This down-to-earth workbook gets to the heart of modern congregational life: how to live creatively together despite differences of age, race, culture, opinion, gender, or theological or political position. Gil Rendle explains how to grow by valuing our differences rather than trying to ignore or blend them. He describes a method of establishing behavioral covenants that includes leadership instruction, training tools, resources, small-group exercises, and plans for meetings and retreats. An essential resource for all ministers.

Explore a variety of approaches congregations have taken to embrace differences; identify leadership issues diversity creates in congregations; and discover programmatic suggestions drawn from the experience of multicultural congregations to address these issues. This book helps readers to understand their own experience with racial and cultural differences and is a guide for gathering diverse people into the life and mission of the congregation.

For women raising children while leading in ministry, life is a deep set of particular blessings intertwined with challenges. The book is for clergy who are also mothers, with powerful encouragement to share the teeth-gritting beauty of this tension with those who can support us. Stories worthy of tears, chuckles or groans from the lives of "clergy mamas" may echo the reader's as the author confronts the assumptions people make about mothers who lead. Every chapter ends with reflection questions for clergy mothers-and some specifically for the people who need to engage with them. The exhortations of this book are grounded in solid theological reflection. Ultimately, the author points to a practical, lived theology of the determined assertion that every Christian-not just mama, not just the clergy-is crucial to raising the family of God. This is the moment to lift up the gifts of women in ministry and the broader ministry of motherhood, creating an environment for all leaders and their relationships to thrive.

Questioning and renegotiating the authority, roles, responsibilities, and relationships between lay and ordained leaders has become the order of the day for the church. In her new book for clergy and congregations, leadership expert Katherine Tyler Scott provides models and spiritual practices to feed the growing hunger in our churches for grounded spiritual authority.

This engaging study is an examination of the theological basis and the social roots of Augustine's theology of ordained ministry, especially as found in his letters and obiter dicta. Issues of great contemporary interest (married priesthood, simony, women as ministers) are discussed. This monograph will be of great interest to theologians, philosophers and those concerned with the unique role of priesthood in Western Christianity. Augustine's great contributions in defining and explicating the duties, problems and meaning of the sacerdotal are discussed with thoroughness and a full command of Greek, Latin, German and English primary and secondary sources.

Transformation of the city was the battle cry in the 1990s. How far have we come since then? How do apostles fit into the urban landscape? How do they line up with God's plans? C. Peter Wagner has been writing on these subjects for a number of years, and now he brings city transformation and the role of apostles together in one volume. This book is a call for apostles to assume their rightful sphere of authority to see God's will accomplished here on earth. Wagner relates his decades of experiences and those of others, showing the role of apostles not only in the traditional church, but also in the extended church. Apostles Today offers vision for the role of apostles in healthy churches, workplaces and cities.

A Leadership Network Publication

With this much-needed handbook, the authors brilliantly combine their experience guiding dozens of churches through the change process with both the study of Christian disciplines and the sophisticated understanding of such important business thinkers as John Kotter on leading change and Peter Senge on learning organizations. In this eminently readable book the authors have distilled their insights and practices into simple but powerful concepts for leading congregations, whether long established or recently formed, through profound change.

Leaders using this guide will also be interested in the companion "Leading Congregational Change Workbook," which offers assessment questions, planning worksheets, activities, and case examples for each stage of the process.

Holiness and Ministry: A Biblical Theological of Ordination is a response to the call of the World Council of Churches for renewed theological reflection on the biblical roots of ordination to strengthen the vocational identity of the ordained and to provide a framework for ecumenical dialogue. The volume is grounded in the assumption that the vocation of ordination requires an understanding of holiness and how it functions in human religious experience. The goal is to construct a biblical theology of ordination, which is embedded in broad reflection on the nature of holiness. The study of holiness and ministry interweaves three methodologies. First, the History of Religions describes two theories of holiness in the study of religion, as a dynamic force and as a ritual resource, which play a central role in biblical literature and establish the paradigm of ordination to Word and Sacrament in Christian tradition. Second, the study of the Moses in the Pentateuch and the formation of the Mosaic Office illustrate the ways in which the two views of holiness model ordination to the prophetic word and to the priestly ritual. And, third, Canonical Criticism provides the lens to explore the ongoing influence of the Mosaic Office in the New Testament literature. Holiness and Ministry is a resource for candidates of ordination to discern their call-experience and to establish professional identity within individual traditions of Christianity, while also providing a resource for ecumenical dialogue on the nature and purpose of Christian ordination.

Help! I'm Married to My Pastor is written for ministry wives who feel alone, afraid, and stressed to the limit, reminding them that God will work out his good purposes through even the hardest moments of ministry and marriage.

Are you letting your lack of authority paralyze you? One of the greatest myths of leadership is that you must be in charge in order to lead. Great leaders don't buy it. Great leaders lead with or without the authority and learn to unleash their influence wherever they are. Clay Scroggins knows all about this. His former boss, Andy Stanley, explains: "Clay was making a difference at North Point Community Church long before he was in charge of anything significant. Everything he touched got bigger and better whether he was in charge of it or not. In this study, Clay shares everything he learned about leading beyond his title, position, and authority. It's amazing." ~ Andy Stanley In this study you will: Learn to leverage influence instead of authority Create a game plan for leading yourself well Change the energy of your team by choosing positivity Cultivate influence by thinking critically, not being critical Avoid the trap of passivity when you feel out of control Learn an effective way to challenge people in authority over you How to Lead When You're Not in Charge will free you to become the great leader you want to be so you can make a difference right where you are. Even when you're not in charge. Sessions include: The Oddity of Leadership (16:30) Lead Yourself (15:30) Choose Positivity (16:30) Think Critically (17:00) Reject Passivity (15:00) Challenging Up (17.30) This pack contains: How to Lead When You're Not in Charge Study Guide How to Lead When You're Not in Charge Video Study DVD

This book brings the best of leadership theory and research together with biblical reflection and examples of leadership in action to offer a practical guide to Christian leaders. Combining expertise in leadership studies and biblical studies, Justin Irving and Mark Strauss explore how leadership models have moved from autocratic and paternalistic leader-centered models toward an increased focus on followers. The authors show how contemporary theories such as transformational leadership, authentic leadership, and servant leadership take an important step toward prioritizing and empowering followers who work with leaders to accomplish organizational goals. Irving and Strauss organize their book around "nine empowering practices," making it accessible to students, church leaders, and business leaders. Integrating solid research in leadership studies with biblical and theological reflection on the leadership ideas that are most compatible with Christian faith, this book is an important resource for all Christian students of leadership.

Before its first publication in 1971, the three essays that comprise Jonathan Edwards' Treatise on Grace had never appeared in a collection. This book presents these three rare pieces and his Essay on the Trinity along with brief introductory sketches to their context and their relevance to his more widely known work. The concept of divine grace was a pivotal notion in the theology of Jonathan Edwards. He had inherited a 'covenant' theology from his Puritan forebears, which supposed that the Holy Spirit was the 'agency of application' through which the Father granted grace to the elect after the Son's sacrifice. In these essays, Edwards attempts to modify this inherited doctrine. Instead of being the 'agency of application' utilised by the Father, Edwards suggests that the Holy Spirit is the gift given itself. The Treatise on Grace is a classic work of American theology from one of the country's most important theologians.

Randall Davidson was Archbishop of Canterbury for quarter of a century. Davidson was a product of the Victorian ecclesiastical and social establishment, whose advance through the Church was dependent on the patronage of Queen Victoria, but he became Archbishop at a time of huge social and political change. He guided the Church of England through the turbulence of the Edwardian period, when it faced considerable challenges to its status as the established Church, as well as helping shape its response to the horrors of the First World War. Davidson inherited a Church of England that was sharply divided on a range of issues, and he devoted his career as Archbishop to securing its unity, whilst ensuring that its voice continued to be heard both nationally and internationally. A modest and pragmatic man, he was widely respected both within the Church of England and beyond, helping to find solutions to a range of political and ecclesiastical problems. This book explores Davidson's role within the Church and in the life of Britain more broadly during his time at Canterbury. It includes a large selection of documents that help to reveal the Archbishop's character and cast light on the way in which he carried out his varied and demanding duties.

Do you have the leadership skills you need to solve problems, reach goals, and develop others? The COACH Model (R) is a radically different approach to leading people. Rather than provide answers, leaders ask questions to draw out what God has already put into others. ICF Professional Certified Coach and speaker Keith Webb teaches Christian leaders how to create powerful conversations to assist others to solve their own problems, reach goals, and develop their own leadership skills in the process. Whether leaders are working with employees, teenagers, or a colleague living in another city, they'll find powerful tools and techniques to increase leadership effectiveness. Based on first-hand experience and taught around the world, The COACH Model for Christian Leaders is packed with stories and illustrations that bring the principles and practice to life and transform leaders' conversations into powerful results.

This ambitious survey launches a major new five-volume series. It explores the response of the papacy, one of the world's longest-enduring institutions, to the multiplying challenges of the modern age. It runs from the French Revolution to the fall of the Soviet Union, ending with the pontificate of John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope since 1522. Frank Coppa examines the impact of major events like the Napoleonic conquests, Italian unification, two World Wars and the Cold War; he explores the attitudes of the papacy to such issues as liberalism, nationalism, fascism, communism and the modern, secular age; he examines the growing concern of the popes for the Catholic world beyond its traditional European home; and he tackles, objectively and judiciously, contentious topics like the "silence" of Pius XII. Engrossingly readable, the book offers a fresh and invigorating perspective on international relations across the past two centuries, and on the political and ideological emergence of the modern world, as well as its specifically papal concerns.

It has been rightly said that "Jesus is the hope of the world." While we can never argue against the importance of the power of the risen Son of God, it is also true that "the local church is the hope of the world." After all, the church is the body of Christ. Jesus manifested himself through the church. And we, as the church, are chosen and called by God to be light in the darkness and give hope to the hopeless.

For this reason, it is critical for the body of Christ—both pastors and laypeople alike—to learn how to lead like it matters. In this study guide, which accompanies the book of the same name, pastor and bestselling author Craig Groeschel shares what he has learned in more than twenty-six years of leading LifeChurch. The church began in a borrowed two-car garage, with ratty furnishings and faulty audiovisual equipment, but people were drawn there because they sensed a powerful, life-changing force that Craig calls "it." While exactly what "it" is can be difficult to define, Craig reveals seven factors that contribute to it (or at least don’t kill it):

Sessions include:

• Vision
• Divine Focus
• Unmistakable Camaraderie
• Innovative Minds
• Willingness to Fall Short
• Hearts Focused Outward
• Kingdom-Mindedness

Craig also unpacks three important realms that every leader must master: (1) prioritizing mindset over model, (2) creating systems that empower it, and (3) finding a balanced way to lead to stay centered around it. While adopting these seven factors and realms will not guarantee a church will have that "it" factor, it will certainly lead that church toward it. It will help all of us lead like it matters.

The authors draw on their combined experience to create an exciting model of congregational leadership that understands congregations as relational systems. Learn how relational processes can liberate members for ministry and mission in the world and release pastors for appropriate leadership.

An entirely new and comprehensive commentary by canon lawyers from North America and Europe, with a revised English translation of the Code. Reflects the enormous developments in canon law since the publication of the original commentary. Now in paperback.

First published in 1980, but then out of print for several years, this collection, together with The History of Ideas and Doctrines of Canon Law in the Middle Ages, presents a series of fundamental articles by the acknowledged master of medieval canon law studies. For this second edition they have been provided with extensive sections of new notes and references and the detailed indexes have been wholly revised and expanded. The volumes therefore now constitute essential works of reference for all those interested in the study of the medieval Church and its law. Ces deux collections, tout d'abord publiees en 1980, mais actuellement hors impression depuis plusieurs annees, presentent une serie de textes fondamentaux du mAcitre inconteste de l'etude du droit canon medieval. Pour cette seconde edition, elles ont ete enrichies de sections importantes de nouvelles notes et references et les index detailles ont ete entierement revises et approfondis. De ce fait, ces ouvrages constituent aujourd'hui des travaux essentiels de reference pour tous ceux interesses par l'etude de l'Eglise medievale et de son droit.

Do you want to love your neighbor as yourself but don't know where to start? This practical, accessible guide to bridging the dividing lines of politics, race, and economics, both individually and as the church, will help you amplify Jesus in your community and build God's kingdom. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus gave a two-part answer: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" and also "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love God. Love others. Jesus' simple command to love your neighbor can feel overwhelming when your neighbor looks, lives, and votes differently than you do. Racial and economic tensions across the country have resulted in deep dividing lines that seem really intimidating to cross. Docusen breaks down these lines in approachable chapters, including topics like these: how to actively seek out people you can benefit and encourage, what it means to find a diverse and supportive community that fulfills needs, examples of real-life experiences, including highlights and missteps of Docusen's ongoing journey, and how churches can teach on difficult topics with grace and truth. Neighborliness is a practical guide to bridging those dividing lines and learning to recognize and amplify the beauty of God in our communities. Backed by David's speaking and training through the Neighborliness Center, this book will help individuals and churches reach out to their neighbors, love them through Christ, and build God's kingdom.

Since it was published in 1983, the first edition of the original Twelve Keys to an Effective Church has benefited thousands of congregations around the world. The thoroughly revised and updated Twelve Keys Leaders' Guide, designed to accompany Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, offers leaders an indispensable, step-by-step resource for creating and implementing their long-range plans. It clearly shows how to examine a church's strengths and move the congregation toward action, accomplishment, and achievement. This valuable guide thoroughly explains the basic principles of the planning process and gives helpful insights into the dynamics of memory, change, conflict, and hope in congregations. You will discover possibilities to build the momentum, deepen the resources, and advance the strengths of your congregation. This important resource can also be used to help build an effective, successful business, develop a strong, healthy non-profit grouping, advance an effective, healthy college or university, and create a strong, healthy family.