This revised edition addresses ways in which historical developments have shaped--and continue to shape--the organization of the church. Incorporating the actions of The United Methodist General Conference, 2004, the book discusses continuing reforms of the church's plan for baptism and church membership, as well as the emergence of deacon's orders and other changes to ordained ministry procedures. The text is now cross-referenced to the 2004 Book of Discipline, including the revised order of disciplinary chapters and paragraph numbering. Denominational statistics are updated, along with references to recent works on The United Methodist Church and American religious life.

'You know the reality: teens don t have much downtime in their lives. Between school, extra-curricular activities, jobs, friends (and youth group ), students these days barely have enough time to do all the things they need to do in a day. It s no wonder that quiet, reflective time in prayer with God is not high on their priority list. With years of experience helping teens encounter God in quiet, contemplative ways, Mark Yaconelli will give you the tools and insights needed to help teens understand why and how to pray, and to guide them towards a life of prayer. You ll find several prayer exercises in this book, based on the praying tradition of the Christian church, along with instructions to help you introduce the prayers to students. Not only are there explorations of classical methods of prayer that involve silence, solitude, and scripture, but you ll also discover more recent forms of prayer that use creative media, music, writing, movement, and acts of compassion. As you help teens bring prayer into their everyday lives, your students will find that they long for those times when they can step away from it all and find rest and comfort in God.'"

The best-selling Catechism of the Catholic Church offers not only a new, definitive account for our times of the full teaching of the Catholic faith, but it is also a superbly crafted work from which to learn and to teach the faith. Teaching the faith in a systematic way - catechesis - is a craft and, like any craft, it requires the development of skills on the part of those who desire to excel in it. The Catechism of the Catholic Churchshows catechists and others what to teach. This book examines the important issue of how to teachit (pedagogy). A must for every teacher who wants to be more effective inhanding on the faith to others.

"One of the first great events in Christian history was the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, convened to organize Christian sects and beliefs into a unified doctrine. The great Christian clergymen who wrote before this famous event are referred to as the Ante-Nicenes and the Apostolic Fathers, and their writings are collected here in a ten-volume set. The Ante-Nicenes lived so close to the time of Christ that their interpretations of the New Testament are considered more authentic than modern voices. But they are also real and flawed men, who are more like their fellow Christians than they are like the Apostles, making their words echo in the ears of spiritual seekers. In Volume VII of the 10-volume collected works of the Ante-Nicenes first published between 1885 and 1896, readers will find the writings of Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius Urbanus, Victorinus, and Dionysius. This volume also contains writing unattributed to any author, but nonetheless considered of great value. These writings include: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Constitutions of the Holy Apostles, The Second Epistle of Clement, The Nicene Creed, and Early Liturgies. "

This series of sermons was meant to challenge the rigid and uncompromising views that were held by Christianity in England at the time. Reverend Taylor was originally a doctor who took up the holy orders in the Church of England. His intense curiosity and desire to find the truth found him studying the roots of Christianity and its interesting connections to astrology and the signs of the zodiac. He came to the conclusion that Christianity is based on much older religions and its rituals are directly descended from ancient Egyptian and pagan practices. Although Taylor's holy orders were revoked and he was banned from preaching in the U.K., he continued his work in Ireland. He later returned to England and became even more controversial than ever. Arrested for blasphemy, he kept writing in jail. Upon his release he toured the universities of England with a colleague, debating and beating virtually everyone with material covered in this book. Subjects covered include the origins of Christianity, the real purpose of Jesus and the apostles, and the importance of the zodiac and its symbolism in relation to Christianity. Rev. Taylor was a trailblazer for all those who dare to question current beliefs.

To succeed in the world today, students need an education thatequips them to recognize current trends, to be creative andflexible to respond to changing circumstances, to demonstrate soundjudgment to work for society's good, and to gain the ability tocommunicate persuasively. This book argues for returning to theclassical liberal arts educational system so that students areprepared for lifelong learning.

Hay & Stardust offers a collection of worship and meditation resources for the season of Christmastide - including Christmas Day, Holy Innocents' Day, Winter and New Year, Epiphany, Homelessness Sunday and Candlemas. It also contains eight Christmas plays; props include puppets, knuckle-dusters, big flashes, sticking plasters, sacks and stars! You have been warned. Just like its companion volume Candles & Conifers, which covers the period from All Saints to Christmas Eve, the material in this book has been contributed by Iona Community members, associates, friends and others and reflects their diverse experiences of life. When sleet blinds you, hail drowns out voices, and snow hides your path, may you discern in each flake a star, image of the one that guided the Magi, and find that in the pain of birth, death or change there is a light to guide you. - From `Winter Blessing' by Mary Palmer

Templeton Foundation Character Project's Character Essay and Book Prize Competition award winner What does it mean to love God with all of our minds? Our culture today is in a state of crisis where intellectual virtue is concerned. Dishonesty, cheating, arrogance, laziness, cowardice--such vices are rampant in society, even among the world's most prominent leaders. We find ourselves in an ethical vacuum, as the daily headlines of our newspapers confirm again and again. Central to the problem is the state of education. We live in a technological world that has ever greater access to new information and yet no idea what to do with it all. In this wise and winsome book, Philip Dow presents a case for the recovery of intellectual character. He explores seven key virtues--courage, carefulness, tenacity, fair-mindedness, curiosity, honesty and humility--and discusses their many benefits. The recovery of virtue, Dow argues, is not about doing the right things, but about becoming the right kind of person. The formation of intellectual character produces a way of life that demonstrates love for both God and neighbor. Dow has written an eminently practical guide to a life of intellectual virtue designed especially for parents and educators. The book concludes with seven principles for a true education, a discussion guide for university and church groups, and nine appendices that provide examples from Dow's experience as a teacher and administrator. Virtuous Minds is a timely and thoughtful work for parents and pastors, teachers and students--anyone who thinks education is more about the quality of character than about the quantity of facts.

"These graphic sketches of the 'Heroes of the Early Church' are the latest series penned by the distinguished author, whom Spurgeon fittingly called 'The Prince of Children's Preachers.' The sketches are in many respects the best work of the gifted man. As he ripened in saintship for heaven, his literary style became even more rich with the aroma of the gospel, and so more forcible, simple, and crisp, than in his earlier writings." - Edwin W. Rice, from the Preface These helpful sketches are filled with lessons for the young and old alike on the lives of men like: Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Justin Martyr, Tertullian of Carthage, Origin of Alexandria, Eusebius of Caesarea, Athanasius the Great, Basil the Great, Ambrose of Milan, John Chrysostom, Jerome, Augustine and others.

Biblical Church Government is a Presbyterian Primer, one of a series of books by Don Clements that has been written in non-academic style, specifically designed to reach new or previously unread Church members. Originally released in 2003, this second edition has been updated and reformatted to allow space in the margins for notes. It lends itself quite well as an easy-to-read training manual for church officers or as a more in-depth study for persons considering church membership. One pastor says this is the one book actually read consistently by leadership candidates in his church. Topics covered in this volume include "The Importance of Leadership in the Church," "Church Government in the New Testament," "Christ the King," "How Many Offices Are There in the Church?" "The Function of Elders," "The Tasks of Elders," "Power and Authority in the Church," "The Necessity of Church Discipline," "The Origin, Function and Tasks of Deacons," "The Role of Women in the Church," "Qualifications for Office" and "The Confessional and Connectional Nature of the Church." Clements uses the English Standard Version throughout for references. In his book, Dr. Clements distinguishes between the various forms of church government, making a biblical case for the Presbyterian form. He offers the reasoning and need for officers in the organized church, and presents a thorough study of the leadership structure and duties delineated in the Bible. This book is the only one in print today that explains the unique 'two office' (elder and deacon) view of Presbyterian government that is practiced in the Presbyterian Church in America. Lots of practical caveats gained from many years of experience are included alongthe way.

In this book, Thomas Groome addresses and brings wisdom to the foundational issues that concern all educators regardless of their religious traditions.

6-8 sessions. The Miracles of Jesus will help learners experience the miracles as part of the redemptive work of Jesus and to understand these miracles as a testimony to Jesus identity, as depicted in the Gospels. Included are: Jesus as a miracle-working figure, Healing as symbolic action, such as rethinking the purpose of the Sabbath, Exorcisms, Portents miracles showing Jesus divine authority and Old Testament predecessors, such as Moses and Elijah, Miracles, or signs, in the Gospel of John, Miracles as signs of the early church, Miracles of healing and touch, and Jesus and miracles beyond the Gospels. DAVID OTTO is an Associate Professor of Religion at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, and a nationally recognized speaker and provocative scholar. Dr. Otto is the author of several books and is a featured workshop leader throughout the church."

Bedingt durch gesellschaftliche Umwalzungen in den alten Bundeslandern und die politische Wende in der ehemaligen DDR ruckte die Frage nach der Begrundung und Gestaltung des schulischen Religionsunterrichts seit den 1990er Jahren verstarkt ins Interesse der OEffentlichkeit. Dabei kamen immer deutlicher auch die von staatlicher Seite an den Schulen eingerichteten sogenannten Ersatzfacher in den Blick. Die Frage nach Verhaltnisbestimmung und Zusammenarbeit des staatlich verantworteten Philosophie- und Ethikunterrichts mit den unterschiedlichen Angeboten von Religionsunterricht macht die Entwicklung schulorganisatorischer und didaktischer Perspektiven noetig. Diese Studie leistet einen Beitrag fur die Gestaltung religioeser und wertbezogener Lernprozesse an der Schule.

Richard Patt's sermons enable the reader/listener to perceive new truths in old stories. As one reads them, it might be tempting to challenge Patt's observations, to argue against him, to debate his approach... but one is never bored. Only "stirred up" at times.
Sermon titles, based on the gospel of Luke, include:
It's Okay To Stir Up God -- Luke 11:1-13
The Fear Of Taking The Plunge -- Luke 12:32-40
Sabotaging The Sabbath -- Luke 13:10-17
The Crux Of Being A Christian -- Luke 14:25-33
Nobody Owes You Anything -- Luke 17:5-10
... and more
Richard W. Patt has served as pastor of Lutheran congregations in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Illinois, and now serves Catalina Lutheran Church, a diverse desert community of faith north of Tucson, Arizona. He has been a national leader in promoting the fine arts in churches as a member of the Board of Directors and Editorial Board of "Christianity and The Arts," a national quarterly magazine published in Chicago. Patt is also a professional watercolor artist whose work has been represented by Arlene Siegel Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico. His one-man exhibition "Places Of The Spirit In The Southwest" was shown for two months in central Manhattan at the gallery of Saint Peter's Church, New York City.

Robert Hines has a gift for bringing scripture down to earth where families bicker, where men and women get stressed out, where children fight over a toy, where reality is stranger than fiction. And into each situation he brings the hard-hitting message of the prophets.
Fascinating narrative stories and illustrations make this book great reading and an excellent resource for stimulating preaching.
Chapters include:
Buying Swamp Land For God (Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15)
Accepting Responsibility (Lamentations 1:1-6)
Coping With Heartache (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7)
Permission To Daydream (Joel 2:23-32)
Possession Is Nine-tenths Of The Law (Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18)
The Burdens Of The Past (Haggai 1:15b--2:9)
Remembering Who We Are and more (Deuteronomy 26:1-11)
Robert P. Hines Jr., was born and raised in Beaver, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Maryville College, Tennessee, and earned advance degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He has served Calvin Presbyterian Church in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, since 1983. While at Princeton Seminary he was awarded a preaching scholarship and the Jagow Prize in preaching. Hines is married and has two teenage children.