OVERFLOW
The Antioch church described in the Book of Acts provides a wonderful model of the resource church – overflowing with the presence and power of God, influencing its locality and region through evangelism, discipleship, leadership development and church planting. It’s time for more overflowing churches in our day. In Overflow Matthew presents a vision for churches of overflow, drawing on the growing experience of The Belfrey in York, the church he leads.
Endorsements for Overflow include:
Dr. Winfield Bevins – Director of Church Planting, Asbury Seminary, USA and author of Marks of a Movement:‘Many churches across Europe and North America are either in decline or dying. We need to rediscover the wisdom of the Book of Acts that contributed to the growth of the early church. Matthew Porter reminds us that church is not an end in itself; the church points beyond itself to fulfill the mission of God by making disciples and planting churches. I highly recommend Overflow to everyone who wants to help the church thrive again by learning lessons from the church of Antioch for today.’
Anne Calver – Baptist Minister, speaker & author: ‘That longing, that hunger, that thirst you and I have to see another move of God through the church – well Overflow will quench some of it, because Matthew’s words serve to excite and equip us as churches to live more like they did in Acts: in step with the Spirit.’
Alan Hirsch – Founder of 100 Movements and 5Q Collective & author of numerous books on missional leadership, theology, and organization: ‘It is always a joy to see churches structure ministry around the ministry of Christ described in Ephesians 4. In this book Matthew Porter demonstrates visionary leadership that leads to a lived experience of the fullness of Christ…to what he calls overflow. I heartily recommend this book to you.’
Mark Tanner – Bishop of Chesterand author of The Introverted Charismatic: ‘This book is a great resource: great for reflecting on Resource Churches, but also a gift to those who want to reflect on church life in general. It’s rooted in biblical reflection, draws on Matthew’s extensive experience and wisdom, and offers concise insight that will encourage and stimulate in equal measure.’
Ben Doolan – Leader of St Thomas’, Newcastle, and Head of 18-30s Ministry for New Wine: ‘Matthew Porter embodies Overflow. As the leader of St Thomas’ Newcastle, a Resource Church Plant sent by Matthew from The Belfrey, I know that Matthew lives out the foundations of overflow that he passionately lays out in this book. Overflow ends with a prophetic hope that church decline is not inevitable and that if we do the simple things of faith well, whole regions can be impacted by churches that overflow with the expectation that God is moving in our day. As you read this book, my prayer is that you too will develop a vision for overflow and that you will see how you and your local church can play your part in seeing our nation changed as we follow Jesus together.’
Lizzy Woolf – Team Rector, St George’s Church: ‘If you want to know more about the heart and vision of resource churches, this is the book for you. It’s full of wisdom, inspiration and encouragement for all of us who long to see our region impacted for Christ.’
A-Z OF PRAYER
A-Z of Prayer is a simple introduction to prayer. It presents 26 aspects of prayer to will help you start, and grow in conversing with God. This is the second Matthew’s A-Z series, and like A-Z of Discipleship, each topic has a few pages of introduction and insight, an action section for reflection and application – a prayer to help put the action into practice – extensive references to all further study.
Endorsements for A-Z of Prayer include:
Johannes Hartl – Leader, Augsburg House of Prayer, Germany: ‘There is only one topic the disciples asked Jesus to teach them. There are many books written on the topic of prayer but few actually do what Jesus did: teach how to pray. This book does exactly that. It is encouraging, practical and insightful. From A to Z.’
Jonathan Oloyede – National Day of Prayer UK: ‘In these momentous and changing times, the British Church needs to know how and what to pray! This fantastic piece by Matthew gives the basic framework for intercession and practical action steps to take. Now I strongly suggest you act on its contents by getting on your knees in prayer!!’
William Porter – Team Leader, Beacon House of Prayer, Stoke on Trent, UK: ‘Matthew’s book A to Z of Prayer is a book that really teaches you to pray. To pray more, to pray better, to pray as if your life depends on it. It is also a book full of testimonies, it is a ‘how to’ manual and it is a spiritual journey. For those who are looking for spiritual guidance on the most important topic of prayer, they will find it in shed loads in this book. For people who think Christian prayer is a bit of a mystery, this will demystify jargon and make prayer a life giving pathway to communicating with God. For believers who have become dry in their prayer lives, this will be a refreshing read and way back into a revitalised walk with God. Even for mature Christians, there will be some surprises in this book, and maybe ways of praying that will be new to them.’
James Fletcher – Former Head of Prayer at The Belfrey in York, now working in Athens, Greece: ‘Matthew is a man of outstanding wisdom, humility and integrity. As a result, this book finds deep roots in Matthew’s own life and leadership. I commend A-Z of Prayer not only as a comprehensive introduction to prayer – although it is certainly that – but also to all those who need a timely reminder of the great privilege and joy we find in talking with God.’
Esther Swaffield-Bray, Regional Development Executive, International Justice Mission: ‘I have found A-Z of Prayer to be a brilliantly practical tool, full of truth and a wonderful reminder of the creative ways that I can not only connect with God, but can sustain and deepen that connection across the different seasons of my life. As we see passion for prayer growing across the nation, this is a timely invitation to be courageous, connected and caught up in conversation with the creator of the universe – what an incredible privilege that is!’
Paul Harcourt, National Leader, New Wine England: ‘Few of us feel that our prayer life is what it should be, but Matthew gives us simple but powerful and practical advice that will inspire and encourage.’
Sophie Dearden, Leader of St Cuthbert’s House of Prayer, York, UK: ‘This book deals simply and thoroughly with many complex aspects of prayer. While reading I was reminded of truths, encouraged and impacted by the breadth of revelation in these pages. Matthew is a man of profound and gentle wisdom and integrity and these chapters are a deep reflection of his prayer journey with God. This kind of content is gold dust for somebody on day 1 of their prayer adventure and also for somebody who has been adventuring with Jesus for many years! If your desire is to know Jesus more and to immerse yourself in a life spent in prayerful partnership with God, then this book is for you!’
Ben Doolan, Resource Church Leader, Diocese of Newcastle, UK: ‘Matthew Porter is a man of deep prayer and his own personal prayer life has been a huge inspiration and challenge to the way I pray. A-Z of Prayer is a great book that will inspire you to pray. It can be used devotionally, with a small group or even a whole church. This book is practical – at the end of each chapter you will be challenged to take action and to pray with lots of suggested further reading. A-Z of prayer will not only have you praying but reading your Bible as it contains hundreds of references to scripture. If you want to be inspired and challenge to go deeper in prayer then A-Z of Prayer is for you!’
A-Z of Discipleship 