Tracing her family history from 1816, the author provides a fascinating account of five generations of missions activity. Covers the founding of the WEC mission organisation, and missionaries in sucessive generations of the family: Royal Wilder, Robert Wilder, Grace Hoyte (nee Wilder), Elizabeth Goldsmith (nee Hoyte), Ruth Valerio (nee Goldsmith).

This volume is an all-in-one publication introducing students and teachers at all levels of Theology to almost the entire spectrum of theologies and hermeneutics in Africa and the western world. Although a strong emphasis is placed on the contribution of Africa to Christian Theology there is no hidden agenda to tell the reader what the only 'sound' theology is. Contributors had total freedom to expand on their fields of specialization and readers can make up their own minds.

Everything you need to know about church administration This substantial resource offers pastors and church leaders practical insight into the daily issues of running a church. Conceived and compiled by the editors of Leadership journal, this book covers the full spectrum of ministry practice. You will learn about perennial topics such as ??? time management ??? negotiating the terms of a call ??? handling crisis and conflict ??? hiring and managing staff ??? conducting special fund drives ??? spending church money ???dealing with tax and law considerations This revised and expanded edition of a proven ministry resource contains new contributions from prominent ministry leaders. Contributors include Leith Anderson, Rick Warren, Brian McLaren, John Ortberg, Aubrey Malphurs, and many others. James D. Berkley is the editor of Your Church and contributing editor of Leadership journal. He has served as a pastor for more than twenty years.

This is an accessible two-part introduction to key periods of Christian history. Faith in the Byzantine World For many people the Byzantine world is an intriguing mystery. Here, Mary Cunningham presents readers with an ideal guide to this most fascinating of empires. Covering the period between 330 and 1453, the author begins by providing an outline of the history of the Byzantine Church, and then looks at key aspects of its outward expression, including the solitary ideal; holy places and holy people; service to the community; the nature of belief; and art, architecture and icons. Faith in the Medieval World The medieval period constituted a turbulent stage in religious history. Gillian R. Evans begins her immersive account by providing an overview of the development of Christianity in the West in the Middle Ages, before looking at key aspects of medieval faith: the Bible and belief; popular piety and devotion; the Crusades and the idea of 'holy war'; politics and the Church; rebellion against authority; and the road to Reformation. This analysis is a must for all those keen to understand one of the most enthralling periods of history.

The New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid individuals in every walk of life in the study and meditation of God's Word. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, it offers insight and perceptive scholarship to help you unlock the deeper truths of Scripture and garner an awareness of the history, culture, and context attributed to each book of study. Readable, relevant, and academically thorough, it offers scholars, pastors, and laity a new standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible in the 21st century.Each volume features: Completely New Scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan traditionConvenient Introductory Material for each book of the Bible including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, hermeneutical issues, and moreClear Verse-by-Verse Explanations, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the passage's original languageComprehensive Annotation divided into three sections, which cover background elements behind the text; verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text; and significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application from the textHelpful Sidebars, which provide deeper insight into theological issues, word meanings, archeological connections, historical relevance, cultural customs, and moreExpanded Bibliography for further study of historical elements, additional interpretations, and theological themesThe books of Samuel constitute an important part of the larger literacy work that extends from Joshua through Kings, which modern scholars refer to as the Deuteronomistic History. These books provide a vital literary and historical link in the Bible's overall presentation of Israel's past.

Born without a dowry, nearly forced into a convent, and later married off to a man she didn't love, Olimpia Maidalchini vowed never to be poor, powerless, or beholden to any man again. Instead, using her wits, Olimpia became the unofficial ruler of the most powerful institution in the world: the Roman Catholic Church.

The Church firmly states that women must be excluded from church leadership positions--but for more than a decade in the seventeenth century, Olimpia ran the Vatican. As sister-in-law and reputed mistress of the indecisive Pope Innocent X, she appointed cardinals, negotiated with foreign ambassadors, and helped herself to a heaping portion of the Papal States' treasury.

In Mistress of the Vatican, New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman brings to life not only an extraordinary woman lost in history but an entire civilization in all its greatness . . . and ignominy. This is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time.

Hereford and Oxford in the century following the Restoration were two widely contrasting sees. Hereford was old, dating from ad 676, and large, sprawling over Herefordshire, half of Shropshire and small parts of other border counties. The Oxford diocese, on the other hand, dated from just 1542 and was compact, merely covering the county of Oxfordshire. This interesting book concerns a much-overlooked period in history, drawing on little-known original sources to build a picture of the administration of these disparate dioceses. There are fascinating insights into the working of the church courts (which controlled people's lives in a way and to an extent that would be unacceptable today), portrayals of the key figures in both sees, and an analysis of diocesan patterns of welfare and education provision. William Marshall's research also reveals that there was a strong commitment to repair - or to build new - places of worship, and to make good the damage caused to Church infrastructure during the civil wars of the 1640s. The closing chapters go on to examine the work of the bishops, their social origins, their academic standards, their efficiency and diligence. As a group, they certainly cut a more energetic and conscientious figure than has often been supposed, and for the most part, the author argues, they were competent men who saw and acknowledged the weaknesses of the Church and sought to address them. In a departure from commonly held wisdom, what emerges from William Marshall's research is that in many places the Church at the time was very much alive, and even vigorous. Its worst failings were, he claims, in its social welfare and in the tedium of its worship for the mass of the people, but here, at this time, it was certainly neither asleep nor decadent.

Every day, we do commonplace things and interact with ordinary people without giving them much thought. This volume offers a theological guide to thinking Christianly about the ordinary nature of everyday life. Leading ethicist Brent Waters shows that the activities and relationships we think of as mundane are actually expressions of love of neighbor that are vitally important to our wellbeing. We live out the Christian gospel in the contexts that define us and in the routine chores, practices, activities, and social settings that give ordinary life meaning. It is in those contexts that we discover what we were created for, to be, and to become.

A practical and personal approach to apologetics for students. How many times has your teacher asked you a question, and you stare blankly at the ceiling, hoping to discover the answer lingering there? It s frustrating when we don t know the answers to the questions we re asked by others, but it can be even more frustrating when we don t know the answers to the questions we are asking ourselves. Have you ever asked one of these questions? * Does what I think really matter? * What is truth? * Is God there? * Has God spoken? * Am I important enough? * Am I good enough? * What s so great about heaven? If you ve ever wondered about any of these questions, you ve come to the right place. In Living with Questions, Dale Fincher will help you look at each of these questions in such a way that you ll discover clues, helpful tools, and answers---and what they all mean for your life and your faith. The answers you find will put you on a path to dig deeper and gain confidence in your faith. As Dale addresses the big questions that he s been asked by students across the country, you ll find that you re not alone in your doubt, confusion, or questioning. As you learn to live with questions, even the answers are only steps in the right direction. You ll find how they whet the appetite to go deeper into your purpose on this planet and to discover something big---yet very personal---that s worth living for."

Sounding Forth the Trumpet brings to life one of the most crucial epochs in America's history--the events leading up to and precipitating the Civil War. In this enlightening book, readers live through the Gold Rush, the Mexican War, the skirmishes of Bleeding Kansas, and the emergence of Abraham Lincoln, as well as the tragic issue of slavery.

Helps lay readers examine the claims about missing secret gospels and other early forms of Christianity. This work presents samples of extra-biblical materials and compares them to biblical texts, enabling readers to make their own judgments.

With the same compassion and wisdom that powered his phenomenal bestseller When Bad Things Happen to Good People, Harold Kushner addresses a need that is universal and timeless -- the wish for a meaningful life.

Why is it that, after attaining many of our goals, we are left with a sense that something vital is missing? In his deeply inspiring bestseller, Rabbi Kushner shows us how to live as human beings are meant to. He guides us to a heightened sense of joy, purpose, and meaning, and helps us to redirect our energies toward goals that will bring us lasting happiness and true fulfillment.

People long for reality in their walk with Christ. To attain that heartfelt need, Adrian Plass in his profound but endearing style engages with three deeply significant aspects of Jesus - how he is safe, tender and extreme. The safety we find in Jesus is only discovered at a price, which may be suffering or the witnessing of suffering. Jesus himself was able to battle through the agony of Gethsemane because at the deepest level he was safe in the love of his Father. And he also knew that obedience is the surest path to ultimate security. Are we able to embrace the safety of Jesus?The tenderness of Jesus can be one of the most life-sustaining things of creation. We can see it in the people around us and we can see it in the Bible, such as in accounts of Jesus himself, especially his dealings with the widow of Nain. Many people may find it difficult to receive the tenderness of God, but, like Peter confronted with his rooftop vision, we may be called to a new understanding and a fresh revelation. Do we experience the tenderness of Jesus?The extreme Jesus was actually, from a divine perspective, not extreme at all. After all, Jesus only ever did what he saw his Father doing. Some of his behaviour may seem trivial or mundane to us while other actions appear dramatic, such as clearing out the temple with a knotted rope, asserting that a dying girl was actually asleep and would soon be awake, or being extremely rude to important people. All of his actions reveal his total commitment to obedience. Whatever needed to be done would be done, regardless of how it would appear to human eyes. Is Jesus the solid ground on which our feet stand? With him at the centre of our lives are we willing and able to be extreme for God in the big and little and mild and dramatic and banal and bizarre acts of service that are required of us?Each of the three sections is accompanied by personal experiences of encountering Jesus, safe, tender and extreme, some of them very raw indeed, and the book ends with a selection of prayers for readers who would like to respond to the issues that have been covered.

Over the course of its growth in modern China, Christianity has faced twists and turns in its embedding in Chinese society and indigenous culture. This three-volume book delineates the genesis and trajectory of Christianity's indigenization in China over the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The first volume focuses on the presence of Christianity during the late Qing dynasty and the early twentieth century, discussing the early waves of Christian influence in China. Volume 2 discusses Christianity's encounter with the turbulent history in the 1920s and responses of Chinese church to criticisms and backlash against Christianity. The final volume analyzes the endeavors of Christianity to adapt to the changing social environments between the late 1920s and the end of the 20th century. With a highlight on the relationship between the development of Christianity and modern Chinese history, the book will appeal to scholars and students interested in the history of Christianity in China and also modern Chinese history.

This is an accessible two-part introduction to Christianity's expansion. The Expansion of Christianity Christianity developed from its beginnings as a persecuted sect in an outpost of the Roman empire to become the largest religion on earth. This narrative focuses on missionary pioneers, and also examines individual continents to assess how Christian mission has moved forward despite many periods of retreat. Timothy Yates's account provides a rich and enlightening introduction to the development of this major worldwide faith. Christianity and the Celts In recent years the term 'Celt' has become synonymous with mystery and the 'other-worldly'. Ted Olsen digs beneath the layers of romanticization to introduce readers to the world of the Celts and its key figures. The author focuses on the principal characters from Ireland and beyond, highlighting their missionary fervour and monastic ideals. In bringing a distant period of history vividly to life, this account is an engaging portrait of men and women whose ability to intrigue and fascinate is as strong as it ever was.

An intimate understanding of God lays the foundation for making life changes. Encounter Him for yourself as you make His characteristics a part of your daily patterns.Holy Habits tells how the authors' examination of the names of God enabled them to begin living intentionally.Learn to develop a lasting relationship with God that will give you a life full of purpose and direction.Includes discussion questions.- 12-session Bible study

James is a letter written to a suffering church to spur them on to live authentic lives of faith. Faith: A Bible Study on James for Women guides you in an in-depth study of the letter of James. One of the few truly inductive Bible studies written for women, Faith will impress the truths of James upon your heart and equip you to more effectively study any book of the Bible. With each week's chapter divided into sections for five days of study, it can be used as a tool for personal devotions or to guide discussion among groups of any size. Studying James using this resource will cause you to delight in the Scriptures and encourage you to live more effectively for Jesus and his gospel.

The instant Sunday Times bestseller A Times, New Statesman and Spectator Book of the Year 'Simply the best popular history of the Middle Ages there is' Sunday Times 'A great achievement, pulling together many strands with aplomb' Peter Frankopan, Spectator, Books of the Year 'It's so delightful to encounter a skilled historian of such enormous energy who's never afraid of being entertaining' The Times, Books of the Year 'An amazing masterly gripping panorama' Simon Sebag Montefiore 'A badass history writer... to put it mildly' Duff McKagan 'A triumph' Charles Spencer Dan Jones's epic new history tells nothing less than the story of how the world we know today came to be built. It is a thousand-year adventure that moves from the ruins of the once-mighty city of Rome, sacked by barbarians in AD 410, to the first contacts between the old and new worlds in the sixteenth century. It shows how, from a state of crisis and collapse, the West was rebuilt and came to dominate the entire globe. The book identifies three key themes that underpinned the success of the West: commerce, conquest and Christianity. Across 16 chapters, blending Dan Jones's trademark gripping narrative style with authoritative analysis, Powers and Thrones shows how, at each stage in this story, successive western powers thrived by attracting - or stealing - the most valuable resources, ideas and people from the rest of the world. It casts new light on iconic locations - Rome, Paris, Venice, Constantinople - and it features some of history's most famous and notorious men and women. This is a book written about - and for - an age of profound change, and it asks the biggest questions about the West both then and now. Where did we come from? What made us? Where do we go from here? Also available in audio, read by the author.

The Lord's Prayer, the prayer that Jesus taught us, is one of the most familiar and beloved of all prayers. But familiarity has dulled its radical edge. In this close reading, Crosby shows how the "Our Father" summarizes the themes in the Gospel of Matthew, especially those of social justice. If we recite this prayer faithfully, we are responding to Jesus' call to reject the worship of idols, to engage in right relationships with our neighbors, and to commit ourselves to the project of the Kingdom of God -- that God's will may truly be done "on earth as it is in heaven."

James Waltner's immense study of the Psalms merits close attention and wide use. It is a commentary that is well informed on critical issues but, more importantly, is alive and alert to theological, pastoral concerns. Waltner reads the Psalms in and for the church, and makes connections that will serve the pastoral, liturgical, devotional life of the church. 836 Pages.

Michael Reeves tells the story of the Reformation in a fast-paced style. John Stott (text updated with permission) takes the story forward, looking at the essence of the evangelical faith, and our responsibility now to hold it fast, and to pass it on. In an Appendix, Alan Purser asks us to re-examine what Jesus was praying for in John 17, when he asked his Father that the church may be one. This passage has been misunderstood and mis -preached for centuries. The book, carefully footnoted, includes a Timeline, running from the earliest 'heretik' martyr in Scotland in 1407 to the production of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. We have the precious and eternal gospel' passed down to us through the courage of the Reformers', said the book's Editor, Julia Cameron.'This modest volume gives readers an easy grasp of the racy history of events in Europe. More than that, it shows why we need to know about the Reformation now.'