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Worship
$35.00Add to cartHughes Oliphant Old masterfully summarizes the worship of Israel and the early church and traces the development of worship through the period of the Reformation. He provides a sterling historical study that will be highly useful for pastors and church study groups as well as for scholars and students interested in Reformed worship. Old includes chapters on baptism, the Lord’s Day, the ministry of praise, the ministry of the Word, the ministry of prayer, the Lord’s Supper, daily prayer, and alms. His concluding chapter on “Tradition and Practice” focuses on how the Reformed tradition of worship should shape our current practice and on what the Reformed liturgical heritage has to offer American Protestants today. An extensive bibliography of resources for the study of Reformed worship adds to the value of this book
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Church As Learning Community
$36.99Add to cartNorma Cook Everist contends it is meaningful to say that in ministries of adminstration, outreach, and pastoral care, the church is functioning as a learning community. Whenver and wherever Christians are being formed into the image of Jesus Christ through ministry. Christian education is taking place. Christian education is the name of this process of formation. Building on this central insight, Everist has written a major new introduction to the tasks and practices of Christian education.
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False Positive
$20.99Add to cartAfter a woman is rushed to the ER in shock from massive blood loss, second-year medical resident Julien “Red” Richison becomes suspicious about the procedures being practiced at the nearby “VIP” abortion clinic.
Soon, with the help of Bethany Fabrazio, director of a pro-life women’s clinic, Red finds himself investigating what goes on behind closed doors at VIP. -
Ice : The Greatest Truths Hide In The Darkest Shadows
$22.99Add to cart39 Chapters
Additional Info
A frozen wasteland. A desperate fight for life. A mystery for the ages.In the late 1960s, NASA proposed hardware and mission parameters for an extended Apollo program that never materialized. Decades later, the existence of ice beds at the lunar south pole was discovered buy NASA’s space probe Clementine and confirmed by the lunar satellite Lunar Prospector. Now author and Apollo missions historian Shane Johnson explores the fantastic possibilities of what might have transpired had the more ambitious version of the Apollo program gone forward as originally planned.
February 1975:
Apollo 19, the last of the manned lunar modules, has successfully landed. Exhilarated and confident, Commander Gary Lucas and pilot Charlie Shepherd set out to explore a vast, mysterious depression ot the lunar south pole.There in the icy darkness-where temperatures reach 334 degrees below zero-the astronauts search for the fragments of crystalline bedrock the scientists back home had hoped for. But when tragedy strikes, the men are driven deeper into the lethal realm, where they find much more than they bargained for-a startling discovery that could transform mankind’s entire perspective on the universe.
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Final Justice
$17.99Add to cartSilver Moon is in her teens when her Cheyenne village is destroyed by Colonel John Chivington’s cavalry unit. As Silver Moon grows, she becomes consumed with hatred until her one goal is to kill the man responsible. But when a smallpox epidemic breaks out among the Cheyenne, Christian nurse Breanna Baylor Brockman comes to care for the sick, and the nurse’s compassion for Silver Moon and her people begins the girl’s journey toward conversion and healing.
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Healing Quilt : With Hearts Rent By Loss They Mend Their Lives One Stitch
$24.99Add to cartDot can’t make her aunt’s cancer go away. But she can raise funds to purchase a new mammogram machine for the local hospital—by quilting! She and three other hurting women begin a magnificent king-sized quilt for auction. As their friendships develop, Jesus begins mending the ragged pieces of their lives, one stitch at a time. .
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Can Of Peas
$20.99Add to cartWeaving together the strong threads of family and friends in a pattern of grace, forgiveness, and kindness, A Can of Peas invites readers into a place where every day brings a new story and neighbors are more than just people who live down the road. Sometimes funny and often poignant, these vignettes will draw both men and women into the reassuring rhythms of life as it ought to be_and as it still is in the heart of America.
After the death of his grandfather, Peter Morgan and his new bride, Mae, face a life-changing decision: should they embrace the career-chasing ambitions of their family and friends in St. Paul or accept the absurd challenge of saving the family farm in the Minnesota countryside?
Enticed by the romance of a simple, quiet life, the Morgans set out to follow in the footsteps of Peter’s grandparents. Soon, Peter is farming around the clock, barely one step ahead of failure as Mae struggles to find her place in Peter’s life and in the community. Will the strain of saving the farm tear their marriage apart? Was it a mistake to dream?
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Trusting That God Will Provide
$12.99Add to cartModel Your Life on the Great Women of the Bible Who Trusted God and Found Him Faithful Studies of 6 women from the Bible_each with 6 sessions_for personal reflection or group study Through intriguing stories of biblical women, the Women of the Bible study series helps readers see how God wants to work in their lives. Questions and activities are designed to encourage personal application, understanding, and prayer, and to foster interaction within study groups. Each chapter includes 8 sections: Opening Narrative, Discussing the Story, Sharing Your Story, After Hours, Setting the Stage, Behind the Scenes, Prayer Meetings, and Words to Remember. The leader9s guide makes it easy to facilitate weekly Bible studies to nurture knowledge of Scripture and a sense of God9s presence in life. Esther: a Jewish orphan who became queen of Persia and saved her people_Choose to be a woman God delights to use no matter what the circumstances Mary: a young woman who said yes to God9s incredible plan for her life_Obedience can be a joyous choice that is blessed by God Deborah: a leader of Israel when God9s people were in a period of great decline_Faith, courage, and devotion toward God have a powerful impact in a woman9s life Hannah: a woman who poured out her heart to God and received a miracle_Understand the wisdom and importance of committing dreams to God Sarah: a woman of faith whose insecurities sometimes got the better of her_Face life9s uncertainties, move beyond fear, and enjoy a faith-filled relationship with God Ruth: a daughter-in-law who left her own people out of loyalty to Naomi_Trust the Lord through faith and action in difficult times
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Music In Ancient Israel Palestine
$37.50Add to cartPreface
Illustrations
Abbreviations
TablesINTRODUCTION
Geographical, Chronological, And Cultural Parameters
Sources
Musical Instruments In The Bible
Meaning
Classification
The Instruments
‘ Aseberoim
halil
hasosera
kinnor
mena’an’im
mesiltayim, Selselim
nebel, Nebel ‘asor
pa’ Amon
qeren Hayyobel
opar And operot Hayyobelim
top
‘ugab
Instruments In Daniel
Collective Expressions – Typological Terminology
Terminology In The Psalms And Unresolved Questions
Instruments In The New TestamentTHE STONE AGE
(12th Millennium-3200 B.C.)
Natufians (ca. 12,000-8000 B.C.)
Syncretism Of Work, Cult, Adornment, And Sound
The Chalcolithic Period (ca. 4000-3200 B.C.)
Music In The Dumuzi Cult
The Appearance Of The HarpTHE BRONZE AGE
(3200-1200 B.C.)
Dance With Lyres And Drums
The Lute
Egyptian-Canaanite Music – Gods And Musicians
Music In The Symposium
Clay Rattles: Mass Music – Mass Cults – Mass Culture
The Priests’ Bronze Cymbals
The Megiddo FluteTHE IRON AGE
(1200-587 B.C.)
Female Drummers In The Israelite-Judean Kingdom And Surroundings
From The Sacred Female Double-Reed Blowers To Male Double-Reed Players
Lyres In Solo And Ensemble Performance
Pottery Drawings
Seals
Musicians And Dancers Of The Philistine And Phoenician Coast
Conch Trumpets
The Mystery Of Absence, Or An Argumentum Ex Silentio?
The Babylonian-Persian Period (587-333 B.C.): An InterludeTHE HELLENISTIC-ROMAN PERIOD
(Fourth Century B.C.-Fourth Century A.D.)
Apotropaic Bells
Idumean Hunting And Mourning Music And The Jewish Temple Trumpets
The Nabatean-Safaitic Culture
Instruments Of Avant-Garde Professionals And Conventional Folk-Musicians
The Cult Of Dionysus
Musical Instruments In Samaritan Areas
Musical Instruments As Symbols Of Cult, State, And Identity
The Shofar: Tool Of Sound And Ritual, Symbol Of Faith And National Identity
Bibliography
Index Of Subjects And Names
Index Of Scripture ReferencesAdditional Info
PRINT ON DEMAND TITLEThis book contains the first study of the musical culture of ancient Israel/Palestine based primarily on the archaeological record. Noted musicologist Joachim Braun explores the music of the Holy Land region of the Middle East, tracing its form and development from its beginning in the Stone Age to the fourth century A.D.
This is not a study of “music in the Bible” or music in “biblical times” but a unique, in-depth investigation of the historical periods and cultures that influenced the music of the region and its people. Braun combines significant archaeological findings – musical instruments, terra cotta and metal figures, etched stone illustrations, mosaics – with evidence drawn from written (mainly biblical) texts and anthropological, sociological, and linguistic sources.
The portrait Braun assembles of this past musical world is both fascinating and innovative, suggesting a reconsideration of many views long accepted by tradition. Enhanced with numerous illustrations and photographs that bring the archaeological evidence to life, this exceptional work will be a valued resource for scholars, students, and general readers interested in the history of music, biblical studies, Jewish studies, and the cultures of the ancient Near East.
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In Search Of Christmas
$23.95Add to cartThis anthology of holiday material provides you with a complete collection of resources for drama, worship, and young people. It includes a wide range of resources from across the denominational spectrum. Copying privileges are included for all six segments.
Come! See What God Has Done is a Thanksgiving children’s event designed to heighten awareness of God’s many blessings. Six learning centers — each including posters, projects, a guided experience, follow-up activities, and a closing prayer — focus on such topics as families, nature, our religious heritage, and our bodies. Intended for kindergarten through sixth grade, this is an ideal activity for your church school and can be held during a single session.
A Chrismon Service portrays the drama of redemption through symbols of Jesus in the form of Christmas ornaments. (The word “Chrismon” is a combination of the words “Christ” and “monogram.”) As appropriate scripture passages are read, each symbol is presented and explained; worshipers participate in the service by hanging them on the Chrismon tree. Eighteen designs are included so that you can make your own Chrismons based on such symbols as the Epiphany star, the Christmas rose, and the angel.
The ABC’s Of Christmas offers four easy programs for Christmas worship, celebrating angels, bells, colors, and gifts. Each incorporates scripture, carols, and simple props together with dramatic readings to create a meaningful worship experience that will linger in the memory long after Christmastime passes.
The Angels’ Point Of View is a play in two acts that looks at Jesus’ conception, birth, and flight into Egypt from their perspective. Originally developed for a junior high Sunday school class, this piece is excellent for older youth and can be performed in a variety of settings. There are thirteen speaking roles, and complete directions for assembling props, costume, and scenery are included.
In Search Of Christmas is a light, contemporary drama that intersperses a series of brief dialogues between a husband and wife, two teenagers, and others illustrating how we can lose the real meaning of Christmas with faith-affirming conversations among individuals who have kept the season’s true spirit of joy and giving. Roles can be doubled up for the small congregation, and only a few basic props are needed.
Last Year In Bethlehem: The Story Of Eli The Shepherd reminds us that the story of Christ’s birth is more than a holiday tradition. It com
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Childrens Sermons For Special Days
$13.95Add to cartChildren’s stories are important times for pastors and laypeople to relate to children in the context of worship. But resources that will hold their attention and help them learn about the Bible and the Christian faith are hard to find. Children’s Sermons For Special Days is both relevant and easy to use. The biblically based stories are told in a manner children can understand, and the pictures and activity sheets help to reinforce the learning experience. I highly recommend this book as a valuable tool for enhancing worship and learning for children.
Marvin Zehr
Conference Minister
Western District Mennonite ConferenceLooking for children’s material specifically tailored for holidays and other special, out-of-the-ordinary days? If so, then Julia Bland’s latest collection is a practical resource that you’ll draw on for fresh ideas throughout the year. Like all of her other popular titles, each children’s message in Children’s Sermons For Special Days is accompanied by a two-sided activity page — one side is a coloring page for younger children, while the other has a variety of puzzles and activities that emphasize the lesson’s key points for older children. Busy pastors and teachers who have little preparation time will love these scripturally sound and ready-to-use presentations — and better yet, so will your young people!
Lessons are included for:
* New Year’s Day
* Valentine’s Day
* Palm Sunday
* Easter Sunday
* Mother’s Day
* Father’s Day
* Independence Day
* Start of School
* First Day of Autumn
* Halloween
* Thanksgiving
* ChristmasDuring nearly 50 years as a pastor’s wife, Julia E. Bland has taught church groups of all ages from children through senior adults. She has been active in United Methodist Women and served as district chairperson of Global Concerns as well as Publicity and Public Relations. Bland’s award-winning oil, watercolor, and pen and ink artwork has appeared in private and public collections. Among her many CSS titles are Lessons We Can Learn From The Animals and Praises From The Psalms.
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7 Advent Programs For Children
$17.95Add to cartIn addition to seven delightful programs designed for children of preschool age through sixth grade, this book provides comprehensive, easy-to-follw guidelines that walk you through the entire process of planning, rehearsing, and presenting a holiday production. There’s even a step-by-step worksheet to help you keep organized and stay on top of all the details. Each complete script comes with a synopsis and stage directions, as well as an attractive cover that can be reproduced for your program. You’ll find material suitable for congregations of any size; most require no more than a dozen participants. And props, sets, and costumes are kept simple for maximum flexibility. With these practical resources, your children’s Christmas program this year is bound to be successful.
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Road Signs Airlines And Stars
$12.95Add to cartThese all-new inspirational programs are sure to bring wonder and joy to your congregation’s seasonal celebration. In this book you travel with youth as they pick up friends and road signs on their way to a church Christmas party. It’s an exciting resource with a salvation message that’s perfect for a Sunday school program or worship service. Then join Mary and Joseph as they make their way to Bethlehem on Salvation Airlines in The Christmas Travelers. A Sunday school pageant with a unique twist, this program declares the message of Christ’s birth through narration, readings, and song. Star Of Wonder gives you an opportunity to involve older youth or college students in a complete Christmas Eve worship service for families.
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Soaring Where Christ Has Led
$30.95Add to cartBelieving that Christian worship should be both exciting and stimulating and respectful of God and worshipers and liturgical traditions, Dick Avery and Don Marsh have put their considerable talents together to bring you ideas and music that make worship soar. As you read these groundbreaking ideas tailored to the seasons of the church year, you’ll find yourself saying, “Yes! YES! YES!” — and you’ll be eager to put them in place with your congregation.
Everything Avery and Marsh describe in this remarkable volume has been done successfully in their congregation at the regular Sunday morning service of worship, so you will find no off-the-wall suggestions pushed for mere novelty’s sake or just to “shake things up.” Rather, every principle, every suggestion, every idea has a purpose and goal befitting the Gospel and designed to help worshipers tune in to the mighty Lord of All.
With all of this plus several samples of original Avery & Marsh music, written especially for Sunday morning worship, Soaring Where Christ Has Led is a resource you will use week after week in planning worship services that delight congregations, honor God with momentous expressions of joy, and teach the way of Christ in today’s world.
Nationally renowned for their creative worship celebrations, Richard Avery and Donald Marsh were colleagues in ministry for 40 years at the First Presbyterian Church in Port Jervis, New York, where Avery served as pastor and Marsh as choirmaster (directing 3 choirs) and director of arts (producing 83 major plays and working with educational projects). They have collaborated in composing hymns, songs, and anthems, of which more than 150 have been published. During the last 30 years they have led regional and national church assemblies, conferences, and workshops on worship, music, and drama for many denominations and in virtually all 50 states.
A native of California, Avery is a graduate of the University of Redlands and Union Theological Seminary in New York. Marsh has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Houston, and worked for 17 years in New York’s music and theater world as a composer, choreographer, pianist, and actor. Avery and Marsh continue their collaboration in composing for the church and in leading special liturgical and musical events while living in retirement in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Lightly Goes The Good News
$20.95Add to cartEach challenging, inspiring, and to-the-point story is followed by a brief reflection that can be used as the basis for discussion or individual meditation. This book is an invaluable resource for preachers, religious educators, storytellers, adult study groups, and anyone interested in a unique approach to the biblical narrative.
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Stories To Remember (Student/Study Guide)
$17.95Add to cartUsing the concept of the kingdom of God as a touchstone, Stories To Remember analyzes the parables and emphasizes how we can apply their lessons to our modern lives. Like Jesus, Lavin cuts through theological code words to get to the heart of their message in easy-to-understand ways. Structured in two eight-session groupings, Stories To Remember is an ideal group study resource. Each chapter includes “points to ponder” and questions for stimulating discussion. There’s also a study guide for digging deeper into the biblical and historical background and tips to assist small group leaders. This is the second book in the Another Look series: other titles examine the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. These books are excellent for personal inspiration, use with new member or adult Sunday school classes, small group studies, and sermon preparation.
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Homeschooling For Success
$21.99Add to cartWith continual reports on the decline of America’s educational system, it’s no wonder that millions of parents are considering homeschooling. Statistics show that homeschooled children score higher on the SAT and ACT exams than traditionally schooled children, and by the 8th grade are doing work four grades above their level. Now, for the more than two million parents who currently homeschool their children-and the countless others who are considering this educational option-the founders of the #1 homsechooling Web site, Homeschool.com, present a comprehensive, nondenominational guide that can help anyone create a customized education to suit the strengths and weaknesses of their child. This book covers everything from getting started to legal requirements to single and working parent concerns and is an essential resource for anyone interested in homeschooling.
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Your First Two Years In Youth Ministry
$22.99Add to cartIn this sequel to his bestseller Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry, Fields offers 10 valuable steps to beginning a successful program. You’ll learn the importance of going before God, focusing on relationships, communicating your desires, identifying your personal values, developing and teaching your purpose, pursuing leaders, evaluating and creating programs, and more. Ideal for veterans or first-timers.
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Now My Eyes Have Seen You
$28.99Add to cartSeries Preface
Author’s Preface
Abbreviations1. Speaking What Is Right
2. An Advocate In Heaven?
3. The Tragic Creator
4. The Raging Sea
5. The Shadowlands
6. Yahweh, Mot And Behemoth
7. The Ancient Prince Of Hell
8. Drawing Out Leviathan
9. The Vision GloriousAppendix: Job And Cannanite Myth
The Significance Of Ugarit For Old Testament Studies
The Relevance Of The Baal Sagas
Theological SignificanceBibliography
Index Of Modern Authors
Index Of Scriptural References
Index Of Ancient SourcesAdditional Info
‘Now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5)Few biblical texts are more daunting, and yet more fascinating, than the book of Job-and few have been the subject of such diverse interpretation.
For Robert Fyall, the mystery of God’s ways and the appalling evil and suffering in the world are at the heart of Job’s significant contribution to the canon of Scripture. This New Studies in Biblical Theology volume offers a holistic reading of Job, with particular reference to its depiction of creation and evil, and finds significant clues to its meaning in the striking imagery it uses.
Fyall takes seriously the literary and artistic integrity of the book of Job, as well as its theological profundity. He concludes that it is not so much about suffering per se as about creation, providence and knowing God, and how-n the crucible of suffering-these are to be understood. He encourages us to listen to this remarkable literature, to be moved by it, and to see its progress from shrieking protest to repentence and vision.
Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.
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From Growing Up Pains To The Sacred Diary
$19.99Add to cartThe Growing Up Pains Of Adrian Plass
The Sacred Diary Of Adrian PlassAdditional Info
Two favourite works by best-selling author Adrian Plass in one volumeAdrian Plass has a way of telling our stories by telling his, and by so doing has endeared himself to a multitude of readers. Perhaps his secret lies in his humour, from the dark to the absurd. Or it could be his penchant for poking gently but frankly at the foibles of Christian living. Both qualities are on display here, with two of Plass’s best-loved books rolled into one. The Growing Up Pains of Adrian Plass offers reflections on a difficult passage in the author’s personal journey, during which the television programme Company and some of its memorable guests made a deep impact on Plass’s faith. The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass Aged 37 1/2 is a laugh-filled, fictional daily chronicle of family and church exploits, featuring Plass’s literary alter ego and a memorable cast of supporting characters. Referring to The Sacred Diary, Plass writes, ‘I don’t think I shall ever be unhappy enough to write such a funny book again.’ Though different in character, both books in this volume explore the darker side of living the Christian faith–and, in Plass’s inimitable style, point beyond to the bright hope that lies in Jesus. -
Battle For The Soul
$17.99Add to cart“This book is extremely helpful in ministering to others. It will give you the information to get past the game playing, guessing, and excuses and get right to the bottom-line issues in a person’s life. Clear and simple. Best of all, the focus is total reliance on the Person of Jesus Christ and His being in every way, shape, and form, all in all, to each individual believer.” –Mrs. Janie Glover, Christian Worker, Nampa, ID “I am amazed at the deep level of inspiration and revelation in Battle for the Soul. God is using GSM to reveal truths and depth that He has entrusted with few others on the face of the earth. The completed book will be a must-have for any minister seeking to break enemy strongholds in others’ lives, and I highly recommend it to any Christian who is ready to stand up and fight the good fight, move to another level with God, and get serious about letting Christ control his or her life. I asked one co-worker what he thought of a certain passage, and this was his response: ‘Again, another bottom line–sounds like Watchman Nee or possibly Francis Schaffer.’ He had no idea where the passage originated.” –Crystal Garvin, Editor, Patrick AFB, FL “Chapter 5 quite frankly about blew my mind–about Adam needing to be transfigured. WHOA. Totally new concept here.” –Trent Glover, Data Warehouse Manager, Nampa, ID
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1st Things First
$15.99Add to cartFirst Things First is an invitation to dive into the deeper things of God. Part of that call is allowing God to deal with the deep things in our heart so we can love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. With that process comes, a new definition of success God’s definition rather than the world’s. As we press into God, our destiny and God’s dreams will be released. Is there something inside of you that says there must be more to God than what you are currently experiencing?
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Help Our Church Is Growing
$14.00Add to cartIt’s the secret, unspeakable dream shared by every minister. After years of diligent work in an average-sized church, you glance up one Sunday and notice a new family. The next month you notice another. Soon it seems like somebody new arrives almost every week. Suddenly you are the leader of a living, breathing, growing church!
Like any roller coaster ride, this one begins with a long, slow ascent. Attendance climbs. Giving climbs. Expectations climb. Of course a few problems crop up along the way, because, as with every other roller coaster, this one has a long and often scary downside. Even as your church continues to climb in every measurable statistic, you, the spiritual leader, may well find yourself in a virtual free-fall as you struggle over how to manage the impact this change will have on your congregation.
What can you, as a minister in a growing church, do to survive the pitfalls that lie just around the corner? What do you do when the old ways no longer work?
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Introduction To Theology (Reprinted)
$45.95Add to cartThis classic introduction to theology from an Anglican perspective has been completely revised and updated for this third edition. Organized around the topics of systematic theology, Introduction to Theology begins with an exploration of Scripture, then moves through history and tradition to contemporary debates and reconstructions. As a textbook for introductory courses in seminaries of the Episcopal Church, this book also includes references to The Book of Common Prayer, which Anglicans consider a primary source for theology.
This new edition pays detailed attention to the many developments in theology since its last revision twenty years ago: the emergence of new perspectives such as womanist, mujerista, narrative, and post-modern theology; the shift in theological methods to incorporate the human sciences, recent critical philosophies, and recent developments in the physical sciences; the ongoing revisions of The Book of Common Prayer and resultant shifts in Anglican identity; and the globalization of theological education, specifically the focus on the Episcopal Church as part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. -
Christmas Star : Readings And Pageants For Christmas
$9.95Add to cartThe Christmas Star is a potpourri of holiday gifts for those planning worship-the charming collection includes three plays and five brief meditations suitable for reading during services or for use in bulletins and newsletters. Each presentation is simple for small churches to produce, with minimal costumes and props required. Insightful and scripturally sound, The Christmas Star is a wonderful package that you won’t be able to resist!
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Staff Talk : 52 Devotions For Church Staffs
$16.95Add to cartDo you ever find yourself searching for an appropriate prayer or devotion to open a staff meeting with? If so, this book is a comprehensive resource you’ll return to again and again. A year’s worth of brief meditations, all uniquely suited for building a sense of community and trust among your personnel, are in this extraordinary volume. Wil Jackson draws on his extensive personal experience to share practical, effective insights in imaginative and engaging language. A wide variety of themes and topics are covered, including sections on building a covenant relationship, employing good management principles, and equipping laity for ministry within the body of believers. There’s even material especially appropriate for retreat settings.
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Fasting For Financial Breakthrough (Reprinted)
$10.00Add to cartShed a spiritual light on some of the biggest problems facing people today: the need to put the role of money in a proper perspective and to solve financial problems. Elmer Towns states at the outset that this is not the primary purpose of fasting and prayer. Instead, it is all about knowing God. It is not about withdrawing prayer on an as-needed basis from some spiritual ATM kiosk. It is about meditation, studying the Scriptures, and communing with God. When we fast and pray in faith, asking for God’s help and provision, He begins to teach us how to become good stewards of what He has provided. Chapter topics include “Fasting to Learn Stewardship,” “Why We Have Money Problems,” and “A Faith Approach to Fasting for Money.” Once we understand why we struggle with money problems, we can do something about it with this practical step-by-step guide.
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Life Management For Busy Women Growth And Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$13.99Add to cartThis study guide offers clear and inspired steps for women eager to become better stewards of their time and their lives. As a supplemental tool, it compliments all the major sections of the book. Easily adaptable to individual or group study, this guide will help women of all ages, in all stages of life, learn to see and follow God’s blueprint for their lives.
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Gods Strength For This Day
$21.99Add to cartHarvest House Publishers Print On Demand Title
Dr. Ogilvie’s God’s Best for My Life has helped thousands of readers make prayer and Scripture reading an indispensable, blessed part of their day. In this book, he continues with personal meditations on how to live in the flow of the Lord’s unceasing strength. Each day, readers will find a carefully chosen Scripture, a meditation on an aspect of Christ’s renewing strength, and a “thought for the day” to help put faith into action.
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Forgotten God : Perspectives In Biblical Theology
$50.00Add to cartThis volume provides a comprehensive survey of the unity and diversity behind biblical conceptions of “God”. This is accomplished by respecting the distinctive theology of each canonical book and by placing reflection about God in conversation with major themes of biblical theology (e.g., Christology, pneumatology, anthropology). Four essays examine the Old Testament images of God while ten essays address the way in which God is presented in the New Testament. The volume is rounded off with an essay exploring biblical preaching about God.
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Sacrificing The Self
$63.00Add to cartDescription
Acts of martyrdom have been found in nearly all the worlds major religious traditions. Though considered by devotees to be perhaps the most potent expression of religious faith, dying for ones god is also one of the most difficult concepts for modern observers of religion to understand. This is especially true in the West, where martyrdom has all but disappeared and martyrs in other cultures are often viewed skeptically and dismissed as fanatics. This book seeks to foster a greater understanding of these acts of religious devotion by explaining how martyrdom has historically been viewed in the worlds major religions. It provides the first sustained, cross-cultural examination of this fascinating aspect of religious life. Margaret Cormack begins with an introduction that sets out a definition of martyrdom that serves as the point of departure for the rest of the volume. Then, scholars of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam examine martyrdom in specific religious cultures. Spanning 4000 years of history and ranging from Saul in the Hebrew Bible to Sati immolations in present-day India, this book provides a wealth of insight into an often noted but rarely understood cultural phenomenon. -
Focus On Mark (Student/Study Guide)
$21.95Add to cartCombining scripture text with informative commentary, Focus on Mark is the perfect guide for in-depth adult study. Each book contains study questions, journal meditations, and group activities that encourage spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God’s work.
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Screening Scripture
$59.95Add to cartThis unique book opens up new ways to see movies in their relationship to sacred texts-not just the Bible, but apocryphal, heretical, and non-western scriptures as well. The writers serve as creative viewers, making original connections between the texts and some of today’s most popular and provocative films, which include: Pleasantville, Total Recall, The Prince of Egypt, Dracular, Patch Adams and many others.
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How To Grow A Young Reader (Revised)
$18.99Add to cartIn an age of electronic games, TV, videos, and the Internet…You can raise a book lover.
Reading opens up a lifetime of learning and delight to children. In How to Grow a Young Reader, Kathryn Lindskoog and Ranelda Mack Hunsicker offer suggestions for creating a reader-friendly home, truths about how literature strengthens character development, and helpful strategies for nurturing a love of reading in any child.Includes a helpful guide to over 1,800 books.
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Art Of Listening
$25.50Add to cart224 pages
Additional Info
Availability and confirmation—key concepts of philosophers Gabriel Marcel and Martin Buber—are central to this fresh approach to pastoral care, which Pembroke has structured around a practical theological framework. He also explores the possible effects of shame clergy often feel when they fall short in these areas. Essential wisdom for all pastoral counselors! -
Lamentations : A Comentary Old Testament Library
$50.00Add to cartTraditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, Lamentations gives the impression of being an eyewitness account to Jerusalem’s destruction, written when the horror of the tragic event was still fresh. Berlin’s deft study weaves together the theology, poetry, and historical background of this little-discussed book.
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Nehemiah : Man Of Radical Obedience (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cart10 Lesson Bible Study
Additional Info
A great job, wonderful friends, financial security. What if God asked you to leave it all behind today – to forsake everything familiar and comfortable? To give it all up to go to a neglected, third-rate portion of the world and to rebuild a city you’ve never seen?Sound unlikely? This is precisely a portrait of Nehemiah, cupbearer to the king of Persia. After hearing that a plan to rebuild Jerusalem’s ruined city wall had tragically failed, Nehemiah’s heart was broken. Yet, he wasn’t satisfied simply to lament the incident from his sheltered life in Persia. Hearing God’s call for him to go back to his homeland and see the wall restored completely, he responded in radical obedience, forsaking everything to follow God’s instructions.
In this captivating 10-week study of an often-overlooked Old Testament book, the authors link Nehemiah’s obedience with its practical implications for believers today. As Nehemiah faced great opposition and numerous setbacks, he and the Israelites learned how to totally abandon themselves to God’s will and way for their lives. Each lesson offers valuable observations to help deepen faith, inspire hope, and strengthen the resolve to follow God’s leading at all costs.
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To End All Wars
$18.99Add to cartThe best-selling classic about the power of love and forgiveness in a Japanese POW camp–now a major motion picture starring Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Carlyle. To End All Wars is Gordon9s gripping true story behind the 1957 Academy Award-winning film The Bridge on the River Kwai, and its remake To End All Wars, to be released this fall.
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Martin Luther : Righteous Faith (Student/Study Guide)
$13.99Add to cartMartin Luther: Righteous Faith, from the Christian Classics Study Series, provides 6 studies for individuals or groups based on selected readings from Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings, Martin Luther: The Best from All His Works, The Bondage of the Will, various articles, and A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. Questions and Bible studies based on the themes from the texts, and notes for leaders are included. Opportunities to go deeper, and ideas for spiritual formation and reflection conclude the session.
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Davids Truth : In Israels Imagination And Memory – Second Edition (Student/Study
$22.00Add to cartIn this completely revised edition of a true classic, Walter Bruggermann thoughtfully examines four different sets of David narratives. Each narrative reflects a particular social context, a particualr social hope, and a particular community. Thus these stories offer a distinctly different “mode of truth” concerning this pivotal biblical figure. The tribe, the family, the state, and the assembly, each has a different agenda and thus draws a very different portrait of the one who helps define them and is defined by them.
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Perfect Love
$16.99Add to cartDespite the blustery winter chill, love is in the air in Heavenly Daze. Buddy Franklin is searching for someone to change his lonely life, Dana and Mike Klackenbush are trying to reestablish the friendship that led them to marriage three years before, Barbara and Russell Higgs are contemplating babies, and Cleta Lansdown is determined to keep Barbara, her married daughter, close to home. The angels who inhabit the island are surprised and overwhelmed when Buddy gets a pet, Dana toys with harmless flirtation, Barbara discovers she can9t have a baby, and Cleta gives her son-in-law a pink, ruffled bedroom ensemble for his birthday! As always, the folks of Heavenly Daze triumph, learn, laugh, and love _ and readers will do much of the same!
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Evangelicalism And The Stone Campbell Movement 1
$35.99Add to cartThe Stone-Campbell Movement, also known as the Restoration Movement, arose on the frontiers of early nineteenth-century America. Like-minded Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians abandoned denominational labels in order to be “Christians only.” They called followers to join in Christian unity and restore the ideals of the New Testament church, holding authoritative no book but the Bible and believing no creed but Christ.
Modern-day inheritors of this movement, including the Churches of Christ (a cappella) and the Christian Churches (independent), find much in common with wider evangelical Christianity as a whole. Both groups are committed to the authority of Scripture and the importance of personal conversion. Yet Restorationists and evangelicals, separated by sociological history as well as points of doctrinal emphasis, have been wary of each other. Evangelicals have often misunderstood Restorationists as exclusivist separatists and baptismal regenerationists. On the other hand, Stone-Campbell adherents have been suspicious of mainstream denominational evangelicals as having compromised key aspects of the Christian faith.
In recent years Restoration Movement leaders and churches have moved more freely within evangelical circles. As a result, Stone-Campbell scholars have reconsidered their relationship to evangelicalism, pondering to what extent Restorationists can identify themselves as evangelicals. Gathered here are essays by leading Stone-Campbell thinkers, drawing from their Restoration heritage and offering significant contributions to evangelical discussions of the theology of conversion and ecclesiology. Also included are responses from noted evangelicals, who assess how Stone-Campbell thought both corresponds with and diverges from evangelical perspectives.
Along with William R. Baker (editor) and Mark Noll (who wrote the Foreword), contributors include Tom Alexander, Jim Baird, Craig L. Blomberg, Jack Cottrell, Everett Ferguson, Stanley J. Grenz, John Mark Hicks, Gary Holloway, H. Wayne House, Robert C. Kurka, Robert Lowery, Edward P. Myers and Jon A. Weatherly.
For all concerned with Christian unity and the restoration of the church, Evangelicalism & the Stone-Campbell Movement offers a substantive starting point for dialogue and discussion.
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Trinity And Subordinationism
$35.99Add to cartIVP Print On Demand Title
Subordination has been and still is a controversial subject within the church. The concept has been vigorously debated in relation to the doctrine of the Trinity since the fourth century. Certain New Testament texts have made it part of discussions of right relations between men and women. In recent years these two matters have been dramatically brought together. Indeed, today the doctrine of the Trinity is being used to support opposing views of the right relationship between men and women in the church. At the center of the debate is the question of whether or not the orthodox view of the trinitarian relations teach the eternal subordination of the Son of God. In this book Kevin Giles masterfully traces the historic understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity from the patristic age to our own times to help resolve this important question. But he does not stop there. Giles goes on to provide an illuminating investigation of a closely related question–whether or not women, even in terms of function or role, were created to be permanently subordinated to men. By surveying the church’s traditional interpretation of texts relating to the status of women and inquiring into the proper use of the doctrine of the Trinity, Giles lays out his position in this current debate.
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Dietrich Bonhoeffer : Costly Grace (Student/Study Guide)
$17.99Add to cartWhat does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? Is it enough just to believe? What role does obedience play? These are the questions that Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrestled with. Sorting through Bonhoeffer’s questions and the answers he found will profoundly enrich your Christian life. This six-session study for individuals or small groups includes excerpts from Bonhoeffer’s writings, discussion or reflection questions, Scripture themes, and study notes. Part of the Christian Classics Bible Studies Series.
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Ezra : Leader Of Moral Restoration (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cart10 Lesson Bible Study
Additional Info
Moral decay, hedonistic lifestyle, political controversy. Characteristics from contemporary culture? For the Hebrew people exiled to Babylon in 539 BC, those words typified the lifestyle to shich they had become accustomed.Imagine being away from your homeland so long that the strange landscape, foreign people, and pagan customs are now familiar and comfortable – and the land of your birth seems nothing more than a distant dream. God’s Word and you Jewish faith in Him have faded into memory.
This was the regrettable situation the Hebrew people found themselves in. And when the impossible happened – a decree allowing them to return to their homeland – God planted a holy desire in the hearts of many Jews to return. Additionally, He commissioned the scribe Ezra to lead the return and, more importantly, to teach his people to love God and His Word once again.
The 10-week Bible Study examines the fascinating return of the Jewish people to their homes – and their faith – as they take a fresh look at the God of the ages. Each lesson provides challenging insights into the cultural, historical, and biblical background of the Book Of Ezra. God’s master design for His people is revealed once again as He continues to address a world in desperate need of moral restoration.
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Stories For A Teens Heart 3
$16.99Add to cartEncourage your teens to make wise choices and put God first with these captivating stories about family, friends, tough times, character, and doing the right thing. Featuring the inspirational cartoons of Chaz Chapman, over 100 selections portray real teens making a difference in the lives of those around them.
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Open Secrets : A Memoir Of Faith And Discovery
$19.00Add to cartIn the tradition of Garrison Keillor, Open Secrets captures the friendships, rivalries, and rumors of small-town life by chronicling the lives of the citizens of a small Midwestern community through the eyes of a young minister.
Fresh out of divinity school and bursting with enthusiasm, Richard Lischer found himself assigned to a small conservative church in an economically depressed town in southern Illinois. It’s an awkward marriage at best–a young man with a Ph.D. in theology, full of ideas and ambitions, determined to improve his parish and bring it into the twenty-first century, and a community that is “as tightly sealed as a jar of home-canned pickles.” In Open Secrets, Lischer tells not only his own story but also the story of New Cana and its inhabitants. With charm, openness, and humor, Lischer brings to life the clash of cultures and personalities that marks his pastoral tenure, including his own doubts, as well as those of his parishioners, that a twenty-eight-year-old suburban-raised liberal can deal with the troubled marriages, alcoholism, teen sex, inadequate farm subsidies, and other concerns of the conservative, tightly knit community. But the inhabitants of New Cana–lovable, deeply flawed, imperfect people who stick together–open their arms to him in their own way, and the result is a colorful, poignant comedy of small-town life and all it has to offer.
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Starting A Non Profit At Your Church
$26.00Add to cartA large and growing number of congregations are setting up church-based nonprofit organizations in order to operate community development or educational programs. Once formed, the nonprofit structure allows for new opportunities for accessing additional funding and drawing new collaborative partners and volunteers into the ministry. Joy Skjegstad outlines the step-by-step procedures for setting up a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization connected to a congregation using simple, easy-to-understand terminology and plenty of examples from churches that have already taken on this task.
In addition to accessible and specific information on the legal aspects of a church-based nonprofit, topics include:
Why set up a nonprofit?
Advantages and disadvantages to setting up a nonprofit
Assessing readiness for the challenge
Defining the nonprofit’s mission and niche
Accountability and control
Establishing a board structure and defining board roles
Maintaining a positive relationship with the congregation
Personnel issues
Developing a fundraising plan
Ongoing evaluation
Whether a congregation is setting up new program or has an established nonprofit that needs to be restructured or redefined, congregations will find helpful guidance in this practical, experience-based book. Foreword by Mary Nelson, President, Bethel New Life, Inc., Chicago. -
Ending With Hope
$23.00Add to cart“Why is it we do funerals so well but often balk at even recognizing the death of a congregation? Couldn’t we do grief ministry and funerals as well for social groups as we do for individuals?” challenges Gilson Waldkoenig, in his seminary classes. Waldkoenig, associate professor of church in society at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, contributes his special insights on the subject of church endings, in this unique and important book.
Ending with Hope grows out of the understanding that although closing a congregation is in many ways about dying, it can also be about new life. Closing a congregation does not have to be about failure but can be about redirecting resources for new ministry.
Contributors represent eight denominations and include more than a dozen pastors, lay leaders, judicatory staff, and others who have “been there”-who have helped congregations through the painful closing process. Resources include models for assessing whether a congregation should close; reflections on members’ and pastors’ experiences during closing; case studies; guidance for deciding what to do with a building; suggestions for selecting and preserving documents and artifacts; rituals for healthy closings; a survey of historical trends regarding closings; and other helpful materials.
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Bible On Leadership
$18.95Add to cartMillions have been inspired by the Bible’s spiritual lessons. Now, Lorin Woolfe provides a unique way to view the Bible . . . for leadership lessons that can be applied to our modern business world. Consider David’s courage and innovation in slaying Goliath with just a stone and a sling; Moses’ outstanding “”succession planning”” in picking Joshua; Joseph and the political skills that brought him to the seat of power; and of course, Jesus’ compassion, communication skills, and vision that launched Christianity (a long-term success by any measure). These are leaders among leaders. Their achievements — and their inspired methods of achievement — offer a wholly different perspective on business leadership. For the dozens of Biblical stories presented, the book provides: * A concise retelling of each story * One (or more) leadership lessons suggested by each story * Examples of contemporary business leaders who exhibit some of the inspired traits of these ancient leaders, including: Fred Smith of FedEx, Howard Shultz of Starbucks, Tom Chappell of Tom’s of Maine (a “toothpaste with a mission”), Roy Vagelos of Merck, and many more. The chapters cover these universal topics: Courage * Purpose * Communication * Honesty and Integrity * Power and Influence * Performance Management * Team Building * Humility * Compassion * Justice * Encouragement and Consequences * Wisdom * Creating the Future Each topic concludes with a list of key points to keep in mind as readers continue on their own leadership journeys.
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Bible And The Comic Vision
$22.00Add to cartThis insightful work examines the variety of ways comedy is employed in the Old Testament. Biblical comedy unveils “a comic vision that oscillates between attack and affirmation, corrective and celebration, ridicule and revel.” Here Whedbee reveals the subtle uses of parody and satire to subversive effect in six biblical books. But “the Bible characteristically does not stop with subversion, for the texts usually drive on toward an affirmation of life and celebration of the wonder and hopefulness of creation. In sum, subversion an celebration typically belong together in a comprehensive view of biblical comedy: subversion often serving to undercut and clear away obstacles to the realization of fertility and forgiveness; and celebration finding expression in festivals of freedom and hope.”
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Nature Human Nature And God
$18.00Add to cartIn his latest work, the dean of religion and science tackles some of the thorniest issues posed by contemporary thought. Thoroughly conversant with current developments, Barbour offers astute analyses of the shape and import of evolutionary theory, indeterminacy, neuroscience, information theory, and artificial intelligence. He also addresses deeper philosophical issues and the idea of nature itself. Then with characteristic clarity and verve, Barbour advances to the interconnected religious questions at the core of contemporary debate: Are humans free? Does religion itself evolve? Are we immortal? Is God omnipotent? How does God act in nature? Barbour’s creative and constructive work offers hope that newer religious insights and imperatives occasioned by deep interaction with science can address the environmental and global challenges posed by science’s relentless advance.
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Mending Your Heart In A Broken World
$19.99Add to cartFor some, the world is a painful and fractured place-a place where their spirits have been tainted by tragedy, intimidation, and the loss of love or loved ones. In this book, popular author Patsy Clairmont addresses this pain and suggests that those in search of healing turn to the book of Nehemiah for insight, instruction, and encouragement. Through Nehemiah, the reader will learn how to guard her heart and how to open the doors when trust is required; how to live with a servant’s heart and how to overcome the fear of subjection; and when to work and when to pray. Using scripture and stories from her own experiences as well as those of others, Patsy illustrates how hearts and dreams can be rejuvenated and rebuilt and that the trip through the valley can lead to the mountaintop.
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Scope And Authority Of The Bible
$35.99Add to cartThis volume brings together seven essays which are representative of the author’s style, approach to and outlook on contemporary biblical topics. Characterized throughout by openness of thought and iconoclasm, this collection serves as an introduction to one of the most important issues – the authority of the Bible – facing churches today, as well as the author’s thoughts as a whole.
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Jesus And The Rise Of Early Christianity
$45.99Add to cartGain new insight into first-century Christianity as you explore the world of Caesars and Herods, proconsuls and Pharisees, Sadducees and revolutionaries. Presenting a well-reasoned response to current revisionist views, Barnett argues that we can’t fully comprehend the growth of the Christian faith apart from understanding Jesus’ impact on his followers—and ultimately the world.
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Performance Appraisal Question And Answer Book
$18.99Add to cartMost managers hate conducting performance appraisal discussions. What’s worse, few feel confident in their ability to accurately assess the performance of a subordinate. In The Performance Appraisal Question and Answer Book, expert Dick Grote answers over 100 of the most common — and most difficult — questions about this vitally important but often misunderstood and misused tool, including: * How should I react when an employee starts crying during the appraisal discussion . . . or gets mad at me? * Which is more important — the results the person achieved or the way she went about doing the job? * Is there such a thing as a perfect performance appraisal form? Many of the answers include a Hot Tip or Red Flag: a note to the reader making a particularly insightful suggestion. This book helps supervisors and HR professionals ease the pain of performance appraisal and use the process effectively.
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My Body Is The Temple
$17.49Add to cart“My Body is The Temple: Encounters and Revelations of Sacred Dance and Artistry” is the manifestation of a divine connection between holiness, Sacred Artistry, and transformation-both of oneself and one’s surroundings. It focuses on the sometimes painful, yet eternal benefits afforded to those who dare to keep his or her WHOLE body “Holy Unto the Lord”. In doing so, the Holy Spirit freely provides untapped revelation on God’s secret weapon-our bodies, in which He uses both evangelistically and prophetically in the Arts, in worship, in dreams, and in natural and supernatural spiritual warfare. Within the pages of this book on sacred dance and artistry, ministers, pastors, and laypersons alike obtain a global perspective on the powerful impact that anointed, Sacred Dance can have on one’s spirit, health, household, church, culture, and nation. Spiritual leaders and ministers will especially be drawn to this book, as it provides sound, biblical teaching on the call and authenticity of dance as ministry. It positions the Arts to reclaim its rightful place within the local church and the World. This work is the first of its kind and caliber to be written from a culturally diverse, yet Christian perspective. Students and professors of Christian Arts institutions, seminaries, Bible colleges, and sacred dance ministries will discover a supernatural, unconventional approach to understanding how God uses His creative, artistic Mind to bring about Kingdom purposes. This book can easily be recommended as a required course text in ministerial training on topics related to the various dimensions of worship, Arts, liturgy and inter-cultural ministry.
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Heart Affirmations
$14.99Add to cartIn today’s noisy and busy world, the positive thoughts and gentle suggestions in Heart Affirmations help the readers stay centered. These daily affirmations will keep you connected to God and help you live a life of sweet bliss and abundance. As you read these daily prayers and hold them in your thoughts throughout the day, no matter what is going on in your life, you will find your heart opening to receive God’s showers of blessings. Each day can be a joyful experience.
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There Must Be More
$13.49Add to cartMy book was birthed out of an intense longing for more of God than what most of the Church world offers today. There is so much more available than what we have. If you have ever left church wondering, “Is that it, is that all there is?” then this book is a must read for you! My purpose is to challenge you to a deeper commitment and that our church leaders put more on the spiritual table than is being offered. We no longer have to be mediocre Christians, but we can be all God said we could be. We are not just left to read about what God did in the past, but we can cry out to Him, “You are my God also. I want to see You work in my time.” Not only will God hear, He will show His hand strong on our behalf! I offer answers to some difficult questions such as: IS THERE REVIVAL IN AMERICA, OR ARE CHRISTIANS JUST BEING PROSELYTIZED TO LARGE CHURCHES? CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS: WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? CHRISTIANS AND MONEY: HAVE WE TAKEN IT TOO FAR? Finally, we conclude with God’s promise of revival before the end-time and with the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to provide us a heavenly home. In Ecclesiastes 7:8 God said our end would be better than our beginning and Ezekiel 36:11 declares He will do better unto you than at your beginning: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. -C.W. Minor
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By The Way
$13.49Add to cartThis book is a provocative look at the “who”, “what”, “when”, “where” and “why” of those who have fallen by the wayside and have matriculated into the abyss of hopelessness and despair. An indictment is issued to the churches that should be praying and seeking the peace of their inner cities, and who are not. Special focus is given in the first chapter on how the traditional church has missed the mark of the highway and hedge ministry of Jesus’ commission. As you continue exploring the text you will find the unfortunate acceptance of the generational strongholds of poverty, distorted perceptions of self, and eventual self-destruction passed on by previous generation.
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Love In Hard Places
$19.99Add to cartD.A. Carson focuses on the aspects of Christian love that are not easy, such as loving your enemies and forgiving those who have hurt you. Whether the wounds come at the hands of a stranger in a distant land, from the neigbor next door, or from someone inside your home, this book helps you understand what biblical love is… and is not. As the author sorts through the diverse ways in which Scripture speaks of Christian love, he shows how that love reflects God’s own love. You’ll see how to love wisely and well, faithfully and biblically in heartwarming situations – how to love even in the hardest places in life.
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Ministry And Money
$26.00Add to cartFrank, straightforward guidance for clergy seeking to develop a sound theology of money and skills for church administration, Ministry and Money also puts forth a new strategy for self-care, and a confident approach to managing both personal and congregational finances. Alban Senior Consultant and author Dan Hotchkiss wants to help clergy overcome their own anxieties about money matters so they can help others address the personal, social, and congregational aspects of this challenging and often difficult topic.
Hotchkiss observes that clergy are anxious about money for all the same reasons other people are and for some special reasons, as well:
Many people believe that what is “spiritual” excludes money and power.
Many clergy’s own finances are in difficulty.
Clergy depend on their congregations for their livelihood.
And in many congregations, clergy effectiveness may still be judged in financial terms.
Drawing on the full spectrum of American religious life, Hotchkiss addresses these important issues, offering practical assistance to clergy who wish to become more effective leaders by examining their own unique anxieties and convictions about money. -
Healing Grief : Walking With Your Friend Through Loss
$9.99Add to cart1. The First Day
2. The Second Day
3. The Visitation
4. The Funeral
5. Changes
6. The Second Year
7. AdjustmentAdditional Info
Many of us feel awkward and hesitant when talking to a recently bereaved person. We don’t want to say or do the wrong thing. A Healing Grief responds to this problem. Author Sara Wengerd had years of experience with death through work as a hospice nurse and care the for the elderly. Then it happened to her. Beginning with the moment that she heard the news of her husband’s accident, through the first day, the funeral, and the next two years, Wengerd illuminates the grieving process with heartfelt and surprising candor. Practical advice and suggestions at the end of each chapter make this book the perfect gift for the grieving person or a guide for the one who is walking with a friend through loss. -
12 Dynamic Shifts For Transforming Your Church
$18.99Add to cartThat today’s mainline churches are in crisis is apparent; a solution is less obvious. In this constructive new book E. Stanley Ott points a way ahead, describing twelve shifts in philosophy and practice that can help congregations build need-responsive, disciple-growing churches full of life and vigor.
Arguing that the weakness of the church today is a loss of personal spirituality and congregational vitality, Ott challenges local churches to discover how to adjust the style of their ministries to attract new people while encouraging current members. Ott examines the characteristics of “traditional” churches, extols the features of new, “transformational” churches, and lays out proposals to help established congregations make the transition.
Well balanced by an honest assessment of the church’s present and a positive vision for its future, this book is must reading for pastors, church leaders, and members of every congregation.
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Servants Manual : Christian Leadership For Tomorrow
$16.00Add to cartChristians and their institutions are stuck, says Michael Foss, stuck in the thinking and dilemmas of the past. This short volume is a plea for Christians to rethink their point and purpose in light of larger cultural changes and a crisis in leadership. Foss detects a crisis in leadership in declining rates of church participation, stagnant levels of students preparing for ministry, and burnout among clergy. To energize a new generation of leaders able to transcend yesterday’s thinking, Foss encourages a new style of ecclesial thinking. He first traces the larger cultural shifts that affect the church’s position in the world and styles of leadership. He then diagnoses church thinking as largely reproductive of past successes and ineffective in this new context. Advancing to productive thinking empowers Christians to leave behind the most important and frustrating dichotomies or polarities in today’s church: evangelism vs. social justice, control vs. freedom, growth vs. discipleship. Foss’s model of moving from issues into conversation and then into compassion is a blueprint for new leadership “equipped to think productively for the sake of the reign of our God in the world.” This book is aimed in part at bringing the key ideas and energy of Foss’s earlier book, Power Surge, to a wider audience of concerned Christians, potential leaders for the next generation.
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What Is New Testament Theology
$17.00Add to cartDoes New Testament theology rightly deal with the documents of the New Testament or with something outside the text, such as the unfolding of early Christian religion, the events of salvation history, the historical Jesus in particular, or an understanding of human existence? Is New Testament theology a strictly historical project, a dialectical interaction between historical interpretation and hermeneutical concerns or solely hermeneutical program? This volume by a seasoned biblical scholar not only describes how New Testament theology has been done but provides critiques of the major approaches in the twentieth century as well as his own proposal.
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Preaching Workbook Series 1 Year 1
$31.95Add to cartProviding a fresh, timely reflection every week can be a daunting task. So when time or inspiration is flagging and you need the jump-start of creative ideas, the “Preaching Workbook” from CSS is just what the doctor ordered! Prominent pastor, former seminary president, and prolific author Jerry Schmalenberger draws upon the experiences of a lifetime in the ministry to help readers effectively share God’s word with crisply written insights. This outstanding set of practical aids explores many homiletical approaches and is sure to help preachers prepare more vital, incisive sermons.
Each chapter includes:
– a listing of and commentary on selected scripture texts
– a theme for the day’s service
– suggestions on preaching possibilities
– an outline of possible sermon moves
– additional illustrations to help flesh out the message -
Worship Aids Series 1 Year 1
$18.95Add to cartPreparing to lead a congregation in worship Sunday after Sunday is a formidable and pressure-filled responsibility. That’s why busy worship planners will love this handy, easy-to-use resource with several prayers and a worship theme for every Sunday throughout the year. Each week’s material includes three scripture texts, with a call to worship, an invocation/collect, a prayer of confession, and suggested hymns relating to each passage. This complete collection offers a wide selection of practical aids for creating sincerely reverent, meaningful worship.
“The creative task of a worship leader requires useful resources, both practical and spiritual, for use in public worship as well as personal devotions. This volume provides a source for meditation, prayer, and fellowship with God and the people of God. The genius of the book is couched in the connection Kirkland makes between his own spirituality, the poetry of the biblical texts, and the spiritual quest of the worshiper and the worship leader.”
Ernest S. Lyght
United Methodist Bishop
New York, New York
“Every busy pastor appreciates well-organized and theologically sound help when planning worship each week. Kirkland’s vast pastoral experience and deep spiritual commitment can greatly enhance worship in our congregations. Worship Aids will prove to be a very useful tool in every pastor’s study.”
F. Herbert Skeete
United Methodist Bishop Emeritus
Riverdale, New York -
How To Be A Christian Without Being Religious (Reprinted)
$15.00Add to cartSince the days of the early church, Christians have struggled to find a way to be “good”–to please God by their own efforts. They end up carrying a burden God never intended them to bear. And what’s more, their brand of Christianity ends up looking like any other religion of the world–bound by joyless rules and rituals. Fritz Ridenour’s study of the book of Romans provides an antidote to the pharisaical spirit and shows that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. It is not people reaching up, but God reaching down. All Christians can enjoy their birthright when they realize who they are in Christ. The result is a life full of hope, joy, power, and potential.
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Redemptive Change
$59.95Add to cartModern culture fails to offer people the hope of meaningful and enduring change in their lives. Philosophers maintain that people are self-sufficient, that they don’t need God to complete their identities, and that whatever changes they experience are momentary and of no ultimate significance. R.R. Reno counters this modern philosophy, contending that the only meaningful change occurs in Christ. At the moment of atonement, people experience an enduring change that has momentous consequences for their lives. We matter, Reno says, only insofar as we are more dependnet upon and changed by Christ.
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Many Faces Of Faith
$19.99Add to cartReligious faith takes many forms. Through the centuries and around the globe, human responses to the divine have given rise to a large number of important religions. THE MANY FACES OF FAITH is intended to introduce general readers to the diversity of religious traditions in the world today. In this fascinating and very useful book, Richard R. Losch briefly describes the main beliefs and practices of the world’s religions and Christian denominations. Assuming little prior knowledge on the part of readers, Losch focuses on what is essential for understanding each faith. Readable and informative, The Many Faces of Faith provides an ideal starting point for objective inquiry into the richness of human spirituality worldwide.
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Wesleyan Tradition : A Paradigm For Renewal
$33.99Add to cartIn these important essays, a distinguished group of interpreters of the Wesleyan tradition, identify the central convictions and practices of the Methodist movement. Their purpose in making this identification is twofold. First, they insist that these convictions and practices lie at the heart of what the Wesleyan/Methodist family is, and has been. Second, and more important, they claim that in these distinctive beliefs lies the future of the “people called Methodist.” If renewal and growth in witness and mission is to occur, the authors argue, it will come through a reclamation and reinterpretation of such central beliefs as salvation by grace through faith, the authority of Scripture, disciple-making within community, the vocation of Christian holiness, and the church’s mission to the world.
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Road Home : Images For The Spiritual Journey
$20.00Add to cartIn this highly accessible biblical study, Sara Covin Juengst writes on images of the road found in Scripture and explores their implications for the Christian spiritual journey. Juengst examines contemporary issues like risk taking, uprootedness, loneliness. and change, all in light of what it means to be “followers of the way.”
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Driven
$21.99Add to cartHighly original touches and an impressive flair for atmosphere make this spooky supernatural thriller one that nudges readers to examine spiritual matters while delivering an outstanding level of suspense. Lobster fisherman Karl Dengler is inhabited by the demon Krogan, and partners with other demon-possessed people to commit horrific acts of violence. When Krogan destroys the New York Aquarium’s tanks of whales and dolphins, Det. Gavin Pierce’s grandfather is one of the spectators killed. In his quest for vengeance, Gavin joins forces with Amy Kirsch, a sassy, drop-dead gorgeous computer hacker who has a homespun “fortune cookie” saying for almost every occasion. Recovering alcoholic Karianne Stordal suffers from her own demon and is commandeered by Krogan to help him commit vehicular homicide. Under hypnosis, she provides clues that help unlock the murders. As Krogan continues his reign of terror, Gavin and Amy turn to a reluctant exorcist-turned-dairy farmer who has been victimized by Krogan in the past. The novel features a skillful mix of passages that entertain and frighten, and the plot is fast-paced and drenched in evil. Although the themes are strongly Christian, this is a solid crossover novel that should appeal to many readers of suspense and paranormal fiction.
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Complete Guide To Conflict Resolution In The Workplace
$44.99Add to cartPeople thrive on conflict in most areas of their lives–football games, political debates, legal disputes–yet steer clear from workplace conflicts. But conflict is actually a healthy way to challenge the existing order and essential to change in the workplace. The real problem is not conflict per se, but managing conflict. This authoritative manual explains step by step how to design a complete conflict resolution system and develop the skills to implement it. Packed with exercises, case studies, and checklists, the book also supplies: * an overview of workplace conflict * diagnostic tools for measuring it * techniques for resolving conflict, such as negotiation, labor/management partnerships, third-party dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, more.
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When You Lose Your Job
$6.99Add to cartJob loss seems to be everywhere these days, but no matter how often it happens a person may feel ill-prepared to face the many emotions that accompany it. Donna Bennett offers readers a brief guide to getting through the first days and weeks of a job loss, and suggestions for getting the next position off to a great start.
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Out Of The Depths
$29.00Add to cartWhether understood as sin, as embracing all manner of suffering and injustice, or as the inexplicable human choice of evil over good, evil has historically been described and pondered chiefly through male categories understood as a universal viewpoint. Likewise salvation. Gebara here presents an alternative, feminist approach to evil and salvation. She allows women to voice their personal suffering from their own contexts, thereby manifesting their many differences. She then introduces a perspective on evil and salvation based in gender analysis to address specifically “the evil women do,” the evil they suffer, and women’s redemptive experiences of God and salvation.
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John (Student/Study Guide)
$17.00Add to cartIn this ten-session study, Matson presents the Fourth Gospel. The Gospel of John is a very different book than the other three – there is no Sermon on the Mount or parables and there is no teaching of the Lord’s Prayer. But what is important about John is the undertone of conflict between those who accepted Jesus as Messiah and those who did not. Notable passages include the encounter of Jesus with John the Baptist, the feeding of the 5,000, the conversation with the Samaritan woman, the passion narrative, and the appearance of the resurrected Christ by the Sea of Galilee.
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Way The Church Ought To Be
$17.99Add to cartHave you ever wondered? What is the Christian church? Is it a building, or is it much more? How should the church operate? What kind of leadership do we need, and where do we find them? How should we view spiritual gifts? Should we accept and use them or reject them for being too divisive? Should we evangelize or wait for God to do the job? Who is part of the church? How do we join? Do we sign a membership book, take a class, or are we automatically a part of the Christian church because we are Americans? Is there a blueprint hidden away somewhere that can help us discover the answers to these questions? Take heart- God’s blueprint for the Christian church is not hidden in some ancient medieval monastery or buried in a mysterious cave guarded by mythical beasts, but is found on the pages of the Bible. Anyone who cares to investigate can read those pages and will discover how God wants His church to be. The Way the Church Ought to Be was written to speak clearly to the following simple truths: God has a blueprint (pattern) that reveals how His church should be. God meant for His blueprint to be acknowledged and followed. Those who build their churches in disregard for that blueprint are building upon the sand. Those who build their churches according to God’s blueprint will experience His blessings, power, and favor. The Way the Church Ought to Be is a simple manual on how Jesus Christ builds His church. Hopefully it will become a source of blessing for believers who are seeking a genuine move of the Holy Spirit in our day.
