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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations
An affirming Christmas gift for Messy Churches to give to their
Messy families to use at home over the Christmas holiday period.
This minibook aims to transfer the core values of Messy Church to
the home and family context, encouraging families to talk together,
be creative, be hospitable, be Christ-centred and celebratory, and
including activities for all ages.
Why are boys so under-represented in churches? Why do churches find
it so difficult to cater for boys? What would help boys in church
grow into mature men of faith? This uniquely inspiring book by Nick
Harding spells out the problem and encourages churches to see this
in missional terms. the book includes resources, suggestions and
ideas to help boys connect better with the church, with the Bible,
and with the Christian faith. 'Nick Harding's wisdom sheds light on
the vexed question of 'What about the boys?' without creating an
artificial boy/girl divide. His practical advice and down-to-earth
approach make this a book in which any one involved with children'
s ministry will find encouragement, help and hope.' Mary Hawes,
National Children & Youth Adviser, C of E Education Office 'A
great resource, this book should be read not just by children's
ministry leaders but all clergy and church leaders.' Dr Peter
Hamill, Secretary to the Church of Ireland Board of Education NI
An Exploration of the extent and limitations of Papal power in the
period after the Council of Trent in the mid-Sixteenth century,
during the 'long' history of the Counter-Reformation. Europe and
the wider world were religiously divided in the build-up to the
French revolution. The book Challenges the view that the
development of Papal authority during this period simply reflected
the 'Absolutism' of secular governments of the European Ancien
regime. Examines multiple commitments of the Popes of this period,
including: the Bishop of Rome, Metropolitan of the Roman
Ecclesiastical Province, Primatial Leader of the Italian Church,
Patriarchal of the Catholic Church in Western Europe, Supreme
Pontiff, Ruler of the Papal States in Central Italy. For anyone
interested in religious history, history of the Catholic Church,
Italian history or Early Modern European History. Also available in
Cloth: 0-582-087481 $79.95.
In an original and exciting theological move, senior authority on
fresh expressions of Church and church planting, Canon Dr George
Lings, suggests that we look at Church differently. Based on
extensive research, Lings argues that the Church has a calling and
the capacity to reproduce which is inherent in what Church is,
rather than as its function. The Church reproduces, albeit
nonidentically, because it is the Church; that's how it fulfils its
mission. This seminal and inspiring work will inform and
re-energise Church leaders for the task in hand in this generation
and beyond.
Online churches are Internet-based Christian communities,
pursuing worship, discussion, friendship, support, proselytization,
and other key religious goals through computer-mediated
communication. The first examples appeared in the mid-1980s, but
this genre of online activity has been revolutionized over the last
decade by considerable institutional investment and the rise of new
low-cost social media platforms. Hundreds of thousands of people
are now involved with online congregations, generating new kinds of
ritual, leadership, and community as well as new networks of global
influence.
Creating Church Online is the first large-scale sociological
investigation of this area, offering a significant and timely
advance in the study of religion, media, and culture. Five
ethnographic case studies are presented, based primarily in the UK,
USA, and Australasia, providing levels of detail, scope, and
variety previously unexplored by researchers in this field.
Comparative analysis of these case studies demonstrates the
emergence of intriguing new hybrids of digital, local, and
institutional religion, reflecting major shifts in contemporary
patterns of religious commitment. Author Tim Hutchings constructs a
rich account of the culture and practice of five online churches,
emphasizing worship, leadership, and community and the relationship
between online and everyday life. Through such in-depth analysis,
this book explores the significance and impact of online
churchgoing in the religious and social lives of participants, as
well as the relationship between online and everyday life, in
search of a new theoretical framework to map religious users
engagement with new media."
2022 Christianity Today Finalist, Politics & Public Life "A
crucial book." --Timothy Keller Our world is facing increasing
hostilities. Political and cultural differences rage, even among
people who otherwise show goodwill. And the church is no stranger
to extreme polarization, theological backbiting, and political
squabbling. Jesus's prayer in John 17--that the church be one as he
and the Father are one--seems increasingly unattainable. But what
if Scripture actually provides the key for thinking about unity in
diversity? In Uncommon Unity: Wisdom for the Church in an Age of
Division, Richard Lints explores the nature of diversity and how
Christians can think more clearly about unity in an increasingly
polarized age. Drawing on theological, historical, and sociological
resources, Lints exposes problems with the inclusion narrative of
democracy and shows a better way forward for fostering unity in the
midst of extreme diversity. If we are to think rightly about
diversity, wisdom is required for the church in our late modern
world. Through wisdom, Christians can display real unity in
diversity and bear witness of the God who made them for himself as
diverse members of his one body. Readers of Uncommon Unity will be
heartened that Scripture and Christian tradition provide an
antidote to division.
An easy-to-learn, easy-to-use tool for in-depth Bible study Beloved
and acclaimed for more than five generations, the Thompson (R)
Chain-Reference (R) Bible is unparalleled in its ability to enrich
personal devotions, topical study, and sermon preparation. This
unique reference Bible enables you to search the breadth of
Scripture's teachings on thousands of topics and allows you to
follow those topics throughout the entire Bible. With over 100,000
references, covering over 8,000 topics, the chain-reference system
is an ideal tool for comprehensive topical study. The Thompson
Chain-Reference Bible also offers a library of additional study
resources that allows readers to interpret the Bible using related
scripture passages rather than consulting a commentary. The KJV
Thompson Chain-Reference Bible is printed in the KJV Comfort Print
(R) typeface for easy reading. Expertly designed specifically to be
used for the King James Version (KJV) text, Comfort Print offers an
easier reading experience that complements the translation. This
Bible also features a fresh, two-color design that preserves the
original look of the chain-reference system, while making each page
cleaner and easier to read. Features: Complete text of the King
James Version (KJV) Easy-to-understand chain-reference system with
over 100,000 references Alphabetical and numerical indexes
highlight study materials for over 8,000 topics, each with its own
topic number, for exhaustive topical study An extensive study
resource section includes biographical sketches, illustrated
studies of the Bible, a concordance, Bible harmonies, and many
other helpful study tools Fresh, two-color page design 66 book
introductions 16-page full-color map section with map index
Line-matched text for enhanced readability Words of Jesus in red
Presentation page for gift-giving Gilded page edges Two
double-sided satin ribbon markers, each 3/8-inch wide Leathersoft
(TM) cover lies flat when open Thumb indexed to make finding the
books of the Bible easier Exclusive KJV Comfort Print typeface
Print size: 9.5
Nearly all churches and ministries consider themselves dedicated to
evangelism, and many explicitly include outreach in their mission
statements. But few are actually bearing fruit. Kevin Harney
diagnoses this problem and offers guidance for multiplying the
outreach impact of churches. Organic Outreach for Churches provides
direction for local congregations to weave evangelism into the
fabric of the church. Commitment to the Great Commission is not
simply about sending money and prayers to missions or holding
occasional events to reach out (although these things are good).
Organic outreach happens when evangelistic vision and action become
the domain of every ministry and the commitment of every person in
the congregation. This will not happen accidentally. There is huge
spiritual and practical resistance to such changes. But the only
way evangelism will become an organic part of a church is when
every leader and each member is gripped by a commitment to
proclaiming the gospel. This book is a roadmap for pastors and
leaders who wish to infuse evangelistic passion into every aspect
of their church's life.
Pope Francis: His Life and Thought paints a compelling picture of a
truly remarkable man, showing the evolution of his theological
ideas in detail until his election as pope in 2013. Cardinal Jorge
Bergoglio was a highly unusual candidate for the papacy for two
main reasons: the 'pope from far away' is the first from the
Americas and the first former Jesuit to have been elected.
Bergoglio's theological principles have been profoundly shaped by
his Argentinean heritage and Jesuit spiritual formation. The author
also reveals that his thought was deeply a ected by his simple
Argentinean upbringing and fearless work in the slums of Santiago
and Buenos Aires as a young Jesuit, and later as a bishop and a
cardinal. Bergoglio has consistently emphasised the importance of
alleviating the suffering of the poor, following the teaching of
Vatican II, and in keeping with his own unflinching morality. This
volume reveals Pope Francis as an exceptionally humble and
altruistic man, doctrinally conservative, and engaged less in
politics than in the struggle to bring the Church to the margins of
society. It will be of great interest to any reader who wishes to
know more about this inspiring individual. Mario I. Aguilar is a
theologian from Chile, now Professor of Religion and Politics at
the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He has written
extensively on the Church in Latin America, Africa and Asia,
including Cardenal Raul Silva Henriquez: Presencia en la vida de
Chile 1907-1999 and A Social History of the Catholic Church in
Chile (9 volumes). He is a Camaldolese Benedictine Oblate and has
lived in Scotland for the past 20 years. "This reflection draws
upon Aguilar's own experiences as a Latin American theologian and
it engages directly with many of the Spanish sources that shed
light upon the life and thought of Jorge Bergoglio. He] cuts a
swath through fact and myth as he charts the new pope's formative
experiences in detail. . . . Food for thought for anyone seeking to
understand what has made him the pontiff he is." Prof. Gerard
Mannion, Amaturo Professor in Catholic Studies, Georgetown
University. "Pope Francis has already provided a breath of fresh
air, and this welcome and timely book explains why. Anyone who
thought God had no surprises up his sleeve will discover here how
this new leader has been formed to be a challenging and
transforming presence both in his own Church and further afield."
Rt Revd Prof. N.T. Wright, Former Bishop of Durham, Research
Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, University of St
Andrews.
The Church, Authority, and Foucault addresses the problem of the
Church's enmeshment with sovereign power, which can lead to
marginalization. Breaking new ground, Ogden uses Foucault's
approach to power and knowledge to interpret the church leader's
significance as the guardian of knowledge. This can become
privileged knowledge, under the spell of sovereign power, and with
the complicity of clergy and laity in search of sovereigns.
Inevitably, such a culture leads to a sense of entitlement for
leaders and conformity for followers. All in the name of obedience.
The Church needs to change in order to fulfil its vocation. Instead
of a monarchy, what about Church as an open space of freedom? This
book, then, is a theological enterprise which cultivates practices
of freedom for the sake of the other. This involves thinking
differently by exploring catalysts for change, which include
critique, space, imagination, and wisdom. In the process, Ogden
uses a range of sources, analysing discourse, gossip, ritual,
territory, masculinity, and pastoral power. In all, the work of
Michel Foucault sets the tone for a fresh ecclesiological critique
that will appeal to theologians and clergy alike.
This book is for any woman who has ever been overwhelmed with
indecision, paralyzed with fear, or just plain stuck. With no-nonsense
biblical truth, Fear Is Not the Boss of You is a loving kick in the
backside that will catapult you into ACTION. Successful entrepreneur,
business coach, and girl next door Jennifer Allwood is your guide to
show you why you can't stay stuck, teaching you how to get out of your
own way and get on the road to fulfilling the life of your dreams--even
if you're afraid.
Whether you're thinking of launching a new business, adopting a child,
writing a book, or competing in a triathlon, Jennifer will motivate you
to move from paralyzing fear into courageous obedience and action. With
stories, straightforward truth, and practical tips you can apply today,
Jennifer will show you how to:
- Identify how and where you are stuck
- Determine what's holding you back
- Get out of your own way
- Empower those around you
- Experience the incredible joy that comes from trusting a
big God to do big things in you and through you
This is your gutsy invitation to go after the big dream God has called
you to . . . because fear is not the boss of you.
Since the Reformation, Protestants have confessed that the church
is reformed and always reforming. But do we really believe this?
Why, then, are we so shocked to hear that the church itself needs a
sexual reformation? That the church has been fighting to uphold
biblical distinction between the sexes against a culture that is
rapidly and aggressively challenging this, is certainly one reason.
But in trying to be faithful to the beauty of God's design for man
and woman, the church has instead latched onto a pagan,
Aristotelian concept of man and woman--that woman is by nature
inferior to man--which robs us of the dignity of personhood as man
and woman created in the image of God. Much of the evangelical
teaching on the sexes is based on cultural stereotypes and an
unbiblical ontology of male authority and female subordination.
While some try to correct this, they often flatten the meaningful
distinctions in the feminine and masculine gift. We end up missing
the beautiful message that our bodies, and our whole selves as men
and women, tell: the story of the great joy in which Christ
received his gift of his bride, the church. Having taken on flesh,
he is bringing her to the holy of holies, ushering her behind the
veil, and securing communion with his bridal people in sacred
space. He gave himself as the ultimate Gift and he loves us to the
end. We see this highlighted in the book placed right in the middle
of our Bibles. The Song of Songs enfleshes our hope as it
poetically sings the metanarrative of Scripture. In this book,
Aimee Byrd invites you to enter into the Song's treasures as its
lyrics reveal a typology in God's design of man and woman, one that
unfolds throughout the canon of Scripture. The meaning of man and
woman extends beyond biology, nature, and culture to give us a
glimpse of what is to come. Our bodies are theological. They are
visible signs that tell us something about our God. This
often-ignored biblical book has much to teach us about Christ, his
church, man, and woman. It teaches us the whole point of it all.
And what it teaches us is not a list of roles and hierarchy, but a
love song. We are ripe for a sexual reformation in the church, and
recovering a good theological anthropology is imperative to it. We
desperately need to peel away the Aristotelian mindset of man and
woman that still pervades much of the teaching on gender and
sexuality in the church today.?The Holy Spirit is speaking to us in
his Word to bring about a sexual reformation. He invites us to sing
an eschatological song. In doing so, we find ourselves in it. We
participate in it. We find beauty in it. We persevere by it. It
changes us.
In Understanding Clergy Misconduct in Religious Systems, you ll
take an incisive look at why sexual misconduct occurs in religious
systems and how to implement proactive strategies for holistic
change. Applicable to both Jewish and Christian communities, this
illuminating exploration takes a look at the psychology behind
scapegoating, why it is perpetuated, and how you can quell the
damaging tradition of silence.Understanding Clergy Misconduct in
Religious Systems helps you see leaders of religious institutions
in a way that the world has been afraid to see them--in a glass
clearly. Enriched with metaphoric myths and fairy tales instead of
technical jargon, its unique systemic perspective reveals the
psychodynamics behind the obsession with family secrets and lets
you understand this dysfunction from the perspectives of victim,
abuser, and counselor. These specific areas will both inform and
aid you in dealing with this difficult subject: the religious
institution as a family system the religious system as an illusion
of the perfect family the concept of God-transference and the
overidealization of clergy clergy personal relationships and clergy
congregational relationships vulnerability and the psychology of
the victim strategies for healing dysfunctional religious systems
Understanding Clergy Misconduct in Religious Systems comes at just
the right time--in an era when little has been written on the
subject, especially from a systemic perspective, this work comes at
a time when the phenomena of clergy sexual misconduct has rocked
the very foundation of religious systems worldwide. Whether you re
a lay congregational leader, judicatory administrator, pastoral
counselor, psychologist, or seminarian, you ll find that the coping
strategies and intervention techniques it outlines will guide you
in pinpointing the sickness at its source and restoring felicity
and order to your religious leaders and their communities.
This comprehensive volume analyzes Chinese birth policies and
population developments from the founding of the People's Republic
to the 2000 census. The main emphasis is on China's 'Hardship
Number One Under Heaven': the highly controversial one-child
campaign, and the violent clash between family strategies and
government policies it entails. Birth Control in China 1949-2000
documents an agonizing search for a way out of predicament and a
protracted inner Party struggle, a massive effort for social
engineering and grinding problems of implementation. It reveals how
birth control in China is shaped by political, economic and social
interests, bureaucratic structures and financial concerns. Based on
own interviews and a wealth of new statistics, surveys and
documents, Thomas Scharping also analyzes how the demographics of
China have changed due to birth control policies, and what the
future is likely to hold. This book will be of interest to students
and scholars of modern China, Asian studies and the social
sciences.
This book examines the potential of conducting studies in
comparative hagiology, through parallel literary and historical
analyses of spiritual life writings pertaining to distinct
religious contexts. In particular, it focuses on a comparative
analysis of the early sources on the medieval Christian Saint
Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) and the Tibetan Buddhist Milarepa (c.
1052-1135), up to and including the so-called 'standard versions'
of their life stories written by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio
(1221-1274) and Tsangnyoen Heruka (1452-1507) respectively. The
book thus demonstrates how in the social and religious contexts of
both 1200s Italy and 1400s Tibet, narratives of the lives, deeds
and teachings of two individuals recognized as spiritual champions
were seen as the most effective means to promote spiritual,
doctrinal and political agendas. Therefore, as well being highly
relevant to those studying hagiographical sources, this book will
be of interest to scholars working across the fields of religion
and the comparative study of religious phenomena, as well as
history and literature in the pre-modern period.
Window on the World is your ticket to travel around the world! If
you appreciate Operation World as an adult, your kids will love
this invaluable and age-appropriate prayer resource that develops
cultural, political, and geographical awareness through a Christian
lens. Find out how God is changing the lives of families everywhere
through prayer--from the frozen Arctic to the hottest desert, on
the highest mountains and in crowded cities. Window on the World
brings alive the culture, history, and traditions of all sorts of
different people. With "Fact Files" and "Do You Know?" features,
each section brings you information, true stories, maps, and
easy-to-use prayer points that take you into homes around the
world. See how children live, what they like to do, where they go
to school, what they eat and wear, and what they hope and dream.
This revised edition includes new entries for more countries and
people groups, with updated information and prayer points from the
team at Operation World. It will draw a new generation into
learning about the world, reaching out to people, and praying for
those who have never heard about Jesus. Through Window on the
World, young people and adults alike can discover and pray for the
peoples of the world.
A radical vision for a society transformed by the teachings and
spirit of Jesus. Do you feel powerless to change the injustice at
every level of society? Are you tired of answers that ignore the
root causes of human suffering? This selection of writings by
Eberhard Arnold, who left a career and the established church in
order to live out the gospel, calls us to a completely different
way. Be warned: Arnold doesn't approach discipleship as the route
to some benign religious fulfillment, but as a revolution-a
transformation that begins within and spreads outward to encompass
every aspect of life. Arnold writes in the same tradition of
radical obedience to the gospel as his contemporaries Karl Barth
and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
"The Prayer-Saturated Church" provides step-by-step, practical help
for mobilizing, organizing, and motivating believers to make their
church a house of prayer. Written by a veteran prayer leader with
hands-on experience in local church prayer, "The Prayer-Saturated
Church" will enable any church to take prayer to the next level.The
print version comes with a CD that contains printable
forms--publicity templates, sign-up applications, prayer guides,
and more--to promote, encourage, and energize your congregation
toward more prayer.
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