Deymaz (Author), Craig Hinkle, Rick N. Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

Love Outside the Lines: Beyond the Boundaries of Race, Difference, and Preference

Read by the author. Discover Jesus' goals of togetherness, oneness, and unity in an increasingly divided world. When you learn to confront the areas in your heart that might not love as Jesus loved, you can help build a flourishing, Christ-like culture. Throughout his ministry, Jesus specifically bridged the gap with the ostracized, outcast, and overlooked. He told his followers to do the same. The gospel message is for everyone-and our mission as believers is to make disciples of Jesus, not duplicates of ourselves. This requires us to live and love beyond our preferences, to build relationships with those who are different from us, and to go beyond the boundaries of unspoken rules and invisible lines. It's time to break the strongholds of division that have been passed down from generation to generation. In Love Outside the Lines, Jimmy Rollins will - expand the gospel message of Christ beyond the lines of cultural norms, - show us how to follow in Jesus' footsteps by moving away from racial stereotypes and moving toward things that unite us, - empower a culture of people willing to be part of the conversation on racial reconciliation, - help us embrace the kingdom truth that we are better together than we are divided, and - exemplify a life of dynamic diversity at church, work, and home. Join Jimmy on a powerful journey to rediscover the discipleship of diversity that leads to unity. Together, we will confront our comfort-zone barriers-both known and unknown-and take a detour to pursue the kind of diverse relationships and honest dialog that build a flourishing Christ culture. Reflection questions are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Jimmy Rollins (Author), Charles Ray, Rick N. Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

Church Boy: My Music and My Life

When he fell from a darkened stage in November 1996, Kirk Franklin could easily have been killed. That ten-foot plunge might have ended the career of one of America's most exciting young prodigies. But thanks to his dramatic recovery, the fall added not only a new dimension to his story but it brought Kirk Franklin to the attention of millions who otherwise might never have heard the name. Today Kirk Franklin is bigger than ever. His recordings have topped the charts, selling more copies in less time than any gospel musician in history. He has won every award gospel music has to offer but his own success is the last thing on his mind. This is the story of a young man from the poor side of town. He was taunted and teased as a child, but his faith and his remarkable musical talent helped him overcome the odds. In these pages Kirk Franklin reveals the real source of his strength. 'What motivates me,' he says, 'is the knowledge that God has redeemed me from the pain and the hurts and the sin of my past and given me a new joy I can't even explain. It's not just for show,' he says. 'It's the truth, and that's what I want to express.' Photos from Kirk's life are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Kirk Franklin (Author), Rick N. Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

The People Factor: How Building Great Relationships and Ending Bad Ones Unlocks Your God-Given Purpo

The relationships in your life will make the difference between happiness and misery. The right relationship will launch you to the heights of achievement; the wrong one will tether you to mediocrity. Your relationships will be your sources of greatest joy and your venues of greatest pain. Van Moody says, "When people show you who they are, pay attention." We need to undertake the important task of evaluating our relationships intelligently. We need to recognize the people with whom God has called us to walk in mutually beneficial relationships and to identify those who will derail our destinies or hinder His purposes for our lives. It is high time we cultivate our Relational IQs, understanding not only how to build great relationships but also how to avoid or skillfully exit bad ones. Van Moody saw this need every day of his pastoral life, but he could not find a concise, practical resource for people who need to become more relationally savvy. He needed a beyond-the-basics study guide for Relational IQ. The People Factor is his solution. God works in our lives through our relationships. Yet, all too often, we get our relationship advice from the most toxic sources we can find. The People Factor is based on the most effective, trustworthy relationship book of all time: the Bible. If you hunger for a richer, more fulfilling life, your Relational IQ is the place to start. If you put The People Factor principles to work, you will become stronger, happier, and healthier in all your relationships. You will be a better spouse, a better friend, a better boss, a better parent, and a better person. Discussion questions are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Van Moody (Author), Guy Branche, Rick N. Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mentor for Life: Finding Purpose through Intentional Discipleship

Today's Christian women do not simply want nice fellowships and cookie-cutter answers about how to deal with life. Though churches are filled with good ministry programming-activities, outreach events, and an endless selection of options-many churches neglect their fundamental mission to make disciples. Christian women want to mentor and to be mentored, though they may not fully understand what that means, the significance of this desire, or how to get there. The church must rise to answer these questions, meet life's challenges, and develop creative ways of equipping modern women to mentor well. In Mentor for Life, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson lays a solid foundation for mentoring that is based on God's kingdom vision, challenges women to consider the cost of discipleship, and the high calling they have received in Christ. It shows how to develop mentoring relationships that function communally in existing small groups that are diverse and inclusive. It also presents a mentoring framework of knowing and loving God, understanding our identity in Christ, and loving our neighbor, which encourages theological reflection and cultivates a basic Christian worldview. Filled with examples from Robinson's experience in the military and business world, this resource gives readers the wisdom they need to disciple others and as a foundation for kingdom service. Reflection questions, appendixes, and additional resources are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Natasha Sistrunk Robinson (Author), Rick N. Jones, Tyra Kennedy (Narrator)

Audiobook

Morning and Evening Prayerbook

A collection of quick morning and evening prayers that will enrich your commitment to God and personal connection to the Christian tradition and the entire church. A Morning and Evening Prayerbook provides a framework for prayerful devotions with two prayers for each day of the year. The morning prayers are ideal for encouraging your heart for the approaching day's activities and challenges while the evening prayers will help you close each day with reverence, gratitude, and reflection. Selected to mirror the seasons and the liturgical calendar, the prayers are intended not to replace your personal, spontaneous prayers but to serve as a springboard for them. Editors Jeanie and David Gushee have collected inspiring contributions from Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox sources; from all continents; from the Old Testament; and from each century of Christian history. A Morning and Evening Prayerbook will enrich your commitment to God and personal connection to the Christian tradition and the entire church.

David Gushee, Jeanie Gushee (Author), Carrie Brewer, John Behrens, Molly Secours, Rick Jones, Rick N. Jones, Samm Musick (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Pastor's Ministry: Biblical Priorities for Faithful Shepherds

Every pastor struggles with demands for his time, and how to determine priorities in ministry. Some choose to respond to the most urgent needs, while others seek a more balanced and intentional approach. But what determines these priorities? Where should a busy pastor look for wisdom in making decisions? In the Pastor’s Ministry, pastor and author Brian Croft looks to the Scriptures to determine the top ten priorities for a faithful pastoral ministry. These biblically rooted responsibilities help pastors determine how to spend their time and with greater discernment respond to the demands of the church. Each of these priorities is rooted in a direct command of God’s Word, including: - Guarding the Truth - Preaching and Teaching the Word - Praying for the Flock - Setting an Example - Visiting the Sick - Comforting the Grieving - Caring for Widows - Confronting Sin - Encouraging the Faint-Hearted - Identifying and Training Other Leaders To be successful and faithful in pastoral ministry, every pastor needs to understand these core callings and make them part of his regular practice. These ten responsibilities guide how a pastor schedules his time, helping him to lay the foundation for a biblically faithful ministry in his church.

Brian Croft (Author), Jeff Durham, Rick Jones, Rick N. Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

Talking about Race: Gospel Hope for Hard Conversations

Conversations about racism are as important as they are hard for American Christians. Yet the conversation often gets so ugly, even among the faithful who claim unity in Jesus. Why is that the case? Why does it matter? Can things get better, or are we permanently divided? In this honest and hopeful book, pastor Isaac Adams doesn't just show you how to have the race conversation, he begins it for you. By offering a fictional, racially charged tragedy in order to understand varying perspectives and responses, he examines what is at stake if we ignore this conversation, and why there's just as much at stake in how we have that discussion, especially across color lines--that is, with people of another ethnicity. This unique approach offers insight into how to listen to one another well and seek unity in Christ. Looking to God's Word, Christians can find wisdom to speak gracefully and truthfully about racism for the glory of God, the good of their neighbors, and the building up of the church. Some feel that the time for talking is over, and that we've heard all this before. But given how polarized American society is becoming--its churches not exempt--fresh attention on the dysfunctional communication between ethnicities is more than warranted. Adams offers an invitation to faithfully combat the racism so many of us say we hate and maintain the unity so many of us say we want. Together we can learn to speak in such a way that we show a divided world a different world. Talking About Race points to the starting line, not the finish line, when it comes to following Jesus amid race relations. It's high time to begin running. Discussion questions and a glossary are available in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Isaac Adams (Author), Rick Jones, Rick N. Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

What Difference Do It Make?: Stories of Hope and Healing

Some Stories Just Can't Be Stopped ... What Difference Do It Make? continues the hard-to-believe story of hope and reconciliation that began with the New York Times bestseller, Same Kind of Different as Me. Ron Hall and Denver Moore, unlikely friends and even unlikelier coauthors share the hard-to-stop story of how a remarkable woman's love brought them together. Now, in What Difference Do It Make? Ron and Denver along with Lynn Vincent offer: - more of the story-with untold anecdotes, especially Ron's struggle with his difficult father and Denver's dramatic stint in Angola prison - the rest of the story-how Same Kind of Different as Me came to be written and changed the lives of its authors - the ongoing story-true tales of hope from people whose lives have been changed by Ron and Denver's story and how they make a difference in their worlds - your part in the story-wise, practical, and hard-lived guidance for how you can make a difference to those in need Deeply moving but never sappy or sentimental, What Difference Do It Make? answers its own question with a simple and emphatic answer. What difference can one person (or two) make in the world? A lot!

Denver Moore, Lynn Vincent, Ron Hall (Author), Jon Watson, Rick Jones, Rick N. Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Rick N. Jones