How do you motivate the volunteers on your staff? Are you "burning out" your best people? What can you do with the pew- sitters? Do you find it hard to ask for help? This insightful, practical book by Marlene Wilson, an international authority on volunteerism, will help you answer these and other questions about volunteers in the church. Problems in any church's volunteer program can be corrected, says Wilson. We can learn to care as much about people as we do about programs by using sound principles for human resource management. This new book for all churches points out common problems, establishes management principles, answers questions, and offers a plan to turn the volunteer challenge into a reality.

"Lee probes far beyond the rags-to-riches tale, though Bishop Jakes'riches remain. He devotes much of the book to what he sees as Bishop Jakes' dual nature: businessman and preacher."--"Dallas Morning News"

"A clearly written, thoughtful interrogation of the financially successful, though morally suspect, merger of business and religion achieved by this African American preacher-millionaire."
--"Choice," recommended

"Shayne Lee, an assistant professor of Sociology at Tulane University, has provided us with the first critical examination of the most influential African American preacher of our time. A socio-cultural biography of sorts, the author examines T.D. Jakes rise to prominence from the hills of West Virginia to multimillion-dollar religious corporate enterprise. But this book does more than follow the development of T.D. Jakes and his ministry. As the author puts it, Jakes becomes 'a prism through which the reader may learn more about contemporary American religion.' Lee contends that Jakes is an embodiment of traditional American cultural ideals and the postmodern features that inform what it means to be American in this contemporary moment."
--"Pop Matters"

"Most of the public knows about the Bishop T. D. Jakes who graced the cover of "Time" magazine, preached "Woman, Thou Art Loosed!" and filled stadiums across the country with throngs of weeping fans. But how many know about the Jakes who boasted that he didn't have enough garage space for his luxury cars, said Jesus was rich, and once tried to evict the owners of a home he had just purchased though they only had a week to pay off their debts? That portrait of Jakes comes courtesy of "T. D. Jakes: America'sNew Preacher," Shayne Lee, a sociologist and professor at Tulane University in New Orleans, asks hard questions about Jakes' ministry."
--"Atlanta Journal-Constitution"

"Jakes has risen from poverty in the mining towns of West Virginia to a multimillion-dollar faith industry based in Dallas, benefiting from the controversial trend toward prosperity religion. Lee examines the rags-to-riches life of Jakes in the broader context of changes in how Americans view religion."
--"Booklist"

"Lee offers an intriguing exploration of Jakes's popularity. His entrepreneurial spirit and multimedia approach have endeared him to millions, while his lavish lifestyle and focus on Christians' right to material prosperity continue to spark criticism. Lee avoids heavy jargon and effectively pares his study down to the essentials, making this an accessible portrait."
--"Publishers Weekly"

"Places an important contemporary African American religious leader in the context of recent trends in American religion in general and also of certain traditions of the Black Church in the African American experience. Lee's description and analysis of the phenomenon that is T.D. Jakes helps us gain a greater understanding of contemporary American religion and of African American religion as at once patently distinct but also quintessentially American."
--Milmon Harrison, Ph.D., author of "Righteous Riches: The Word of Faith Movement in Contemporary African American Religion"

T.D. Jakes has emerged as one of the most prolific spiritual leaders of our time. He is pastor of one of the largest churches in the country, CEO of a multimillion dollar empire, the host of a television program, author of a dozenbestsellers, and the producer of two Grammy Award-nominated CDs and three critically acclaimed plays. In 2001 "Time" magazine featured Jakes on the cover and asked: Is Jakes the next Billy Graham?

T.D. Jakes draws on extensive research, including interviews with numerous friends and colleagues of Jakes, to examine both Jakes's rise to prominence and proliferation of a faith industry bent on producing spiritual commodities for mass consumption. Lee frames Jakes and his success as a metaphor for changes in the Black Church and American Protestantism more broadly, looking at the ramifications of his rise--and the rise of similar preachers--for the way in which religion is practiced in this country, how social issues are confronted or ignored, and what is distinctly "American" about Jakes's emergence. While offering elements of biography, the work also seeks to shed light on important aspects of the contemporary American and African American religious experience.

Lee contends that Jakes's widespread success symbolizes a religious realignment in which mainline churches nationwide are in decline, while innovative churches are experiencing phenomenal growth. He emphasizes the "American-ness" of Jakes's story and reveals how preachers like Jakes are drawing followers by delivering therapeutic and transformative messages and providing spiritual commodities that are more in tune with postmodern sensibilities.

As the first work to critically examine Bishop Jakes's life and message, T.D. Jakes is an important contribution to contemporary American religion as well as popular culture.

Originally published in 1907, this book contains a biography of the historian and clergyman Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury. The book is divided into two parts, focussing first on Burnet's early life and career in Scotland and then on his rise and fall and rise again under the Stuart monarchs. The language used is accessible, and the authors express the hope that 'this picture of a varied career, and a vivacious personality, may attract the general reader, as well as the historical student'. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of religion in England or the life of Burnet.

A manual for securing a significant number of planned gifts for a church of any denomination or size. In order for churches and related religious institutions to advance their strategic growth initiatives, a variety of funding vehicles are required, and a planned gifts program can play an important part. A planned gifts program offers a systematic and sustainable implementation model that is formalized, progressive, and-most importantly-volunteer-based and -driven. Implementation of a planned gifts program should be centered upon the resolution of significant church needs and the advancement of God's work. The authors, both successful fundraisers, keep this motivation at the center of their implementation model.

Edmund Campion: A Scholarly Life is the response, at long last, to Evelyn Waugh's call, in 1935, for a 'scholarly biography' to replace Richard Simpson's Edmund Campion (1867). Whereas early accounts of his life focused on the execution of the Jesuit priest, this new biography presents a more balanced assessment, placing equal weight on Campion's London upbringing among printers and preachers, and on his growing stature as an orator in an Oxford riven with religious divisions. Ireland, chosen by Campion as a haven from religious conflict, is shown, paradoxically, to have determined his life and his death. Gerard Kilroy here draws on newly discovered manuscript sources to reveal Campion as a charismatic and affectionate scholar who was finding fulfilment as priest and teacher in Prague when he was summoned to lead the first Jesuit mission to England. The book argues that the delays in his long journey suggest reluctant acceptance, even before he was told that Dr Nicholas Sander had brought 'holy war' to Ireland, so that Campion landed in an England that was preparing for papal invasion. The book offers fresh insights into the dramatic search for Campion, the populist nature of the disputations in the Tower, and the legal issues raised by his torture. It was the monarchical republic itself that, in pursuit of the Anjou marriage, made him the beloved 'champion' of the English Catholic community. Edmund Campion: A Scholarly Life presents the most detailed and comprehensive picture to date of an historical figure whose loyalty and courage, in the trial and on the scaffold, swiftly became legendary across Europe.

Brad Stevens is a great coach, admired and respected for developing winning teams year after year.His patience and never-give-up attitude will take him a long way as Coach of the Boston Celtics. - Larry Bird, Boston Celtics 1978-1992; President, Basketball Operations Indiana Pacers

Coach Brad Stevens made Butler Universitythe first team to make 2 consecutive finals of the NCAA basketball tournament without being seeded #1 or #2.

Lead Like Butler is a must read for any college basketball fan. - Chris Coddington, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

...a must read forthose who desire to win in life, as well as in the arena of competition. - Jim McCoy, KDOV-TV & KDOV-FM

What becomes quickly apparent is that the enduring ideas of humility, passion, teamwork, service, gratitude, and accountability prove applicable tenants in all aspects of life.- James M. Danko, President, Butler University

Anyone who desires a more authentic pathway toward leadership and excellence will benefit from learning to Lead Like Butler. - Michael Coyner, bishop, Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church

Butler's rise to the top wasn't a fluke. This is amust read for others wanting to achieve greatness. - Billy Shepherd, Butler University, Class of 1972, and Indiana's "Mr. Basketball-1968"

Whether at work, at home, or even at play, the values of humility, passion, unity, service, thankfulness, and accountability can help you shape your group into a successful example for others.- Jamie Phillippe, Board of Trustees, Butler University, Class of 1973

Lead Like Butler is an important contribution to the canon of leadership literature on and off the hardwood. - Jennifer L. Bougher, Esq. Arent Fox, LLP (New York), member ofButler University Alumni Association Board of Directors"

The Bible provides ancient wisdom and values that can lead to a life of great success today. After years of biblical study and personal experience, William Douglas and Rubens Teixeira have identified twenty-five key principles that are of central importance to the pursuit of a successful career and life. In this practical and powerful book, readers will learn - twenty-five biblical laws of success - cures for seven sins that block success - what Solomon teaches in Proverbs about professional accomplishments - the mindset that encourages personal development - ten personal virtues coveted by the market - how to have money and success with harmony and balance in life Anyone who wants to succeed in a career or business will benefit from The 25 Biblical Laws of Success.

Ivo of Chartres was one of the most learned scholars of his time, a powerful bishop and a major figure in the so-called 'Investiture Contest'. Christof Rolker here offers a major new study of Ivo, his works and the role he played in the intellectual, religious and political culture of medieval Europe around 1100 AD. Comparing Ivo's extensive correspondence to the contemporary canon law collections attributed to him, Dr Rolker provides a new interpretation of their authorship. Contrary to current assumptions, he reveals that Ivo did not compile the Panormia, showing that its compiler worked in a distinctly different mental framework from Ivo. These findings call for a reassessment of the relationship between Church reform and scholasticism and shed new light on Ivo as both a scholar and bishop.

The roles of pastor and theologian have gone their separate ways. Throughout much of the church's history, these two roles have been deeply intertwined, but in our contemporary setting, a troubling bifurcation between them has developed. The result has been a theologically weakened church and an ecclesially weakened theology. The Center for Pastor Theologians (CPT) seeks to overcome this divide by assisting pastors in the study and production of biblical and theological scholarship for the theological renewal of the church and the ecclesial renewal of theology. Based on the first CPT conference in 2015, this volume brings together the reflections of church leaders and academic theologians to consider how pastoral ministry and theological scholarship might be reconnected once again. The contributors consider several facets of the complex identity of the pastor theologian, including the biblical, public, and political dimensions of this calling. In addition, the essays explore the insights that can be gained from historical examples of pastor theologians-including John Calvin, John Henry Newman and Dietrich Bonhoeffer-as well as the essential role of Scripture within the ministry of the pastor theologian.

Imagine an organizational model for church leadership that enables the entire team to unleash their full potential. The joy and vigor coming from a collective strength, intelligence, and skill in the community of leaders not only brings greater potency but better yields for your ministry. What would it be like to see this kind of healthy leadership reproduced into the second, third, and fourth generation, on multiple strands? Leveraging the metaphor Ori Brafman popularized in his NYT best-selling book, The Starfish and the Spider, Rob Wegner, Lance Ford, and Alan Hirsch show: How to take a close look at your church's organizational structure and how to adapt instead of simply adopt a certain kind of structural approach. How churches can function without a rigid central authority, making them nimbler in reacting to external forces. How seeding starfish networks inside today's churches will prepare the church of tomorrow to be agile while maintaining the accountability to be effective. The Starfish and the Spirit is about creating a culture where church leaders view themselves as curators of a community on a mission, not the source of certainty for every question and project. It's about creating a team of humble leaders "in the middle" of the church, not at the top--leaders who naturally reproduce multiple generations of leaders, from the middle out.

What are the conditions that allow organizations and those within them to thrive? What happens when those conditions are applied to the Church? Deeply aware that more could be done to guarantee a successful future for the Church as an organization, Keith Elford explores the challenges it faces and urges us to take a more coherent approach to the way we think about and 'do' church. In recent years, research and practical learning have taken the Church a long way from the managerialism about which many people are understandably sceptical. Thus the aim of Creating the Future of the Church is to provide a practicable framework and process to allow readers to find their own answers to ensure the Church's organizational health and effectiveness.

This short and accessible booklet helps aspiring pastors and leaders to focus on cultivating a godly desire for ministry, encouraging them to commit to a local church, inform the leaders of their desire for ministry, engage in acts of service, and patiently wait on the Lord.

A collection of five pictures which address issues and challenges pertinent (but not exclusively so) to the Black Majority Church in the UK. They sharpen understanding of the way the BMCs have come to do church, and also challenge whether the vision is to maintain the status quo or be a prophetic church. 1. Introductory address by Bishop Joe Aldred 2. Moving beyond maintenance to mission: resisting the bewitchment of colonial Christianity by Dr Robert Beckford 3. Pentecostal Hermeneutics by Revd Ruthlyn Bradshaw 4. Women in Leadership by Dr Elaine Storkey 5. Youth Culture: Friend or Foe? By the Revd Carver Anderson.

Changing Lives covers everything you need to know about working with children and families - the why to, the how to, the when to and the where to. Mark Griffiths examines the history, theology and practice of children's ministry and shares the wisdom he has gained from many years' experience of leading hundreds of groups, assemblies and youth services. In practical chapters, backed with sample resources, he shows how to communicate with children in the brave new postmodern world of church, school and community. This one stop resource covers everything from the vision for children's work to matters such as record keeping, home visits, timetables, child protection legislation and templates for lessons.

This book describes how, in adopting an organic approach to ministry development, it is possible to make a real impact on people's lives and ministries; this approach is based on the organics model proposed by James Hopewell. Backed by thorough research, and wide reading in the literature, this book nevertheless keeps in touch with what is happening in the grassroots and is realistic as well as hopeful, about what can be achieved.

In his nearly four decades of pastoral, parachurch and nonprofit ministry leadership Steve Macchia has come to understand his own brokenness. He writes: "I've experienced great success and a few embarrassing failures. . . . In essence, as much as I like to view myself as a good or even a very good leader, I'm more truthfully a blessed and broken leader, one who is daily in need of being . . . redeemed by the Spirit of God who resides in me." In these pages Steve offers the gifts of love found in 1 Corinthians 13 as the antidote to our brokenness. He writes with personal transparency from his own experience. Each chapter concludes with a powerful spiritual assessment tool to use in reflecting on our own leadership strengths and weaknesses. By embracing and befriending our own brokenness we can find true wholeness in God's strength. In these pages you will discover a new way to live in freedom and joy.

A pastor's faith is supposed to be perfect, unbreakable. But we've all known pastors who've lost their faith-and some who've even lost their way. When a pastor falls, he leaves his congregation feeling betrayed and misled. In this book, Pastor Steve King shares advice that will help fellow pastors address the "slow leaks" in their faith, empowering them to continue in their journey with Christ.