Pastoral Helps
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Experiential Youth Ministry Handbook Volume 2
$22.99Add to cartMore than just a handbook of games, Experiential Youth Ministry Handbook Volume 2 goes to the heart of learning. Giving you the tools and ideas to create experiences and events that will help shape and form your students, this book will equip you and your
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Cultivating Prayer And Intercession In The Local Church
$9.99Add to cartCultivating Prayer And Intercession In The Local Church is a dynamo in a small package. From his years of experience, personal and corporate observation, and mentoring of prayer warriors, layers of revelation and clear understanding open before the discerning reader. Wave upon wave of anointed illustration, interspersed with plentiful Scripture proofs, combine to sweep one into the stream of intercession which is the writer’s passion. Far from dry, this brief but powerful treatise resonates with true devotion and an infectious spirit of the joy of prayer.
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Timothy Training Program Teacher Edition (Teacher’s Guide)
$19.99Add to cartIn today’s rapidly growing churches how does a pastor keep up with all the demands of a growing congregation? More than ever we need to rise up leaders in the local church. Taken straight from I & II Timothy, Timothy Training Program provides teaching materials for pastors and leadership trainers to use in equipping potential leaders. Ideal for small groups or medium size classes, this package incorporates teaching, discussion, and relational, hands-on discipling. Session Topics Include: The Life of Timothy Requirements and Expectations Teaching Sessions Outline The Invitation and Response Proving and Preparation Selection and Character Factor Equipping and Placement Promotion and Progress Perseverance and Perspective.
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Tribal Church : Ministering To The Missing Generation
$31.00Add to cartMany churches are seeking ways to reach out to the younger generations. Unfortunately this often manifests as either a “come be just like us!” attitude-suggesting an unwillingness to change in order to be inclusive of young people-or as a slick marketing campaign that targets young adults in much the same way secular advertising does. Both of these approaches often leave young adults feeling that their particular spiritual gifts and needs are unwanted by the church. “We only want you for your demographics” is the message given.
Carol Howard Merritt, a pastor in her mid-thirties, suggests a different way for churches to be able to approach young adults on their own terms. Outlining the financial, social, and familial situations that affect many young adults today, she describes how churches can provide a safe, supportive place for young adults to nurture relationships and foster spiritual growth. There are few places left in society that allow for real intergenerational connections to be made, yet these connections are vital for any church that seeks to reflect the fullness of the body of Christ.
Using the metaphor of a tribe to describe the close bonds that form when people of all ages decide to walk together on their spiritual journeys, Merritt casts a vision of the church that embraces the gifts of all members while reaching out to those who might otherwise feel unwelcome or unneeded. Mainline churches have much to offer young adults, as well as much to learn from them. By breaking down artificial age barriers and building up intentional relationships, congregations can provide a space for all people to connect with God, each other, and the world.
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Christianitys Family Tree Participants Book (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Add to cartIn this book, Adam Hamilton presents a welcoming, inspiring vision of eight Christian denominations and faith traditions. Comparing the Christian family to our own extended families, he contends that each denomination has a unique, valuable perspective to offer on the Christian faith.
The traditions he examines are Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Anglicanism, Baptists, Pentecostalism, and Methodism. For each group, Hamilton gives a brief history, outlines major beliefs, and describes some things we can learn from that tradition to strengthen our own Christian faith.
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2nd Resurrection : Leading Your Congregation To New Life
$19.99Add to cart1. When It’s Not A Matter Of Sickness
2. Are We Spiritually Dead?
3. How Churches Die Spiritually
4. Turnaround Is An Eternal Issue
5. Leaders: It’s Time To Die To Yourself
6. A Life Worth Watching
7. Resurrection Begins With You
8. Rolling Away The Stone
9. Life Beyond The Tomb
10. Pastor, Are YOU Ready For Resurrection?
Epilogue: The Meaning Of FaithfulnessAdditional Info
For many congregational and denominational leaders, the goal for churches experiencing declining worship attendance is to turn those congregations around. The “turnaround church” is one that has stagnated or is in decline. The old trends are reversed, new members are added, and everyone rejoices in this story of a congregation restored to health and vitality. But what if the metaphors of decline, stagnation, and loss of health just aren’t getting to the problem? What if the situation is much worse than what those ways of describing it imply? What if the congregation is spiritually dead? The only solution is resurrection. Churches that have lost their sense of mission, that exist only to provide fellowship for the “members of the club,” that expect their leaders to focus solely on ministering to the members’ personal spiritual needs; these churches have died to the purpose of the New Testament church, to make disciples of Jesus Christ. They cannot be turned around; they must come to life again. The key to that resurrection is leaders who are not afraid to diagnose the problem for what it really is, and who realize that resurrection is what being a Christian is about.The goal of this book is to guide the leaders of these churches through the painful, yet ultimately life-giving work of leading a church to new life in the Spirit. If you want to find new life for your church, read on . . .
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Living As A Christian (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartBased on the culmination of a lifetime of experience in ministry, Billy Graham guides the reader through a study guide series that explores the joys, triumphs, and conflicts that you will encounter along the journey of your spiritual life.
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Zona Biblica En La Case De Dio (Teacher’s Guide) – (Spanish) (Teacher’s Guide)
$22.99Add to cartBibleZone Live! in Spanish has all you need to capture Spanish-speaking children’s imagination and make Bible stories stick! Create a classroom where children encounter God’s Word and reflect on how the Bible matters in their life. BibleZone Live! tells the complete Bible story – not just a Bible verse – and helps Hispanic children use their natural enthusiasm with fun, cooperative games, group activities, and storytelling that gets them involved in both the telling and the listening. BibleZone Live! where the Bible comes to life! Each BibleZone Live! kit includes a teacher’s guide with accompanying CD and the zillies kids love. With each kit comes three transparencies, which you can project onto the wall or duplicate and hand out to the class. BibleZone Live! covers three age levels: preschool (ages 3-5), early elementary (grades 1-3), and older elementary (grades 4-6).
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Embracing The Good News (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartBased on the culmination of a lifetime of experience in ministry, Billy Graham guides the reader through a study guide series that explores the joys, triumphs, and conflicts that you will encounter along the journey of your spiritual life.
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Majesty Of God In The Old Testament (Reprinted)
$24.00Add to cart1. Magnifying The Incomparability Of Our God Isaiah 40:9-31
2. Magnifying The Greatness Of Our God Daniel 4:1-37
3. Magnifying The Word Of Our God Numbers 20:1-13
4. Magnifying The Wonderful Name Of Our God Jeremiah 32:1-44
5. Magnifying The Pardoning Grace Of Our God Micah 7:11-20
6. Magnifying The Holy Spirit From Our God Zechariah 4:1-14
7. Magnifying The Awesome Character Of Our God Psalm 139:1-18
8. Magnifying The Glory Of Our God Ezekiel 1:1-28
9. Magnifying The Grace Of Giving From Our God 1 Chronicles 29:6-19
10. Magnifying The Holiness Of Our God Isaiah 6:1-13Additional Info
Reviews ten of the most outstanding Old Testament texts that highlight the majesty of God. -
When Moses Meets Aaron
$34.00Add to cartWith the number of large congregations rising in the U.S., these congregations are increasingly dependent upon a greater number of staff to meet the needs of their diverse collection of members. As leaders of multi-staff teams, senior clergy must play the dual role of both Moses and Aaron-both visionary and detail-oriented leader-in order for their large congregations to thrive. They need to be skilled with the tools of human resource management, while at the same time setting a vision and inspiring both staff and congregation.
Unfortunately, until now there have been few resources for senior clergy who lead multi-staff teams. Working without adequate models and tools, senior clergy of large congregations often find themselves with passionate, dedicated staff members who are moving in different directions, competing over limited resources and attention. They end up with questions of how to evaluate the performance of staff and direct their efforts. They find themselves using time, attention, and resources to care for staff rather than using staff as a resource to care for the mission of the congregation.
Alban senior consultants Susan Beaumont and Gil Rendle have developed When Moses Meets Aaron to help clergy responsible for several-member staff teams navigate these unknown waters. They have taken the best of corporate human resource tools and immersed them in a congregational context, providing a comprehensive manual for supervising, motivating, and coordinating staff teams. Rendle and Beaumont give both detailed and big picture guidance on hiring, job descriptions, supervision, performance evaluation, staff-team design, difficult staff behavior, and more. Their combined experience in consulting and training with staff and leaders of large congregations proves invaluable in this manual for today’s leadership demands.
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Getting Students To Show Up
$19.99Add to cartThe heart was there, the vision was set, the motives were genuine . . . but no one showed up. The book will help youth workers program to an audience that they’re not used to reaching. Programming an outreach event is much more than booking a band and a speaker. Unfortunately, most people don’t know that-and the students they wanted to reach aren’t making it there . . . they don’t show up.
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Building A Christ Centered Home (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartBased on the culmination of a lifetime of experience in ministry, Billy Graham guides the reader through a study guide series that explores the joys, triumphs, and conflicts that you will encounter along the journey of your spiritual life.
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Christian Counseling Casebook
$36.99Add to cartThis book is a companion to the third edition of Christian Counseling. Whereas that book is a compilation of knowledge concerning basic counseling issues and skills, this casebook will help readers apply their knowledge to real cases. Each chapter presents at least one story that illustrates the material that is discussed in a more factual way in Christian Counseling. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction followed by the case story or stories and three sets of questions designed by Gary Collins to help the reader or group explore the subtleties and details of Christian Counseling. The Discussion Questions focus primarily on the case and raise questions about how the counselee might best be helped. The General Questions focus more broadly on relevant issues that are suggested by the presented case but may extend beyond the case. The Personal Reflection Questions are written for the reader/counselor to reflect on ways in which the case and the topics under discussion could apply personally to the reader.
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Teacher Leader Shepherd
$12.99Add to cartTeacher, Leader, Shepherd: The New Testament Pastor does not attempt to tell the minister how preach or to describe how the pastor should go about his work, or to treat the practical problems faced by pastors. On the contrary, Teacher, Leader, Shepherd focuses on an understanding of what the Bible has to say to or about the pastor and his ministry. The author gives a solid treatment of the New Testament passages, which speak specifically, whether directly or indirectly, to the role of the pastor.
The author presents an exegetical approach to the New Testament passages that includes practical exposition of the implications of the biblical text. Such a study is beneficial to any pastor-whether a veteran or new candidate for pastoral ministry.
The work is informing and challenging, helping to point the pastor’s understanding in the right direction. The author does not offer chapters on each passage, but presents a more thematic approach, a succession of chapters on various aspects of the pastor’s call, qualifications, and role. Yet, the discussions are entirely grounded in exegesis of several passages. At the beginning of the book the passages are listed, together with a brief exegetical outline and a pointer to the chapters that will give more attention to them.
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Zona Biblica En La Casa De Dio (Teacher’s Guide) – (Spanish) (Teacher’s Guide)
$22.99Add to cartBibleZone Live! in Spanish has all you need to capture Spanish-speaking children’s imagination and make Bible stories stick! Create a classroom where children encounter God’s Word and reflect on how the Bible matters in their life. BibleZone Live! tells the complete Bible story – not just a Bible verse – and helps Hispanic children use their natural enthusiasm with fun, cooperative games, group activities, and storytelling that gets them involved in both the telling and the listening. BibleZone Live! where the Bible comes to life! Each BibleZone Live! kit includes a teacher’s guide with accompanying CD and the zillies kids love. With each kit comes three transparencies, which you can project onto the wall or duplicate and hand out to the class. BibleZone Live! covers three age levels: preschool (ages 3-5), early elementary (grades 1-3), and older elementary (grades 4-6).
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Hearing A Film Seeing A Sermon
$28.00Add to cartNew Testament scholar and pastor Timothy Cargal offers preachers effective ways to help parishoners comprehend scripture and theology in sermons through the use of popular films. He offers the basics of interpreting films, and includes sample sermons.
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No Perfect People Allowed
$24.99Add to cartThis book challenges Christian leaders to engage in the messy art of creating the right culture to reach our postmodern, post-Christian society. Through real stories of God’s perfect work in the lives of imperfect people, you will experience the power of an authentic church community and learn how to deconstruct barriers and bring hope and healing to America’s most unchurched generation.
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From Members To Disciples
$18.99Add to cartThe Book of Acts is really a first-century journal of the early development of congregational Christianity. Foss explores Acts as a guidebook for helping pastors and other church leaders move people from merely being members to becoming disciples. He provides stategies, lessons, and steps for creating a disciple-making ministry. By delving into early Christianity, participants can learn how to become purposeful disciples of the faith and experience the unstoppable power of passion, disciplined growth, vision, and purpose.
Foss also shows how to use crises and setbacks (inevitable as they are) as opportunities to sharpen participants’ focus for disciple-making ministry and empower them to become agents for change in the world. -
Sermons On The First Readings Series 2 Cycle A
$37.95Add to cartModern life presents many difficult and challenging situations — but as the Hebrew scriptures tell us in rich detail, that’s nothing new for God’s people. Indeed, the Bible shares the epic story of how God’s faithful followers were formed and shaped through centuries of trial by fire. In this inspiring collection of powerful messages based on the First Readings from Cycle A of the Revised Common Lectionary, five master practitioners of the homiletic craft explore passages from the Old Testament and the Book of Acts, and show how the wisdom contained in those ancient texts offers vital moral and spiritual guidance for contemporary living. Building on stories in which God moves ordinary people to extraordinary heights, these sermons for each Sunday and major celebration throughout the entire church year passionately proclaim the good news of God’s continuing presence — and the possibilities that offers for our lives, our churches, and the world.
This essential resource is useful for:
* Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts
* Inspiring preaching illustrations and sermon starters
* Understanding scripture passages
* Bible study and discussion groups
* Personal devotions and inspirational reading -
101 More Great Games For Kids
$21.99Add to cartIdeal for lesson planning and children’s ministry programming, this book features upbeat, easy-to-use activities and is divided into four sections: activities for ages 3-5 years; grades K-3 (ages 5-9); grades 4-6 (ages 9-12), and groups of mixed-age children. Includes Scripture and topical idexes.
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Vision That Works
$15.50Add to cartVision That Works: Turning your Church’s Vision into Action If your church seems to be “stuck,” this is a book you need to bring to your next leadership meeting. Vision That Works follows the journey of a pastor of a plateaued church as he struggles with stagnation and discovers the importance of his churches “mission, vision and values” and their ultimate impact on church health and relationship to planning. In the course of the story the reader is introduced to a 5-step process that has revolutionized this church and has the potential to change your church from a vision into action.
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Preaching The Sermon On The Mount
$15.99Add to cartThis collection of essays and sermons challenges us to consider the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus’ serious proposal for an alternative society, a speech of resistance to the forces and institutions that dominate the world.
This two-part volume brings together the thoughts of biblical scholars and storytellers, theologians and historians, and evangelical and mainline scholars. Eighteen writers tackle Jesus’ landmark sermon, as timely in today’s discussions of empire, occupation, poverty, and wars as ever. They demonstrate that the Sermon on the Mount puts before us not an impossible ideal, but a vision of what God’s people can be when they choose by God’s grace to live in God’s Kingdom.
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Religious Education In The African American Tradition
$27.99Add to cartThis book is a comprehensive survey of African American Christian Religious Education (AACRE). It addresses historical, theological, and ministerial issues. The book defines concepts and explores history, considers the diverse voices that are addressing AACRE, and then focuses on educational theory and practice. Religious Education in the African American Tradition considers a diversity of voices, including those in evangelical, Pentecostal, liberation, and womanist theologians.
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Burn Up Or Splash Down
$25.99Add to cartJust like a space shuttle struggles and strains to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere, so those returning from living overseas can find themselves confused and in a state of panic at coming home. While people anticipate that going overseas will require major changes in their lifestyles and thinking, few anticipate the difficulties they will face upon return. Intended to aid the re-entry process, this encouraging, and insightful book deals with these important subjects: adapting to the passport cultureidentifying areas of potential struggledealing with the emotional challengesfinding a new job, a new place to live, learning the social moresreturning is not coming home it is leaving homefacilitating a smooth transition for those on the receiving end Expatriates, missionaries, mission executives, mission pastors, mission communities, and supporters interested in easing the re-entry experience will benefit greatly from this book.
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Worshiping Artist : Equipping You And Your Ministry Team To Lead Others In
$24.99Add to cartWhether you serve as a vocalist, instrumentalist, technician, dancer, actor, or in some other role, you know what a blessing it is to serve on your church’s worship team. But you also know that some days you’re more technically prepared than you are spiritually prepared for the ministry of leading others in worship. In the midst of rehearsals, setup, and myriad distractions, not to mention the busyness of daily life, it’s easy to miss the forest for the trees. How can you and your fellow team members be prepared to worship in spirit and truth as well as lead others in worship with integrity?
With thirty years of experience in worship leading, Rory Noland knows the issues-in both the private life of the worship team member and the public ministry of a worship team. In this readable book, he offers practical insights on how to * Grow as a private worshiper * Encounter the character of God during worship * Respond to the character of God during worship * Be transformed by the character of God * Learn from ancient worship leaders … and more.
So relevant you’ll think the author was eavesdropping on your last church service, The Worshiping Artist is ideal to read either by yourself or as a team.
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Telling Gods Story
$26.99Add to cartTable Of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction1. Homiletics As Biblical Hermeneutics
2. Eclipsing The Biblical Narrative: The Narrative Contours Of North American Christianity
3. Weaving The Story: The Biblical Narrative And A Homiletic Rhetoric Of Turning
4. Weaving The Story: Sermonic Exhibits
5. Weaving The Story And The Rhetoric Of Pastoral Care
Conclusion
IndexAdditional Info
Presents a new model of preaching that aims to connect the biblical text with a congregation so that they are formed into a true Christian community. Wright critically surveys current theories of preaching and the variety of hermeneutical practices, providing clear guidance and practical direction for faithful preaching. -
Disciple Making Church (Expanded)
$16.99Add to cartNewly updated and revised for 2007 with new Foreword by E. Stanley Ott, President of Vital Churches Institute. New cover design, resource list and index.
Christianity Today says “The Disciple Making Church is a call to evalutate the way we live and minister.”
The Christian Century magazine calls The Disciple Making Church “An excellent resource for pastors and congregations seeking to reclaim formation and discipleship as central to their life and purpose.”
This modern day classic helps congregations to transform program-oriented churches into disciple making churches.
The story of the transformation of a large suburban congregation from one relying on the latest and greatest new programming to a ministry dedicated to making disciples of Jesus.
Glenn McDonald was the busy pastor of a large and growing congregation in the suburbs of Indianapolis when, late one night, a single question launched a journey that changed every facet of life at Zionsville Presbyterian Church. As a lengthy board meeting was about to wrap up, a board member asked, “How long would it take for someone who visits our church to learn about his or her need for Jesus and to find out what to do about it?”
After a long and hollow silence, a profound transformation began. All “canned programs” for ministry???along with a focus on the “ABCs” of attendance, building and cash???went by the boards as everything about the church was examined in the light of Christ’s charge to “go forth and make disciples.”
The Disciple Making Church divides the transformation in two parts: Six Discipling Relationships and The Six Marks of a Disciple. McDonald weaves vivid scriptural insights and the wisdom of scholars with the experiences of his own congregation and others, and distills it all into one helpful, valuable, enjoyable book. His enthusiasm for the “exhilarating freedom” of the disciple’s life is infectious.
If you’ve ever wondered if the “busy-ness” of many of today’s churches isn’t what Christ was talking about, this book will have a lasting impact on you and your walk with the Lord.
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Crisis Manual For Christian Schools And Youth Workers
$14.99Add to cartThe suicide of a youth group member. The drowning of a teen on a summer missions trip. A school shooting. These are frightening scenarios that Christian school staff members and youth workers sometimes face. One of their biggest fears is facing a tragedy and not knowing what to do. Most Christian school personnel receive inadequate instruction on what critical steps to take to prevent their school from being paralyzed by tragedy, and few youth workers receive the training needed to counsel their teens after a crisis. As a high school counselor who was on the scene at Columbine, Sandy Austin has faced tragedy. Sandy Austin knows how important it is to already have a crisis plan in place in order to minimize the panic or chaos that often occurs during and after a tragic situation. In the Crisis Manual for Christian Schools and Youth Workers, Austin uses her experience and expertise to give youth workers step-by-step instruction on how to plan ahead and handle tragedy should the need arise. Having this peace of mind is highly important when it comes to dealing with the lives and well-being of young people. Step-by-step processes include: * Formulating a Crisis Team * Prevention and intervention strategies * Communication through the crisis * Helping the families of impacted youth * Conducting funerals and memorial services * Debriefing * Education regarding residual effects of the tragedy
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In Other Words
$25.99Add to cartIn recent years, popular new forms of Bible translation have emerged “The Message, The Book of God, The Living Bible” proving many modern biblical seekers are looking for a kind of Scripture-to-English guidebook. This exceptional book offers a similar avenue to pastors wanting to reach their congregations in a fresh way. Rather than discussing preaching in general or even a specific approach to preaching, In Other Words focuses on a way of engaging the biblical text for preaching. Cosgrove and Edgerton combine critical acumen, creative imagination, and pastoral discernment to form contemporizing restatements of scripture, speaking timeless truths in modern speech. Describing their “incarnational translation,” the authors invite readers to imagine what the text might have looked like if produced in the preacher’s own culture, time, and place. Drawing on translation theory, genre studies, and recent hermeneutical theory, they offer a comprehensive theory of incarnational translation and a set of specific guidelines and examples for carrying it out. In Other Words is not a new method of preaching, but a new way of engaging and presenting the biblical text in preaching, one that is well suited to contemporary approaches and trends.
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Speaking To Silence
$26.00Add to cartPresents a variety of healing and comforting rituals that can be used in situations that are likely to be encountered in congregations but yet are not typlically treated in standard liturgies. Offers reflections on the significance of rituals and discusses new rituals.
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Beyond The Myths
$17.00Add to cartAuthor and professor Daniel Bagby’s latest book, Beyond The Myths: The Journey To Adulthood, addresses some of the unique challenges confronting today’s emerging young adult. Exploring that gray area between adolescence and adulthood, the book identifies their unique struggles in regard to personal identity, sexuality, intimacy, vocation, personal choice, and spiritual definition. The book further explores pastoral care options for ?would-be adults? as they experience the challenges of confusing options, unclear identities, dysfunctional family messages, vocational choices, and spiritual winters on their way to full adulthood.
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Anglican Spiritual Direction
$24.95Add to cartGrowing interest in spiritual direction, retreats, and deepening of personal faith
New edition of Mowbray classic (Journey Into Truth), with new chapter on providing spiritual direction in the U.S.
New addition to the Spiritual Directors International Series
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Epic Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$2.99Add to cartIn Epic, a retelling of the gospel in four acts, John Eldredge invites us to revisit the drama of life, viewing God not only as the author but also as the lead actor, exploring His motives and His heart. Eldredge examines the power of story, the universal longing for a “plot” that makes sense deep inside us, our desire for a meaningful role to play, our love of books and movies, and how all of this points us to the gospel itself.
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Hand Me Another Brick Bible Companion
$9.99Add to cartMost of us could benefit from wise advice on how to be a more effective leader at work and at home. In Hand Me Another Brick Bible Companion, Charles Swindoll delves deep into the life of Nehemiah to show how to handle the issues of motivation, discouragement, and adversity with integrity. Features include: Perfect for small group study or individual study alike Questions for reflection Helpful and insightful discussion of Scripture Discussion questions to facilitate group study
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Advent Services
$14.99Add to cart1. 1st Sunday Of Advent – Emmanuel
2. 2nd Sunday Of Advent – Son Of Man
3. 3rd Sunday Of Advent – Example
4. 4th Sunday Of Advent – Lord
5. Christmas Eve – Son Of God
6. Christmas Day – Word Of GodAdditional Info
Includes biblically based sermons, suggested Scriptures, hymns, and prayers as well as litanies for lighting the Advent wreath. These services offer a compelling message of hope during this important church season, when people often visit a church for the first time. Each service focuses on a different aspect of the theme “The Ways We Know Jesus” -
Not The Same Old Done It Before Youth Meetings
$32.99Add to cartSeveral youth are on the way to your church anticipating an evening with friends. They seek direction from their youth leaders, which will engage them in activities that bring them together. Whether five, fifteen or fifty are in the group, “Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meeting” has ideas for you. From the simulated court dramas of “The Jury Speaks” to the interactive “Trust Exercises” youth will find fun, friends and faith. The “Olympics” describes seven weeks of events which equally challenge athletic and intellectual skills. “Flashlight Sing” will get the most introverted youth singing while “Walking on Water” brings them into the presence of Jesus, himself. The structure and indexes of the book make it easy to find just the right activity for your youth group meeting. The book gives youth leaders the tools to creatively plan events, which meet each group’s unique needs while having fun, making new friends and enhancing the faith of all participants.
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Not The Same Old Done It Before Youth Meetings
$21.99Add to cartSeveral youth are on the way to your church anticipating an evening with friends. They seek direction from their youth leaders, which will engage them in activities that bring them together. Whether five, fifteen or fifty are in the group, “Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meeting” has ideas for you. From the simulated court dramas of “The Jury Speaks” to the interactive “Trust Exercises” youth will find fun, friends and faith. The “Olympics” describes seven weeks of events which equally challenge athletic and intellectual skills. “Flashlight Sing” will get the most introverted youth singing while “Walking on Water” brings them into the presence of Jesus, himself. The structure and indexes of the book make it easy to find just the right activity for your youth group meeting. The book gives youth leaders the tools to creatively plan events, which meet each group’s unique needs while having fun, making new friends and enhancing the faith of all participants.
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Evangelism In The Small Membership Church
$17.99Add to cartSpeidel explores how evangelism not only concerns introducing people to Jesus, but also helping them grow in Christ. Making disciples is a call from God for all churches whether that church is in a declining rural community, in a teeming inner city, or a sprawling suburb. In fact, small-membership congregations are often more effective in evangelism than their sister megachurches.
This book helps pastors focus on visualizing goals; worship; creating a loving environment; passion and commitment; prayer; witness; time management; leadership recruitment; hospitality; assimilation of new members; and managing change and conflict. -
Triangular Teaching
$12.99Add to cartThe book is a training manual that elaborates and illustrates Bruce’s methods of “triangular teaching,” an integrated approach involving multiple intelligence theory, brain research, and creative and critical thinking.
Stating that the purpose of this book is “to help teachers and leaders to engage their adult students into immersion in the Scripture so that it becomes life-changing,” Bruce encourages teachers and leaders to learn and use her methods as they lead Sunday school classes and Bible study groups, or as they train teachers to lead groups.Includes an appendix with reproducible worksheets.
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Serving From The Heart For Youth (Workbook)
$12.99Add to cartIs adapted from Church of the Resurrection’s Serving From The Heart spiritual-gifts program for adults. The adult program has helped more than 40,000 people find their gifts, purpose, and passion to serve God through the church. When believers find their gifts and God-given passion and give them to the service of the church, ministries thrive.
Young people who go through this study will learn about spiritual gifts and what they mean for the church, discover their gifts, and find ways to offer their gifts to further God’s work through the church.
Eight engaging sessions/A spiritual gifts inventory and assessment/An optional retreat module -
Big Idea : Aligning The Ministries Of Your Church Through Creative Collabor
$22.99Add to cartNothing is more dangerous than a single compelling idea that is lived out and nothing is more harmless than lots of little ideas never applied. By creatively communicating one Big Idea every week your church will transform people into genuine Christ followers who live out the mission of Jesus. Less is more!
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Understanding Four Views On Baptism
$24.99Add to cartChristians have long differed with one another on both the meaning and the practice of water baptism. Using the classic Counterpoints forum of presentation-critique-response, this insightful book explores four prominent views of baptism held by different branches of Protestantism: Baptist, Christian Church/Church of Christ, Lutheran, and Reformed.
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Can These Bones Live
$17.99Add to cartHarding refuses to accept “But we’re just a small church” as an excuse for not doing effective ministry. Since his 1998 arrival at Dellrose United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, membership has grown from 25 to more than 600. The church has matured spiritually and financial as well. Harding attributes the growth to dynamic teaching, fellowship, praise and worship, and the fact everyone can feel the love of God, find the joy of Christ, and experience the power of the Holy Spirit. Dellrose has also been able to develop relevant and meaningful ministries: a youth center that includes a tutoring and mentoring program; a counseling center; and sermons and studies that address the needs of a multi-ethnic, blue-collar working community.
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Stewardship Services
$14.99Add to cartThemes Include:
Make A Difference Be The Body Of Christ
Counting The Cost Means Quality Not Quantity
Why God Doesn’t Want Your Money
Hold Nothing Back
Who Do You Really Want To Be
Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
But It’s Not What I Signed Up For
Give Me More Than Possessions
Getting What We Pay For Or Not
Joy Fully Serving
Be Empowered And GiftedAdditional Info
Biblically based materials for 24 services, each of which includes suggested liturgies, prayers, Scripture passages, and sermon briefs. Helps pastors preach with sensitivity to address the spiritual needs of the congregation. -
Funeral Services
$14.99Add to cartCircumstances Include:
Miscarriage
Infant Death Due To Mistreatment
Child Death By Drowning
Youth Murder
Youth Suicide
Youth Death From Hazing
Adult Who Dies In Prison
Adult Death Due To Work Accident
Older Adult Who Dies In Nursing Home
Older Adult Who Dies AloneAdditional Info
The pain of loss comes to all ages and life situations. Funeral Services helps pastors prepare for especially difficult funerals. Services are included for infants, children, youth, younger adults, adults, and elderly persons in a wide variety of tragic circumstances.
Each service is set in a ministry context and includes a sample sermon, Scripture text, and prayers. -
Christian Counseling : An Introduction
$23.99Add to cartChristians who counsel, counselors who are Christian – what is the difference? What makes Christian counseling distinctive from secular counseling approaches? Malony and Augsburger introduce the substance and method, including family systems methodology, of Christian counseling as a major voice. The book also includes how to do a faith assessment; how to collaborate, consult, and refer; the centrality of Christ in the counseling process; how to address issues of sexual and cultural diversity with sensitivity; and the destiny of Christian counseling.
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God Of Justice
$12.95Add to cartWith the Ten Commandments such an integral part of today’s “culture wars,” it would seem to be a safe assumption that most people are familiar with what the commandments actually say. Yet many surveys indicate otherwise — and even when people can name all of the commandments, they often misinterpret their meaning.
For example:
* “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain” has nothing to do with avoiding getting one’s mouth washed out with soap;
* “Remember the sabbath day” is not about going to church;
* “Honor your father and mother” is not a way to get recalcitrant kids to clean up their rooms;
* and despite what most folks think, “You shall not commit adultery” is not primarily about sex!In God of Justice, David Leininger sets the record straight with a new look at this ancient document. He examines the commandments in the context of today’s social, cultural, and political environment — and he concludes that rather than the traditional view of them as ironclad laws, the commandments are actually God’s policy statements about what is the bedrock of a good, decent, and just society. When properly understood, the commandments offer God’s guidance in establishing a healthy way of life that is rewarding for everyone. With discussion questions included for each chapter, God of Justice is an excellent study resource for adult classes — and clear and accessible reading that will be stimulating and rewarding for any thoughtful Christian.
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Great Omission
$27.95Add to cartIf Jesus were still alive and preaching in the United States today, would he be building a huge church structure? Would he be talking about the “trigger” issues, the hot topics that seem to dominate our pulpits? Would he be marching in the streets — either against or in favor of — abortion, gay rights, or repealing the death penalty? It is Robert Blair’s contention that Jesus Christ would not be politically active or trying to overtly influence the government. He believes Jesus would simply be preaching the same simple gospel that he preached 2,000 years ago. Should not his followers be doing what he would do? Should not it be our primary objective to preach the good news to every person on the planet? By doing that, and by personally assisting the poor, Reverend Blair believes that the followers of Christ would best glorify God.
Hoping that every minister in the United States will “read and heed” this book, Blair believes that laypersons will also benefit from reading The Great Omission. Too often laypersons are wishing to honor God but they receive garbled signals from the church leadership about the church’s main purpose. This book will become a lightning rod for change in returning our churches to the biblical message, and suggesting the right methods to tell it.
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Color Blinded Church
$12.95Add to cartA Color-Blind Church by David E. Leininger is a book about moral ethics and understanding racial integration. Touched upon topics include:
– understanding racial integration
– racial integration
– racial discrimination
– racism
– civil rights
– anti-discrimination
– discrimination laws
– ethics
– moral ethics -
Traveling Calvarys Road
$21.95Add to cartThis anthology provides an abundance of services, dramas, monologues, and sermons for use from Ash Wednesday through Easter. Using such things as newspapers and candles, these services will leave a lasting impression. Easy to stage and perform, these programs use varying numbers of people, and flexible hymns. Copy privileges are granted.
Traveling Calvary’s Road includes:
Ash Wednesday Services:
Into The Wilderness by Anne W. Anderson
We Are But Ashes by William LuomaPalm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion Services:
Your King Comes by Janice Bennett Wyatt
Crown Him Lord of All! by William LuomaMaundy Thursday Services:
Like a Rose by Lynne Cragg
A Table, A Garden, And A Courtroom by Leonard V. KalkwarfGood Friday Services:
It Seems Like Just Yesterday! by Pamela D. Williams
Faces by Michelle Griep
Extinguished A Tenebrae Service by Anne W. AndersonEaster Sunrise Services:
Sing To The Lord A New Song by Howard Eshbaugh
He Is Risen Indeed! by William LuomaEaster Monologue
The Big Secret by Michelle Griep -
Mandate To Difference
$30.00Add to cartThis book sets forth a new vision of the Christian church in today’s world. Based on recent speaking engagements surrounding the author’s critical passion and conviction – that the church in this moment must set itself in tension with the rest of the world – the essays here call the church to courageously defy political polarization, consumerism, and militarism.
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Preaching As Testimony
$38.00Add to cartBy exploring the historical, theoretical, and practical elements of the tradition of testimony, Anna Carter Florence seeks in this much-anticipated book to establish the historical and contemporary validity of women’s preaching and to introduce testimony to a new generation of preachers and teachers.
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Shining Through The Darkness
$9.95Add to cartWith their recurrent themes of “waiting” and “traveling on a journey,” these 12 imaginative messages are especially appropriate for the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons — yet their ecumenically oriented expressions of Christian faith, hope, and love also make them relevant for any time of the year. Wuchter’s keen eye for the telling detail and his ability to connect scripture with familiar things in our lives make Shining Through the Darkness compelling reading for anyone who wants a deeper appreciation of God’s grace and the Gospel of Christ.
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When Gods People Pray Participants Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartThis participant’s guide accompanies a six-session small group DVD curriculum, in which award-winning author Jim Cymbala shows what the Holy Spirit can do when believers get serious about prayer and the Gospel. Cymbala tells how God moves in life-chan
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Ants Work Best Together
$12.95Add to cartHave you ever been on a picnic and wondered why God created ants? Instead of looking at insects as pests, we can learn spiritual lessons from them — and then share those lessons with the children we know! Every Sunday school or children’s church program leader will be thrilled with the way their classes respond to these tried and true lessons from nature. From very young preschoolers through late elementary age, all children are interested in learning more about the world of creepy-crawlies — so these lessons are guaranteed interest grabbers.
With a minimal amount of pre-planning and effort, you can share lessons about ants, butterflies, frogs, worms, crayfish, millipedes, and yes — even grass! By simply reading these short lessons a few at a time, you will be ready for the next week’s session. This book will make your involvement as a teacher, whether in children’s church, Sunday school, pre-school, or elementary school, much less of a headache and more of a joy. Watch the children’s faces as they realize that God has a definite plan for everything he created. Does it not automatically follow, then, that he has a perfect plan for them?
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By Design Or Default
$22.99Add to cartYou can be intentional about creating the right God-given culture for your church. This book is intended to help both pastors and members engage in the never-ending process of creating a purposeful church culture that flows with the synergy of their vision for reaching the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. You can create a culture that supports and champions the message you want to communicate to your city.
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Women And The Word
$9.95Add to cartWomen and the Word uses first person narratives to engage people with various texts of scripture. The book can be used in small group studies, confirmation groups, retreats, or Sunday school. Whether the narratives are performed, read, or studied, Women and the Word will bring new meaning to the well-loved stories of:
Mary, Joseph’s Betrothed — A Promised Word
A Woman of the City — A Forgiving Word
Martha, Lazarus, and Mary’s Sister — A Clarifying Word
The Crippled Woman — A Transforming Word
A Woman Leper — A Grateful Word
The Woman at the Well — A Refreshing Word
Mary, Lazarus, and Martha’s Sister — A Living Word
The Mother who Begged Jesus to Heal her Daughter — A Hopeful Word -
Finding The Story
$19.95Add to cartIn Finding the Story, James Ayers examines the art of narrative preaching and shows how storytelling can help people in the pews hear God speaking to their hearts through scripture. Ayers analyzes ways to illuminate texts that are difficult to preach, and provides a wealth of creative approaches for making them accessible ? such as looking at Psalm 137 through the eyes of a slave who watched his child dashed against the rocks, or seeing Matthew and Luke’s Christmas narratives through the eyes of a bitter man whose only son was killed in Vietnam. Finding the Story offers a dynamic avenue into some of the very thorniest texts and topics of the Bible ? enabling readers to find and share unique opportunities for encounters with God!
Finding the Story is a must-have tool for all ministers who:
? long to connect with their congregations on a deeper level;
? struggle with how to preach doctrinally heavy passages without putting listeners to sleep;
? wonder how to relate the imprecatory psalms to modern-day situations; and
? want their people to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit rather than the droning of a shepherd who feels the same things they feel, but sometimes finds it difficult to share those feelings -
Christian Counseling 3rd Edition
$39.99Add to cartThis proven “course” in pastoral counseling has been extensively expanded and revised by the author to include recent developments and research, new resources, and attention to newly urgent needs such as AIDS and eating disorders. Written with clarity and warmth, this volume builds on biblical foundations and reflects the author’s practical experiences.
–This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Gimme Five : 500 More Ways To Get Your Students Talking
$10.99Add to cartGimme Five is the tool to have when you want to get your group talking on a ministry night, retreat, road trip, in their small groups, or at your home. These provocative and charming lists will get kids talking, laughing, debating, and thinking anytime, anywhere. A great tool for volunteer youth workers who need something to get conversation going!
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Reaching Single Adults (Reprinted)
$19.00Add to cartAlthough 44 percent of all adults are unmarried, most churches are focused on marriage and families–and so miss many opportunities to reach out as well as to benefit from all that singles can offer to the church. Here at last is an up-to-date, comprehensive handbook to single adult ministry. Based on his over twenty-five years of experience, Dennis Franck offers church leaders guidance on all aspects of this often-overlooked ministry, including: -understanding singles’ diverse life situations and needs -developing a biblical philosophy of ministry -the practical aspects of building a ministry Pastors and lay leaders will gratefully welcome this new in-depth resource to guide their ministry to, for, and through single adults
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Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit Series 6 Cycle A
$18.95Add to cartWhether you pick up this book as relaxed devotional reading or are searching for a last-minute sermon illustration, you’ll be delighted with the imaginative and inspirational stories in the newest installment in CSS’ popular Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit series. David Leininger takes you right to the heart of the scriptures with a rich variety of captivating material illustrating Cycle A lectionary texts. His thought-provoking reflections are certain to enrich your spiritual life — and point out the myriad ways in which God is at work in our daily lives. This volume is sure to become a favorite resource for pastors and laypersons alike.
Some of the intriguing chapters are:
* The Quintessential Evangelist
* What Boggles Your Mind?
* Who Woulda Thunk It?
* The Blame Game
* Under the Rainbow
* How Not To Be the Father of the Year
* The Bush Is Still Burning
* Leaping Lepers
…and many more! -
Forgiveness The Jesus Way
$15.95Add to cartFinding the Story, James Ayers examines the art of narrative preaching and shows how storytelling can help people in the pews hear God speaking to their hearts through scripture. Ayers analyzes ways to illuminate texts that are difficult to preach, and provides a wealth of creative approaches for making them accessible — such as looking at Psalm 137 through the eyes of a slave who watched his child dashed against the rocks, or seeing Matthew and Luke’s Christmas narratives through the eyes of a bitter man whose only son was killed in Vietnam. Finding the Story offers a dynamic avenue into some of the very thorniest texts and topics of the bible — enabling readers to find and share unique opportunities for encounters with God!
Finding the Story is a must-have tool for all ministers who:
long to connect with their congregations on a deeper level;
struggle with how to preach doctrinally heavy passages without putting listeners to sleep;
wonder how to relate the imprecatory psalms to modern-day situations; and
want their people to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit rather than the droning of a shepherd i 1/2 one who feels the same things they feel, but who sometimes finds it difficult to share those feelings. -
Hands On Bible Explorations
$14.95Add to cart“Hands-On Bible Explorations” is a terrific collection of 52 activities and crafts for kids–one for each week of the year. The book includes favorite stories and parables from the Old and New Testaments, chapters on important Christian Values, and fun projects that make the lessons of the Bible entertaining and easy to understand. You’ll learn about the Ten Commandments, the Christmas story, the boy with loaves and fish, the greatest gift, the importance of friendship, and many more parts of the Bible as you do the fun activities.
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John
$19.99Add to cartTake your hands off the keyboard, there’s no need to rewrite these questions for your students. What you’re holding in your hands are 25 studies covering all of John, ready to roll. Grab a group of students, a Bible, and this book and you’re sure to have a great small group meeting.
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Creative Bible Lessons In Genesis
$24.99Add to cartIn the book of Genesis–the first communique from the Creator to creation–God demonstrates an unchanging commitment to us, engaging with us personally. This book takes that rock-solid truth from there, providing material to challenge your students’ faith as they discover what it means to be made in God’s image and understand their original connection to God–and each other.
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New Kind Of Youth Ministry
$19.99Add to cartThis book guides you on the way to discovering, developing and practicing a new youth ministry design. As your youth ministry’s principal architect, you have the opportunity to realize a rhythm of disciple-making that more effectively engages youth with God, through Jesus, as they journey toward a life of continual spiritual finding and evolution. This resource will provide you with a ministry design that more influentially encourages students to live, lead, and love in the way of Jesus.
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Leading Intercessions : Prayers For Sundays Holy Days And Festivals Years A
$27.49Add to cartThis tried and test collection is a must for anyone leading intercessions in the Church of England. It provides prayers for every Sunday, Holy Day and Festival, Years A, B and C that can be easily adapted to local contexts. The prayers reflect the Bible readings of the day, creating a more integrated act of worship. This expanded edition also contains forms of intercession for numerous extra occasions:
o Principal Feasts u e.g. The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, the Transfiguration
o Other Holy Days u e.g. The Birth of John the Baptist, Holy Cross Day
o Red Letter Saints Days
o Pastoral occasions in the context of a Eucharist u baptism, confirmation, marriage, funeral, healing service, Remembrance
o Installation of a new incumbentA trusted liturgical resource for many years, regularly used in hundreds of parishes, this continues to be the essential handbook for Lectionary-based intercessions.
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Healthy Congregations : A Systems Approach
$30.00Add to cartIn this sequel to How Your Church Family Works, Steinke takes readers into a deeper exploration of the congregation as an emotional system. Learn ten principles of health, how congregations can adopt new ways of dealing with stress and anxiety, how spiritually and emotionally healthy leaders influence the emotional system, factors that could put your congregation at risk, and more.
The same content you’ve come to rely on in an exciting new format.
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Preaching To The Choir
$19.95Add to cartSirota delves deeply into the reasons church musicians do their jobs in the face of poor pay and limited opportunities for advancement, offering the reader a pastoral understanding with-out avoiding the challenging questions every sacred musician must consider. She has an uncanny ability to name that which lies at the heart of the sacred artist’s craft.
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Pulpit Crimes : The Criminal Mishandling Of Gods Word
$18.00Add to cartIn Pulpit Crimes, James White brings his clarity to the issue of the vague and ambiguous preaching. He addresses the crimes that are being committed and seeks to revive courage and committed to the truth. Timely reading, Pulpit Crimes is must reading for the homiletics student and the seasoned preacher.
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How Your Church Family Works
$29.00Add to cartDrawing on the work of Bowen, Friedman, and his own many years’ counseling experience, Steinke shows how to recognize and deal with the emotional roots of such issues as church conflict, leadership roles, congregational change, irresponsible behavior, and the effects of family of origin on current relationships. Discover why working relationships may be “stuck” in certain behaviors. Psychologically sound, theologically grounded, and practically illustrated with case studies. Seminary professors will find a helpful treatment of the emotional systems into which their students will move.
The same content you’ve come to rely on in an exciting new format.