Religious ministry and clergy Books

Book SynopsisFocusing on real-life situations, including many case studies, this handbook offers guidance to: the responsibilities of a churchwarden; how to become a churchwarden; working with the minister; the duties of a churchwarden through the year; what a churchwarden should know; what a churchwarden should ask; and, what to do when problems arise.Trade ReviewA very clear, pastoral guide to survival for both churchwarden and minister. * Ministry Today *Packed full of useful facts and presented in a very readable way. * thegoodbookstall *

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Book SynopsisA practical handbook and personal account of depression and suicidal thoughts, written to raise awareness of mental illness and advise those in pastoral roles.Trade Review'Learning to Breathe is a companion I would recommend for any Christian who is struggling with the desolation of mental illness. Woven with the threads of her tears and God's love for her, this is a truly precious read.' - Rev Will Van Der Hart, Director, The Mind and Soul Foundation and Pastoral Chaplain, HTB

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Book SynopsisIf the church is to grow and thrive, and not just survive, we need leaders who possess the radical leadership qualities taught by Jesus and the apostlesTrade ReviewMichael Green has seen leaders come and go over a lifetime of experience. In this book, he distils a lifetime of the close reading of Scripture with his own extensive leadership experience, while drawing on his unparalleled experience of the worldwide church and decades of evangelistic ministry. It is a little goldmine. * Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington *[Michael Green] is honest and thought provoking. -- Grahame Way * Evangelical Times *Table of Contents1. Jesus, the leader 2. Jesus’ training methods 3. Peter on leadership 4. Leadership at Corinth 5. Luke on leadership 6. Qualities of a leader 7. Women in leadership 8. Paul on leadership 9. Lessons for today

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Book SynopsisAs a sportsman, priest and bishop, David Sheppard played a significant role in British public life during the second half of the twentieth century, achieving household-name status in two entirely separate fields. There has been no previous biography.Trade ReviewAs Liverpool’s exceptional bishops, David Sheppard and Derek Worlock healed old wounds, championed great causes, and put faith into action in the city’s forgotten neighbourhoods. A first-class biography of David Sheppard is long overdue, and Andrew Bradstock has provided it. * David Alton (Lord Alton of Liverpool) *David Sheppard "stood out" in every sense of the term. He was unusually tall; played cricket for England; championed the disadvantaged; and turned a fiercely sectarian city into a beacon of ecumenism. This book tells us how. * Grace Davie, Professor Emeritus, University of Exeter *David Sheppard continually asked awkward questions, both of himself and others, but always in the context of an unshakeable faith. This is a book, and a life, we could all learn from. * David Puttnam (Baron Puttnam, CBE) *Bishop David Sheppard’s partnership with Archbishop Derek Worlock overcame the religious barriers as they led the fight against poverty and division in Liverpool, which has had a lasting effect and which is well documented in this publication. * The Most Rev’d Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool *This is a superb biography. At the end of it you feel you know not only the man, with all his strengths and frailties, but also the times in which he lived, with all their challenges. * Stephen Chalke, cricket historian *With elegant prose and faithful reporting, Andrew Bradstock has produced an accurate portrait of the life and ministry of the David Sheppard I knew and admired. * Rt Revd Wilfred Wood, retired Bishop of Croydon *David Sheppard’s life is fully deserving of this detailed, even forensic, biography. His character fully epitomized the old adage for life, 'make a plan and stick to it'. He was a friend to me in my private life, as well as a stalwart partner on the cricket field – we put on 124 runs together on the final winning day of the Melbourne Test in 1963! * Ted Dexter, CBE, former captain, Sussex and England *David Sheppard, former England Cricket Captain, ought to have been Archbishop of Canterbury. He was a remarkable man, who did good wherever he went. This splendid work is the full-scale biography that we have long needed. * Peter Oborne, author, biographer of Basil D'Oliveira and political columnist for the Daily Mail and Middle East Eye. *David Sheppard: Batting for the Poor is an excellent biography dedicated to the life and times of outstanding English test batsman, captain and highly respected Anglican bishop, David Sheppard. David was a man of principle often facing difficult social times in ministry and sport. He lived his life in sacrificial service to others and for the glory of God. A wonderful opponent and encouraging Christian friend when the Ashes were played in true respect of cricket. An uplifting and challenging read. * Brian Booth, Australian test cricketer and captain *I was honoured to have known and worked with David Sheppard. At least I thought I knew him. What is clear to me from this not wholly uncritical yet authorised biography is that I had only the sketchiest knowledge of this remarkable man of God. And cricket. A fascinating read on many levels. * Jane Reed CBE, former editor, Woman’s Own *David Sheppard reshaped Church approaches to poverty, especially among evangelicals, paving the way for today’s foodbank movement. This great account of his eventful life underlines Sheppard’s lasting influence. * Rt Hon. Stephen Timms, MP *An excellent biography, well researched, well written. Bradstock explores the struggle between ambition and virtue in Sheppard’s life on the cricket field, in the church and in his family. This is fascinating not just for cricket-lovers but for everyone. * Brian Griffiths (Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach), Chairman, Centre for Enterprise, Markets and Ethics (CEME) *The picture that emerges in this book is of a man who far ahead of his time...A suitable memorial to a life well lived. Everyone reading it with any degree of self awareness is certain to be given a cause to reflect on their own beliefs and behaviours. -- Terry Wright * Deep Extra Cover *Compelling . . . This impeccably researched book does ample justice to Sheppard’s remarkable life as a cricketer and clergyman. * Wisden Cricketer’s Almanac 2020 *This is a biography of the very highest order: informed, inspiring and brilliantly crafted. * Christianity *Whatever one’s stance on the religious aspect, this is a superb book. * Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians *It is difficult to imagine a more enriching life than that lived by Sheppard and impossible to think a better book could be written about it than the one Bradstock has given us. * The Cricketer *A remarkable book about a remarkable man . . . a star who shone brighter than nearly all others and had three careers, as batsman, bishop, and peer. Bradstock has expertly woven diversity into a tapestry where a mass of detail, including pages of cricket scores, supports the big stories of personal theological growth, sporting prowess, passionate social concern, and extraordinary inner-city leadership. * Church Times *A fitting and timely tribute to a fine cricketer, albeit one who reserved his greatest achievements for life beyond the pages of Wisden. -- Martin Chandler * Cricket Web.net *

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive, one-stop resource for all who need to keep abreast of current thinking but don’t have time to read entire books on the topics in this fast-growing fieldTable of ContentsIntroduction Part One: Understanding Ministry Part Two: Models, Methods, and Resources Part Three: Ministry in Christian Tradition Part Four: Styles of Christian Ministry Part Five: Issues in Christian Ministry Conclusion

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Book SynopsisHow do people offering pastoral care to those living with HIV end up perpetuating abusive attitudes and practices? And how can those attitudes and practices be changed?Trade Review‘This stirring and prophetic work is a challenge to any reader in terms of emotion, thought, spirituality, theology, humanity and practice.’ * Inderjit Bhogal, Former Chief Executive of the Corrymeela Community *‘A great testament to the strength and courage of those who have shared their stories. . . The testimonies in this book help us break down the barriers that people living with HIV too often face.’ * Norman Fowler, the Lord Speaker *‘This book makes for challenging but vital reading for the Church.’ Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London * Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London *‘Deeply and rightly unsettling.’ * Gareth J. Powell, Secretary of the Methodist Conference *'This book is a proclaiming of the gospel as well as a call to judgement. It is necessary material for the self-examination and self-awareness of any Christian minister or community.’ * Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge *

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Book SynopsisThe surviving sermons of Samuel Johnson, presented in a scholarly edition for the first time

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Book SynopsisA selection of Jonathan Edward's sermons, which seeks to recognise their crucial role in his life and art. The 15 sermons reflect a life dedicated to experiencing and understanding spiritual truth, and address a wide range of occasions, situations and states.

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Book SynopsisIs America the next missionary graveyard? Or is it ripe for spiritual revolution? The statistics seem grim. Every year, the decline of Christianity continues at a rapid pace, especially among young adults. Churches across the country are closing their doors, dying, or are being adopted by nearby larger churches. What is the story church leaders hear? We''ve lost the next generation.But this decline in religious affiliation has not made us less spiritual. Young adults are still asking questions that only faith (or religion) can fully answer. Questions are like seeds buried in the rich, dark soil of our hearts. Nurtured with oxygen and water, they unfold into that which they were meant to become. Absent these conditions, they wither in the dark. Those most resistant to Christianity are those whose questions did not receive oxygen in their faith communities while they were children and teenagers.Not a Hopeless Case is the story of questions, the questions of youn

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Book SynopsisWe live our lives in both physical and digital community. We need to do ministry the same way. Because of COVID-19, nearly every church in the US was forced to adapt to a quarantine and adopt new ministry strategies, including digital technologies they may have avoided before. When services began to be offered in-person once more, many church leaders said they hoped they''d never have to live stream again for the rest of their lives. But then came the shock: people didn''t return in droves, and declining attendance steepened. The pandemic had only accelerated the profound cultural changes that were already marginalizing the church and reducing its relevance.In Hybrid Church, James Emery White argues that the post-pandemic church must commit to a hybrid strategy as the only means to reach a post-Christian culture in a digital age.This book will help you rethink the church''s approach and stretch you to move beyond

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Book Synopsis*Note: Lead Like It Matters is a completely revised and updated version of the book previously published as It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It.*Discover the secret to igniting a life-giving, soul-transforming, people-inspiring movement in your organization, church, or ministry--and the trick to keeping the momentum going.In Lead Like It Matters, New York Times bestselling author and pastor Craig Groeschel shares the transformative insights he''s learned about how to effectively build a thriving, enduring ministry and organization.Using the leadership skills he''s mastered as the founder and senior pastor of Life.Church--one of the largest churches in the world and an organization that Glassdoor has named a #1 U.S. Best Place to Work--he combines straight talk and wry honesty with biblical and leadership principles to equip you to: Recognize when your organization or ministry has the indefinable but tangible it that leads to success Identify and implement seven leadership principles for a church that lasts Ignite a fire in your team to leave behind what we''ve always done for the meaningful ministry you know is possible Discover the three areas every leader must master for success  Praise for Lead Like It Matters:My friend Craig Groeschel is the visionary and pioneer of America''s largest church. In Lead Like It Matters, he''s generous enough to share the most important lessons he''s learned along the way. This isn''t just an insightful and interesting book; it''s a game-changing guide to leading with purpose.--Steven Furtick, lead pastor, Elevation Church; New York Times bestselling author, Crash the Chatterbox, Greater, and (Un)Qualified

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Book SynopsisPractical and Gospel-centered thoughts on how to have a fruitful ministry by one of America''s leading and most beloved pastor. Many church leaders are struggling to adapt to a culture that values individuality above loyalty to a group or institution. There have been so many church growth and effective ministry books in the past few decades that it''s hard to know where to start or which ones will provide useful and honest insight.Based on over twenty years of ministry in New York City, Timothy Keller takes a unique approach that measures a ministry''s success neither by numbers nor purely by the faithfulness of its leaders, but on the biblical grounds of fruitfulness.Center Church outlines a balanced theological vision for ministry organized around three core commitments: Gospel-centered: The gospel of grace in Jesus Christ changes everything, from our hearts to our community to the world. It comple

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Book SynopsisEarl Creps is known for his work in connecting the younger generation of postmoderns with their Boomer predecessors. The author of Off-Road Disciplines, Creps, in this new book, takes up the topic of how older church leaders can learn from younger leaders who are more conversant with culture, technology, and social context. In addition to making the benefits of what he calls reverse mentoring apparent, he also makes it accessible by offering practical steps to implement this discipline at both personal and organizational levels, particularly in communication, evangelism, and leadership. Creps'' new book is a topic of interest both inside and outside the church as older leaders realize that they''re not getting it when it comes to technologies (iPod, IM, blogging) or cultural issues such as the fact that younger people see the world in an entirely different way. Creps has been personally involved in reverse mentoring for several years and has spoken and written on the subjectTrade Review"Full of timely examples that can help keep ministry fresh and relevant." – The Living Church (January 2009) "I enjoyed reading Earl Creps’ Off Road Disciplines, but I was enthralled by Reverse Mentoring….Through these extremely personal and detailed stories Creps gives the reader a window into the emerging world with all of its new language, technology, music, and quirkiness." –Easum-BandyTable of ContentsAbout Leadership Network. Introduction: It Takes a Child to Raise a Village. Part One: Facing Reality. Chapter 1 Identity: “I Am Not Cool”. Chapter 2 Culture: “I Don’t Get It”. Chapter 3 Ministry: “I Am Not Relevant”. Part Two: Cultivating Spirituality. Chapter 4 Vision: Seeing Beyond Ourselves. Chapter 5 Wisdom: Knowing Beyond Our Information. Chapter 6 Relationship: Befriending Beyond Our Peers. Part Three: Experiencing Practicality. Chapter 7 Evangelism: Learning from Outsiders. Chapter 8 Communication: Learning from Listeners. Chapter 9 Leadership: Learning from Followers. Part Four: Developing Reciprocity. Chapter 10 Protégés: Developing R-Mentoring Relationships. Chapter 11 Processes: Embedding R-Mentoring in Organizations. Chapter 12 Interview: Joel and Rachel Mentor Earl and Janet. Epilogue I Was So Much Older Then; I’m Younger Than That Now. Notes. Acknowledgments. About the Author. Index.

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Book SynopsisA design-thinking book for planting or redesigning churches and incubating a new generation of leaders. Written by Linda Bergquist and Allan Karr, two experienced church planters and mentors, the book is full of wisdom, practical advice, and creative counsel. Instead of a business-model-as-usual approach, the authors challenge readers to begin with the raw materials of beliefs, values, individuals, teams, and culture, and to then move outwards to draw from a rich palette of real and potential church paradigms. This book is meant to provoke church leaders to think outside of the box and to imagine how their churches might better reflect the image and the mission of God in the world. Contains a wealth of illustrative examples, charts, and other visual aides Offers a creative practical perspective and a multi-disciplinary approach to establishing a new church or leading an existing one Shows how to honor a church''s purpose while embracing its uniqTable of ContentsFigures and Tables ix About Leadership Network xi Foreword by Alan Hirsch xiii Preface xvii 1 The Once and Future Church 1 2 Acknowledging Self 17 3 Cultivating Community 33 4 Patterns That Honor God 51 5 Designing Around Beliefs 67 6 Releasing Communitas 79 7 Designing in Culture 95 8 Embracing Culture 113 9 A Palette of Models 125 10 Discovering Congruency 145 11 Organizing by Design 159 12 A New Way of Organizing 177 Notes 191 Acknowledgments 201 About the Authors 205 Index 207

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Book SynopsisAn insightful and practical guide for developing relational leadership skills and engaging new paradigms of influence Relational Intelligence reveals how leaders can become smarter in the way they conduct their relationships, and as a result, catalyze their impact.Table of ContentsAbout Leadership Network ix Foreword by Erwin Raphael McManus xi Heroes to Acknowledge xv Part One The Origins of Relational Intelligence 1. The Human Economy 7 2. The Michael Scott Syndrome 25 Part Two The Hidden Power of a Relational Genius 3. The Story Collector 55 4. The Energy Carrier 79 5. The Compelling Relator 103 6. The Conversational Futurist 127 7. The Likeable Hero 149 8. The Disproportionate Investor 169 9. The Last Word 187 Notes 189 Bibliography 191 The Author 195 Index 197

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Book SynopsisGuidance for church leaders to develop their own maps and chart new paths toward stronger, more vibrant, and more missional congregations In the burgeoning missional church movement, churches are seeking to become less focused on programs for members and more oriented toward outreach to people who are not already in church. This fundamental shift in what a congregation is and does and thinks is challenging for leaders and congregants. Using the metaphor of map-making, the book explains the perspective and skills needed to lead congregations and denominations in a time of radical change over unfamiliar terrain as churches change their focus from internal to external. Offers a clear guide for leaders wanting to transition to a missional church model Written by Alan Roxburgh, a prominent expert and practitioner in the missional movement Guides leaders seeking to create new maps for leadership and church organization and focus A Volume in tTable of ContentsAbout Leadership Network vii Introduction: An Uncertain Journey ix Part One When Maps No Longer Work 1 Chapter One Maps Shaping Our Imaginations in Modernity 3 Chapter Two Leading in an In-Between Time 19 Chapter Three When Common Sense is No Longer Common 41 Chapter Four From Playing Pool to Herding Cats 59 Chapter Five Why Strategic Planning Doesn’t Work in This New Space and Doesn’t Fit God’s Purposes 73 Chapter Six Eight Currents of Change and the Challenge of Making New Maps 87 Chapter Seven Lessons from the Formation of the Internet for Leading in This New Space 111 Part Two The Map-Making Process 125 Chapter Eight Cultivating a Core Identity in a Changed Environment 127 Chapter Nine Cultivating Parallel Cultures of the Kingdom 143 Chapter Ten Map-Making Partnerships Between a Local Church and Neighborhoods and Communities 163 Notes 189 The Author 196 Index 197

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Book SynopsisAn expert practitioner answers to questions about the burgeoning organic church movement Neil Cole's best-selling book Organic Church described the fastest growing segment of contemporary Christianity-the so-called organic church.Table of ContentsAbout Leadership Network ix Foreword xi Preface xiii Acknowledgments xvii Introduction What About This Book? Shifting from Church 2.0 to 3.0 1 Part One Global Changes Demand a Better Church 13 1 What About the World We Live In? From a Village Church to a Global Village 15 2 What About Our Changing Culture? From Ministry in a Modern World to Postmodern 23 Part Two Structural Issues 43 3 What About the Church's Mission? From Coming to Going 45 4 What About Church Growth? From Incremental to Exponential 66 5 What About Church Models? Part One: From Congregations to Networks 92 6 What About Church Models? Part Two: From Centralized to Decentralized 116 7 What About Larger Gatherings? From One-Size-Fits-All to Tailored Groups for Effective Function 137 Part Three Pragmatic Concerns 163 8 What About Evangelism? From Drawing Converts to Catalyzing Movements 165 9 What About Baptism and Communion? From Sacerdotal Rituals to Apostolic Genius 189 10 What About Kids? From a Scholastic Model to a Spiritual Family 209 11 What About Heresy? From Better-Trained Pastors to Better-Trained People 222 12 What About Finances? From Ten Percent to the Whole Enchilada 241 Conclusion What About My Church? From Being Educated to Being Empowered 253 Notes 257 The Author 265 Index 267

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Book SynopsisA groundbreaking guide for multiplying the impact of church plants Based on a study that was commissioned by the Leadership Network, this book reveals the best practices in church planting and uncovers the common threads among them. A much-needed resource, this book will inform, guide, and even catalyze today''s many church planting leaders. The authors clearly show leaders how to plant churches that create a multiplication movement and offer inspiration for them to do so. The book addresses their questions about what to do next in their church planting strategies, in light of research on what''s actually working best. Author Ed Stetzer heads up LifeWay Research Provides reliable, credible information about what church planting strategies work best A volume in the Leadership Network Series Offers a definitive guide for church planting and the burgeoning movement it is part of.Table of ContentsAbout Leadership Network ix Foreword xiRick Warren 1 Introduction 1 2 Church Planting: The New Evangelism 11 3 Growth by Multiplication: Big Contrast to Addition 31 4 New Players: Aggressive Local Churches and Church Planting Networks 49 5 Kingdom Cooperation: Church Planters Learning Together 67 6 Predictors of Success: Recruitment, Assessment, and Deployment 83 7 Thriving: New Church Survival Rates 101 8 House Churches: Separating Reality from Fiction 115 9 Multisite Strategy: A Fast-Growing Trend That Affects Planting 129 10 Rapid Growth: Still Not Reproduction 139 11 Funding: Partnerships Matter 149 12 The New Scorecard: Measuring a Church Multiplication Movement 161 13 Obstacles to Missional Replication: What Holds Us Back 185 14 Conclusion: Solving the Toughest Challenges 195 Acknowledgments 209 Appendix: List of Churches and Networks Cited 211 Notes 215 Annotated Bibliography for Church Multiplication 225 The Authors 233 Index 237 Scripture Index 244

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Book SynopsisA gentle new way for church leader's to survive stress and burnout Bruce Miller debunks the idea of balancebasically trying to have it all, all the time. Most churches and their pastors try to do everything at once and feel guilty if any one aspect (worship, ministries, outreach, etc.) is neglected. He replaces the exhausting concept of balance with the idea of rhythm: churches, like people, need to give attention to different programs and ministries at different times, basically by attending to their seasons and cycles. Offers an innovative new model for church leaders Miller has been influential in the formation and promotion of Church-Based Training as in international movement Offers a proven method for avoiding burnout for church leaders and members by doing the right things at the right time The author offers much-need help to overwhelmed leaders and shows them how to apply Miller's seasonal/cyclical approach to church life.Table of ContentsAbout the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series ix Foreword by Will Mancini xi Preface xiii Acknowledgments xv Introduction Time: The Forgotten Dimension xvii Part One Identifying What Time It Is in Your Church 1 1 Why Do Church in Rhythm? 3 2 Kairos and Chronos Rhythms 17 3 Discerning Your Organizational Stage 27 4 Recognizing Your Ministry Seasons 45 Part Two Kairos Rhythm Strategies 57 5 Release Expectations 59 6 Seize Opportunities 73 7 Anticipate What’s Next 91 Part Three Chronos Rhythm Strategies 107 8 Pace Your Church 109 9 Build Mission-Enhancing Rituals 123 10 Oscillate Intensity and Renewal 139 Conclusion Rhythm Solution Process for Your Church 155 Discussion Questions 165 Rhythm Overview 169 Notes 171 References 177 The Author 181

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Book SynopsisA Nazareth Manifesto is an eloquent and impassioned ecumenical proposal for re-envisioning Christianity s approach to social engagement away from working for the people to being with them.Trade Review"It is academic and intelligent while being accessible. It is, at the same time, highly original, and devotional and inspiring." (Church Times, May 2016)Table of ContentsPrologue: The Most Important Word 1 Introduction: God Is With Us 7 1 Being With 11 2 A Nazareth Manifesto 20 Part I: Realignment 33 3 Reassessing the Human Predicament 35 4 Reconceiving the Divine Purpose 50 Part II: God is With Us 65 5 The Story of Jesus 67 6 The Stories of Jesus 86 7 Embodying the Story of Jesus 100 Part III: Being With 123 8 God Being With God 125 9 God Being With Us 147 10 Being With One Another in Nazareth 169 11 Being With One Another in Galilee 187 12 Being With One Another in Jerusalem 202 Part IV: Explorations 229 13 Th eological Ramifications 231 14 Social Embodiments 248 Part V: Implications 269 15 The Transcendence of Justice 271 16 The Transfiguration of Suffering 283 Epilogue: Magnificat 298 Acknowledgments 304 Afterword 305 Scriptural Index 311 Subject Index 314

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Book SynopsisAn Introduction to Ministry is a comprehensive and ecumenical introduction to the craft of ministry for ministers, pastors, and priests that make up the mainline denominations in the United States. Ecumenically-focused, It offers a grounded account of ministry, covering areas such as vocation, congregational leadership, and cultivation of skills for an effective ministry. Covers the key components of the M.Div. curriculum, offering a map and guide to the central skills and issues in training Explores the areas of vocation, skills for ministry, and issues around congregational leadership Each topic ends with an annotated bibliography providing an indispensable gateway to further study Helps students understand both the distinctive approach of their denomination and the relationship of that approach to other mainline denominations Advocates and defends a generous understanding of the Christian tradition in its openness and commitmTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Introduction 1 Section One Exploring the World of Ministry 5 1 Sensing the Call 7 2 The Imperative of Training 19 3 Church Dynamics: Exploring Congregational Culture 30 Section Two Cultivating the Skills for Effective Ministry 45 4 Worship and Mainline Ritual 47 5 Reading Scripture Thoughtfully 58 6 Connecting the Theological Dots 68 7 Church History 81 8 Preaching the Word 92 9 Ethics in the Mainline 110 10 Pastoral Presence 122 11 Christian Education and Formation 135 12 Music and Hymnody 150 Section Three Leading the People of God 167 13 Prophetic Leadership and Social Justice 169 14 Evangelism and Church Growth 182 15 Leading through Change and Conflict 198 16 The Business of the Church 210 17 Stewardship 225 18 Christian Apologetics 237 19 Ministerial Integrity 253 Glossary 263 Index 277

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Book SynopsisFeatures essays that apply the method to the broader question of differences between regular canons and monks and the narrower question of differences between one kind of monk - the Cistercians - and other religious groups, monastic and nonmonastic, of the twelfth century.Table of ContentsPreface Abbreviations Introduction I. The Spirituality of Regular Canons in the Twelfth Century II. The Cistercian Conception of Community III. Did the Twelfth Century Discover the Individual? IV. Jesus as Mother and Abbot as Mother: Some Themes in Twelfth-Century Cistercian Writing V. Women Mystics in the Thirteenth Century: The Case of the Nuns of Helfta Epilogue Appendix: Monastic and Canonical Treatises of Practical Spiritual Advice General Index Index of Secondary Authors

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Book SynopsisJohn Donne's sense of form and arrangement, his psychological insight, his differences of mood and emphasis and his religious fervour should make this selection of ten sermons particularly interesting to the attentive reader familiar with Donne's poetry.

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Book SynopsisThe KJV Personal Size Large Print Reference Bible is as easy to read as it is to carry along with you. At the same time, it has a substantial set of resources to enhance your time reading and studying the Scriptures.

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Book SynopsisOne of the most trusted pastors and writers of our time addresses leaders' primary challenges with sagely biblical advice and inspires them to become all God called them to be.

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Book SynopsisThe Worship Sourcebook is a collection of more than 2,500 prayers, litanies, and spoken texts for every element of traditional worship services held throughout the seasons of the church year. This indispensable resource for worship planners and pastors includes texts that can be read aloud as well as outlines that can be adapted for your situation. Teaching notes offer guidance for planning each element of the service. Thought-provoking perspectives on the meaning and purpose of worship help stimulate discussion and reflection. This second edition includes new and revised liturgies, additional prayers for challenging situations facing today''s church, and new appendices.

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Book SynopsisThis Bible published in the largest font size available in the New King James Version with extra-large print type allows for a clear and easy Bible reading experience.Thanks to the exclusive Thomas Nelson NKJV Comfort Print® typeface in the largest format available—super giant print—your eyes will discover a smooth reading experience allowing deeper engagement in God’s Word. But with the NKJV Super Giant Print Reference Bible, you won’t have to sacrifice study features for readability. A complete cross-reference system, a concordance, and full-color maps make this the go-to Bible you’ll look forward to reading.Features include: More than 43,000 cross-references allow you to find related passages quickly and easily Presentation page is a special place to record a memory or note Concordance for looking u

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Book SynopsisThis guide for churches brings wisdom and practical insight into growing a gospel-centered, small-group ministry. With wisdom and candor, House helps churches think carefully about the state of their own small groups.

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Book SynopsisSharing from his wealth of personal experience and illustrating from history, Harvey explores biblical principles and revealing questions to help prospective pastors discern their calling.

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Book SynopsisDeYoung shares seven reasons why his congregation switched Bible translations to the English Standard Version. An excellent tool for pastors or lay leaders seeking to learn more about the ESV.

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Book SynopsisLaying a robust biblical foundation and addressing a host of practical issues related to women's ministry in the local church, this book features contributions from a number of prominent Bible teachers, including Gloria Furman, Nancy Guthrie, Kathleen Nielson, and Susan Hunt.

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Book SynopsisWritten by a prominent biblical counselor with three decades of experience, this practical book aimed at everyday Christians will equip readers with the tools they need to wisely walk alongside one another in the midst of life's struggles.

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Book SynopsisAimed at equipping Christians to obey Jesus's command to make disciples, this book by Mark Deverwalks through the who, what, where, why, and how of discipling in the context of the local church.

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Book SynopsisThis bookexplains the relationship between what we believe about how people are saved and our approach to sharing the gospel in the context of the local church.

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Book Synopsis2020 Christianity Today Book Award Winner for Church/Pastoral Leadership 2019 TGC Ministry Book of the Year Winner Drawing on a lifetime of pastoral experience, The Care of Souls is a beautifully written treasury of proven wisdom which pastors will find themselves turning to again and again. Harold Senkbeil helps remind pastors of the essential calling of the ministry: preaching and living out the Word of God while orienting others in the same direction. And he offers practical and fruitful advice—born out of his five decades as a pastor—that will benefit both new pastors and those with years in the pulpit. In a time when many churches have lost sight of the real purpose of the church, The Care of Souls invites a new generation of pastors to form the godly habits and practical wisdom needed to minister to the hearts and souls of those committed to their care.

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Book SynopsisHow can a preacher best address suicide from the pulpit? Pastors face many challenges. Suicide in a congregation is amongst the most heart-rending and intimidating. However, the preacher has a unique capacity to engender gospel hope for preparing the congregation and comforting the bereaved. To do so, preachers need help understanding the challenges and opportunities presented by addressing suicide from the pulpit. In Preaching Hope in Darkness, two practitioners in fields that do not typically interact--homiletics (Scott M. Gibson) and psychology (Karen Mason)--work together to support the preacher in this difficult task. Gibson and Mason offer wise advice on a range of topics such as suicide prevention, post-crisis care, and funeral sermon preparation. With an appendix of sample sermons and a sample funeral liturgy, Preaching Hope in Darkness is an essential go-to guide for this difficult topic.

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Book SynopsisChrist comes to, and through, his people Many consider pastoral visitation antiquated and impractical. People seem busier than ever, and technology appears to trivialize personal contact. As a result, personal visits are often reserved only for the gravest of situations. Tyler C. Arnold argues that pastoral visitation is essential to the pastoral role. In Scripture, God visits his people to show his personal interest and concern. This is seen most clearly in the incarnation. Christ's ministry is one of presence. But Jesus is not only an example of visitation ministry; he is the embodiment of it. And in visitation, pastors and laypeople continue Jesus's ministry by bringing Christ to the individual in their very place of need. Established in strong theological foundations and sensitive to contemporary concerns, Pastoral Visitation exhorts pastors to return to this classic method of individual soul-care.

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Book SynopsisThis accessible primer sets out the core elements and methods of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), and shows how to use it most effectively to improve clinicians' capacity for spiritual care.The guide explains how to learn best from verbatim sessions, open agenda groups and writing projects. It shows how the primary learning modalities of CPE add competence to a spiritual caregiver's practice, suggesting helpful ways to reflect on spiritual care encounters from varying perspectives. It recommends ways to collaborate with a peer group, enhance frameworks of understanding people, improve self-awareness and broaden one's scope of caring while also deepening it. Written by an experienced supervisor of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, this guide is an essential introduction for anyone seeking to foster positive attitudes and practice of spiritual care in hospitals, hospices and other clinical settings.Trade ReviewHow to Get the Most out of Clinical Pastoral Education is a great read for anyone considering the sacred journey of CPE. I highly recommend it for anyone who has been, is, or ever plans to be enrolled in a CPE program. -- Rev Dr Amy Greene, Director, Center for Spiritual Care, Cleveland Clinic Health System Board Chair 2018-2019, ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and EducationThis book fully describes and demystifies CPE, and it is full of nuggets of wisdom about engaging this unique process of experiential learning. -- Christina Miller, RN, MSN, MDiv Retired Palliative Care Program CoordinatorTable of ContentsForeword - Judith Ragsdale. Preface. 1. Engage the Educational Methods. 2. Embrace the Learning Culture. 3. Become a Process Leader: Pursue the Milestones in CPE Professional Development. 4. Befriend Your Own Spiritual Development - A Phenomenological Theory for CPE. 5. The Limitations of CPE and Applying for an ACPE Program. 6. Meet the Standards - Simplified. References. Index.

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Book Synopsis

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