Michael Slaughter

This is a new edition of English Heritage's widely acclaimed study of that great British institution, the public house. First published in 2004, this was described as the best history of the pub available. Now updated and corrected, it offers a scholarly, yet accessible history of the origins of the pub and its development since medieval times.Alcoholic beverages have long formed a part of British culture and over the centuries the authorities have made strenuous efforts to control the form and operation of public drinking establishments (with varying degrees of success!). The Golden Age of pub-building was at the end of the nineteenth century and many of the finest examples are illustrated here. It was brought about by a combination of forces which are all explored - the influence of the Temperance Movement, competition from rival forms of entertainment, and efforts on the part of magistrates and government to improve the pub stock.The book contains a stunning photographic survey of our pub heritage and lists most of the finest and interesting surviving examples. This new edition also explains the changes that have affected pubs, their culture and appearance during the past seven years.

How many things does your church do just because that's the way it's always been done? Does your congregation value tradition over passion and stability over creativity? If so, it's time to unLearn. Leading congregations into a dynamic and prophetic future requires unLearning what you thought you knew about the church, leadership, and life. Pastor Michael Slaughter casts a vision for innovative and authentic congregations, and for the kind of leadership that can bring congregations to greater vitality and impact in today's postmodern culture. Readers will be challenged to gaze boldly beyond franchised church models to a dynamic embodiment of God's unique vision for each leader and each congregation. UnLearning congregations embrace new media and cultural trends, value transformation over information, and create a safe space for the tough and unanswerable questions of life. These are churches that lovingly dare to shoulder spiritual and prophetic leadership in our rapidly changing culture, re-articulating God's ancient purposes to create high-tech, high-touch environments in which people can become radical followers of Jesus Christ. Informed by Slaughter's thirty years of leadership at the innovative and mission-driven Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, UnLearning Church offers readers guidance and insight into setting aside old identities, old expectations, and old ways of doing church, and inspires readers with examples of congregations already living out their mission to be creative and outwardly-focused communities of faith. Michael Slaughter is Lead Pastor and Chief Dreamer of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Appointed to the small country church in 1979, Mike saw the potential for a teaching church that would transform its community and the lives of people across the globe. Ginghamsburg has grown under his three decades of leadership from 90 worshippers a week to over 5,000. His other books include Spiritual Entrepreneurs, Out On the Edge, Real Followers, UnLearning Church, and Money Matters."

Many Christians, disillusioned with lives of spiritual mediocrity that have been dampened by today s rampant materialism and cafeteria spirituality, are asking the same question: Where is the substance that can move our church beyond ho-hum Christianity? Today s public fascination with angels, New Age spirituality, and the paranormal is likewise spurring Christ s followers to look for greater and deeper life transformation through their faith. Real Followers: Beyond Virtual Christianity shows how an ordinary church can be transformed into a radical community a fellowship of everyday people who began looking for meaning and searching for authenticity. Michael Slaughter describes a movement that is hooked in various generations, from buster to boomer to builder. This resource also includes discussion questions. Key Features: Readers examine culturally relevant concepts to ask the age-old question: Will you give up your right to yourself, take up the cross, and radically follows Jesus? Readers are presented with a workable example of how to grow their church, with examples from Ginghamsburg Church Contains case studies of real people who have begun a migration in the wrong direction Includes discussion questions Small groups will learn what it really means to find their destiny as Christ s followers be inspired to take doable steps toward becoming authentic Christ followers"