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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations
How can churches in America, modeling the oldest Christian
communities, renew themselves form within? They can look to
examples of thriving small Christian communities within their own
country and throughout the world. This inspiring book shows what is
happening now across six continents to give pastors and lay leaders
of every denomination encouragement through useable examples from
their counterparts around the world.
Robert J. Schreiter brings together acute analyses of the Christian
world mission agenda by astute observers of both church and world.
In six chapters -- including Schreiter's own essay on a new
ecumenical catholicity and a seventh by him on the status of the
global Christian mission agenda, focusing especially on the
Catholic role in mission -- the reader is taken on a trip that
reveals how globalization entails both local and international
responses.
Spiritual discernment is a key theme in the Scriptures. From the
Garden when Adam and Eve turned away from the simplest terms of a
relationship with God, to the Garden when John the Apostle wrote
the book of Revelation to a distracted people anticipating
eternity, discerning God has been the heart of the matter. In
modern times, however, we have forgotten the basic premise of
practicing a preference for God, out of which we then are invited
to live for God. Instead, we have implanted strategic planning,
head-to-head battling, and will-of-God knowing in its place. In The
Discerning Life, Stephen A. Macchia seeks to upend the one-eyed and
limited Christian understandings of spiritual discernment and
invite readers and leaders to reconsider how they prioritize the
care of their souls, the grace of their communities, and the
mission of their lives, churches, and organizations. When we have a
fuller understanding of how spiritual discernment matters to the
whole of our lives, we will in turn encourage others to follow
likewise and then lean fully into the mission, mandate, and message
of the whole counsel of God.
For: *Individual use *Group training Greeters are the welcoming
arms that people long to find in a church. This practical guidebook
will help you reach out to people who need to experience the warmth
of belonging to a church family. Serving as a Church Greeter sheds
light on *The Ministry of Church Greeters *The Need for Warmhearted
Greeters *Developing a User-Friendly Foyer *A Better Way of Doing
Things *The Parking Lot Ministry Zondervan Practical Ministry
Guides provide you with simple, practical insights for serving in
today s churches. Written by experienced pastors and church
workers, these easy-to-read, to-the-point booklets address the
fundamentals of different ministries as practiced effectively in
real life. You ll find biblical insight and wise, field-tested
advice you can apply today, as well as discussion questions to help
you think through and integrate what you read."
The passing, on January 4, 2010, of Peter Dyck, following the death
of his wife, Elfrieda, in 2004, marks the end of a remarkable
chapter in Mennonite life and history. Readers can re-live those
incredible days following World War II when the Dycks helped
Mennonite refugees escape from war-torn Europe and to find new
homes in South America and Canada. In addition to the epic story,
the book contains many photos. 384 Pages.
In light of the reality of cultural and religious pluralism, Peter
Phan demonstrates that Christian mission can only be carried on
dialogically - especially among the poor and with deep respect for
other religious traditions and their cultures. In Our Own Tongues
is absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in the
emergence of "world christianity" and its future in the 21st
century.
God does not suggest, he commands that we do justice. Social
justice is not optional for the Christian. All injustice affects
others, so talking about justice that isn't social is like talking
about water that isn't wet or a square with no right angles. But
the Bible's call to seek justice is not a call to superficial,
kneejerk activism. We are not merely commanded to execute justice,
but to "truly execute justice." The God who commands us to seek
justice is the same God who commands us to "test everything" and
"hold fast to what is good." Drawing from a diverse range of
theologians, sociologists, artists, and activists, Confronting
Injustice without Compromising Truth, by Thaddeus Williams, makes
the case that we must be discerning if we are to "truly execute
justice" as Scripture commands. Not everything called "social
justice" today is compatible with a biblical vision of a better
world. The Bible offers hopeful and distinctive answers to deep
questions of worship, community, salvation, and knowledge that
ought to mark a uniquely Christian pursuit of justice. Topics
addressed include: Racism Sexuality Socialism Culture War Abortion
Tribalism Critical Theory Identity Politics Confronting Injustice
without Compromising Truth also brings in unique voices to talk
about their experiences with these various social justice issues,
including: Michelle-Lee Barnwall Suresh Budhaprithi Eddie Byun
Freddie Cardoza Becket Cook Bella Danusiar Monique Duson Ojo Okeye
Edwin Ramirez Samuel Sey Neil Shenvi Walt Sobchak In Confronting
Injustice without Compromising Truth, Thaddeus Williams transcends
our religious and political tribalism and challenges readers to
discover what the Bible and the example of Jesus have to teach us
about justice. He presents a compelling vision of justice for all
God's image-bearers that offers hopeful answers to life's biggest
questions.
Dialogue of Life is the inspiring testament of Bob McCahill, a
priest and missioner who for twenty years has pursued an unusual
witness among the Muslim poor of Bangladesh. Rather than
traditional pastoral work, McCahill simply tries to live as a
friend and brother to his Muslim neighbors, offering a positive
witness to the gospel ideals of service and love. In a series of
small towns he has lived a life of utter simplicity, serving the
sick, showing respect for Muslim piety, and explaining to all those
who inquire the reasons for his way of life and good works. In
simple yet vivid prose, Father McCahill describes his life, the
rhythms of his days and those of his poor but faith-filled
neighbors, the occasions for "interreligious dialogue" that emerge
out of this living encounter, and his challenging reflections on
the implications of this experience for Christian life and mission
in the world. Enhanced by McCahill's own prizewinning photographs,
Dialogue of Life is a moving example of spirituality in action, and
witness to "God who is larger than our hearts".
In this warm and personal book, Dr. Phil Parshall looks at what Muslims believe and how this affects their behaviour.
Parshall compares and contrasts Muslim and Christian views on the nature of God, sacred scriptures, worship, sin, and holiness.
Mission Legacies was inspired by the popular series of biographies
from the International Bullentin of Missionary Research (IBMR).
Seventy-eight of these legacies have been edited and gathered in
this major reference and resource for church, libraries, students,
and scholars. Mission Legacies tells the story of the missionary
movement both in its classical achievements and in its time-bound
weaknesses. These biographies are solid, critical assessments of
their subjects. Their authors are a "who's who" of church
historians, carefully chosen for their mastery of the life and
significance of the leaders featured and the context in which they
worked.
“I have read no book that more carefully, thoroughly, and tenderly displays Christ’s heart.” — Paul David Tripp, President, Paul Tripp Ministries; author, New Morning Mercies and My Heart Cries Out
Christians know what Jesus Christ has done—but who is he? What is his deepest heart for his people, weary and faltering on their journey toward heaven? Jesus said he is “gentle and lowly in heart.” This book reflects on these words, opening up a neglected yet central truth about who he is for sinners and sufferers today.
A new way to follow Jesus that draws on old ways of following him.
Prominent progressive writer, speaker, and minister Robin Meyers
proposes that the best way for the faithful to recapture the spirit
of the early Christian church is to recognize that Jesus-following
was - and must be again - subversive in the best sense of the word
because the gospel taken seriously turns the world upside down. No
matter how the church may organize itself or worship, the defining
characteristic of the church of the future will be its
Jesus-inspired countercultural witness.
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