If you've ever had to run a meeting according to parliamentary procedures, you know just how difficult it is to keep track of all the rules, much less follow them. Figuring out what to say and how to say it seems an impossible task. "Robert's Rules in Plain English, 2nd Edition", is the solution to that problem. Not only does it provide you with the essential, basic rules in simple, straightforward English, it also includes summaries, outlines, charts, and sample dialogues so you can see exactly how these rules work in practice.

Christians sing because we are people of hope. Yet our hope is unlike other kinds of hope. We are not optimists; nor are we escapists. Christian hope is uniquely shaped by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and by the promise of our own future resurrection. How is that hope both expressed and experienced in contemporary worship? In this volume in the Dynamics of Christian Worship series, pastor, theologian, and songwriter Glenn Packiam explores what Christians sing about when they sing about hope and what kind of hope they experience when they worship together. Through his analysis and reflection, we find that Christian worship is crucial to both the proclamation and the formation of Christian hope. The Dynamics of Christian Worship series draws from a wide range of worshiping contexts and denominational backgrounds to unpack the many dynamics of Christian worship-including prayer, reading the Bible, preaching, baptism, the Lord's Supper, music, visual art, architecture, and more-to deepen both the theology and practice of Christian worship for the life of the church.

This volume completes the edition of the two earliest manuscript Chapter Act books of Westminster Abbey, which is now the first cathedral or collegiate church to have all its Chapter Acts fully in print from the Reformation to the Civil War. It records the formal decisions of the Abbey's governing authority, many involving grants of office and leases of the Abbey's large and widely-scattered estate, principally in the midlands and the south-east, and especially in Westminster itself. A full introduction brings out the value of the documents in placing the Abbey in the tumultuous history of the church under James I and Charles I.

The two themes brought together in this volume - the canon law and the liturgy of the early medieval Latin Church - have close links, as these articles reveal. At the basis of this lies that fact that the collections and manuscripts with which Professor Reynolds is concerned provide the source material for both fields of study. In the book particular emphasis is given to the Irish Collection canonum hibernensis and its many derivatives, to works from Carolingian Salzburg and eleventh-century Southern Italy, and to liturgical collections. The whole illustrates the need for liturgiologists to be aware of the riches in medieval legal sources, and for legal historians to take account of the wealth of liturgical material that is a principal ingredient of the law of the Church; and demonstrates how much one field can contribute to understanding the development and to the dating of the other. Les deux themes reunis dans ce volume - le droit canon et la liturgie de l'Eglise Latine du haut moyan-Acge - ont, comme le revele ce groupe d'articles, des liens tres etroits. Ceci reposant sur le fait que les collections et manuscrits, auxquels le professeur Reynolds s'interesse, apportent la substance se trouvant A la source de ces deux terrains d'etudes. Dans le livre, une importance particuliere est donnee au Collectio canonum hibernensis irlandais et A ses multiples derivations, ainsi qu'aux travaux issus de Salzburg A l'epoque carolingienne A ceux provenant d'Italie meridionale au 11e s. et aux collections liturgiques. L'ensemble illustre la nesessite pour les specialistes en liturgie d'Atre conscients de l'abondance de sources legales medievales et pour les historiens du droit de tenir compte de la richesse en matiere liturgique et que forme l'un des ingredients principaux du droit de l'Eglise; il demontre aussi combien un domaine peut contribuer e la comprehension du developpement et A l'assignation de date

The question these articles seek to respond to, in this fifth collection by Jean Gaudemet to be published by Variorum, is how the intellectual elite of the medieval Church perceived the institutions among which they lived - how they portrayed them, and how they sought to influence them. Whether dealing with the papacy and its place in the Church and the world, with the role of the people in government, or with the position of the individual in society, he would argue that this is the essential question. In their response, this elite drew on the Bible and custom, on Roman law and papal letters, in order that the law could encompass all human experience. To achieve this, these jurists needed to create categories and work out principles, hence the recourse to theology and the necessity for a logical structure, a 'systematization'. Ce volume reunit dix-sept etudes parues dans diverses revues ou recueils de Melanges entre 1988 et 1992. Toutes concernent La doctrine canonique medievale telle qu'elle s'exprime (principalement du VIe au XIIIe siecle) A propos des institutions de l'Eglise et de ses relations avec la societe seculiere. Comment l'elite intellectuelle des hommes de l'Eglise medievale a-t-elle perAu les institutions au milieu desquelles elle vivait? Quelle image a-t-elle voulu en donner? Dans quelle voie esperait-elle les orienter? Qu'il s'agisse de la Papaute, de se place dans l'Eglise et dans le Monde, du rAle du Peuple dans le gouvernement, du sort de l'individu dans le group social, de l'entree dans l'Eglise et de la condition de ceux qui lui restent etrangers, la question reste la mAme: Comment le droit peut-il saisir l'infinie variete de l'histoire des hommes?

Several different approaches to medieval legal history are evident in these articles. The first group uses law to investigate the principles that governed society, whether clearly articulated or not, and to ask how the intellectual structures of the ius commune affected the institutions of government and the presuppositions of the people. The second group of articles illustrates the importance of returning to the manuscript sources of later medieval texts, rather than relying on the early printed editions. In both parts Professor Pennington also focuses on the lives of individual jurists, contending that these provide a key to the understanding of their thought, their position in society, and the connections between the two. One of these articles is published for the first time here, while a number of others have been revised and up-dated for publication. Plusieures approches differentes A l'histoire legale du Moyen Age sont refletees au travers de ces articles. Le premier groupe se sert de la loi pour explorer les principes qui gouvernaient la societe - que ceux-ci soient clairement exprimes ou non - et afin de demander comment les structures intellectuelles de l'ius commune affectaient les institutions gouvernementales et les presuppositions du peuple. Le second groupe illustre l'importance du retour aux sources manuscrites des textes medievaux tardifs, plutAt que de se fier A des impressions anciennes. Au travers des deux parties du volume, le professeur Pennington se concentre aussi sur la vie de certains juristes, avanAant qu'il s'agit lA d'une des clefs permettant de comprendre leur pensee, leur place dans la societe et le rapport entre ces deux facteurs. Un des articles est publie ici pour la premiere fois, alors qu'un certain nombre d'autres ont ete revises et mis A jour pour leur reimpression.

A wise and perceptive portrait of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the newly elected Bishop of Rome and 266th Pope, now in a revised and greatly expanded new edition 'An exhaustive look at the newest pope ... a highly worthwhile resource for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.' Kirkus 'a superb guide into one of the most pivotal personalities of the 21st century' Publishers Weekly Pope Francis has enchanted and bewildered the world in equal measure with his compassion and his contradictions. Expanding greatly on his acclaimed earlier book Pope Francis: Untying the Knots, Paul Vallely reexamines the complex past of Jorge Mario Bertoglio and adds nine new chapters, revealing many untold, behind-the-scenes stories from his first years in office that explain this Pope of paradoxes. Vallely lays bare the intrigue and in-fighting surrounding Francis's attempt to cleanse the scandal-ridden Vatican Bank. He unveils the ambition and arrogance of top bureaucrats resisting the Pope's reform of the Roman Curia, as well as the hidden opposition at the highest levels that is preventing the Church from tackling the sex abuse crisis. He explains the ambivalence of Pope Francis towards the role of women in the Church, which has frustrated American Catholic women in particular. And Vallely charts the battle lines that are being drawn between Francis and conservatives and traditionalists talking of schism in this struggle for the soul of the Catholic Church. Consistently Francis has show a willingness to discuss issues previously considered taboo, such as the ban on those who divorce and remarry receiving Communion, his liberal instincts outraging traditionalists in the Vatican and especially in the Church hierarchy in the United States. At the same time, many of his statements have reassured conservative elements that he is not, in fact, as radical as he might appear. Behind the icon of simplicity that Pope Francis projects is a steely and sophisticated politician who has learned from the many mistakes of his past. The Pope with the winning smile was previously a bitterly divisive figure. In his decade as leader of Argentina's Jesuits left that religious order deeply split. His behavior during Argentina's Dirty War, when military death squads snatched innocent people from the streets, raised serious questions. Yet after a period of exile and what he has revealed as 'a time of great interior crisis' he underwent an extraordinary transformation - on which Vallely sheds new and fascinating light. The man who had been a strict conservative authoritarian was radically converted into a listening participative leader who became Bishop of the Slums, making enemies among Argentina's political classes in the process. Charting Francis's remarkable journey to the Vatican and his first years at work there, Paul Vallely has produced a deeply nuanced and insightful portrait of perhaps the most influential person in the world today. 'Pope Francis,' he writes, 'has not just demonstrated a different way of being a pope. He has shown the world a different way of being a Catholic.'

Security for Holy Places is the first comprehensive security guide for religious associations and organizations. While focused on houses of worship (and schools and centers connected to them), the guide also provides important information on securing religious summer camps and its guidance can be used for any faith-based organization, senior center, day care, or school. The book includes chapters on: overall threat types of weapons used by intruders perimeter and inside security where to get professional help how to build a security plan what to know when hiring guards armed versus unarmed guards & volunteers gun laws mental health issues how to use volunteers effectively to strengthen security information on technology that can strengthen the protection of holy places and their immediate surroundings security for day and overnight camps guidance on how to organize security committees to strengthen security checklists for congregations and camps to use immediately

At the beginning of the fourteenth century, anarchy in Italy led to the capital of the Christian world being moved from Romefor the first and only time in history. It was a critical moment, and it resulted in seven successive popes remaining in exile for the next seventy years. The city chosen to replace Rome was Avignon. And depending on where you stood at the time they were seventy years of heaven, or of hellopinions invariably ran to extremes, as did the behaviour of the popes themselves.

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.

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.

Jesus faced amazing pressure and overwhelming demands throughout his ministry, but he did not experience the burnout so common today among Christian ministers and laypersons. You can learn the rhythm of living that Jesus demonstrates throughout the Gospels.

THE CYCLE OF GRACE examines 4 components of a grace-filled life: Acceptance, Sustenance, Significance, and Fruitfulness.

Trevor Hudson introduces each part of the Cycle of Grace in a short video segment (available at YouTube.com or books.upperroom.org/blog/book/the-cycle-of-grace).

In the workbook Jerry Haas provides practical exercises for individuals and groups, complete with suggestions for journaling, a Leader's Guide, and several useful appendixes

This 6-week study is a must-have resource for clergy and lay leaders.

This resource, written by late counselor David Powlison, seeks to gracefully and humbly encourage pastors to think of counseling as a relational and pastoral task focused on the care and cure of the souls of God's people.

This engrossing book encompasses the extraordinary history of the papacy, from its beginnings to the present day. This new edition covers the unprecedented resignation of Benedict XVI and the election of the first Argentinian pope.
Praise for the earlier editions:
"Duffy enlivens the long march through church history with anecdotes that bring the different pontiffs to life. . . . "Saints and Sinners" is a remarkable achievement."--Piers Paul Read, "The Times" (London)
"A distinguished text . . . offering plenty of historical facts and sobering, valuable judgments."--Henry Chadwick, "New York Times Book Review"
"Will fascinate anyone wishing to better understand the history of the Catholic Church and the forces that have shaped the role of the papacy."--Gloria J. Tysl, "Christian Century"

Register of capable ecclesiastical administrator shows him imposing order on impoverished war-ton Carlisle diocese. Gilbert Welton was an eminent ecclesiastical administrator who won papal favour when visiting the Curia at Avignon. He recruited qualified staff before settling in the impoverished, war-torn diocese of Carlisle, which had not beenaccustomed to a resident bishop or to a high standard of episcopal government. His professionalism is reflected in the professional quality of his register. Among its contents are a dozen records of matrimonial causes (one Carlisle woman was divorced twice in six weeks); of further social interest are the 59 wills of laymen and beneficed clergy, many of them victims of the second visitation of the Black Death in 1362. This volume offers a calendarof the whole manuscript, with an appendix of full Latin texts of entries of special interest.

A gentle new way for church leader's to survive stress and burnout

Bruce Miller debunks the idea of balance--basically trying to have it all, all the time. Most churches and their pastors try to do everything at once and feel guilty if any one aspect (worship, ministries, outreach, etc.) is neglected. He replaces the exhausting concept of balance with the idea of rhythm: churches, like people, need to give attention to different programs and ministries at different times, basically by attending to their seasons and cycles.Offers an innovative new model for church leadersMiller has been influential in the formation and promotion of "Church-Based Training" as in international movementOffers a proven method for avoiding burnout for church leaders and members by doing the right things at the right time

The author offers much-need help to overwhelmed leaders and shows them how to apply Miller's seasonal/cyclical approach to church life.

"Effective Church Growth Strategies" outlines the biblical foundations necessary for raising healthy churches. Dr. Joseph Wall and Dr. Gene Getz examine the three stages of church growth—the logical stage, the practical stage and the progressive stage—while showing the benefits and potential pitfalls of each of these stages. The authors' study of Scripture, history and our culture will spark a new vision for today's church leaders.

Learn to Live and Lead a Life of Authentic Worship The Way of Worship is a practical, hands-on guide for readers seeking to better equip themselves as worshipers and worship leaders. Written by veteran worship leader Michael Neale and worship-theologian Dr. Vernon M. Whaley, this book combines skillful storytelling and biblical wisdom to help guide readers through the scriptural foundations and essential practices of worship. This book is ideal for anyone wanting a deeper more biblical understanding of what worship truly is, including: Worship leaders Pastors Youth pastors Worship team members College or seminary students training for ministry Each chapter takes you on a journey of discovery through different important facets of worship. Each chapter features: River Story: Episodes in each chapter take you on a white-water rafting adventure and draw connections to the role of a worship leader Biblical Application: Provides concrete application of biblical principles to worship based on the most recent episode of the River Story Essential Wisdom: Addresses important issues facing worship leaders on a week-to-week basis Scripture Focused: Every chapter features an abundance of relevant Scripture passages to help you understand what the Bible really says about worship Engaging, wise, and thoroughly steeped in Scripture, The Way of Worship is the go-to guide for Christians who desire to live and lead authentic worship.

Has God Put An Impossible Dream In Your Heart? If God's hand is on your life, you probably feel like an ordinary person with an extraordinary goal. Your God-given dream is way too big for your abilities. Too big for your budget. Too big for your facilities. Too big to be humanly possible. Joyce Meyer knows from a lifetime of experience that nothing is too big for God. A nationally acclaimed teacher and leader- she's walked in your shoes. She knows the frustrations and triumphs you'll experience in your spiritual journey. She's exceptionally qualified to help you discover how to: -Find your unique calling for ministry. -Determine which spiritual gifts you have been given. -Develop your full God-given potential. -Empower your dreams through effective action. -Encourage and build up the people under your authority. -Manage your attitudes and emotions. -Live a balanced life that honors God in every way. -And much more. Practical, honest and thoroughly realistic, Joyce's teaching cuts straight to the heart of the issues that matter most. She'll challenge you to trust God and step out in total obedience to His high calling for your life. If you're ready to make a powerful difference in your world, ready to give God your utmost, then A Leader in the Making has the guidance you need to succeed.

If I had known the Enneagram earlier in my ministry, I would have been a much better pastor. When this thought came to Todd Wilson, he had already served as a pastor in several churches for the better part of fifteen years and was successfully leading a large, historic, and diverse congregation. He'd started out in ministry with a strong education in everything from biblical exegesis and homiletics to organizational development and Christian education. However, at its root, pastoral ministry is about shepherding, serving, leading, and loving people, and Todd realized that what he lacked was wisdom about how people work. He says, "When it came to empathetically shepherding people and sensitively engaging their manifold personalities and diverse ways of seeing the world, I was an amateur." Whether you are on a church staff or leading a small group, you will find that the insights from the Enneagram that have helped many grow in self-awareness can be applied to life in our faith communities. The Enneagram can help us to become better teachers. It can influence how we develop worship and Christian education. And it can guide us in building and leading teams. It's time to take the Enneagram to church-and to allow it to shape our life together.

Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. But as the modern cultural norm of what social scientists call "radical American individualism" extends itself, many Christians grow lax in their relational accountability to the church. Faith threatens to become an "I" not "us," a "my God" not "our God" concern."When the Church Was a Family "calls believers back to the wisdom of the first century, examining the early Christian church from a sociohistorical perspective and applying the findings to the evangelical church in America today. With confidence, author Joseph Hellerman writes intentionally to traditional church leaders and emerging church visionaries alike, believing what is detailed here about Jesus' original vision for authentic Christian community will deeply satisfy the relational longings of both audiences.

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 Lead Yourself Choose Positivity Think Critically Reject Passivity Challenging Up Designed for use with the How to Lead When You're Not in Charge Video Study 9780310095934 (sold separately).