With the Beatification of Monsenor Oscar Romero, our current Pope Francis has asked theologians to consider how we might allow for an expanded definition for martyrdom in the 21st century. Remembering Oscar Romero and the Martyrs of El Salvador responds to that challenge. How do we name Oscar Romero, Rutilio Grande, the U.S. churchwomen, and the Jesuits and two laywomen killed at the UCA as martyrs? Is it a new category with a new definition? Or is it simply an amplification of what we have long considered Christian witness? While there is a long history of martyrdom in Latin America, this book elaborates on four case studies for martyrdom focusing on the reality in El Salvador: Rutilio Grande, S.J. killed in 1977, Archbishop Oscar Romero killed in 1980, the U.S. churchwomen killed in 1980, and the six members of the UCA Jesuit community and their two female collaborators killed in 1989. Insights from the work of Jon Sobrino illuminate these case studies. First, his Christological insights from Jesus the Liberator and Christ the Liberator are used to analyze the reality of martyrdom, particularly in reference to the terms martyr, crucified people, and martyred people. Second, his more recent articles challenge a strict interpretation of the traditional definition of martyrdom, especially focusing on his terms Jesuanic martyr, a martyr for justice, and even a more polemic suggestion of an anonymous Christian martyr. Finally, the book concludes by combining Sobrino's insights and the reality of martyrdom today, updated with the recent scholarship in Romero's beatification process which attempts to show Romero as a martyr. In the end, the book hopes to offer some suggestions for an expanded definition of martyrdom in the 21st century. By responding to the call of Pope Francis for an expanded definition, the reality of martyrdom in Latin America might be better understood and applied to the universal church.

You’ve worked hard to achieve your dreams and goals. Many others have done the same—only to lose it all in the end. Every day, we read about successful people in various walks of life who have lost their power and influence. They’ve been fired, forced to resign, or shamed out of public life. They no longer have a market for their gifts, and they may even face criminal proceedings. These leaders have lost the trust of their companies, constituents, nations, followers, and families. Many were surprised to discover that their talents alone were not enough to prevent their downfall.

Why did they fail in the end? Because they lacked the one quality that would have protected their leadership and given them enduring influence. Ironically, this quality is seldom taught to leaders today, either formally or informally. It is the quality of moral force, or character.

Every human being is a leader over some domain as he or she exercises gifts and influence. That domain might be the halls of government, the boardroom, the classroom, the community, or the home. In The Power of Character in Leadership: How Values, Morals, Ethics, and Principles Affect Leaders, you will discover what character is, what it means to develop moral force, and how to preserve your leadership influence so that it is both effective and enduring.

"Our millennial children, as well as nonchurchgoing millennials, are both the church's greatest challenge and its most exciting new opportunity."-John Seel, PhDWarning: There is a fundamental frame of reference shift in American society happening right now among young adults. You may think of this group as millennials-those born between 1980 and 2000-but millennials resist this label for good reason: the national narrative on them is pejorative, patronizing, and just plain wrong.Here's what we do know:Of Americans with a church background, 76 percent are described as "religious nones" or unaffiliated-and it's the fastest growing segment of the population.Close to 40 percent of millennials fit this religious profile.Roughly 80 percent of teens in evangelical church high school youth groups will abandon their faith after two years in college.It's unlikely that the evangelical church can survive if it is uniformly rejected by millennials, and yet:Millennial pastors and youth ministers are disempowered; their perspective is often not taken seriously by senior church leadership.Most millennial research is framed in categories rejected by millennials; that is, left-brained, analytical communication is lost on right-brained, intuitive millennials.Evangelicals' bias toward rational left-brained thinking makes the church seem tone-deaf.What's next? Read on. John Seel suggests survival strategies-communication on-ramps for genuine human connection with the next generation. It can be done.

'Anyone contemplating the future shape of the Church will find here an accessible, practical and prayerful tool for understanding pioneer ministry.' Charity Hamilton, fresh expressions pioneer and church planter. Shier-Jones offers a theological and practical guide for pioneer ministers (both ordained and lay) and mission-minded congregations on how to initiate and support fresh expressions of Church. Drawing on Scripture as well as real-life case studies, she illustrates best practice - and highlights the possible dangers - in working to transform a God-given vision for mission into a reality.

Pragmatic Faith and the Tanzanian Lutheran Church: Bishop Erasto N. Kweka's Life and Work examines the operations and organization of the Tanzanian Lutheran church through the life and times of its longest serving diocesan bishop, Erasto N. Kweka. Amy Stambach and Aikande Kwayu develop the concept of pragmatic faith, belief-in-practice, to analyze the integration of religious experience, institutionalism, and doctrine or orthodoxy. Pragmatic faith breaks down the lingering binary found in anthropological studies of Christianity between transcendental experience and pragmatic struggle, and between religious revival as rupture or continuity. Stambach and Kwayu analyze the instrumental use of religion in practice, as well as its socially mobilized potential for revelation and transformation. A key analytic agenda of this book is to illuminate how a church that retains the organizational and ritual forms of a European mission church "became" culturally localized over time and yet, paradoxically, also existed pre-colonially. Accordingly, this book offers detailed and ethnographically-grounded perspective on how leaders and laypeople affiliated with the Tanzanian Lutheran church connect the church with other significant institutions, not only the state and the government, but also descent groups, extended families, self-help groups, and existing civic organizations, in order to live meaningfully.

Examines the rise of one of the most prolific spiritual leader of modern times 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 dozen bestsellers, 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.

Speak up.
Don’t take it so personally.
Just make a decision already.

Every day, whether they’re competing in the business world or serving in a nonprofit, women hear that they’re not enough. They’re too emotional to lead, and the way they act, speak, and even think is detrimental to success.

But in Lead Like a Woman, former Fortune 500 executive Deborah Smith Pegues shows that your uniquely female qualities can position you for success—if you know how to use them. She’ll teach you to embrace 12 traits that can help you excel as a leader, and she’ll also help you eliminate 12 tendencies that could be hindering your progress.

You will discover how to…

• develop confidence while sharpening your professional and relational skills
• let go of unproductive thoughts and habits that sabotage your success
• create a transformative, participative, and inclusive organization

Clergy suffer from certain health issues at a rate higher than the general population. Why are pastors in such poor health? And what can be done to help them step into the abundant life God desires for them? Although anecdotal observations about poor clergy health abound, concrete data from multiple sources supporting this claim hasn't been made accessible--until now. Duke's Clergy Health Initiative (CHI), a major, decade-long research project, provides a true picture of the clergy health crisis over time and demonstrates that improving the health of pastors is possible. Bringing together the best in social science and medical research, this book quantifies the poor health of clergy with theological engagement. Although the study focused on United Methodist ministers, the authors interpret CHI's groundbreaking data for a broad ecumenical readership. In addition to physical health, the book examines mental health and spiritual well-being, and suggests that increasing positive mental health may prevent future physical and mental health problems for clergy. Concrete suggestions tailored to clergy are woven throughout the book.

You were born to lead. Now it's time to become a leader. Leaders may be found in boardrooms, but they may also be found in families, schools, and organizations of all kinds--anywhere people interact, nurture, create, or build. Contrary to popular opinion, leadership is not meant for an elite group of people who, by fate or accident, become leaders while everyone else is consigned to being a lifelong follower. After personally training thousands of leaders from around the world, best-selling author Dr. Myles Munroe reports that while every person possesses the potential of leadership, many do not understand how to cultivate the leadership nature and how to apply it to their lives. In The Spirit of Leadership, Dr. Munroe defines the unique attitudes that all effective leaders exhibit, explains how to eliminate hindrances to your leadership abilities, and helps you to fulfill your particular calling in life.

• ..".a defining portrait of true and effective leadership. On these pages you will discover your purpose, your passion, and your potential to become the leader God has destined you to be." --Pastor John Hagee, Cornerstone Church
• "[Dr Myles Munroe's] wisdom is to the believer what a phone booth was to Superman! Step into every page and be charged!" --Bishop T. D. Jakes, The Potter's House of Dallas
• "The world is groaning in travail, waiting for the manifestation of those who will rise up as followers of God and leaders of men.... Dr. Myles Munroe will give you invaluable insight in your quest to discover and develop the spirit of a leader." --Pastor Rod Parsley, World Harvest Church
• "Are you aware that God has ordained you to be a leader? In The Spirit of Leadership, Dr. Myles Munroe gives us the key to find the hidden leader within ourselves. I highly recommend this inspired book to all." --Paul F. Crouch, Trinity Broadcasting Network
• "In The Spirit of Leadership, Dr. Myles Munroe taps into the core truths of authentic, successful leadership. Through decades of study and careful observation, Dr. Munroe has identified the key--the missing ingredient that activates the potential to lead found within every human being." --Marilyn Hickey, Marilyn Hickey Ministries

Becoming a Blessed Church will help you discern God's purpose and the path God is calling your congregation to walk. This book will help you find Christ in your midst and become aware of the many ways the blessings of God's Spirit flow through your congregation. This second edition includes three new practical chapters that answer the questions the author is most frequently asked.

An expert practitioner answers to questions about the burgeoning organic church movement

Neil Cole's best-selling book "Organic Church" described the fastest growing segment of contemporary Christianity-the so-called organic church. Now in this next-step book, he answers questions about how to deal with theological and organizational issues that come up. He talks about issues such has what to do with finances, children, heresy, leader training, and rituals and ordinances. Without the top-down structure of a denomination, even people who are proponents of this small, house-church model worry that they are not doing it right. Offers an important resource for anyone involved with or thinking of starting an organic or house churchAddresses practical issues of theology, rituals, doctrinal heresy, how to handle children, finances, and other important questionsWritten by an acknowledged expert who is now and has been for over twenty years an organic church planter and practitionerA new Leadership Network title and follow-up to "Organic Church "

"Church 3.0" offers solid information about organic churches based on Cole's extensive experience in starting, nurturing, and mentoring in the organic church movement.

Becoming a Blessed Church will help you discern God's purpose and the path God is calling your congregation to walk. This book will help you find Christ in your midst and become aware of the many ways the blessings of God's Spirit flow through your congregation. This second edition includes three new practical chapters that answer the questions the author is most frequently asked.

With the exception of the life of St. Nino, none of the biographies here had been previously translated into English when this book was originally published in 1956. The lives of the Georgian saints are rich and many-sided, not dry chronicles of monkish trivialities. They contain vivid descriptions of life in the Caucasus, Byzantium and Palestine. They give the reader insight into the history and aspirations of an important branch of the Eastern Church and into its relationships with Zoroastrian Persia, the Arab Caliphate, the Imperial Court of Constantinople and the whole world of mediaeval Christendom.

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.

In Pope Pius XII on the Economic Order, economist Rupert J. Ederer explores the views of Eugenio Pacelli, who served as pope during the tumultuous period of 1939 to 1958. Prodigious in his output, Pius XII produced 40 encyclicals, 19 highly regarded Christmas messages, and series of addresses to groups and organizations, laying the groundwork for the economic views of his successors. According to Ederer, it "is safe to say that no Roman pontiff has addressed the problems confronting the social order as frequently and as widely outside the formal structure of encyclicals as Pius XII. This applies in a special way to his masterful and prophetic Christmas Messages." Through the study of Pius XII's encyclicals and Christmas messages, Ederer examines this important pontiff's views on economics and the social order, the world of work, agriculture and farmers, food and population, the middle class, and the world of money and finance. Students and scholars interested in the history of Pius XII's papacy will find in Ederer's analysis an insightful study of Catholic economic thought during an era when nations representing the forces of capitalism, fascism, and Communism were joined in a fierce battle for dominance.