NEW Book: “The Spiritual Journey – Understanding the Stages of Faith”

In December last year, one of my goals for 2018 was to publish three books. Well, number three was released a few weeks ago. It’s called The Spiritual Journey: Understanding the Stages of Faith. I am really excited about it as I believe this material will be of help to many people in their spiritual journey, whether seekers, beginners, or experienced travellers.

When you are on a journey, it helps to have a map of the terrain and a guide to help you along the way. In this book, I present such a map and seek guide people through the stages of faith that are common to the spiritual journey. This journey is rarely linear or in a straight line. There are many curves, twists and surprises along the way. Sometimes we seem to move in circles or in random patterns that don’t make sense at the time. Nevertheless, God is at work in our lives. Welcome to the journey of faith.

The book can be purchased from WORD in Australia or internationally from Amazon in either paperback or eBook format.

Here are a few endorsements:

Continue reading “NEW Book: “The Spiritual Journey – Understanding the Stages of Faith””

NEW Book Release: “How to Avoid Burnout: Five Habits of Healthy Living”

How to Avoid Burnout (Front Cover) copyThis year I set a goal of writing three new books. Early in the year, I released Money Talks: Practical Principles for Becoming Financially Free which has already helped a lot of people.

I am excited to announce the recent release of How to Avoid Burnout: Five Habits of Healthy Living. Continue reading “NEW Book Release: “How to Avoid Burnout: Five Habits of Healthy Living””

NEW Book Release: “Money Talks: Practical Principles for Becoming Financially Free”

Money Talks - Cover (International Version)I am excited to announce the release of a new book I have written called Money Talks: Practical Wisdom for Becoming Financially Free. 

Those of us who live in the Western world live in some of the richest countries on the planet yet, despite this fact, many people are under financial pressure. In this book, I share practical principles for becoming financially free and living wisely with the resources we have. Learn fresh insights about earning, saving, investing, debt reduction and spending wisely. The book also includes extra material on alleviating poverty, church finances, fundraising and the purpose of business.

For those who live in Australia, you can order a paperback copy from WORD Australia for the special price of $15.00 (RRP $17.99). 

OR you can purchase it in eBook format for Kindle, or other eReaders, on the Australian Amazon site (for AUS $11.99).

OR, if you live in a country other than Australia, you can purchase the international edition in paperback format on Amazon (US $12.99) or in eBook format for Kindle also on the USA Amazon site (for US $9.23) or 10 other Amazon sites around the world (check your locality).

Some Endorsements:

“Countless books on how to use money compete for readers. It is easy to find complicated ones. It is common to find those that just promote getting rich, even by so-called Christians. There are plenty of theoretical studies that are hard to apply and how-to-manuals not based in good theory. But where does one find a short, practical, biblically grounded, clearly written little book that addresses all the important questions about using money in Christian ways with up-to-date charts, graphs and statistics to back everything up? Mark Conner has now written it. Get a copy. Devour it. Then live it out.” 

Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament. Denver Seminary, Littleton, CO

“It is often not productive to ask pastors for their views on finance or financiers for their views on pastoral care. It is therefore very refreshing to read Mark Conner’s ‘Money Talks: Practical Principles for Becoming Financially Free’, which blends the insights of the pastor with the practical applications of someone who has thought carefully about the power that money has over us. He tackles the biblical road map to freedom in financial matters with a persuasive skill and hands on application.”     

Ken Costa, Author: God at Work

"Mark Conner has a wealth of experience when it comes to the vital subject of how Christians should handle their money. In this practical guide to saving, spending and giving, he helps us view our finances from God's perspective. He eloquently explains where our hearts should be focussed and offers biblical financial principles that stand the test of time. It's a timely antidote to this age of conspicuous consumption." 

Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision Australia

"Mark Conner has written a fantastic book about money and generosity. Many today are looking for wisdom to help us navigate the tensions we face in income inequality, stewardship and wealth, and to reflect the heart and wisdom of Jesus when it comes to our resources. Theologically strong, yet immensely practical, Mark does this so well. I highly recommend this book to you.” 

Jon Tyson, Church Planter and Author. Church of the City New York

“Mark Conner’s capacity as a leader is only outweighed by his honesty, big-heartedness and integrity. In the chapters of this book we see his authenticity jump off each page. “Money Talks” is not only accessible and well researched – it is REAL! His down to earth teaching is heaven sent – a balm for the fiscally frazzled!” 

Rob Buckingham, Senior Minister, Bayside Church Melbourne

“This is a timely and significant book about managing our money well. Mark provides practical ideas to help us improve our thinking about money as well as our daily practices. This book is a great read!”     

Lisa McInness Smith, Global Keynote Speaker. Best-Selling Author. Transformational Coach

“In the time I have known Mark, his strength of character, leadership and deep understanding of biblical teachings have had a profound impact on my life. Mark’s ability to translate complex issues into simple and actionable disciplines is a rare gift, and it is one that he delivers in a deeply personal and authentic way. One of the many principles that Mark has taught and practiced both in his personal life and church leadership role, is financial freedom. As a student of Mark’s teaching, I have witnessed individuals and families transform their financial situations from being hamstrung with credit card debt to owning their own properties and running successful businesses. With the wisdom contained in these chapters, I am confident that reading this book will challenge your perspective on biblical stewardship and provide you with the tools to achieve true financial freedom.”

Dan Daniels, Founder and Global CEO Daniels Health

“Finances can be the F word for many of us, but Dr Mark Conner is a person to trust when it comes to making sense of financial headaches. From million dollar budgets in some of largest churches to standing with people living in extreme poverty, Mark has seen it all. With 7 in 10 people currently living on less than $10 a day and disparity between rich and poor creating global instability, this book could not be more urgent or important. This book will especially help us Christians in rich countries to take stock, pray, think and find imaginative ways to be a solution to injustice in the world by making the most of God’s resources at our disposal. Please read this practical, prophetic book and act on Mark’s advice. It will help us all.”
 
Rev Dr Ash Barker, Director, Newbigin School for Urban Leadership (NewbiginHouse.uk)

Successful Christian Ministry

SCM KindleI love cooking. Sometimes I discover a new recipe that I am keen to try out on the family. At other times I pull out one my ‘classics’, a recipe that I have used before that everyone already loves. One of those classics is a roast chicken and vegetable meal based on a Jamie Oliver recipe. It is delicious! No wonder it is a hit every time I cook it up.

This time last week I was in Adelaide speaking at a ministers' conference for about 250 church leaders. The theme was ‘Growing Leaders to Grow the Church.’ Any time I talk to leaders, one of messages I usually share is a classic where I share what I believe are the principles of having a successful Christian ministry. I am not talking about just re-heating ‘leftovers’, which can be tasty or not, depending on the recipe. I am talking about those timeless meals or messages that always make an impact, as long as they are cooked or shared with fresh ingredients.

I wrote the first edition of this book ‘Successful Christian Ministry’ way back in 2003 – fourteen years ago. Although it has been around for a while and although I have shared this material in different ways dozens of times, it still rings true for me and the people I speak to. That is why I am excited to see this material now made available in eBook format.

In February of this year, I completed 32 years on staff at the church that I grew up in (initially called Waverley Christian Fellowship and then CityLife Church from 2003 onwards). I was a volunteer leader for 5 years before that. During those 37 years of ministry, I have served in a wide variety of areas within the church – worship, youth, administration, leadership, teaching, pastoral, evangelism and missions. As I now enter into a new season of coaching others, speaking more at other churches and conferences, and more writing, I believe that these seven principles are as relevant today as when they were first written. My prayer is that they will be a huge encouragement to you and an inspiration for you to be the very best you can be – for God and his church in the world.

Mark Conner (August 2017)

  • Order the newly released eBook edition at Amazon USA for US $5.02 or Amazon Australia for AUS $6.32.
  • Order the original paperback edition of this book at WORD Australia, currently on sale for the bargain price of $5.00.

Pass the Baton: Successful Leadership Transition

Screenshot.jpgCityLife Church, located in Melbourne Australia, had three Senior Ministers in the first 50 years of it's history. Richard Holland was the founding pastor and led the church for 20 years, followed by my father, Kevin Conner, who led the church for the next 8 years. I was the Senior Minister for the next 22 years before passing the baton in February of this year to Andrew Hill. [Read my announcement on 28th February 2016]

Like any relay race, passing the baton effectively is vital for any organisation, including a local church. I wrote about this a few years ago, in response to many people wanting to know what lessons we had learned from our leadership successions at CityLife. The book is called Pass the Baton: Principles of Successful Leadership Transition.

  • You can purchase a paperback copy from WORD books or from Amazon in the USA and a few other countries. 
  • An eBook edition is also available via Kindle at Amazon.

This book outlines the story of the two successful senior leadership transitions that have taken place at CityLife Church – from Richard Holland to Kevin Conner and from my dad  to myself. Also included are many practical principles for any leadership transition – in a church, a ministry, an organisation or a business. We have had very good feedback from many churches and leaders who have used the lessons from our journey to help them in their own transitions.

I pray that this book continues to be a help and a blessing to many churches and ministries in Australia and around the world. The revised edition has a number of edits and updates, including the fact that our founding pastor, Richard Holland went home to be with the Lord in 2008.

Recommendation for Mark's previous book Transforming Your Church:

  • "Mark Conner is one of the finest leaders I know. He is that rare combination of a bright mind and a fully yielded heart. His observations concerning the shifts that must take place in order for a church to reach its redemptive potential are profound. And Mark’s insights are far more than theory. One visit to his church is all it will take to turn cynics into believers. The Church for the 21st Century will require a higher level of leadership than any other era in human history. Books like this one will contribute a great deal to the development of such leadership. I am deeply grateful to Mark for his friendship and the impact that he is having on churches and leaders in Australia, and increasingly all over the world." Bill Hybels [Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church]

Prison Break: Finding Personal Freedom

PB CoverThe BLOG posts from the last few days about worry are a summary of a chapter entitled "Freedom from Worry" in the best-selling book Prison Break: Finding Personal Freedom.
 
The rest of the book contains similar practical teaching about:
  • Freedom from Fear
  • Freedom from Anger
  • Freedom from Depression
  • Freedom from Rejection
  • Freedom from Addictions 
  • Freedom from Spiritual Bondages
You can purchase a paperback version of this book from WORD Australia OR a digital eBook version from Amazon. The eBook version can be read on the Kindle APP which is available for FREE for all devices (phones, tablets, etc) and operation systems (Windows, OS, etc).
 
I hope you find this teaching helpful and beneficial to your life. 
 
Please feel free to pass it on to others. 
 
Thanks. 

De-Cluttering my Library

BookwormConfession time – I love books! There is a certain joy in buying a new book and putting it on your shelf … even if you haven't yet read the last 10 books you have bought. Book addicts understand this. Other people just don't get it.

As a kid, if my parents visited friends and there were no kids to play with, after dinner, I'd sit by their bookshelf and browse through their books. If they had an encylopedia set, I was elated. I loved reading and learning new things. I guess, at heart I I'm a bit of a a maven.

So I have a lot of books. Books given to me from family and friends. Books handed down from my father, Kevin Conner, or my brother-in-law, Frank Damazio – both fellow book addicts. Then there are books I have bought – new or in second hand shops all over the place. Did I mention that I have a lot of books?

The painting to the right is called "The Bookworm" and I have a beautiful version of it mounted on my library wall. One book in each hand, another one under the arm and another one between the knees. Every booklover gets it.

Well, we have recently sold our home and we are down-sizing. Yes, there are times to enlarge, to add, to expand and to make more room. We've been through plenty of those seasons. But now we are in a very different season – a time of simplifing, of letting go of a lot of stuff, and of de-cluttering. With two of our sons all grown up and married, we are moving to a house almost half the size of the one we currently live in. [See my wife, Nicole's, recent BLOG post "Honey, I Shrunk the House" for more details]

Sadly, this means there won't be room for all of my books. So I am currently working through my books, shelf by shelf and book by book … forcing myself to ask 3 questions:

  1. "If I haven't looked at this in the last 5 years, will I look at it in the next 5 years?" [Confession: I have looked and read a heap of my books, so this question alone isn't enough]
  2. "If I didnt have this book today, would I buy it?"
  3. "If I could only have 1 bookshelf of books, would this book be on it?"

These questions are helping me make some tough decisions … in addition to asking, "Can I get this book on Kindle and thereby take up less space by having an electronic version of it?" Sure, it's not the same as the read thing, but eBooks do save space.

It's time to give away, to bless someone else … with a book or two that they need more than I do. 

Painful but freeing. 

See also:

2016 Australian Christian Book of the Year: Child Arise! The Courage to Stand

B

I am priviledged to be one of the judges for the annual Australian Christian Book of the Year. We are pleased to announce that this year's award goes to Child Arise! The Courage to Stand: A Spiritual Handbook for Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Jane N Dowling.

Here is the summary:

Knowing that God speaks to us when we read the Bible, Jane Dowling prayerfully applies God’s Word to the experience of living with the long-term effects of sexual abuse, including abuse by clergy. Her reflections are gentle, almost tremulous. Jesus shows her the way from ruin and despair to healing and hope. This is a handbook for survivors of sexual abuse and those who seek to understand and support them.  But because Dowling engages with the Scriptures in their original context, her book has application for all Christians who are living with painful experiences. This is a courageous and historic book. For a church yearning for healing and wholeness, Jane Dowling has performed a great service.

Visit sparklit.org to see the entire final short list of titles.

The 2016 Australian Christian Book of the Year

BOY

The following titles have been shortlisted for the 2016 Australian Christian Book of the Year Award.

  • Post-God Nation: How Religion Fell Off the Radar in Australia and What Might be Done to Get It Back On, Roy Williams, ABC Books.
  • Understanding Jesus and Muhammad: What the Ancient Texts Say About Them’, Bernie Power, Acorn Press. 
  • Zechariah: The Lord ReturnsMichael R Stead, Aquila Press. 
  • Leon MorrisNeil Bach, Authentic Media ltd. 
  • Child Arise! The Courage to Stand’, Jane N. Dowling, David Lovell Publishing. 
  • The Anonymous Leader’, Ralph Mayhew. 
  • Maralinga's Long ShadowChristobel Mattingley, Allen & Unwin.
  • Trumped By Grace’, Peter Stiles, Poetica Christi Press. 
  • They Conspire Against Your People: The European Churches and the Holocaust’, Colin Barnes, Kings Divinity Press and the Centre for Jewish-Christian Studies. 
  • Resilient’, Sheridan Voysey, Discovery House. 

[More details about the books here]

Join this year’s Sparklit Awards Night ($20 per guest. $60 per family). Buy tickets online or grab your credit card and call 1300 13 7725 or write to: admin@SparkLit.org

Visit www.sparklit.org today. 
You can follow SparkLit on Facebook

For more information contact:

Michael Collie
National Director
SparkLit
(Formerly SPCKA)

1300 137 725 
admin@sparklit.org

Transforming Your Church

Cover Pic (small)When I became the Senior Minister of CityLife Church back  in 1995, I invested extensive time in prayer, study, research and reflection about principles for building a healthy and effective church. As a result, I was prompted to lead our church through seven "strategic shifts" over the next few years. This has resulted in much positive change and impact. 

Over the years, I have taught this material to many pastors and church leaders. Eventually, these principles were put into a book called Help Your Church Change and eventually an international version titled Transforming Your Church: Seven Strategic Shifts to Help Your Church Navigate the 21st Century. This was released in the year 2000 and then a completely updated and revised edition was published in 2010, with much additional matieral, including five new appendices covering topics such as church governance, the role of the senior minister, women in leadership, and self care for church leaders. This book has also been translated into Swedish, Indonesian and Russian.

You can purchase a paperback copy of this book from WORD Australia or City Christian Publishing in the USA (under the title Seven Strategic Changes Every Church Must Make) and also from Amazon. An eBook format version is also now available for Kindle at Amazion.

I pray that this book will continue to be a blessing to many churches and Christian leaders.

Prison Break: Finding Personal Freedom

Prison Break by Mark Conner (Book Cover)Quite a few years ago now, we conducted a survey in our church. One of the open-ended questions was: "I wish someone would preach about …" We collated the answers and I have enough to preach on until Jesus comes back!

Actually, what surprised me the most at the time was the fact that people wanted to hear messages about dealing with common challenges such as worry, fear, anger, depression and rejection. These weren't subjects we were speaking on very often and as a result we were not "scratching where people were itching!"

After this survey, we crafted a series of messages around the theme of "Prison Break". In Jesus' first sermon, he declared that he had come to set the prisoners free – to lead a prison break! We shared messages on freedom from worry, freedom from fear, freedom from anger, etc, etc. It was one of the most impacting teaching series we have ever done. Eventually, these messages were compiled into a book and it's been a best-seller ever since.

You can purchase Prison Break: Finding Personal Freedom from WORD Books in paperback format or from Amazon also in paperback or in downloadable format for Kindle. If you enjoy it, thanks for leaving a recommendation. 

Here's the full description and a recommendation from Dr. Arch Hart.

Living in our broken world creates the possibility of becoming trapped by various negative emotions and habits that can easily become like a prison around us. In this helpful book, Mark Conner shares practical principles for finding freedom from common problems such as anger, fear, worry, rejection, depression, addictions, and spiritual bondages. With God's help you can make a prison break- beginning today.

"To some extent we all have our personal prisons, in these hectic and stress-filled days. This is why Mark Conner's book Prison Break is so timely and helpful. Whether your personal prison is one of anger or fear, worry or some destructive habit, addictions or whatever, Mark offers help that can free you from your prison. The book is practical yet sound, both psychologically and biblically and easy to read. I am sure no reader will be disappointed." 

Archibald D. Hart, Ph.D., FPPR. 
Senior Professor of Psychology and Dean Emeritus 
Graduate School of Psychology 
Fuller Theological Seminary 
Pasasena, California

Books by Mark Conner

Version 2Prison Break – Finding Personal Freedom by Mark Conner

Living in our broken world creates the possibility of becoming trapped by various negative emotions and habits that can easily become like a prison around us. In this helpful book, Mark Conner shares practical principles for finding freedom from common problems such as anger, fear, worry, rejection, depression, bad habits, and addictions. With God’s help you can make a prison break – beginning today.

Pass the Baton (2nd Edition) by Mark Conner

Pass-The-Baton CoverThere is no success without a successor and Christianity is always one generation away from extinction. These two sobering facts highlight the urgent need for successful leadership transition in today’s churches and ministries. CityLife Church (formerly Waverley Christian Fellowship) in Melbourne, Australia is a church that has successfully navigated three leadership transitions in it’s 50 year history.

Cover Pic (small)Transforming Your Church (2nd Edition) by Mark Conner

In this book, Mark Conner presents Seven Strategic Shifts that the church needs to make in order to be effective in the twenty-first century. There is an incredible urgency in the hour in which we live. These vital shifts will help you to keep in step with what the Holy Spirit is doing. You can make a significant contribution to ensure that the church of Jesus Christ emerges to impact communities, cities and nations for the kingdom of God.

Successful Christian Ministry by Dr. Mark A. Conner

What are the keys to building a high impact long lasting ministry? In this book, Mark Conner shares seven principles for building a successful Christian ministry with practical advice that will empower you to reach your God given potential and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Blinkist – a Great Personal Growth App

Blinkist-offerHave you ever noticed that there is so much to learn and so little time! We live in an age of informaiton overload. We don't lack knowledge, just the ability to process it sufficiently and make meaning out of it all.

Learning how to read more effectively can be a help as can book summaries.  

Recently, I came across an App called Blinkist. Blinkist takes great works of non-fiction and distills them into powerful, made-for-mobile units. The blinks, 2-minute-reads built around memorable key messages, give you the main concepts of an entire book in 15 minutes. Choose audio or text.

Why not try their 3 day trial and see how you like it. Just sign up for 3 days of unlimited access to our library, no strings attached. Download Blinkist from the iTunes store, the GooglePlay store or the website.

Blinkist is a great tool to help you never stop learning. I highly recommend it. 

See also:

Global Megatrends: Seven Patterns of Change Shaping Our Future

GlobalWe live in a time of rapid change. Yesterday is gone. Today is momentary. Tomorrow is never far away, though never guaranteed. We are called to live in the present, while learning from history and yet looking toward a better tomorrow. Our God is the one who was, who is, and who is to come. The Great I AM – past, present and future are all one to Him.

Futurists study the future, yet no one can fully predict what it will be like.

Stefan Hajkowicz has been thinking for the last twenty years about how people plan for an uncertain future. With training in economics, geography and decision theory, Stefan is one of CSIRO’s leading thinkers about trends, shocks and scenarios in the coming decades. His work led to the creation of the newly established CSIRO Futures research unit – a team of dedicated scientists working to unveil the future and inform people’s choices. Stefan now works as a principal scientist at CSIRO in Brisbane and is in demand worldwide as a speaker, strategist and consultant.

His latest book Global Megatrends reveals his most recent research as he unpacks seven patterns of change that are shaping the future. They include:

  • A scarcity of natural resources.
  • The challenge to protect biodiversity and the global climate.
  • Rapid economic growth and urbanisation in Asia and the developing world.
  • Changing demographics and an ageing population.
  • The impact of new digital technologies.
  • Consumer expectations for services, experiences and social interaction.
  • An imperative to innovate. 

Megatrends are gradual yet powerful trajectories of change that have the potential to throw companies, individuals and societies into freefall. In this book, Hajkowicz identifies these seven patterns of global change and tells a story about how the world will change over the next 20 years. The book captures the thinking of many dedicated scientists and researchers who have devoted their careers to exploring and understanding change. The change heralded by megatrends lies beyond our direct control but not beyond our influence. By getting a picture of how the world is changing and what these megatrends are, we can alter our destiny.

"My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there." Charles F. Kettering

"The leaders of Issacher had understanding of the times, to know what Israel should do." 1Chronicles 12:32.

Tomorrow's coming. What do you see?

Wish You Could Read Faster?

ReadWe live in a time of information explosion. There is so much to learn and so little time to read and digest everything we'd like to know. 

There is no best way to read but there are a great many strategies you can use. Think of them more as options rather than rules. Try them out and then decide which ones work best for you.

Faster reading skills will enable you to read more in less time, have better concentration, understand material with greater depth and accuracy, retain information better and enjoy reading more.

My Top Tips for Reading Non-Fiction:

1. Don't believe the lie that you have to read every word. Deciding what is worth reading is as important as reading fast. 

2. With a newspaper article, read the first 2-3 paragraphs, skim through the rest and then read the final 2 paragraphs. That will give you the gist of the article, then you can decide if you want to read it more in depth. 

3. With a book, read the front and back cover, then glance over the table of contents, read the introduction or foreword, then the conclusion. You might want to glance quickly through the contents inbetween, noting headings, diagrams or chapter summaries. This approach is like hovering over a large city central business district with a helicopter, catching the lie of the land, the shape of the city streets, before deciding you want to walk every alley way (which you dont have to do if you dont want to)! This approach enables you do clarity the 'big idea' of the book even before having read it in detail. 

4. For a book you have chosen to read indepth, underline when you read. Highlight headings, key words or memorable sentences. 

5. As you finish each chapter, make a bullet point list of the main points, insights or takeaways in the blank area at the end of the chapter. When you have finished the entire book doing this, you can then look back and you have a summary of the book ready for instant recollection.

6. Try not to read horizontally from left to right with your eye stopping on every word. Instead, try to take snap shots of an entire line or paragraph at once, using your eye's amazing periphial vision. You'll be amazed at how much you can take in this way. 

For more, check out the following helpful resources: