Author: Bruce G. Epperly Publisher: Energion Publications ISBN: 1631995170 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 130
Book Description
How do you feel when you see a yellow caution sign that reads “Church Ahead?” Is it a place of potential answers and guidance, or a stumbling block, holding you back? In Church Ahead, Bruce Epperly, pastor, professor, and adventurous pilgrim looks about what this sign could mean. He looks at the kinds of spiritual practice that a congregation can embrace in order to be renewed themselves, and restore their mission to those around them who are hurting and in need. This is not a rejection of “church” as an institution, but a challenge to make church into a beacon of hope and light. The mission presented in this book is not just abstract theology and spirituality. It calls for, describes, and embraces spiritual practices that have an impact on the church, the community, and the world. Each chapter includes specific activities designed to change attitudes and energize action. In answer to the ancient question voiced by the prophet Ezekiel – can these bones live? – Epperly gives an emphatic “Yes!” But the path to that life involves an embrace of spiritual life, change, and adventure in every aspect of ministry.
Author: Ralph Martin Publisher: Emmaus Road Publishing ISBN: 1949013758 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 435
Book Description
Nearly forty years ago, Ralph Martin’s bestselling A Crisis of Truth exposed the damaging trends in Catholic teaching and preaching that, combined with attacks from secular society, threatened the mission and life of the Catholic Church. While much has been done to counter false teaching over the last four decades, today the Church faces even more insidious threats—from outside and within. In A Church in Crisis: Pathways Forward, Martin offers a detailed look at the growing hostility to the Catholic Church and its teaching. With copious evidence, Martin uncovers the forces working to undermine the Body of Christ and offers hope to those looking for clarity. A Church in Crisis covers: -polarization in the Church caused by ambiguous teachings -initiatives that accommodate the culture without calling for conversion -Vatican-sponsored partnerships with organizations that actively contradict the teaching of the Catholic Church -and the recycling of theological errors long settled by Vatican II, Pope St. John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI. Powerfully written, A Church in Crisis reminds all readers to heed Jesus’ express command not to lead His children astray. With ample resources to encourage readers, Ralph Martin provides the solid foundation of Catholic teaching—both Scripture and Tradition—to fortify Catholics against the errors that threaten us from all directions.
Author: David A. Anderson Publisher: InterVarsity Press ISBN: 1514007339 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 151
Book Description
We can't ignore color, class, or culture. Instead, we must engage race with a different posture. Responding to ongoing problems of prejudice and injustice, the original seven sayings of the gracist now become eight in this revised and expanded edition that revives the biblical model for showing special grace to those on the margins.
Author: Gary L. McIntosh Publisher: Baker Books ISBN: 1441243828 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 71
Book Description
The rapid changes all around us in the new millennium may cause one of two errors: wishing to return to an idealized past or refusing to look back at all. Both patterns of thinking lead to ineffective churches and communities. Look Back, Leap Forward challenges Christian leaders to balance the two extremes: look back to find the core values that give meaning to ministry and then use them to build the future and take hold of new opportunities. This book's unique focus presents a holistic picture of how lay leadership, not just clergy, can turn a church around. It is packed with practical examples that may be put to immediate use. McIntosh, a church growth specialist, provides step-by-step guidance to help pastors and lay leaders: •recognize and defeat enemies of the twenty-first century church •heal past wounds •look back to discover purpose, values, and vision for the future •accomplish more by doing less •control finances while leaping forward •develop a long-range plan for effective ministry
Author: Nathaniel D. Phillips Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers ISBN: 149822637X Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 152
Book Description
Do Something Else is meant to encourage faith communities and their leaders to reconsider "church as usual," reengage Spirit-led entrepreneurialism, and reimagine new models of ministry bubbling up in their midst. Many churches and leaders are already setting the pace. They are establishing new gatherings in old buildings and using new building to do old things. They are emphasizing diversity, welcome, and friendship. If these stories are hidden from view, they shouldn't be. These pages will uncover how new expressions get started, how they are led, how they struggle, and how they are sustained. Do Something Else will encourage candidates for ministry who see limited options, ministers who wonder about staying in ministry, clergy call-seekers trying to find hope in a desolate career landscape, and churches attempting to manage staffs with limited resources. It will also offer permission to small churches resigned to be "without a pastor," larger churches looking to do a new thing in an unorthodox way, and middle governing bodies who need promising examples of working models in order to take the risk on new opportunities.
Author: Episcopal Church. Department of Christian Education. Curriculum Development Commission Publisher: ISBN: Category : Christian education Languages : en Pages : 47
Author: Kevin G. Harney Publisher: Baker Books ISBN: 1441232141 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 235
Book Description
You don't need to tell pastors that the majority of churches in America are in a state of stagnation or decline. Most of them are ministering in such a church. Now two pastors who turned their churches around show leaders how they can help usher in a new season of health, faithfulness, growth, and vision in their churches. The U-Turn Church walks readers through the roadblocks of tradition, lack of vision or leadership, structural problems, and concerns about denominational distinctives to forge a new way forward into a hope-filled future. Through the stories of two churches that have experienced healthy transformation, readers will see that there is not just one right way to reverse decline. They will receive practical help and wisdom born of experience as they begin their own U-Turn journey.
Author: Michael Kelly Publisher: ATF Press ISBN: 1925486397 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 94
Book Description
In his last interview, the late Italian Cardinal and former Archbishop of Milan, Carlo Maria Martini, said the need for deep reform in the Catholic Church was urgent and long overdue because 'the Church is 200 years behind the times'. The reference to 200 years clearly points to the watershed in European life that the French Revolution and the Enlightenment became. Vatican II was one attempt to meet the challenge of relevance to our times. But its best efforts have been on ice since the late 1970s. Now a new opportunity arrives in the pontificate of Jorge Mario Bergoglio. And the movement he has initiated is evangelical in source and comprehensive in reach. But, as many observers have pointed out, it will not be lasting if it does not lead to sustainable structural change?to reform that accompanies renewal. In Tomorrow's Church Today, five highly qualified commentators focus on what lies ahead for the Church to be reformed if it is to meet the challenges of the 21st Century: o A theologian and historian (Massimo Faggioli) who targets how ministry and leadership can be reshaped authentically for our times; o A journalist and radio host for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation?the ABC?(Geraldine Dougue), writes a candid piece on how she would advise Pope Francis on the state of the Church; o A reporter and analyst with 30 years experience of moves and machinations in the Etenrnal City (Robert Mickens); o A bishop with a lifetime of experience of ministering to the divorced and remarried and the benefit of legal and biblical scholarship to support his approach (Geoffrey Robinson); o A biblical scholar who examines much of what's taken for granted in the governance of the Church and exposes where it is left wanting (Antony Campbell); and o A bishop whose forced 'resignation' exposes the deficiencies of a system of governance devoid of basics?due process and respect for natural rights. But the Catholic Church is not its clerics, scholars and commentators. It is the baptised. Geraldine Doogue is a celebrated Australian broadcaster and commentator whose Introduction speaks for and from the experience of the mass of Catholics.
Author: Valerie K. Thornton Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc. ISBN: 109803788X Category : Body, Mind & Spirit Languages : en Pages : 157
Book Description
Whenever God wants to do something, a child is born. From Adam, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Esther, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Debra, Joel, Obadiah, Zephaniah, Malachi, John the Baptist, Jesus, the disciples, Paul, to you and me. God has raised you up to be his hands extended in the marketplace—your homes, workplace, government, the arts, religion, media, education, and calling you to advance forward with him to introduce all to the kingdom of light and overthrow the kingdom of darkness. We are to go to the high places (strongholds in our lives, our generation and the world) and tear the devil's kingdom down. He has shown us the way to him and have given us the charge to show others the way to him through the Word, his love, and our lives (2 Cor 3:2). We have been instructed to go in to all the world baptizing and teaching those under our sphere of influence what God has taught us. You do not have to wait for a position in the church or become a minister or pastor to do the work of God. If you are a born again, blood-brought child of God, you have the authority, through the Holy Spirit that lives in you, to proclaim the goodness of God (1 Pet. 2:9). The Bible said that "they overcame -Triumph over him by the blood; cleaning, forgiving, redeeming, blood of lamp and the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death" (Rev. 12:11). Tell them what you have seen, what you have heard, and what you have experienced, so that they also may have fellowship with us, with the Father, and with his son, Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3).I will venture to say that we all have been placed in one of these cultural mountains of influence (arts, religion, media, education, family, government, and economy). This is a Clarion Call to the church, or should I say the Body of Christ. It is a call to advance forward, to go forth, a call to action. You are the boots on the ground. Go! Go! Go!
Author: Bruce G. Epperly
Author: Ralph Martin
Author: David A. Anderson
Author: Gary L. McIntosh
Author: Nathaniel D. Phillips
Author: Episcopal Church. Department of Christian Education. Curriculum Development Commission
Author: Kevin G. Harney
Author: Eric Lionel Mascall
Author: Michael Kelly
Author: Valerie K. Thornton