Marriages are in trouble today. That is clear. Effective mothods of combating this trend are less evident. Counselors, pastors and social workers need more than mere theories or mere moralizing. They need a practical and comprehensive model for understanding couples and their problems. They need a throughly Christian perspective that is biblical, compassionate and human. Everett Worthington provides this in an integrated, biblically based theory of marriage and marriage therapy with analysis at three levels: the individual, the couple and the family. The model he has constructed, with techniques drawn from the major psychological schools, is standard enough to guide counselors in actual interventions and powerful enough to produce change. A thoroughgoing overview of the assessment process includes practical, workable guidelines for: creating realistic, mutually-agreeable goals for counselor and clients; estimating the number of sessions needed to reach those goals; and planning the actual assessment, intervention and termination sessions. Next Worthington offers specific techniques for enhancing cooperative change, intimacy, communication, conflict resolution and forgiveness within the marriage. But keeping couples from slipping back into old patterns is one of the counselor's most difficult tasks. So Worthington concludes with suggestions for solidifying change and effectively concluding the counseling relationship. Here is a text that will be a standard for counselors, pastors and mental health professionals in the years to come.

What is Unitarian Universalism and how does it fit into the religious landscape of America? How does Unitarian Universalism differ from other churches? What do Unitarian Universalists stand for and how have they contributed to the betterment of the human condition? These are just some of the concerns that occupied the fertile mind of Stephen H. Fritchman (1902-81), one of America's best known Unitarian ministers. For the Sake of Clarity commemorates the life and work of this leading figure in American liberal religion. For more than thirty years, Rev. Fritchman served as minister of the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles, where he was actively involved in public debate on many vital social issues. To honor his life and career, the Fritchman Publication Committee has compiled over forty-five of his most important sermons, addresses, and radio talks covering a wide range of topics: the church and politics, freedom of the press and freedom of speech, violence, the rights of women and minorities, international relations, marriage, old age, and much more. The concluding section offers Rev. Fritchman's biographical sketches of such notables as Eugene V. Debs, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas Jefferson, Albert Schweitzer, and George Bernard Shaw. Also included is a complete bibliography of Rev. Fritchman's addresses. Reverend Stephen H. Fritchman was minister of the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles from 1948 to 1969, after which he served as emeritus minister until his death in 1981. He was an active member of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee, and former editor of the Christian Register. In 1967 the Starr King School for the Ministryawarded Rev. Fritchman the degree of L.H.D., citing him as "a minister who walked to the sound of a different drum, enthralling many, appalling more; who has cut across barriers of race and class to be heard by all; who has developed and maintained a strong united church ... who has fulfilled ideals of priest, teacher, historian, and devotional writer as well as prophet". The Annual Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association awarded Rev. Fritchman the Holmes-Weatherly Award in July 1969, calling him a man whose "deep and driving passion for economic, social, and political justice ... has been repeatedly translated into concrete, specific action".

A startling 85% of churches in the US are plateaued or declining, a trend that has been building for the past fifty years. In the face of shrinking attendance and lagging spiritual growth, pastors and church leaders are understandably discouraged and demoralized. But the first step to turning things around is hope. Church health expert Gary McIntosh offers this hope by showing church leaders the first things they need to do to make a new start for their church.
God can and does restore churches to new life, even as he restores individuals. The street-smart ideas and step-by-step instructions found in this book are ones that pastors and church leaders can put to use immediately in their churches to bring about solid growth and renewed hope for the future.

Every leader functions on two stages--the front stage or public world, and the back stage or private world. One cannot lead successfully front stage when one is completely depleted back stage. In a time when pastors are leaving the ministry in record numbers due to cynicism, disillusionment, weariness, and personal scandals, there is an urgent need for soul care in the private lives of leaders.

Replenish helps leaders focus on the back stage, the interior life, in order to remain spiritually healthy. In a caring, encouraging tone, it will show pastors how to:

• prioritize matters of the soul
• develop healthy spiritual practices
• address problems that lead to burnout
• create a healthy rhythm in their lives
• improve their people skills and the spiritual climate of their team
• develop better systems in their churches
• discover how to lead an unhurried life

For the many ministry leaders who feel alone, in over their heads, or simply worn out, this book will offer welcome relief and a healthy way forward.

break*through a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development. an instance of achieving success in a particular sphere or activity. an advancement through enemy lines. a notable before and after moment of resolution or new beginning. ONE OF THE NAMES OF GOD. This book is going to show you how to apply biblical breakthrough to your world. It's not just a buzzword but one of the ways that God defines Himself biblically. God wants to be your breaker. He wants you to know Him as the One who breaks through in your life, family, community, industry, and world. Use the tools of prophecy, prayer, and declaration over twelve of the most relevant themes to partner with God for your life!

"Maximize" is the ultimate how-to book for pastors and church leaders who long for their churches to be fully resourced to carry out ministry initiatives without financial strain. Pastor Nelson Searcy provides an innovative, step-by-step plan for turning first-time givers into extravagant stewards of God's resources. Shining a light on the often taboo subject of money, "Maximize" will explore what causes someone to give for the first time and what leaders can do to systemize and maximize these gifts while growing strong disciples. Readers will learn how to
-cultivate first-time givers
-motivate people to tithe
-develop an ongoing stewardship system
-follow up with givers the right way
-develop multiple giving options
-shepherd the five types of givers in the church
-educate people to grow in the grace of giving
Stewardship is an essential part of discipleship. This revolutionary yet biblically based guide will chase the money discussion out of the darkness and bring it the attention it deserves. Every pastor needs a copy of "Maximize"

Don't settle for half of the story! Discover the Jewish roots to the Christian faith. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself-with discussion and reflection questions, Bible exploration, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). Every page of the Old Testament reveals divine mysteries about Jesus, the Messiah. Only by understanding the Old Testament can Christians understand the complete picture of who God is, how he relates to us, and what he is doing today in the world. In this six-session video Bible study (video streaming included), walk with Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel as he shows you how the Bible fits together as a whole to offer one complete picture of Jesus. In the Mysteries of the Messiah Bible study Rabbi Jason Sobel helps us to... Understand the Jewish roots of our faith and begin to see Jesus' life and ministry from a different perspective. See the signs everywhere in the Old Testament that point to the coming of the Messiah in the New Testament. Continue to dig and find mysteries and new discoveries hidden in God's Word. Sessions and video run times: Finding Jesus in the Story of Creation (22:00) Finding Jesus in the Story of the Patriarchs (22:00) Finding Jesus in the Story of Joseph and Judah (22:30) Finding Jesus in the Story of Moses (22:30) Finding Jesus in the Story of Ruth and Boaz (22:00) Finding Jesus in the Story of David (22:30) Watch on any device! Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

Chap Clark's groundbreaking "Hurt: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers" revealed the hard truth about contemporary adolescence: societal changes and systemic abandonment have left teenagers struggling to navigate the ever lengthening and ever more difficult transition to adulthood without caring adults.
"When Kids Hurt "offers these challenging insights to youth workers and parents in a more accessible form, with greater focus on how adults should respond. Practical sidebars and application sections, contributed by other youth experts, provide additional insights into youth culture and how adults can better guide adolescents into adulthood. This book will be an important resource for youth workers, parents, counselors, and others who work with youth.

Does it make sense - can it make sense - for someone who appreciates the explanatory power of modern science to continue believing in a traditional religious account of the ultimate nature and purpose of our universe? This book is intended for those who care about that question and are dissatisfied with the rigid dichotomies that dominate the contemporary debate. The extremists won't be interested - those who assume that science answers all the questions that matter, and those so certain of their religious faith that dialogue with science, philosophy, or other faith traditions seems unnecessary. But far more people today recognize that matters of faith are complex, that doubt is endemic to belief, and that dialogue is indispensable in our day.
In eight probing chapters, the authors of The Predicament of Belief consider the most urgent reasons for doubting that religious claims - in particular, those embedded in the Christian tradition - are likely to be true. They develop a version of Christian faith that preserves the tradition's core insights but also gauges the varying degrees of certainty with which those insights can still be affirmed. Along the way, they address such questions as the ultimate origin of the universe, the existence of innocent suffering, the challenge of religious plurality, and how to understand the extraordinary claim that an ancient teacher rose from the dead. They end with a discussion of what their conclusions imply about the present state and future structure of churches and other communities in which Christian affirmations are made.

In this six-session video study (video streaming code included) bestselling author Dan Kimball guides you step-by-step through making sense of the most misunderstood, difficult, and disturbing Bible passages. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself-with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). For centuries, the Bible was called "the Good Book," a moral and religious text that guides us into a relationship with God and shows us the right way to live. Today, however, some people argue the Bible is outdated and harmful, with many Christians unaware of some of the odd and disturbing things the Bible says or how to understand them. Whether you're a Christian, a doubter, or someone exploring the Bible for the first time, Dan Kimball is your guide to understanding and contextualizing passages in Scripture that seem backward on topics related to women, science, violence, slavery, and world religions. Filled with stories, visual illustrations, and memes reflecting popular cultural objections, How (Not) to Read the Bible is a lifeline for individuals who are confused or discouraged with questions about the Bible. Sessions include: Never Read a Bible Verse Stranger Things Boys' Club Christianity Jesus Riding a Dinosaur My God Can Beat Up Your God Rated NC-17 This study can be done in youth groups, single's groups, small groups, Sunday classes, and by individuals. *Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

How can you help others grow in their faith? What does a healthy discipling relationship look like? What do you do together? In order to answer these and other questions, Alice Fryling gathered a team of experienced disciplemakers. Together they give us practical help in such areas as overcoming our fears about discipling others, beginning a discipling relationship, how to be a friend, learning how people change, modeling the Christian life, using Scripture in disciplemaking, how to help a friend who hurts, and helping others share their faith. Many chapters include time-tested resources you can use in discipling relationships. A handbook for those who need help and encouragement in reaching out to others.

All too often Church leaders may want to work cooperatively with others, and yet find themselves frustrated. Clergy, Culture and Ministry considers the difficulties and challenges faced by any incumbent wishing to interpret and understand what is going on in their congregation and parish, and why it might be happening. Engaging with the work of Wesley Carr, Ian Tomlinson brings theory and practice into conversation by responding to each of Carr's 'propositions' with a 'critical incident' from the author's own parish experience. Table of Contents: Foreword - Martyn Percy Introduction 1 Critical Incidents 2 Behaviours and Boundaries 3 Practical and Pastoral Theology 4 Applications and Reflections 5 Propositions and Practical Wisdom 6 Pastors, Preachers and Priests - Some Prescriptions Conclusion Afterword - Martyn Percy