Bonnie Bates

Signs of Hope and Health in Mainline Churches

Church Leadership & Ministry

“If you are looking for hope during the culture and attitude of decline in the local church, Thomas Kirkpatrick’s book will provide hope, understanding, and enlightenment about why churches are thriving. His research and focus provide us with the tools to encourage congregations to build their skills in community-building, communication, collaboration, and character. Kirkpatrick demonstrates to us hopeful beliefs about the church and offers a roadmap for engaging the church in growth, rather than decline. His research truly benefits the church in the twenty-first century. I will recommend this book, and its research, to those church leaders supporting church vitality and growth.”

The Good Neighbor

Fiction

“The Good Neighbor is a poignant reminder of how God’s love and grace can be explored and embraced in the deepest parts of our spirits and hearts. This retelling of the Parable of the Good Samaritan brought tears of joy, sorrow, faith, and hope for the ongoing transformation of our spiritual lives. Unger has captured the essence of God’s grace and the intersections of God’s grace with our world, while reminding us of the deeper love and relationship we are called to with our neighbors—all beloved of God.”