The ministry of aEURO~serving GodaEURO (TM)s wordsaEURO (TM) in the Christian church has numerous aspects, including exposition of the Bible, systematic and historical theology, church history, and the practice of pastoral ministry. This stimulating and helpful volume begins with perspectives on preaching and ministry arising from the Scriptures themselves: Richard Condie on the Ten Commandments, Paul Barker on Moses, David Peterson on Acts, David Jackman on 1 Corinthians, Allan Chapple on 1 Thessalonians, and William Taylor on 1 Timothy. Next are reflections on theological and devotional issues: Don Carson on devotional Bible reading, Graham Cole on ethics, Peter Jensen on judgment, and Michael Raiter on unction. Two concluding studies look at significant examples from church history: Gerald Bray on the Anglican Homilies, and Vaughan Roberts on Charles Simeon. Serving GodaEURO (TM)s Words was commissioned in honour of Peter Adam, whose own works Speaking GodaEURO (TM)s Words (on preaching) and Hearing GodaEURO (TM)s Words (on biblical spirituality) it seeks to complement and develop. The contributors include scholars and pastoral ministers, a combination that Peter Adam has himself so ably embodied throughout his ministry, and sought to cultivate in others.

Why did bishops turn to the papacy for advice in late Antiquity? And what does the reception of these decretals reveal about the legal and religious culture of the mid-thirteenth century? This interpretative volume seeks to explain the first decretal age of late antiquity, placing the increased demand for papal jurisprudence - long before it exerted its influence through religious fear - within its social broad context. D. L. d'Avray then traces the reception of this jurisprudence through to the mid-thirteenth century, and the post-Gratian decretal age. Along the way he explores the role of Charlemagne and 'Pseudo-Isidore', which included many genuine early decretals alongside forged ones. Similarities between the Latin world c. 400 and c. 1200 thus help explain parallels between the two decretal ages. This book also analyses decretals from both ages in chapters on pagan marriages, clerics in minor orders, and episcopal elections. For both ages the relation between canon law and other religious genres is elucidated, demonstrating many fascinating parallels and connections.

This challenging book sets out what is involved in being a Christian minister - its joys and difficulties, its responsibilities and privilege. It discusses the call to and the work of ministry; the breadth and nature of the task. How to Be a Church Minister will prove to be immensely useful across a wide spectrum of church traditions, both to those already in ministry and to those contemplating the vocation.

Once upon a time there existed a version of our faith worth living and dying for, something the world found irresistible. Men and women pursued it at the risk of persecution, job loss, and eviction from their homes, temples, and society.

What if we actually followed their lead? Perhaps it would change how we read the Bible? Perhaps it would help us understand our own faith and what we believe? Perhaps we would change the world again?

In Irresistible, pastor and author Andy Stanley shows how distortions of the gospel have left us with an anemic version of Christianity that undermines our credibility and our evangelistic effectiveness. He takes readers on a fascinating journey back in time to recover a faith so rich, so dynamic, so disruptive, that it could not be ignored, marginalized, or eradicated.

Rather than working harder to make Christianity more interesting, we need to recover what once made faith in Jesus irresistible to the world.

First full-length study of the life and career of John Henry Williams, one of the most fascinating figures of the eighteenth-century church. John Henry Williams was the vicar of Wellesbourne in south Warwickshire from 1778 until his death some fifty years later. A dedicated pastor, displaying an `enlightened and liberal' outlook, his career illuminates the Church of England's condition in the period, and also a clergyman's place in local society. However, he was not merely a country parson. A `political clergyman', Williams engaged fervently in both provincial and national political debate, denouncing the war with revolutionary France between 1793 and 1802, and published a series of forceful sermons condemning the struggle on Christian principles. To opponents, he appeared insidious and blinkered, but to admirers he was 'a sound divine, and not a less sound politician'. This book, the first to examine Williams' career in full, is a detailed, vivid, and sometimes moving, study of a man who occupies an honorable and significant position in the Church of England's history and in the history of British peace campaigning. Dr COLIN HAYDON teaches in the Department of History at the University of Winchester.

The Copts, adherents of the Egyptian Orthodox Church, today represent the largest Christian community in the Middle East, and their presiding bishops have been accorded the title of pope since the third century AD. This study analyzes the development of the Egyptian papacy from its origins to the rise of Islam. How did the papal office in Egypt evolve as a social and religious institution during the first six and a half centuries AD? How do the developments in the Alexandrian patriarchate reflect larger developments in the Egyptian church as a whole-in its structures of authority and lines of communication, as well as in its social and religious practices? In addressing such questions, Stephen J. Davis examines a wide range of evidence-letters, sermons, theological treatises, and church histories, as well as art, artifacts, and archaeological remains-to discover what the patriarchs did as leaders, how their leadership was represented in public discourses, and how those representations definitively shaped Egyptian Christian identity in late antiquity.The Early Coptic Papacy is Volume 1 of The Popes of Egypt: A History of the Coptic Church and Its Patriarchs. Also available: Volume 2, The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641-1517 (Mark N. Swanson) and Volume 3, The Emergence of the Modern Coptic Papacy (Magdi Girgis, Nelly van Doorn-Harder).

Hay muchos lideres solitarios, marcados por la dureza del ministerio, pero sobre todo por la imposibilidad de compartir con la gente que les rodea sus alegrias y sus penas.

Los lideres necesitan momentos de soledad con Dios, pero tambien necesitan una comunicacion fluida con su familia, sus colaboradores, su congregacion, con otros pastores y con sus mentores. Cuando los puentes de comunicacion se rompen, surgen el aislamiento, la depresion, el sentimiento de culpa, frustracion, desanimo y soledad. Quien cuida al cuidador? Muchas veces nadie. Cada dia cientos de lideres abandonan el ministerio, son expulsados de sus denominaciones o quedan rotos por el peso de su soledad.

"La soledad del liderazgo" aborda este dificil tema con sencillez, sin prejuicios y ofrece una guia practica mostrando personajes biblicos que tuvieron estos mismas retos y como los superaron.

There are many lonely leaders, marked by the ministry harshness, but especially by the inability to share their joys and sorrows with people around them.

Leaders need time alone with God, but they also need good communication with their families and colleagues, with the congregation and other pastors and with their mentors. When communication bridges are broken, there are isolation, depression, guilt, frustration, discouragement and loneliness.

For several years now, the Roman Catholic Church and the institution of the priesthood itself have been at the center of a firestorm of controversy. While many of the criticisms lodged against the recent actions of the Church--and a small number of its priests--are justified, the majority of these criticisms are not. Hyperbolic and misleading coverage of recent scandals has created a public image of American priests that bears little relation to reality, and Andrew Greeley's "Priests" skewers this image with a systematic inside look at American priests today.
No stranger to controversy himself, Greeley here challenges those analysts and the media who parrot them in placing the blame for recent Church scandals on the mandate of celibacy or a clerical culture that supports homosexuality. Drawing upon reliable national survey samples of priests, Greeley demolishes current stereotypes about the percentage of homosexual priests, the level of personal and professional happiness among priests, the role of celibacy in their lives, and many other issues. His findings are more than surprising: they reveal, among other things, that priests report higher levels of personal and professional satisfaction than doctors, lawyers, or faculty members; that they would overwhelmingly choose to become priests again; and that younger priests are far more conservative than their older brethren.
While the picture Greeley paints should radically reorient the public perception of priests, he does not hesitate to criticize the Church's significant shortcomings. Most priests, for example, do not think the sexual abuse problems are serious, and they do not think that poor preaching or liturgy is a problem, though the laity give them very low marks on their ministerial skills. Priests do not listen to the laity, bishops do not listen to priests, and the Vatican does not listen to any of them. With Greeley's statistical evidence and provocative recommendations for change--including a national "Priest Corps" that would offer young men a limited term of service in the Church--"Priests" offers a new vision for American Catholics, one based on real problems and solutions rather than on images of a depraved, immature, and frustrated priesthood.

Esta guia practica y concisa sobre el liderazgo cristiano efectivo llevara su liderazgo rapidamente a un nivel superior. "El arte del liderazgo"comienza en uno mismo con un enfoque en el liderazgo propio, y transiciona a la habilidad de liderar a los demas. El libro propone a los lideres el desafio de desarrollar su propio potencial y despues ocupar su vida en la de otros.

Esta obra ha sido disenada para el estudio individual o grupal, con actividades y medidas concretas que se centran en la transformacion de la vida, y cuyos resultados le mantendran ocupado en la lectura y en la practica. Ademas, puede usarse como herramienta de capacitacion para otros lideres.

Algunos de los capitulos incluyen:

Primera parte: Liderarse usted mismo

1. El lider entiende el liderazgo
2. El potencial del lider
3. El lider y La vision
4. El lider y Los objetivos
5. El lider y El tiempo
6. El lider y Las prioridades

Segunda parte: Guiar a otros

7. El Lider y Las habilidades de la gente
8. El lider y El elegir a otros lideres
9. El lider y La personalidad

This concise, practical guide to effective Christian leadership will quickly take your leadership to a higher level. "El arte del liderazgo "begins on the inside with a focus on self-leadership and then transitions to the skill of leading others. The book challenges leaders to develop their own potential and then invest their lives in others.

Designed for individual or group study, the practical action assignments focus on life transformation and the results will keep you reading and practicing. The book can be easily used as a teaching tool for training other leaders.

Sample Chapters include:

Part One: Leading Yourself

1. The Leader Understands Leadership
2. The Leader's Potential.
3. The Leader and Vision
4. The Leader and Goals
5. The Leader and Time
6. The Leader and Priorities

Part Two: Leading Others

7. The Leader and People Skills
8. The Leader and Choosing Other Leaders
9. The Leader and Personality

Throughout the nineteenth century the relationship between the State and the Established Church of England engaged Parliament, the Church, the courts and - to an increasing degree - the people. During this period, the spectre of Disestablishment periodically loomed over these debates, in the cause - as Trollope put it - of 'the renewal of inquiry as to the connection which exists between the Crown and the Mitre'. As our own twenty-first century gathers pace, Disestablishment has still not materialised: though a very different kind of dynamic between Church and State has anyway come into being in England. Professor Evans here tells the stories of the controversies which have made such change possible - including the revival of Convocation, the Church's own parliament - as well as the many memorable characters involved. The author's lively narrative includes much valuable material about key areas of ecclesiastical law that is of relevance to the future Church of England.

The Purpose Driven Church has brought focus and direction to more pastors and church leaders than you can count. What a gift ---John Ortberg, bestselling author Every church is driven by something. Tradition, finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Rick Warren believes that in order for a church to be healthy it must become a purpose-driven church, built around the five New Testament purposes given to the church by Jesus. The issue is church health, not church growth declares Warren. If your church is healthy, growth will occur naturally. Healthy, consistent growth is the result of balancing the five biblical purposes of the church. Rick Warren shares a proven five-part strategy that will enable your church to grow * warmer through fellowship * deeper through discipleship * stronger through worship * broader through ministry * larger through evangelism The Purpose Driven Church shifts the focus away from church building programs to emphasizing a people-building process. Warren says, If you will concentrate on building people, God will build the church. "

What does it mean to preside like a woman at the Eucharist? Do women do it differently, or should they? How do lay women and men experience women's priestly ministry? This is an accessible, broadly popular book, pushing the boundaries in new and unusual ways, and making a serious contribution to feminist and liturgical debate. Contributors: Alistair Barrett; Andrea Bieler; June Boyce- Tillman M.B.E.; Veronica Brady; Barbara Darling; Susan Durber; Alison Green; Mary Grey; Gillian Hill; Ann Loades C.B.E.; Dorothy McRae-McMahon A.M.; Rachel Mann; Anita Monro; Julia Pitman; David Pluss; Natalie K Watson; Val Webb.

We know leadership isn't exclusive to corner offices and multimillion-dollar budgets--some of the best leaders are the mentors and technicians who are more comfortable behind the scenes. But what if being an effective leader isn't just about having innovative ideas and high levels of productivity? What if becoming a great leader is more about prioritizing self-awareness and people skills than production and performance? Help! I Work with People is not a book about leadership theory, but rather a handbook on how to connect with people and influence them for good. With his signature transparent and relatable storytelling, Chad Veach uses modern research and biblical principles to encourage you to lean into your leadership potential regardless of your level of influence or experience. In short and easily digestible chapters, he addresses the three phases of becoming a quality leader: * learning to lead the hardest person you will ever be in charge of--yourself * recognizing the power of becoming a people person * creating a culture and environment where the team's shared vision can grow People are the most important part of life. Let's learn how to lead as if we like each other.

How can you be an effective leader-maker/leader-making church? There s a critical need right now for new leaders in churches - this should never be the preserve of the elite few. This book will help you identify, encourage and keep new leaders, planning for maximum effectiveness in the long-term future. Extract from Chapter 1 1. GOD LOVES YOUR CHURCH Main principle: God wants to build up your local church, and he provides gifts of spiritual leadership to help the flock grow. Communities of Christians come in many shapes, sizes and flavours. God is using large and small churches, multicultural and mono-cultural churches, churches with lively worship styles that appeal to the young, and churches that prefer solid older hymns, to witness to neighbourhoods and to the world. Bible-believing churches may exhibit many surface differences, but one thing is true of them all: God loves local churches. He wants to see them built up and flourishing. Local churches are God's idea, not human institutions. The Bible describes them as the household of God. It says that God lives in the middle of these communities of disciples, through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). Jesus revealed just how important churches are to God. He promised God's spiritual provision and protection as we participate in God s plans and purposes when he said, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18). Jesus is committed to building his church around the world. And in case you are still in any doubt about how valuable churches are to God, he says in Ephesians 1 that he has made Jesus head over everything in the whole universe for the church. Just imagine that - Jesus is exerting his ruling power in heaven for the good of your church here on earth. Maybe you are part of a church where this reality feels a long way from your current experience, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. God wants your church to thrive. That might not mean spectacular growth in numbers, but it will mean all the believers knowing and enjoying God and falling deeper and deeper in love with Jesus Christ.

Resourcing Rural Ministry offers an in-depth exploration of the key aspects, challenges and opportunities of mission in a rural church. Relevant for ordained and lay leaders alike, the book covers subjects ranging from encouraging evangelism in a multi-church group to making best use of church buildings. Containing a wealth of real-life case studies and suggestions for follow-up, this ecumenical publication draws on the expertise and resources of the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC), which has served the spiritual and practical needs of the rural Christian community for over 40 years. This book contributes to ARC's Germinate programme of training, development and support for rural multi-church groups of all denominations. Resourcing Rural Ministry was first developed by Simon Martin as Training and Resources Officer at the ARC. Additional chapters have been contributed by the Revd Caroline Hewlett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne and the final text has been prepared and edited by Jill Hopkinson. 'This book is packed with helpful resources and background theology that will aid the rural church to be a vibrant and relevant presence in today's society.' Revd Peter Ball, Mission and Training Officer, Eastern Synod of the URC 'Read these contributions and you'll be excited by a wealth of experience, insight and resource.' Rt Revd James Bell, Bishop of Ripon

"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.

Is successful leadership measured simply by the outcomes a leader achieves, or is there another-more essential-yardstick for measuring success? In Redefining Leadership, author, pastor, and college president Joe Stowell shows us that the best leaders are driven by Christ-formed character, and that truly successful leadership is not defined by the standards of this world but by the counterintuitive practices and perspectives of the Kingdom of Christ. With compelling personal stories and insights from the Bible, he highlights the contrast between these two radically different leadership styles and demonstrates that the teaching and example of King Jesus, the world's most unlikely leader, is the only model of leadership that leads to maximum results, results that will have an eternal impact.

Tod Bolsinger challenges Christians to rediscover the essential nature of God as a Triune community. By doing so, says Bolsinger, the church will recover its vitality as a truly life-transforming communion.
Focusing on daily living issues, the book engages writers including John Calvin and Richard Foster. Reclaiming a true trinitarian practical theology will allow Christians to reawaken and nourish a spirituality that is communal, not merely consumerist or individualistic. It will create Christian communities in which God transforms believers together into the likeness of Christ.
"It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian" is designed for pastors, worship leaders, evangelists, and other church leaders.

Cast in the form of an autobiography covering period between 1940 and 2015, After the Order of Melchizedek is, in effect, an account of the Church of England as she was during the second half of the 20th century. Anecdotal, humorous and allusive, much of the material is drawn from Adrian Leak's life as an Anglican priest including chapters on life at Oxford University, at York Minster and three country parishes. "Melchizedek gives us a glimpse of the Church of England in the second half of the 20th century, seen through the eyes of a priest whose contrasting ministries in council estate, rural parishes, and cathedrals ancient and modern, describe a mostly vanished church and different world. It is a timely warning to the Church of England not to discard completely its care for everyone, whether they go to church or not." - Nigel McCulloch, former Bishop of Manchester

As a minister of a local church, I know how easy it is to become isolated. My experience very quickly becomes confined to my own church', writes Paul Beasley-Murray. 'In such a situation it makes such a difference to read how others "do church", not in order to adopt ideas wholesale, but to take and adapt that which would be appropriate.' With warmth, originality and skill, Paul Beasley-Murray shares his pastoral wisdom with the wider church family. This is a book to dip into again and again. Readers will find it a trusted teacher, guide and stimulus to further thinking. Everywhere the author's personality shines through, though Paul Beasley-Murray is at pains to point out that he is only a learner, leading a church that is still very much on a journey. Each chapter ends with Scriptures to reflect on.