The Church Cracked Open

The Church Cracked Open PDF Author: Stephanie Spellers
Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 1640654259
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 161

Book Description
"This book will make a profound difference for the church in this moment in history." — The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry Sometimes it takes disruption and loss to break us open and call us home to God. It’s not surprising that a global pandemic and once-in-a-generation reckoning with white supremacy—on top of decades of systemic decline—have spurred Christians everywhere to ask who we are, why God placed us here and what difference that makes to the world. In this critical yet loving book, the author explores the American story and the Episcopal story in order to find out how communities steeped in racism, establishment, and privilege can at last fall in love with Jesus, walk humbly with the most vulnerable and embody beloved community in our own broken but beautiful way. The Church Cracked Open invites us to surrender privilege and redefine church, not just for the sake of others, but for our own salvation and liberation.

The Open Church

The Open Church PDF Author: Michael Novak
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 135147815X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 415

Book Description
Michael Novak's eyewitness report on the second and pivotal session of Vatican II in 1964 vividly inter weaves pageantry, politics, and theology. An unusually well-informed lay intellectual, who had earned a theological degree just before the Council, Novak applauded the purposes of Pope John XXIII and his successor Paul VI-"to throw open the windows of the church." In this report, he coined the classic description of the foes of the reforms at Vatican II as the party of "nonhistorical orthodoxy," emphasizing the eternal and unchanging, neglecting history and contingency. The author recounts many moments of high drama-Pope Paul VI's opening speech, the vote on the collegiality of bishops, the plea of Cardinal Bea on behalf of the chapter on Jews, and Bishop De Smedt's defense of religious freedom. His colorful chapter on the American bishops in 1964 serves as a fascinating benchmark, as do his many insights into the new role of the laity. His final chapter is a moving tribute to the Open Church engaging the contemporary world, and his new introduction brings this report up to date. This work will be of compelling interest to those interested in the post-conciliar fall of Communism, under the great John Paul II-who took his name from his two predecessors at Vatican II. The winner of the million-dollar Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion (1994), Michael Novak is a theologian, author, and former U.S. ambassador. He currently holds the George Frederick Jewett Chair in Religion and Public Policy at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. where he is director of social and political studies. His writings have appeared in every major Western language, and in Chinese, Bengali, Korean, and Japanese. Also available from Transaction are his Catholic Social Thought and Liberal Institutions, The Experience of Nothingness, The Guns of Lattimer, Unmeltable Ethnics, Belief and Unbelief, and Choosing Presidents.

Church of the Open Sky

Church of the Open Sky PDF Author: Nat Young
Publisher: Random House Australia
ISBN: 0143796720
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 254

Book Description
What makes for a surfing life? With a blaze of groundbreaking performances and a swag of titles claimed from all over the world to his name, Australian world champion surfer Nat Young might know. His seventieth birthday inspired some reflection on exactly that, and on the waves and characters that have marked his remarkable life – Miki Dora and Midget Farrelly to name a few. But surfing for Nat Young – and so many like-minded surfers – has never been about winning, never been about the sport. It’s a calling, an endless quest, a philosophy, a religion. Most of all, surfing is a way of life that has underpinned his other identities as board shaper, film producer, writer, raconteur, conservationist, activist, pilot, husband, father. Candid and wryly observed, Church of the Open Sky explores what it means to be a surfer, with a collection of true stories of Nat’s surfing life – and the friends, foes and heroes he’s met along the way.

Evaluating the Church Growth Movement

Evaluating the Church Growth Movement PDF Author: Zondervan,
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310872154
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 308

Book Description
What exactly is the Church Growth movement? This timely volume in the Counterpoints series addresses the history of the movement that has become such an enormous shaping force on the Western church today, and it explores--in a roundtable forum of leading voices--five main perspectives on the classic Church Growth movement: Effective Evangelism View - presented by Elmer Towns Gospel in Our Culture View - presented by Craig Van Gelder Centrist View - presented by Charles Van Engen Reformist View - presented by Gailyn Van Rheenan Renewal View - presented by Howard Snyder Each view is first presented by its proponent, then critiqued by the co-contributors. The interactive and fair-minded format allows the reader to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions. Evaluating the Church Growth Movement concludes with reflections by three seasoned pastors who have grappled with the practical implications of Church Growth. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

The Open Church

The Open Church PDF Author: Jürgen Moltmann
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780334011774
Category : Christian life
Languages : en
Pages : 128

Book Description
His main contention is that we need a much greater emphasis on the place of the congregation in church life and worship. The church should be of rather than for the people; its true life coming from below' rather than from above' through bishop. priest, pastor or theologian. The local church must be a caring, accepting, open community, encouraging full participation by its people in every part of its worship. A short notice cannot do justice to this stimulating and thought-provoking book, which should be read by anyone concerned to see some way of breaking through what Moltmann sees as the lapse of modern society -- including the church -- into apathy' (Expository Times). 'I would like to see The Open Church used as a basis for discussions in parish and student groups. Clearly and simply written and yet with deep biblical insights, it could do much to help us to see the shortcomings of our congregational life and also to appreciate the immense riches which are already to be found there' (The Bishop of Manchester in The Christian Statesman).

Open the Church Door

Open the Church Door PDF Author:
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 0593127692
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
A lift-the-flap board book all about church from the creator of Open the Preschool Door, Open the Barn Door, and Open the Garage Door! Little ones will love lifting 11 fun flaps to find a smiling Sunday school teacher, their friends and family, arts and crafts, and much, much more in this bright and engaging board book. With a simple story and colorful and inviting illustrations, this is the perfect way to introduce children to what a day at church can be like.

The Church of the Open Door

The Church of the Open Door PDF Author: Warren W. Wiersbe
Publisher: CLC Publications
ISBN: 1619580225
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 107

Book Description
Jesus said He would build His church; our job is to follow. The Church of the Open Door calls us to a dynamic, Spirit-filled life as the body of Christ. Warren Wiersbe’s study of Acts, the Epistles and Revelation paints a picture of what the church should do and be.

The Life of the Church

The Life of the Church PDF Author: Joe Thorn
Publisher: Moody Publishers
ISBN: 0802494676
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 102

Book Description
What should a church do? Look at your church’s calendar and you will learn something of its mission. But how do you know it’s the mission Jesus gave? In The Life of the Church, Joe Thorn explains the mission of the church and the three rhythms for fulfilling it. The result is a simple, memorable model for church life and ministry, grounded in Scripture and aligned with historic practices. Useful for training in membership class, discipleship groups, and elder boards—and even for devotional reading—The Life of the Church is at once theological, practical, and experiential. Readers will not simply be informed, but led to a deeper conviction about their role in the body of Christ. Pastors will be equipped to refocus their ministries, and Christians to fulfill their purpose: be and make disciples. If you wonder what it means to be saved into a body of believers, why the various parts of a worship service matter, and how to engage in the world as a citizen of heaven, then The Life of the Church is for you. It answers this critical question: “Why does the church exist, and how does it shape my life?”

Megashift

Megashift PDF Author: James Rutz
Publisher: Wnd Books
ISBN: 9781936488827
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 272

Book Description
The 1,700-year nightmare is over. A megashift of spiritual power in the hands of ordinary people is about to overwhelm the world. Prepare yourself to take part in a total makeover of planet earth! It's a shocker! Rutz's research has found fifty-two countries where God has raised people from the dead, mostly in the last fifteen years. These are not near-death experiences, but bona fide resurrections - by regular people. China already has over 110 million Christians who are taking power roles in the church. Since 2001, Rutz has taught former Hindus across India who now have planted thousands of house churches. The revolution is headed this way. Discover a new world where . . . · Over a billion non-Christians may become highly active Christians in the next dozen years. · A whole new form of Christianity promises to bring a far greater impact than the Protestant Reformation. · Millions of ordinary people are doing miracles. · A vast cleansing storm is roaring toward us from abroad. Megashift is a startling introduction to that surge of grass roots power and love that will lay a whole new basis for civilization. Thousands of committed teams around the globe are producing a neo-culture of responsible freedom. This is the next step up from Protestantism, though the beliefs remain the same. It is a joyful megashift away from pastor-centered, spectator religion toward a more biblical church where God works directly through you--and you are freed from your problems and empowered to do wonders. This book can turn you into a genuine priest with full authority to transform people and start your own network: small, sermon-free, life-changing circles of power where people are allowed to speak and interact and form the deepest friendships of their lives. Your adventure is here.

The New Testament Order for Church and Missionary

The New Testament Order for Church and Missionary PDF Author: Alex Rattray Hay
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1725228939
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 542

Book Description