Turning Controversy into Church Ministry

Turning Controversy into Church Ministry PDF Author: William P. Campbell
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310321352
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 313

Book Description
One of the most volatile issues facing the Western Church is also one of the least discussed: homosexuality. Many pastors, church members, and congregations have become tired of the debate surrounding this topic but do not really understand the issues. Pulling away from this controversy doesn’t seem to help; it keeps cropping up.Ninety percent of pastors are aware of members or visitors to their churches who struggle with homosexual tendencies, and the same percentage of churchgoers know a relative or friend who wrestles with this concern. The media, school systems, and nearly every sector of society will challenge Christians to give a reasoned response to the escalating gay agenda. For twenty-five years W. P. Campbell has studied and debated this topic as it relates to Christ’s Church. He has come to the conclusion that it will not go away in our generation, but it can be coaxed to find its proper place in any congregation when it is tackled with a firm but loving grip. Homosexuality in the Church is a guidebook to help Christians and whole congregations do just that. It faces the heart of the controversy with the love and compassion of Christ and turns it into effective ministry.Framed by the most significant biblical passages related to homosexuality and supported by science, psychology and sociology, each of the five parts of the book unfold a unique aspect of God’s person and purpose. As our Creator, he has made us to be whole; as our King he has provided laws and guidelines to help us remain that way; as our Redeemer, his power can save us from sin; as our Guide, his light will guide us out; as our Strength, he will make our ministry effective.As a resource for the church today, this book will: • Provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the biblical data about homosexuality • Inform readers about current scientific, psychological, and cultural findings related to same-sex practice • Teach readers Christ-like responses to gay rights activists in the Church and help them to know how to avoid extreme stances about homosexuals and the Church that result in alienating others or in supporting sexual sin • Offer guidelines and tools to church leaders for mobilizing a congregation to study this topic and to engage in ministry to recovering homosexuals

Redeeming Church Conflicts

Redeeming Church Conflicts PDF Author: Tara Klena Barthel
Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers
ISBN: 1619708728
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 177

Book Description
Discover practical advice on resolving conflicts and dealing with crises within the church---and learn how to turn each situation into an opportunity for grace. In this hope-filled book, experts Barthel and Edling take you through the Acts 15 model of approaching dissension in order to provide a clear, godly way forward to redemptive reconciliation. 204 pages, softcover from Hendrickson.

Crushing

Crushing PDF Author: T. D. Jakes
Publisher: FaithWords
ISBN: 145559539X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 231

Book Description
Follow God's process for growth and find hope in life's darkest moments with Bishop T.D. Jakes's uplifting stories and advice from his own faith journey. In this insightful book, #1 New York Times bestselling author T.D. Jakes wrestles with age-old questions: Why do the righteous suffer? Where is God in all the injustice? Bishop Jakes tells crushing personal stories from his own journey -- the painful experience of learning his young teenage daughter was pregnant, the agony of watching his mother succumb to Alzheimer's, and the shock and helplessness he felt when his son had a heart attack. Bishop Jakes wants to show you how God uses difficult, crushing experiences to prepare you for unexpected blessings. If you are faithful through suffering, you will be surprised by God's joy, comforted by His peace, and fulfilled with His purpose. Crushing will inspire you to have hope, even in your most difficult moments. If you trust in God and lean on Him during setbacks, He will lead you through.

Women and Men in Ministry

Women and Men in Ministry PDF Author: Robert L. Saucy
Publisher: Moody Publishers
ISBN: 9781575678610
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 400

Book Description
The role of women in the church is a debate that has raged within the church for much of the twentieth century. On one side are those who say there is no difference between men and women. On the other side are those who severely limit women who want to offer ministry to the church. Judith TenElshof and Robert Saucy take the middle approach. Believing that the modern views have denied the distinctions between men and women, the authors adopt a view called complementarianism. TenElshof and Saucy argue that while men and women are equal, God has given different roles to each and that these roles rely on each other to be fully effective.

God and the Gay Christian

God and the Gay Christian PDF Author: Matthew Vines
Publisher: Convergent
ISBN: 1601425163
Category : Christian gays
Languages : en
Pages : 226

Book Description
Reinterpretations of key Bible texts related to sexual orientation, written by a Harvard student, present an accessible case for a modern Christian conservative acceptance of sexual diversity.

Living in Christ

Living in Christ PDF Author: Stephen W. Hiemstra
Publisher: T2Pneuma Publishers LLC
ISBN: 1942199732
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 265

Book Description
Our journey in Christian ethics starts with God in whose image we are created. Creation begins with birth and continues as we mature. Our character matures, shaped by the example of Christ under the mentorship of the Holy Spirit through the family and the church. Christian leaders reach full maturity once they able to mentor others—we are blessed to be a blessing. Living in Christ focuses on explaining, not justifying, Christian ethics. At a time and in a place where people scoff at developing a theological understanding of their faith and refuse to teach Christian morality, ethics is almost a lost art. At the heart of the ethical dilemma is a tension between theological principles that can only be resolved the guidance of the Holy Spirit. How do you practice forgiveness for sinners who refuse to confess their sin and force you to bear its consequences? In this context, ethics is less a philosophical discipline that a recognition of our own limitations as Christians and the need for divine intervention. Ethical thought and action always involve interpretation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is thus ironic that a book on Christian living should have an outward focus on God rather than an inward focus on what to do and not do. This interpretative element colors how we view character formation, the community of faith, leadership, and the many special issues that arise in daily life. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy!

Can You Be Gay and Christian?

Can You Be Gay and Christian? PDF Author: Michael L. Brown
Publisher: Charisma Media
ISBN: 162136593X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 305

Book Description
How do we respond to gay people who tell us how much they love the Lord and experience God's power? What do we do with the argument that the Old Testament laws no longer apply? Brown provides solid biblical answers, clearly written and based on sound scholarship, in a compassionate way that causes the reader to wrestle with the issues and discover the biblical truth. He also provides practical guidelines for ministry, and shows readers how they can resist the gay agenda while reaching out to their gay friends and family.

Dwelling in the Land

Dwelling in the Land PDF Author: Jeanette Howard
Publisher: Monarch Books
ISBN: 0857216244
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 288

Book Description
Dwelling in the Land considers what it means for Christians, who are attracted to other members of the same sex, to live fully under the lordship of Christ. Author Jeanette Howard, believes that homosexuality is not part of God's plan for His world, and has chosen to remain celibate despite experiencing same-sex attraction. She has come to believe that to identify herself as 'gay' does not do justice to what God has been doing in her life. Instead of being identified by your sexuality, as a Christian you are identified by the fact that you belong to Christ. Some gay Christians have sought healing. Others have turned away from a conservative interpretation of the biblical texts. Others have remained celibate and invested their lives in Christian service. All have found that their sexual orientation has strongly influenced who they perceive themselves to be, and how others perceive them. Allowing God to dismantle your false identity permits you to live out of your authentic self. As you grow in Christ you are able to perceive true goodness and health; you rid yourself of old habits of thinking; you learn to recognise what is holding others back; and discover new areas of ministry. You do not have to accept the labels that the world ' and the church ' attach to you.

Transforming Homosexuality

Transforming Homosexuality PDF Author: Denny Burk
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781596381391
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 112

Book Description
Challenging misconceptions on all sides of the homosexuality debate, Burk and Lambert show how a biblical view of same-sex orientation, temptation, and desire gives hope for profound personal change.

Accidental Preacher

Accidental Preacher PDF Author: Will Willimon
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 1467457450
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 245

Book Description
The lively, inspiring memoir of an eminent Christian preacher and leader In this book one of today’s best-known Christian leaders recounts—with his signature wit and humor—memorable moments from his rich and full preaching life. A personal and vocational memoir, Will Willimon’s Accidental Preacher portrays the adventure of a life caught up in the purposes of a God who calls unlikely people to engage in work greater than themselves. Beginning with his childhood in a segregated South and moving through his student years, Willimon gives candid, inspiring, and humorous testimony to his experiences as a seminary professor, rural pastor, globe-trotting preacher, bishop, and popular theologian and writer. Above all, he shows how God has constantly had a call on his life. By turns poignant, hilarious, and thought-provoking—but always irresistibly engaging—Accidental Preacher is sure to join the well-remembered, classic memoir of our time.