Religious life and practice Books
Jewish Lights Publishing Inspired Jewish Leadership: Practical Approaches
Book SynopsisHelp sustain the Jewish tradition''s legacy of community leadership by building strong leaders today. "Great Jewish leadership has helped us survive slavery, guided us to the Promised Land, given us hope through exile and oppression, helped us enjoy membership in a nation of overachievers and given birth to the State of Israel. Great Jewish leadership generates vision and, as a result, followers. It inspires us and helps us to stretch higher, see farther and reach deeper."from the IntroductionDrawing on the past and looking to the future, this practical guide provides the tools you need to work through important contemporary leadership issues. It takes a broad look at positions of leadership in the modern Jewish community and the qualities and skills you need in order to succeed in these positions. Real-life anecdotes, interviews and dialogue stimulate thinking about board development, ethical leadership, conflict resolution, change management and effective succession planning.Whether you are a professional or a volunteer, are looking to develop your own personal leadership skills or are part of a group, this inspiring book provides information, interactive exercises and questions for reflection to help you define leadership styles and theories, expose common myths and coach others on the importance of leading with meaning.
£10.44
McFarland & Co Inc The Faithful Librarian
Book Synopsis What do Christianity and librarianship have in common? Netherlands Prime Minister and theologian Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) was among the first in the modern era to attempt to rejoin the dichotomy of sacred vs. secular study when he said, no single piece of our mental world is to be hermetically sealed off from the rest. Over the years a number of publications have followed Kuyper''s lead yet little has been written on the subject since Greg A. Smith''s notable Christian Librarianship (2002). Building on Smith''s work, this volume seeks to bridge the sacred/secular divide with an exploration of how Christianity and the gospel are manifested through the profession of librarianship.
£35.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Magnificent Defeat
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£13.29
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Alphabet of Grace
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£13.59
HarperCollins Publishers Inc A Room Called Remember
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£14.24
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Christian Meditation Experiencing the Presence of
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£11.78
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Words of Wisdom
Book SynopsisFocus, Focus, Focus! You will only have significant success with something that is an obsession. Success comes from having passion and having fun creating your objective!Words of Wisdom is a collection of inspirational aphorisms, which Rev Run sends out to his closest friends each day and which were made suddenly popular when his television show zoomed to the top of the MTV charts. Rev Run (an ordained minister) closes each episode of Run''s House by reading philosophical, Christian, and inspirational books in the bathtub before penning words that inspire, encourage, and motivate. Here, available for the first time to the public, are Run''s Words of Wisdom published in a gifty yet affordable format just in time for the show''s second season. All great blessings come from being at peace. When the day is over, go to sleep. Never sit up worrying about tomorrow. Work hard and let God do the rest. I always say these words at night: I can sleep ton
£15.96
HarperCollins Porch Talk
£12.34
HarperCollins Publishers Inc A Year with God
Book SynopsisMany people are longing to find the footprint of God in their daily lives. This title contains 365 selections of scripture, commentary, meditations, and daily exercises to help readers see how they can bring their entire life into a life with God.
£17.53
HarperCollins God Unabridged CD 10626
Book SynopsisDeepak Chopra, whose extraordinary Enlightenment series includes the phenomenal New York Times bestsellers Buddha and Jesus, delivers the most powerful installment yet: God. In this beautiful and thought-provoking teaching novel—a Story of Revelation—one of the Western World’s acknowledged master teachers of Eastern philosophy and preeminent influencers in the realm of spirituality and religion reveals the evolving nature of God. Here is truth and enlightenment for the next generation of spiritual seekers; a book Deepak Chopra’s millions of fans worldwide have been waiting for.
£15.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Book Synopsis“A magnificent achievement. In its power to touch the heart, to awaken consciousness, [The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying] is an inestimable gift.”—San Francisco Chronicle A newly revised and updated 30th Anniversary edition of the internationally bestselling spiritual classic, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, written by Sogyal Rinpoche, is the ultimate introduction to Tibetan Buddhist wisdom. An enlightening, inspiring, and comforting manual for life and death that the New York Times calls, “The Tibetan equivalent of [Dante’s] The Divine Comedy,” this is the essential work that moved Huston Smith, author of The World’s Religions, to proclaim, “I have encountered no book on the interplay of life and death that is more comprehensive, practical, and wise.”
£17.59
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Finding Chika
Book SynopsisMitch Albom has done it again with this moving memoir of love and loss. You can’t help but fall for Chika. A page-turner that will no doubt become a classic.” --Mary Karr, author of The Liars’ Club and The Art of MemoirFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tuesdays With Morrie comes Mitch Albom’s most personal story to date: an intimate and heartwarming memoir about what it means to be a family and the young Haitian orphan whose short life would forever change his heart. Chika Jeune was born three days before the devastating earthquake that decimated Haiti in 2010. She spent her infancy in a landscape of extreme poverty, and when her mother died giving birth to a baby brother, Chika was brought to The Have Faith Haiti Orphanage that Albom operates in Port Au Prince. With no children of their own, the forty-plus children who live, play, and go to school at the orphanage have become family to Mitch and his wife, Janine. Chika’s arrival makes a quick impression. Brave and self-assured, even as a three-year-old, she delights the other kids and teachers. But at age five, Chika is suddenly diagnosed with something a doctor there says, “No one in Haiti can help you with.” Mitch and Janine bring Chika to Detroit, hopeful that American medical care can soon return her to her homeland. Instead, Chika becomes a permanent part of their household, and their lives, as they embark on a two-year, around-the-world journey to find a cure. As Chika’s boundless optimism and humor teach Mitch the joys of caring for a child, he learns that a relationship built on love, no matter what blows it takes, can never be lost. Told in hindsight, and through illuminating conversations with Chika herself, this is Albom at his most poignant and vulnerable. Finding Chika is a celebration of a girl, her adoptive guardians, and the incredible bond they formed—a devastatingly beautiful portrait of what it means to be a family, regardless of how it is made.
£12.34
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Women of the Bible Speak
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£25.19
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Love Stories of the Bible Speak Coloring Book
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£16.19
Oxford University Press Inc BackPocket God Religion and Spirituality in the
Book SynopsisMore than a decade ago, a group of researchers began to study the religious and spiritual lives of American teenagers. They tracked these young people over the course of a decade, revisiting them periodically to check in on the state -and future- of religion in America, and reporting on their findings in a series of books, beginning with Soul Searching (2005). Now, with Back-Pocket God, this mammoth research project comes to its conclusion. What have we learned about the changing shape of religion in America?Back-Pocket God explores continuity and change among young people from their teenage years through the latter stages of emerging adulthood. Melinda Lundquist Denton and Richard Flory find that the story of young adult religion is one of an overall decline in commitment and affiliation, and in general, a moving away from organized religion. Yet, there is also a parallel trend in which a small, religiously committed group of emerging adults claim faith as an important fixture in their lives. Emerging adults don''t seem so much opposed to religion or to religious organizations, at least in the abstract, as they are uninterested in religion, at least as they have experienced it. Religion is like an app on the ubiquitous smartphones in our back pockets: readily accessible, easy to control, and usefulbut only for limited purposes.Denton and Flory show that some of the popular assumptions about young people and religion are not as clear as what many people seem to believe. The authors challenge the characterizations of religiously unaffiliated emerging adults -sometimes called religious nones- as undercover atheists. At the other end of the spectrum, they question the assumption that those who are not religious will return to religion once they marry and have children.Trade ReviewIn sum, this book is a landmark on sociology of religion, also because it is the last book of a very important project. The array of data, expressed in many indicators, typologies, and analyses, makes this book of utmost importance in this area. * José Pereira Coutinho, CAURIENSIA *The authors excelled and produced a work that will surely be referenced for years to come. * George M. Hayward, Review of Religious Research *Back-Pocket God: Religion and Spirituality in the Lives of Emerging Adults, provides a more complex, honest and hopeful view that resists tired narratives of generational warfare.... a refreshing view of the so-called 'millennial' spiritual mindset. * National Catholic Reporter *Denton and Flory draw on rich survey and interview data to weave a compellingly nuanced collection of storylines that showcase whether, how, and why religion matters in the lives of emerging adults.... All told, Back-Pocket God provides foundational insight at the same time that it catalyzes fruitful new directions for scholars and religious practitioners. * Sociology of Religion *An indispensable resource for anyone interested in what religion looks like among today's emerging adults. * Daniel L. Allen, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion *there are some bright spots in chapters on "Transitions to Adult Life" and "Making Sense of It All" where Denton and Flory conclude that these Emergent Adults have turned away from organized religion and traditional churches. A smaller contingent, the Religiously Committed, cling to their faith in hard times. * Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Practice *Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: The Teens of Soul Searching 10 Years Later Chapter 3: Transitioning to Adult Life: Major Themes in the Lives of Emerging Adults Chapter 4: Where are they Now? Religious Affiliation, Practice, Beliefs and Experiences Chapter 5: Understanding Differences in Emerging Adult Religion Chapter 6: How did They Get There? Trajectories in the Religious Lives of Emerging Adults Chapter 7: Faith and Family Chapter 8: Conclusion Appendix A: Methodological Appendix
£36.09
Oxford University Press Inc Maoism and Grassroots Religion
Book SynopsisMaoism and Grassroots Religion explores grassroots religious life under and after Mao in Rui''an County, Wenzhou of southeast China, a region widely known for its religious vitality. Drawing from unexplored local state archives, records of religious institutions, memoirs, and interviews, it tells the story of local communities'' encounter with the Communist revolution, and its consequences, especially competition and struggles for religious property and ritual space. Rather than being totally disrupted, Xiaoxuan Wang shows, religious life under Mao was characterized by remarkable variety and unevenness and was contingent on the interactions of local dynamics with Maoist campaigns--including land reform, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution. The revolutionary experience strongly determined the trajectories and development patterns of different religions, inter-religious dynamics, and state-religion relationships in the post-Mao era. Wang goes beyond the image of totalistic control and suppression, to show how Maoism is relevant to religious revitalization in the post-Mao era and, more broadly, the modern fate of Chinese religions and secularism in East Asia.Maoism permanently altered the religious landscape in China, especially by inadvertently promoting the localization and even (in some areas) expansion of Protestant Christianity, as well as the reinvention of traditional communal religion. Contrary to the popular image of total suppression and disruption during the Mao years, this book shows that religious changes under Mao were highly complex and contingent on a confluence of political campaigns, local politics and community responses.The post-Mao religious revival had deep historical roots in the Mao years, Wang argues, and cannot be explained by contemporary economic motives and cultural logics alone. This book calls for a new understanding of Maoism and secularism in the People''s Republic of China.Trade ReviewWang's careful reading and field research provides a well-rounded and nuanced approach. As such, the study is an excellent starting point for understanding the continuity and transformation of religion in China since 1949. This book would work especially well as a text for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on the historical and sociological study of religion in China. * Alex Mayfield, Assistant Professor of History, Department of Social Science and History, Asbury University, Lexington, KY, USA, Mission Studies *Its detailed stories, further, provide an excellent resource for teaching about the multiple and unexpected trajectories of the Chinese Communist revolution at the local level, which insists on the Maoist revolution as both destructive but equally generative for religious life in China. * Joshua Tan, Reading Religion *Overall, the community of scholars studying modern Chinese religions will greatly benefit from this careful research on religion and politics in a mostly rural corner of China during the under-researched Maoist era. There are some unexpected findings that deserve reflection and will make us rethink certain assumptions. * Mayfair Yang, Review of Religion and Chinese Society *Using a combination of documentary collection and oral history, it explores the complex relationship between the communist revolution and religious life at the grassroots level, as well as the impact of the legacy of Maoism on religion in China today...In general, this book enriches our understanding of grassroots religious life during the Máo era and reminds us to pay attention to the impact of the Máo-era legacy on religious life in China today. The book makes outstanding contributions to the relationship between church and state in China, the history of religion in China, and the history the Máo era. This book is suitable for readers and researchers interested in these areas. * Wei Xiong, Central China Normal University *Readers will come away with some fascinating insights into the operation of the state between the sub-county and provincial levels, which is no doubt at least partly a reflection of Wang's use of archival documents. * PRC History Review *Table of ContentsList of Maps, Figures and Photos Acknowledgements Translations, Characters, and Abbreviations Introduction Chapter One: Revolution and Religion: The Pre-1949 Encounter Chapter Two: The Land Revolution and Religious Communities in the Early 1950s Chapter Three: The Contests for Communal Temples in the Early 1950s to the Mid-1970s Chapter Four: Destruction and Renewal: Christian Churches from the Early 1950s to the Mid-1960s Chapter Five: Diversification and Unification: Protestant Churches during the Cultural Revolution Chapter Six: Mixed Blessings: Growth and Schisms among Protestant Churches, 1978-2014 Chapter Seven: Déjà Vu? -The Temple Reclamation Movement and the Revitalization of Rural Organizations, 1978-2014 Conclusion Chinese Term List Bibiliography Index
£39.63
Oxford University Press Americas Four Gods What We Say About GodAnd What That Says About Us What We Say about GodAnd What That Says about Us Updated
Book SynopsisDespite all the hype surrounding the New Atheism, the United States remains one of the most religious nations on Earth. In fact, 95% of Americans believe in God--a level of agreement rarely seen in American life. The greatest divisions in America are not between atheists and believers, or even between people of different faiths. What divides us, this groundbreaking book shows, is how we conceive of God and the role He plays in our daily lives. America''s Four Gods draws on the most wide-ranging, comprehensive, and illuminating survey of American''s religious beliefs ever conducted to offer a systematic exploration of how Americans view God. Paul Froese and Christopher Bader argue that many of America''s most intractable social and political divisions emerge from religious convictions that are deeply held but rarely openly discussed. Drawing upon original survey data from thousands of Americans and a wealth of in-depth interviews from all parts of the country, Froese and Bader trace America''s cultural and political diversity to its ultimate source--differing opinions about God. They show that regardless of our religious tradition (or lack thereof), Americans worship four distinct types of God: The Authoritative God--who is both engaged in the world and judgmental; The Benevolent God--who loves and helps us in spite of our failings; The Critical God--who catalogs our sins but does not punish them (at least not in this life); and The Distant God--who stands apart from the world He created. The authors show that these four conceptions of God form the basis of our worldviews and are among the most powerful predictors of how we feel about the most contentious issues in American life. This updated edition includes a new preface and afterword in which the authors reflect on their goals in writing this book, and explore trends that have developed since the initial publication. America''s Four Gods provides an invaluable portrait of how we view God and therefore how we view virtually everything else.Trade Review"America's Four Gods is an outstanding exposé on what exactly people mean when they talk about God. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how people think and feel about God."--Andrew Newberg, M.D., author of Why We Believe What We Believe "A tour de force showing what Americans believe about God and how it shapes their behavior. This path-breaking work forces us to move beyond the ill-defined labels of religious liberals and conservatives to understand how images of God move people to action." -- Roger Finke, Professor of Sociology & Religious Studies, Penn State UniversityTable of ContentsPreface ; Introduction: Why God? ; 1. America's Four Gods ; 2. God, Self, and Society ; 3. God and Morals ; 4. God and Science ; 5. God and Mammon ; 6. God and Evil ; 7.The Future of God ; Afterword ; Postscript: The God Questionnaire ; Appendix: Research Methods ; Bibliography ; Index
£29.32
Oxford University Press Inc The New Buddhism
Book SynopsisIn our multicultural society, faiths formerly seen as exotic have become attractive alternatives for many people seeking more satisfying spiritual lives. This is especially true of Buddhism, which is the focus of constant media attention--thanks at least in part to celebrity converts, major motion pictures, and the popularity of the Dalai Lama. Following this recent trend in the West, author James Coleman argues that a new and radically different form of this ancient faith is emerging. The New Buddhism sheds new light on this recent evolution of Buddhist practice in the West. After briefly recounting the beginnings and spread of Buddhism in the East, Coleman chronicles its reinterpretation by key Western teachers in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, ranging from the British poet Sir Edwin Arnold to the Beat writer Alan Watts. Turning to the contemporary scene, he finds that Western teachers have borrowed liberally from different Buddhist traditions that never intersect in their oTrade ReviewA fascinating, unflinching look at how the transmission and study of the Dharma has evolved since it arrived in the West * Yoga Journal *An important contribution to the growing literature on American Buddhism. * Peter N. Gregory, Tricycle *Table of Contents1. What is This? ; 2. Asian Roots: The Origins of the Buddhist Tradition ; 3. Western Flower: The Growth of the New Buddhism ; 4. At the Marrow: Practice and Belief ; 5. Sex, Power, and Conflict ; 6. Why Buddhism? ; 7. The New Buddhism Takes Shape
£13.99
Oxford University Press, USA Saving Souls Serving Society Understanding the Faith Factor in ChurchBased Social Ministry
Book SynopsisAs public funding for social services has been slashed, there has arisen an unprecedented interest in the potential (and dangers) of faith-based institutions as agents of social change. Now, as President Bush begins his second term, he has placed government funding of faith-based programs at the top of his domestic agenda. What distinguishes church-based from secular social activism? What is particularly religious about church-based social services? How do churches express their religious identity in the context of social services, and how does this affect their access to resources and partners? This book, based on a Lilly-funded study of fifteen Philadelphia churches with active outreach, seeks to answer these and other pressing questions surrounding this important and controversial issue. Providing a far more objective understanding of faith-based initiatives than previously available, this study will be of interest not only to scholars of sociology of religion, social work, and social policy, but to denominational leaders, non-profit professionals, social policy analysts, community development practitioners, and others with the common goal of aiding struggling communities.Trade ReviewWhereas most scholars focus on the social service side of faith-based social services, Unruh and Sider integrate the faith factor and evangelism in understanding congregational social services. They convincingly demonstrate that one cannot understand faith-based social services without understanding its faith dimensions. This is a most innovative and groundbreaking book that is a must for all those concerned with the faith-based initiative and congregational studies. * Ram A. Cnaan, author of The Invisible Caring Hand: American Congregations and the Provision of Welfare *
£44.09
Oxford University Press Sacred Pain
Book SynopsisPhysical pain ranks as one of the great evils of human life, not far behind death. Yet, religious individuals and groups around the world and throughout history have inflicted pain on themselves and on others in pursuit of religious goals. Despite this, no broad explanation for the uses of pain has emerged, and this book seeks to remedy this lack. Glucklich shows that a ritually controlled regimen of pain can produce a transformation of consciousness in which personal identity gives way to identification with God, Truth, or other spiritual ideals. This phenomenon is explored in many cultural and historical contexts, including rituals of possession and exorcism, rites of passage, and the tortures of the Inquisition. Glucklich also shows how the modern invention of anæsthesia transformed our perception of pain and undermined the idea that pain can be good. This book helps us to understand sacred pain from the perspective of its practitioners, opening a window onto a mysterious world of eTrade Review"Succeeds not only because of the immense and careful scholarship it displays, but also because it establishes a creative dialogue between science and religion on a question of enduring, and today largely forgotten, importance. Most of all, the book invites its readers to appreciate that pain need not be meaningless."--Stephen G. Post, First Things"Erudite and wide-ranging...compelling.... This fascinating, closely argued study suggests that in religion as in sports, there is no gain without pain."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)"This demanding book does justice to the complexity of its subject as Glucklich masterfully leads the reader through all the diverse paths that connect with the central topic. He is a skilled writer who presents complicated material well without sacrificing meaning or nuance."--Library Journal"A brilliantly written, thought-provoking volume on the transformative potential of physical pain experienced within a religious context."--Harold G. Koenig, M.D., co-author, Handbook of Religion and Health"Ariel Glucklich is that rare being, a genuine comparativist, of cosmopolitan learning and wide sympathies. Drawing upon such diverse approaches as neurobiology, social psychology, ritual studies, cultural theory, phenomenology, and history of religion, he succeeds in shedding light on the darkest reaches of the seemingly chaotic realm of pain. Glucklich reminds us of all-but-forgotten insights into the transformative power of sacred pain, brings these insights into dialogue with the best thinking that is being done in the behavioral and biological sciences, and in so doing forges new instruments for the study of religious consciousness."--Carol Zaleski, Professor and Chair, Department of Religion, Smith College"Indeed, Glucklich examines the function of pain as part of the redemptive pilgrimage from numerous angles and distances, then turns it over and examines it some more...anyone with a serious interest in religion, pain and suffering, and/or the anthropology of the "community" will find much food for thought in this book...Sacred Pain offers valuable insights about pain, belief, and Western society's conflicting attitudes about pain and suffering."--Medscape
£40.37
Oxford University Press Making of Buddhist Modernism
Book SynopsisIn this book, David McMahan offers the first comprehensive attempt to chart the development of modern Buddhism. His position is critical but empathetic: while he presents modern Buddhism as a construction of numerous parties with varying interests, he does not reduce it to a mistake, a misrepresentation, or a fabrication. Rather, he presents modern Buddhism as a complex historical process constituted by a variety of responses - sometimes trivial, often profound - to some of the most important concerns of the modern era.Trade ReviewMcMahan's investigation is a valuable and welcome addition to studies of Victorian-era Buddhism, Buddhism and colonialism, Engaged Buddhism, and Buddhism in America. * Anne M. Blackburn, Journal of the American Academy of Religion *David McMahan has developed a creative and richly suggestive historical synthesis. ... McMahan's investigation is a valuable and welcome addition to studies of Victorian-era Buddhism, Buddhism and colonialism, Engaged Buddhism, and Buddhism in America. * Anne M. Blackburn, Journal of the American Academy of Religion *Table of Contents1. Introduction: Buddhism and Modernity ; 2. The Spectrum of Tradition and Modernism ; 3. Buddhism and the Discourses of Modernity ; 4. Modernity and the Discourse of Scientific Buddhism ; 5 ; 6. A Brief History of Interdependence ; 7. Meditation and Modernity ; 8. Mindfulness, Literature, and the Affirmation of the World ; 9. From Modern to Postmodern?
£37.04
Oxford University Press Everyday Religion
Book SynopsisSocial scientists sometimes seem not to know what to do with religion. In the first century of sociologys history as a discipline, the reigning concern was explaining the emergence of the modern world, and that brought with it an expectation that religion would simply fade from the scene as societies became diverse, complex, and enlightened. As the century approached its end, however, a variety of global phenomena remained dramatically unexplained by these theories. Among the leading contenders for explanatory power to emerge at this time were rational choice theories of religious behavior. Researchers who have spent time in the field, observing religious groups and interviewing practitioners, however, have questioned the sufficiency of these market models. Studies abound that describe thriving religious phenomena that fit neither the old secularization paradigm nor the equations predicting vitality only among organizational entrepreneurs with strict orthodoxies. In this collection of Trade ReviewThis book plots a new agenda for understanding religion in contemporary society. Based on case studies in both Europe and the United States, the poverty of rational-choice explanations of religion is exposed, along with the inadequacy of charting religious change by surveying beliefs and patterns of institutional affiliation. Pluralism may challenge traditional perceptions of religion, but it certainly has not led to the demise religion if one examines what people do in everyday life. This is a wonderful collection of essays, framed by Ammerman's brilliant opening and closing chapters. * Donald E. Miller, Professor of Religion and Executive Director of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture, University of Southern California *
£30.17
Oxford University Press The Oxford Handbook of Christmas
Book SynopsisThe Oxford Handbook of Christmas provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary account of all aspects of Christmas across the globe, from the specifically religious to the purely cultural. The contributions are drawn from a distinguished group of international experts from across numerous disciplines, including literary scholars, theologians, historians, biblical scholars, sociologists, anthropologists, art historians, and legal experts. The volume provides authoritative treatments of a range of topics, from the origins of Christmas to the present; decorating trees to eating plum pudding; from the Bible to contemporary worship; from carols to cinema; from the Nativity Story to Santa Claus; from Bethlehem to Japan; from Catholics to Baptists; from secularism to consumerism.Christmas is the biggest celebration on the planet. Every year, a significant percentage of the world''s population is drawn to this holidayfrom Cape Cod to Cape Town, from South America to South Korea, and on and on across the globe. The Christmas season takes up a significant part of the entire year. For many countries, the holiday is a major force in their national economy. Moreover, Christmas is not just a modern holiday, but has been an important feast for most Christians since the fourth century and a dominant event in many cultures and countries for over a millennium. The Oxford Handbook of Christmas provides an invaluable reference point for anyone interested in this global phenomenon.Trade ReviewThe Handbook is scrupulous in covering the views of all the main Christian traditions and perspectives, and Orthodox perspectives receive admirably balanced coverage throughout the work ... So many are the impacts of Christmas, and so diverse, that we can scarcely imagine a single book that could do the topic justice. We must then laud the sheer ambition of Oxford University Press in proposing anything like The Oxford Handbook of Christmas, and the raw nerve of Timothy Larsen in undertaking the editorial guidance. The resulting book is a triumph. * Philip Jenkins, Baylor University, Fides et Historia *Larsen has edited a volume that, with all its scholarly orientation and high quality, also offers inspiring reading for long evenings in winter, Advent and the Christmas days and provides fresh angles for celebrating Christmas, be it in a Christian congregation, at home or in wider society. * C. Stenschke, Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses *Everyone who loves Christmas will want to have this work of reference on their bookshelf. * Salvador Ryan, St Patrick's College, Maynooth *The Oxford Handbook of Christmas is a perfect treasure trove. * Chris Deacy, Theology *[Timothy Larsen's] book, a highly readable collection of 45 essays by well-informed scholars, is a fascinating box of focusing lenses on Christmas—its history, theology, iconography, traditions, and, yes, its controversies, including those of the present moment. * Book Review Editor, Wall Street Journal *[T]his vast collection, edited by Timothy Larsen —an expert in Victorian religious life—offers stimulating essays on what might be called Christmasness; thus it will be ever timely. * Alexandra Mullen, Wall Street Journal *This beautiful, comprehensive handbook thoroughly covers the religious and cultural significance of the Christian festival of Christmas. Larsen (Christian thought, Wheaton College, Illinois) assembled an international team of contributors, and he divides their 45 essays into eight topical parts. "History" covers the history of Christmas in Christianity from the beginning to the present; "Theology" and "Worshipping Communities" deal with, respectively, the biblical and theological aspects of Christmas and how the holiday is observed within the various Christian communities; and "The Nativity Story" examines different aspects of the traditional Christmas narrative. ... Though the beauty of the book and its illustrations could lead one to think otherwise, this is a serious work of scholarship, as evidenced by the extensive bibliographies at the end of each essay. * M. A. Granquist, CHOICE *The Oxford Handbook of Christmas is impressively comprehensive. * Daniel N. Gullotta, The Current *Timothy Larsen has put together a very readable collection, ideal for dipping into, full of fascination. * Rowan Williams, Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsPart I: History 1: Paul F. Bradshaw: The Dating of Christmas: The Early Church 2: Kati Ihnat: The Middle Ages 3: Katrina Jennie-Lou Wheeler: The Reformation and Early Modern Periods 4: Timothy Larsen: The Nineteenth Century 5: Christopher Ferguson: The Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries Part II: Theology 6: John Barton: The Old Testament 7: Markus Bockmuehl and Evangeline Kozitza: The New Testament 8: Katherine Sonderegger: Jesus Christ and the Incarnation 9: Katherine G. Schmidt: The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Virgin Birth Part III: Worshipping Communities 10: Anne McGowan: Roman Catholicism 11: Mary B. Cunningham: Eastern Orthodoxy 12: Kirsi Stjerna: Lutheranism 13: Martyn Percy: Anglicanism 14: Andrew R. Holmes: Reformed and Dissenting Protestants Part IV: The Nativity Story 15: Holly Taylor Coolman: The Holy Family 16: David Lyle Jeffrey: Gabriel and the Angels 17: Leroy A. Huizenga: Bethlehem and the Census 18: D. H. Williams: The Magi and the Star 19: Jody Vaccaro Lewis: The Inn, the Manger, the Swaddling Clothes, the Shepherds, and the Animals Part V: Traditions 20: Daniel Gifford: The Winter Solstice and other Celebrations of the Season 21: Adam C. English: St Nicholas to Santa Claus 22: David Bertaina: Trees and Decorations 23: Ellen M. Litwicki: Gifts and Charity 24: Marcia J. Bunge: Children and Childhood 25: Paul Freedman: Food and Drink Part VI: The Arts 26: Tova Leigh-Choate: Carols and Music to 1900 27: Todd Decker: Carols and Music since 1900 28: Barbara von Barghahn: Paintings 29: Frances Clemson: Plays 30: Emma Mason: Poetry 31: Natalie McKnight: Fiction 32: Mark Connelly: Film and Television Part VII: Around the World 33: Elizabeth Monier: Bethlehem and the Middle East 34: Nadine Cretin: Catholic Europe 35: Joe Perry: Germany and Scandinavia 36: Francesca Silano: Russia 37: Martin Johnes: The United Kingdom 38: Daniel Vaca: The United States 39: Joel Cabrita: Africa 40: Joseph Tse-Hei Lee: Asia 41: David Thomas Orique, O.P.: Latin America and the Caribbean Part VIII: The State and Society 42: Richard W. Garnett and Jackson Blais: Public Holidays and the Law 43: John Schmalzbauer: Commercialism and Consumerism 44: David Nash: Secularity 45: Gerry Bowler: Culture Wars Timothy Larsen: Epilogue: The Many True Meanings of Christmas
£46.44
Oxford University Press Sacred Stories Spiritual Tribes
Book SynopsisNancy Tatom Ammerman examines the stories Americans tell of their everyday lives, from dinner table to office and shopping mall to doctor's office, about the things that matter most to them and the routines they take for granted, and the times and places where the everyday and ordinary meet the spiritual.Trade ReviewNancy Ammerman's recent work has helped to lead a growing group of scholars who, disenchanted with the perceived dead ends of the secularization versus rational choice debate of the 1990s, recommend new ways of thinking about and studying religion. Sacred Stories, Spiritual Tribes, which uses a lived religion approach, is a welcome addition to these efforts. Ammerman's innovative account of religiosity in the United States uses qualitative methods, especially elicited narratives, in an original way that combines depth with considerable breadth. * Mary Ellen Konieczny, Sociology of Religion *Provides a helpful glimpse into how 'non experts' in America talk about and practice religion in their everyday lives...Besides making a wonderful addition to the syllabus of different graduate courses such as practical theology, spirituality, and the sociology of religion, Sacred Stories could be helpful for church book group discussions on everyday religion. * Ecclesial Practices *Sacred Stories brings to light the myriad ways our contemporaries find religious meaning in their twenty-first century lives. It succeeds in launching readers into new conversations about what spirituality is, how we go about identifying activities and experiences as in some way spiritual, and how existing traditions connect with specific moments of everyday religion. * Church History *This comprehensive, thought-provoking work adds immeasurably to scholarship in sociology of religion and will help set agendas in sociology of religion for years to come. * Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion *By setting aside the typical categories academic researchers use when studying contemporary religion, Ammerman and her team document the complex ways religion shows up in a wide range of domains: in communities and conversations, in homes, at work and in public life, and not surprisingly around matters of health, illness and death. * Religion Dispatches *Nancy Ammerman's Sacred Stories, Spiritual Tribes offers the most in-depth, yet wide-ranging mapping of religious/spiritual/secular sensibilities in the everyday lives of contemporary Americans yet to emerge. She weaves a tapestry that shatters many of our taken-for-granted assumptions about people's circumscribed life-worlds. The book deserves a serious reading on the part of anyone who would try to describe this emerging, but exceedingly complex mix of the sacred and the secular. * Wade Clark Roof, J.F. Rowny Professor of Religion and Society, University of California at Santa Barbara *Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments ; List of Tables ; List of Illustrations and Captions ; Chapter 1. In Search of Religion in Everyday Life ; Chapter 2. "Spirituality" and "Religion": What Are We Talking About? ; Chapter 3. Spiritual Practices in Everyday Life ; Chapter 4. Religious Communities and Spiritual Conversations ; Chapter 5. Everyday Life at Home ; Chapter 6. Nine to Five: Spiritual Presence at Work ; Chapter 7. Everyday Public Life: Circles of Spiritual Presence and Absence ; Chapter 8. Bodies and Spirits: Health, Illness and Mortality ; Chapter 9. Spiritual Tribes: Toward a Sociology of Religion in Everyday Life ; Appendix 1. Participants and Their Religious Communities ; Appendix 2. Coding and Analyzing Stories ; Appendix 3. Research Protocols ; Notes ; References ; Index
£33.99
Oxford University Press Belief without Borders Inside the Minds of the Spiritual but not Religious
Book SynopsisThe last twenty years have seen a dramatic increase in nones: people who do not claim any religious affiliation, and who now outnumber even the largest Protestant denominations in America. Not to be confused with secularists, many nones identify themselves as spiritual but not religious (SBNR). Public response to the emergence of SBNRs has been wildly mixed. Nones have been evaluated, statistically analyzed, classified and categorized, derided as shallow dilettantes, and hailed as spiritual pioneers, but very rarely asked to describe their own views and experiences. In Beliefs without Borders, theologian and one-time SBNR Linda Mercadante gives nones a chance to speak for themselves.This volume is the outcome of extensive observation and over 85 in-depth interviews with SBNRs across the United States. Mercadante presents SBNRs'' stories and analysis of their spiritual journeys as well as their rationale for the rejection of organized religion, showing that people who identify in this way can be found not only outside of organized religon, but within it. She reveals the surprising latent theology within the nones movement, including the interviewees'' creative concepts of divine transcendence, life after death, human nature, and community, and the conclusions she draws are startling: despite that SBNRs routinely discount the creeds and doctrines of organized religion, many have devised a structured set of beliefs, often purposefully in opposition to doctrines associated with Christianity.Beliefs without Borders is a captivating exploration of a growing belief system certain to transform the spiritual character of America.Trade ReviewWhether or not Mercadante's readers endorse her theological critique, this fascinating book offers an investigation of American SBNR's beliefs that is important and timely, a gift to scholars and practitioners of religion, spirituality and non-religion. * Kristin Aune, Times Higher Education *This informative, engaging, and important book shatters the myth that those who describe themselves as 'spiritual but not religious' (SBNR) are self-absorbed theological illiterates self-indulgently 'pic 'n mixing' their way to objectively superficial spiritual self-satisfaction. * Mark Bratton, Journal of Contemporary Religion *the book has a strong balance of description, evaluation and criticism and is, as yet, one of only a few major empirical studies on the SBNR revolution. * Oliver Robinson, Network Review *Table of ContentsA Personal Prelude: Confessions of a Former SBNR ; Chapter One - Introduction ; Chapter Two - Waking from the Dream ; Chapter Three - The Interviewees ; Chapter Four - Common Themes ; Chapter Five - Transcendence ; Chapter Six - Human Nature ; Chapter Seven - Community ; Chapter Eight - Afterlife ; Chapter Nine - Conclusions and Implications ; Afterword - Rita Rodriquez and the Resiliency of Religion ; Appendix - Research Methodology
£43.50
The University of Chicago Press Yoga and the Hindu Tradition
Book SynopsisA popular and critical success when it first appeared in France, Yoga and the Hindu Tradition has freed Yoga from the common misconceptions of the recent Yoga vogue. Jean Varenne, the distinguished French Orientalist, presents the theory of classical Yoga, in all its richness, as a methoda concrete way to reach the Absolute through spiritual exerciseswhich makes possible the transition from existence to essence. This excellent translation, including line drawings and charts, a glossary of technical terms, and a complete translation of the Yoga Darshana Upanishad, begins with a brief description of the metaphysical and religious history on which Yoga is based. Varenne discusses the theoretical conception of Yoga as the search for liberating knowledge, concluding with a brief indication of the physical practices and extra Yogic themes such as Kundalini and Tantrism. It is the author's hope that those who read [this book] will come to realize that it is in fact dishonest to reduce Yoga to some sort of physical training, or to just an occult doctrine; it is a 'world view' a Weltanschauung that comprehends reality in its totality. The straightforward, well-organized presentation makes the book itself a microcosm of what Varenne singles out as a dominant feature of classical Hindu thoughta bringing of the complex and multitudinous into a unity.Judith Guttman, Yoga Journal
£25.65
Darton,Longman & Todd Ltd Fire and the Rose are One
£17.68
Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd Therese Vanier
Book SynopsisThérèse Vanier, founder of L''Arche in the UK, was also a distinguished doctor who worked with Cecily Saunders at the world-renowned St Christopher''s Hospice in London, and a tireless contributor to Christian ecumenism and interfaith understanding.This biography draws on the memories of nearly fifty people who knew her, as well as her own published and unpublished writings, to offer a tribute to Thérèse and a critical assessment of her lasting legacy in the three areas of her work.Includes photo section.Trade Review'Therese's life was sheer grace to those who met her and knew her. This beautiful tribute speaks of a life of service to Jesus Christ, and captures how the light of Christ shone through her in her deep faithfulness, tireless work for justice and presence in love to those most vulnerable.' -- Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury `This life of Therese Vanier is truly inspiring. Her commitment to the sick and dying, to those with intellectual disabilities and to Christian unity shine out from every page. Her story offers real hope for the renewal of humanity.' -- Cardinal Vincent Nichols `In this precious volume we encounter a pioneer of great intelligence, grace and humility as she walks the path through experiences of both light and darkness. Those who knew Therese, will find themselves in her company once again; those who did not, will come to feel they did, and all will discover more than one cause for personal reflection and profound gratitude.' -- Balfour Mount OC QC
£12.99
Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd To Live Again
Book SynopsisTo Live Again is an original Advent course based on, and inspired by, It’s a Wonderful Life. In four weekly study sessions, structured around key scenes from the film, it explores various Christian themes arising from the movie.
£8.76
Penguin Books Ltd The Way of a Pilgrim
Book SynopsisBy the mercy of God I am a Christian, by my deeds a great sinner, by calling a homeless wanderer of the lowliest origins, roaming from place to place. Here, see my belongings: a bag of dry crusts on my back and the Holy Bible in my breast pocket; that''s it.In 1884 there appeared in Russia a slim volume containing four short tales. They told of a pilgrim, a lone wanderer, led by his quiet curiosity and a deep spiritual longing to undertake a lifelong journey across the land. A folk hero, a figure familiar from the works of Tolstoy and Leskov, this gentle pilgrim and his simple story would soon travel the world - and would even, much later, traverse the pages of JD Salinger''s Franny and Zooey as the ''small pea-green cloth-bound book'' that Franny keeps close in her handbag. The pilgrim''s ancient journey takes him from a city monastery through forests, fields and the steppes of Siberia. He walks by day and by night, through rains and summer months, fin
£9.99
Indiana University Press Richard McNemar
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Goodwillie illuminates the life of Richard McNemar, who played a pivotal role in the formation of the complicated religious landscape of the trans-Appalachian west in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period of American religious history that continues to deeply inform our national culture. McNemar's story seems deeply relevant now, as America has devolved into deep division over religious and political conviction, more than most of us have ever seen in our lifetimes."—Carol Medlicott, Northern Kentucky University"This chronological and detailed treatment of his life highlights McNemar's contributions to Shaker theology, missionary efforts, leadership, poetry, hymns, and printing. Richard McNemar: Frontier Heretic and Shaker Apostle goes beyond and debunks whatever may remain of Shaker folklore connected McNemar. Instead, the reader appreciates him as a man of great integrity and deep religious faith who, in spite of a range of human imperfections, remained true to Mother Ann's Gospel."—Stephen J. Paterwic, author of Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, and The A-Z of the Shakers.Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsMapsIntroductionPart I: Presbyterian and Schismatic1. Youth2. Westward Migration and Education3. Ordination4. Revival5. RebellionPart II: Shaker6. Rebirth7. The New and Living Way8. Community Foundations9. Shakers and the Shawnee Prophet10. Shaker Publications and the Expansion of Missionary Efforts11. Gospel Order in the West, James Smith, and the Ohio Mob12. War Comes to the Wabash13. Perfidy, Pilgrims, Prosecution, Progress, and Pestilence14. The End of the Beginning15. "There's Something Dead upon This Ground," or, "The Buzzards and the Flesh"16. The Struggle with Abijah Alley and Aquila Bolton17. Eleazar Goes East18. Eleazar and the Covenant19. Custos Sacrorum20. The Great Snake and the Patriarchal Skeleton21. Unrest in the West22. Freegift to the West23. "The Name or Memory of Mr. McNamar"24. The New Era25. War in Heaven26. A Wandering Star27. Look Homeward, Angel28. Aftermath and LegacyAppendix 1: Richard McNemar, "A general outline of the past Journal of my life"Appendix 2: Richard McNemar, "Testimony of E[leazar] Wright"Appendix 3: Richard McNemar, "My years on earth have been but few"Appendix 4: [Archibald McCorkle?], "A few mourning thoughts on McNemar's fall," and Richard McNemar, "An Answer to the Mourning Thoughts on McNemar's Fall"Appendix 5: The Expulsion of Richard McNemarAppendix 6: [The Redemption of Richard McNemar]NotesBibliographyIndex
£59.50
Indiana University Press Richard McNemar
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Goodwillie illuminates the life of Richard McNemar, who played a pivotal role in the formation of the complicated religious landscape of the trans-Appalachian west in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period of American religious history that continues to deeply inform our national culture. McNemar's story seems deeply relevant now, as America has devolved into deep division over religious and political conviction, more than most of us have ever seen in our lifetimes."—Carol Medlicott, Northern Kentucky University"This chronological and detailed treatment of his life highlights McNemar's contributions to Shaker theology, missionary efforts, leadership, poetry, hymns, and printing. Richard McNemar: Frontier Heretic and Shaker Apostle goes beyond and debunks whatever may remain of Shaker folklore connected McNemar. Instead, the reader appreciates him as a man of great integrity and deep religious faith who, in spite of a range of human imperfections, remained true to Mother Ann's Gospel."—Stephen J. Paterwic, author of Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, and The A-Z of the Shakers.Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsMapsIntroductionPart I: Presbyterian and Schismatic1. Youth2. Westward Migration and Education3. Ordination4. Revival5. RebellionPart II: Shaker6. Rebirth7. The New and Living Way8. Community Foundations9. Shakers and the Shawnee Prophet10. Shaker Publications and the Expansion of Missionary Efforts11. Gospel Order in the West, James Smith, and the Ohio Mob12. War Comes to the Wabash13. Perfidy, Pilgrims, Prosecution, Progress, and Pestilence14. The End of the Beginning15. "There's Something Dead upon This Ground," or, "The Buzzards and the Flesh"16. The Struggle with Abijah Alley and Aquila Bolton17. Eleazar Goes East18. Eleazar and the Covenant19. Custos Sacrorum20. The Great Snake and the Patriarchal Skeleton21. Unrest in the West22. Freegift to the West23. "The Name or Memory of Mr. McNamar"24. The New Era25. War in Heaven26. A Wandering Star27. Look Homeward, Angel28. Aftermath and LegacyAppendix 1: Richard McNemar, "A general outline of the past Journal of my life"Appendix 2: Richard McNemar, "Testimony of E[leazar] Wright"Appendix 3: Richard McNemar, "My years on earth have been but few"Appendix 4: [Archibald McCorkle?], "A few mourning thoughts on McNemar's fall," and Richard McNemar, "An Answer to the Mourning Thoughts on McNemar's Fall"Appendix 5: The Expulsion of Richard McNemarAppendix 6: [The Redemption of Richard McNemar]NotesBibliographyIndex
£28.80
Yale University Press Moral Teachings of Islam
Book SynopsisWhile al-Bukhari's original text runs to many hundred of pages, forming several volumes, Abdul Ali Hamid selected those teachings that have relevance and appeal to today's readership, not only to Muslims, but to all who seek to know more of the essence of Islamic life and teachings.
£16.99
Random House USA Inc River of Fire On Becoming an Activist
Book Synopsis“River of Fire is Sister Helen’s story leading up to her acclaimed book Dead Man Walking—it is thought-provoking, informative, and inspiring. Read it and it will set your heart ablaze!”—Mark Shriver, author of Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis The nation’s foremost leader in efforts to abolish the death penalty shares the story of her growth as a spiritual leader, speaks out about the challenges of the Catholic Church, and shows that joy and religion are not mutually exclusive. Sister Helen Prejean’s work as an activist nun, campaigning to educate Americans about the inhumanity of the death penalty, is known to millions worldwide. Less widely known is the evolution of her spiritual journey from praying for God to solve the world’s problems to engaging full-tilt in working to transform societal injustices. Sister Helen grew up in a well-off Ba
£14.41
Zondervan The Starfish and the Spirit
Book SynopsisLeveraging the metaphor Ori Brafman popularized in his NYT best-selling book, The Starfish and the Spider, Wegner, Ford, and Hirsch show why the distributed structures of starfish organizations are uniquely fit to the church. Seeding starfish networks inside today's churches will prepare the church of tomorrow to be agile and effective.Trade Review'A question much on my mind is this: Will there be church in the twenty-first century that matters? This quite remarkable book argues for what is necessary for the recovery, the re-creation, and the reality of Christian faith to make Jesus visible and evident today. Feast on this, and live into God's starfish communion and mission. This would be church that matters!' * Mark Labberton, president of Fuller Theological Seminary *'As a church planter in the West, I often have 'yes, but how?' questions about disciple-making movements and microchurch multiplication. In this book, Rob and Lance have crammed eye-opening insights into every page, along with practical tools for every leader to reimagine the future of the church. If you're passionate about catalyzing every member of your church to effectively help others find their way back to God, get reading.' * Emma Jeffery, regional director of NewThing Western Europe, Soulcity Church, United Kingdom *'If you want to learn the ways of decentralized disciple-making, then this is the book for you. In this manifesto on multiplication, Rob and Lance have laid the groundwork for how to see movement happen. Rob and Lance have proven track records as practitioners. If you want to grow, be challenged, and practice unleashing the potential of raising up leaders, then pick up a copy of The Starfish and the Spirit.' * Myron Pierce, author, lead pastor of Mission Church, founder and president of Every Inner City *'It's been nearly fifteen years since the release of The Starfish and the Spider, a groundbreaking book on the genius of decentralized systems and the limitations of hierarchical command-and-control structures. Now Lance Ford and Rob Wegner take that prism for understanding the patterns and potential of self-organizing systems and apply it to apostolic movements to brilliant effect. I kept asking myself, Why hasn't anyone done this before? But I'm glad no one has. I can't imagine anyone doing it better than these guys.' * Michael Frost, Morling College, Sydney *'Like a cool rain after a decade of drought, The Starfish and the Spirit delivers relief, respite, and a total rethink on what it means to follow Jesus in this remarkable mission field we call life! Bravo to Rob and Lance for following and inviting us to join them.' * Hugh Halter, author of The Tangible Kingdom, FLESH, and Happy Hour *'The Starfish and the Spirit is a handbook for movement making. My friends Rob Wegner and Lance Ford brilliantly offer us a simple and scalable framework that allows the Spirit to move and in so doing turns disciples of Jesus into an unstoppable missional force. If you have a growing sense that God meant more for his church, read this book and discover what's missing!' * Dave Ferguson, lead visionary of NewThing, author of B.L.E.S.S.: 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World *'There is no doubt that the world is changing, and we are in need of voices who not only see the future with hope and imagination but have the courage to live it out in their lives and leadership. Authenticity is key. Fortunately, we've been given just that in the gift of this book. The Starfish and the Spirit is not only a map toward authentic Christian leadership but also a guide for how to live out Jesus-practices, in community, in the brave new world we find ourselves in. With passion, insight, and great verve, Rob Wegner and Lance Ford unpack the operation system of how we currently 'do church' and reconstruct a way forward that will not only inspire you but also call you to action. Get a copy, buy your friends and leadership team a copy, and go on the journey together!' * Doug Paul, author of Ready or Not: Kingdom Innovation for a Brave New World *'This book is a compendium for cutting-edge ideas. Rob and Lance have distilled and curated some of the most important thinking and timely tactics for the church in the twenty-first century. I could recommend twenty good books . . . or you could just read this one.' * Brian Sanders, founder of the Underground Network, author of Microchurches: A Smaller Way *'This book is a game changer. Get this down, and church multiplication becomes easy. I've led starfish churches throughout my adult life. I loved and use Ori Brafman's book, but this one explicitly addresses church leaders and the tensions that keep us from the simplicity of church multiplication. My advice: read The Starfish and the Spirit in concert with your key leaders to unlock a Great Commission future for your team.' * Ralph Moore, Hope Chapel *'Yes! I love how these guys think and how they make me rethink. So incredibly refreshing. And timely too. We better dream and plan and grow in our vision now, because changes are coming, ready or not.' * Brant Hansen, radio host, author of Unoffendable, Blessed Are the Misfits, and The Truth about Us *
£17.09
Zondervan Ethics Beyond Rules Video Study
Book Synopsis
£59.99
Zondervan Uncharted Leadership
Book SynopsisMinistry is complicated, and every leadership challenge is unique. How can you lead effectively when there isn''t a clear path forward?Real life ministry is complicated--far more complicated than is typically captured in leadership books. There are moving parts and people who require adept, agile, adaptive leadership. Unlike technical challenges with a clear or known solution, adaptive challenges are complex and dynamic, requiring creative leaderships. Adaptive leadership is art, not science. It is an exercise in wisdom, not just knowledge. It requires leaders to ascertain the issues, values, and stakes unique to a given situation, to consider the potential courses of action, and decide which courses are best.The case study method is a proven and effective tool to help leaders chart their course by learning from complex, real-life situations. Leaders learn to integrate multiple leadership strategies and concepts by reading and reflecting on multiple case studies, helpiTrade Review'Angie Ward has made a significant contribution to leadership studies. Looking back on twenty years of teaching leadership at a seminary, I wish I had such a resource to prepare my students for the realities of ministry. Uncharted Leadership also would have been a great help for my years as a pastoral leader. To survive and succeed, especially in these times, leaders need the guidance of these case studies. The questions and commentary invite the reader to engage and wrestle with each one. There is so much wisdom in the core themes Ward identifies in the conclusion. This is a necessary read for anyone courageous enough to step into ministry and determined to create and sustain a healthy environment.' * John E. Johnson, associate professor of pastoral theology, Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon; author, Rooted Leadership: Seeking God’s Answers to the Eleven Core Questions Every Leader Faces *'Angie Ward has provided a stunning reference book for ministry leaders in Uncharted Leadership. She provides detailed case studies for any situation a ministry leader might encounter. She also provides helpful questions, commentary, updates that change your point of view, and resources for that particular issue. Leadership can be isolating and is becoming more difficult in rapidly changing times, but Angie is once again a trusted voice of wisdom, providing a rich resource to help us navigate.' * Steve Cuss, lead pastor, Discovery Christian Church, Denver, Colorado; author, Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs *'As Angie points out early in this book, classrooms cannot fully prepare us for the joys, pitfalls, and challenges of leadership. At some point, we all find ourselves wishing we could have 'known then what we know now.' This important book will fast-forward your leadership perspective by placing in your hands the invaluable gift of others' experiences. Each page provides timely insights and ground-level applications every leader needs to move forward with confidence and clarity.' * Meredith King, author, Immovable: Reflections to Build Your Life and Leadership on Solid Ground; founder, True to Life Ministries; leadership and nonprofit strategist *'Dr. Angie Ward's new book, Uncharted Leadership, takes a unique approach to leadership in the church. Rather than the usual 'look how I lead' or 'here's some great leadership advice' perspectives, Dr. Ward presents true-to-life examples of leadership crises in church settings and then lets the reader wrestle with the implications. It is an engaging and thought-provoking approach, similar to a pilot spending time in a flight simulator. I highly recommend Uncharted Leadership for people just entering ministry and for seasoned ministry professionals looking to grow in their leadership.' * Geoff Surratt, founder, Ministry Together *'Every pastor, elder, deacon, and ministry leader needs to read Uncharted Leadership. Angie Ward takes the reader on a journey through twenty real-life, messy church scenarios and then a series of crucial questions that help teams make biblical, God-honoring decisions to help the church flourish instead of self-destruct. This book comes at the perfect time after years of complexity and chaos. Think you are good at asking critical questions? Uncharted Leadership will take you to the next level. It helped our entire pastoral team become better critical thinkers and question askers.' * Judy West, pastor, staff, and leadership at The Crossing (a multisite church in St. Louis); leader of WXP (Women’s Executive Pastor) Network *'This is an immensely practical book on adaptive leadership. Dr. Ward brilliantly weaves real-life, thought-provoking case studies together with compelling questions that guide readers to clarify their own values for addressing adaptive leadership challenges. For newer and seasoned leaders alike, Uncharted Leadership is an excellent resource for honing one's adaptive-leadership skills.' * Lisa Rodriguez-Watson, national director, Missio Alliance *'Through the years, Angie Ward has been an inquisitive, thoughtful, and insightful writer, providing leaders with proven, practical understanding. In Uncharted Leadership, Angie again delivers with case studies from which entire teams will benefit through chapter-by-chapter review and topical discussion. Pastors who wish to lead churches out of stagnation or the management of decline need to leave behind twentieth-century metrics and position themselves today with tomorrow in mind. If that's your need or desire, this book can help.' * Mark DeYmaz, directional leader, Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas and Mosaix Global Network; author, Building a Healthy Multiethnic Church and The Coming Revolution in Church Economics *'Uncharted Leadership is a valuable tool to help potential leaders navigate the challenges that often come with leading. This book gives us a front-row seat to learn from others through twenty invaluable case studies that will help anyone seeking to be a successful and impactful leader go farther, faster.' * Carrie Williams, CEO of Leadership Network *'Uncharted Leadership is an incredible developmental tool for expanding your ability to adapt and lead through tumultuous times. Dr. Angie Ward is a leadership and ministry expert who uses real-life case studies to draw insightful conclusions and stretch our thinking. Whether you use this book on your own or (even better!) with your team, you will walk away a stronger and more effective leader.' * Kadi Cole, leadership consultant, executive coach, and author of Developing Female Leaders (www.kadicole.com) *
£12.99
Hymns Ancient & Modern Taking Leave of God SCM Classics
Book SynopsisRejecting Christian doctrines and metaphysics in favour of the religious consciousness which characterizes human identity, Cupitt "takes leave" of God by abandoning objective theism.Trade Review"'Composed with a moving integrity and honesty, with a stress on disinterested spirituality and discipline.' John Robinson in the Times Literary Supplement 'There shines through this lucid book a passion, an integrity, an often agonising seriousness of concern, which is in refreshing contrast to the dilettantism, the sceptical frivolity, which disfigures some other popular writing on religious matters.' The Tablet"
£20.89
Waterbrook Press (A Division of Random House Inc) Angels in Our Midst
Book Synopsis
£10.44
Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc Eastertide
Book SynopsisIn her acclaimed trilogy, The Divine Hours, Phyllis Tickle introduced modern Christians to the time-honored practice of praying the hours. In this exquisite new volume, she provides a vibrant program of prayer dedicated to the anticipation of Christ’s resurrection. Beginning with Ash Wednesday and moving through Lent and on to Easter Sunday, Eastertide provides the daily prayers that bring practitioners into the full spirit of this season. Each day is filled with psalms, readings from the Bible, and hymns of praise and worship, just as they appear in the larger volume, The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime. Newcomers to this beloved tradition will find that Eastertide is the perfect introduction to joining the ancients in the tradition of fixed-hour prayer.A wise rabbi once told me that it is not how many prayers we don’t say that matters to God, but rather how many we do. That is important to all of us, but es
£17.00
The Crown Publishing Group Catholic Bible Dictionary
Book SynopsisMore than a generation has passed since the appearance of the last major Catholic Bible dictionary. It has been a fertile generation for biblical scholarship, an eventful time for biblical archaeology, and a fruitful time for the Church’s interpretation of the Bible. It is time for a new resource.Scott Hahn, internationally renowned theologian and biblical scholar, has inspired millions with his insight into the Catholic faith. Now he brings us this important reference guide, written specifically for Catholics, which contains more than five thousand clear and accessible entries and covers a wide range of people, places, and topics. From Genesis to Revelation, the whole of salvation history is presented and explained in smart, easy-to-understand prose.Catholic Bible Dictionary is an invaluable source of information, insight, and guidance for Catholics and others who are interested in enriching their understanding of Sacred Scripture. Scott Hahn draws
£36.80
Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale We Plan God Laughs
Book SynopsisThe old Yiddish proverb, “We plan, God laughs,” expresses a truth everyone can relate to. At every stage of life we make plans, setting out where we want to go and imagining what we will be like when we have “arrived.” But things have a way of turning out not quite as we hoped or expected. In WE PLAN, GOD LAUGHS, Sherre Hirsch argues that too often our plans are limited to ones we think up at bedtime, or are devised by our parents, or by what looks good on a résumé. Addressing serious spiritual issues, Hirsch takes readers through ten basics steps for formulating a plan that reflects who we are now and who we want to be—a plan that is alive, organic, and in sync with God.Hirsch teaches the importance of letting go and recognizing that even the most ordinary life is extraordinary in the eyes of God. She makes no foolish promise that life will turn out as we plan, but shows that with hope, faith, and belief, we can change our lives
£12.60
Taylor & Francis The Hindu World
Book SynopsisThe Hindu World is the most complete, authoritative and up-to-date one-volume guide to Hindu faith and culture available today. Written by the world's leading scholars on Hinduism, its twenty-four chapters explore the history, philosophy and practice of one of the world's great religious traditions. The Hindu World offers new insights into all aspects of Hindu life, ranging from the devotional texts of the Vedas and Ramayana to current perspectives on dharma and kama, temple architecture, sacred food, ritual, caste, cosmic philosophy, history and modernization. This is an ideal reference for students and scholars of Hinduism.Trade Review'Every chapter has its own merit. It will be a very ideal text for both researchers and scholars.' – The Hindu'[This book provides] a splendid, learned and largely comprehensive guide to the major themes of Hindu life and thought.' – Reviews in Religion and TheologyTable of ContentsPart One: Introducing the Hindu World 1. On Hinduism and Hinduisms Part Two: Oral Teachings and Textual Traditions 2. Veda and Upanisad 3. Mahabharata 4. Ramayana 5. Purana Part Three: Theistic and Devotional Movements 6. Saiva 7. Sakta 8. Vaisnava 9. Bhakti Part Four: Cosmic Order and Human Goals 10. Dharma 11. Artha 12. Kama 13. Moksa Part Five: Social Action and Social Structure 14. Karma 15. Samskara 16. Varna and Jati 17. Asrama Part Six: Vitality in Persons and in Places 18. Anna 19. Grama 20. Alaya 21. Tirtha Part Seven: Linguistic and Philosophic Analysis 22. Bhasa 23. Darsana 24. Kala
£54.99
Penguin Random House LLC Daily Devotions Inspired by 90 Minutes in Heaven 90 Readings for Hope and Healing
£16.23
Time Warner Trade Publishing Miracles and Wonders How God Changes His Natural Laws to Benefit You
Book SynopsisCalvin Miller, bestselling CBA author and well-respected seminarian, explores the mystery and methodology of divine miracles. At some time or another, nearly everyone needs a miracle. Failing health, financial difficulties, deteriorating relationships--all are problems that make people cry out for divine intervention. But while Scripture offers numerous examples of God performing miracles for ancient generations--from Moses and the burning bush to the loaves and fishes that fed 5,000--does He still do it in the 21st century? Author Calvin Miller investigates, delving into the Scriptures and drawing on modern testimonials to find the answer. He examines the Bible's most famous miracles--from the Virgin Birth to the Resurrection of Christ, analyzes the discrepancy between science and miracle, and explores such perplexing questions as why God chooses to intervene on some occasions but not on others. By illuminating God's patterns, Miller reaches a conclusion that offers a tremendous sourc
£26.02
Time Warner Trade Publishing God Never Blinks
Book Synopsis
£15.19
Time Warner Trade Publishing Mitten Strings for God
Book Synopsis
£15.19
Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Do One Thing Every Day That Makes You Happy A
Book SynopsisEach day presents an opportunity to find delight, whether in your surroundings, your work, your relationships, your insights, or your actions. This journal will guide you to look inside and outside yourself to discover and appreciate what makes you happiest. With prompts and exercises, the wise words of writers, musicians, philosophers, and leaders will help you reflect on what fills you with joy. You’ll measure your happiness at the outset and along the way; after a year’s worth of delight, your smile will be bigger than ever.
£14.04
