Wat Moet Ons Met Ons Kerk Doen? is 'n poging om te probeer verstaan waar ons as Afrikaners teologies vandaan kom, watter kragte en magte ons en ons Kerk gevorm het en hoe ons Kerk tans daar uitsien.

Die N.G.Kerk was 'n belangrike en rigtinggewende rolspele in die opheffing van die Afrikaner na die Britse vergrype tydens en na die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog. Tans word die N.G.Kerk ervaar as 'n instansie wat ongevoelig teenoor die geestelike behoeftes van haar lidmate staan.

Hierdie is 'n moet-lees boek vir:

• Lidmate wat ons Kerk graag wil help om 'n gesonde, geestelike tuiste vir Suid-Afrikaners van die 21ste eeu te bied.
• Die klakkelose napraters van die dogma wat dink ons Kerk is steeds op die regte pad.
• Die plastiekpredikante van die radio en televisie wat met eentonige reëlmaat soetsappige, sogenaamd godsdienstige, pleisters plak.
• Diegene wat reeds ons Kerk tot die ashoop van die geloof verdoem het.

In hierdie boek kyk Jean Oosthuizen krities na die NG Kerk se geskiedenis sedert Jan van Riebeeck se aankoms in die Kaap, tot waar die kerk vandag is. In sy bestaan van meer as 350 jaar het die NG Kerk en die Nasionale Party so verstrengel geraak dat die kerk as “die Nasionale Party in gebed” bekend gestaan het. Die teoloog Ferdinand Deist se voorspelling in die laat tagtigerjare dat die kerk sal ondergaan wanneer apartheid tot ’n einde kom, blyk vandag in die kol te wees.

As instelling wat apartheid uit die Bybel geregverdig en verdedig het, het die kerk se vernietigende invloed nie alleen gemeenskappe in Suid-Afrika van mekaar vervreem nie – ook lidmate wat kritiese vrae gestel het, is na die periferie geskuif. Talle individue se menswaardigheid is geskend en verskeie loopbane is onder die dekmantel van Christenskap vernietig, soos die skrywer self kan getuig.

Oosthuizen se blik strek egter wyer as sy ervaring toe hy in 2013 as nuusredakteur van Kerkbode geskors is ná die opspraakwekkende Woordfees-debakel. Sy reis vanuit die kerk se binnekring sluit die verhale in van gelowiges sowel as ongelowiges wie se paaie met die NG Kerk gekruis het. Die opkoms en ondergang van die NG Kerk bied ’n kontemporêre blik op die tragiese geskiedenis van ’n instelling wat deur die aandadigheid aan verontregting stelselmatig irrelevant geraak het.

A succinct and powerful witness that fundraising is a form of ministry and can be a deeply spiritual experience.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906a1945) remains one of the most enigmatic figures of the twentieth century. His life evokes fascination, eliciting attention from a wide and diverse audience. Bonhoeffer is rightly remembered as theologian and philosopher, ethicist and political thinker, wartime activist and resister, church leader and pastor, martyr and saint. These many sides to Bonhoeffer do not give due prominence to the aspect of his life that wove all the disparate parts into a coherent whole: Bonhoeffer as preacher. In Dietrich: Bonhoeffer and the Theology of a Preaching Life Michael Pasquarello traces the arc of Bonhoeffer's public career, demonstrating how, at every stage, Bonhoeffer focused upon preaching, both in terms of its ecclesial practice and the theology that gave it life. Pasquarello chronicles a period of preparationaBonhoeffer's study of Luther and Barth, his struggleto reconcile practical ministry with preaching, andhis discovery of preaching's ethic of resistance. Next Pasquarello describes Bonhoeffer's maturation as a preacherahis crafting a homiletic theology, as well as preaching's relationship to politics and public confession. Pasquarello follows Bonhoeffer's forced itinerancy until he became, ultimately, a preacher without any congregation at all. In the end, Bonhoeffer's life was his best sermon. Dietrich presents Bonhoeffer as an exemplar in the preaching tradition of the church. His exercise of theological and homiletical wisdom in particular times, places, and circumstancesaBerlin, Barcelona, Harlem, London, Finkenwaldeareveals the particular kind of intellectual, spiritual, and moral formation required for faithful, concrete witness to the gospel in the practice of proclamation, both then and now. Bonhoeffer's story as a pastor and teacher of preachers provides a historical example of how the integration of theology and ministry is the fruit of wisdom cultivated through a life of discipleship with others in prayer, study, scriptural meditation, and mutual service.

Ancient Jewish Monotheism and Early Christian Jesus-Devotion harvests from Larry W. Hurtado's lifetime of study of the New Testament and the development of early Christianity. Hurtado's career of historical and literary research spans forty years and emphasizes both continuity and discontinuity in the origins of the Christian faith. This volume displays Hurtado's command of the nature, shape, and implications of Christ-devotion for understanding Christian origins. Hurtado begins with the scholarly framework for understanding Christ-devotionaengaging key figures from Bousset and Bultmann to Bauckham and Wright. The next section maps the first-century Jewish devotional, liturgical, and theological contexts in which the early church and its worshiping life first emerged. Phenomenological investigations follow that set Christian innovation in the context of ancient Jewish monotheism, focusing specifically on the experiential factors shaping early Christian faith and devotional practices. The focus turns finally to the surprising ways in which the innovative, Jesus-centered beliefs and worship formed early Christian self-expression and identity. The volume concludes with a survey of some significant concrete implications of the distinctive dyadic devotional pattern that erupted early and spread widely. Even as this collection traces the historical narrative of Christian origins through the lens of Christology and devotion, it also forms an inclusive testament to one scholar's outstanding contributions to the ongoing discussion of what made early Christianity powerfully unique in its historical setting. Quintessential Hurtado, this volume is a necessity for any attempt to understand the diversity of factors at play in the birth of Christianity.

Every Christian is called to and gifted for ministry. The church canaand mustaengage all of its members if it is to flourish fully. Far too often, persons with intellectual disabilities are excluded. While members with disability areoften recipients of the church's ministry, they are seldom given the opportunity to reciprocate: persons with disability are not always fully empowered to minister. In Pastoral Care and Intellectual Disability , Anna Katherine Shurley asserts the church's need for mutuality in pastoral care. While the shape of each person's vocation is unique, all members of the body of Christ are created for ministry with one another as partners in spiritual care. In a quest for pastoral care that is fundamentally collaborative and fully inclusive, Shurley turns to the psychology of D. W. Winnicott and to Karl Barth's theology of Christian vocation. From this combination, she crafts person-centered pastoral care for the body of Christ and all its members, with or without intellectual disabilities. Person-centered pastoral care recognizes that people with intellectual disabilities can and must participate as partners in the church. Faith communities, Shurley suggests, can foster collaborative ministry by nurturing pastoral friendships among its membership. These sacred friendships are spaces in which people share their lives with one another as a truly collaborative practice of care. Through these pastoral friendships mediated by the presence of the Holy Spirit, all of God's children can livetheir particular vocations. By engaging person-centered practices of pastoral care, the church strengthens its witness and truly becomes a place of belonging for all people.

Among followers of Jesus, great is often the enemy of good. The drive to be great---to be a success by the standards of the world---often crowds out the qualities of goodness, virtue, and faithfulness that should define the central focus of Christian leadership. In the culture of today s church, successful leadership is often judged by what works, while persistent faithfulness takes a back seat. If a ministry doesn t produce results, it is dropped. If people don t respond, we move on. This pursuit of greatness exerts a crushing pressure on the local church and creates a consuming anxiety in its leaders. In their pursuit of this warped vision of greatness, church leaders end up embracing a leadership narrative that runs counter to the sacrificial call of the gospel story. When church leaders focus on faithfulness to God and the gospel, however, it s always a kingdom-win---regardless of the visible results of their ministry. John the Baptist modeled this kind of leadership. As John s disciples crossed the Jordan River to follow after Jesus, John freely released them to a greater calling than following him. Speaking of Jesus, John said: He must increase, but I must decrease. Joyfully satisfied to have been faithful to his calling, John knew that the size and scope of his ministry would be determined by the will of the Father, not his own will. Following the example of John the Baptist and with a careful look at the teaching of Scripture, Tim Suttle dares church leaders to risk failure by chasing the vision God has given them---no matter how small it might seem---instead of pursuing the broad path of pragmatism that leads to fame and numerical success."

Nobody is immune to depression, not even the most faithful and dedicated Christians. Finding the strength to effectively cope with ongoing depression in one's life may seem like an insurmountable personal and faith challenge for many followers of Jesus. You may feel like you're useless, unworthy of joy, and a complete spiritual failure. While a number of books have been written on depression from a psychological perspective, Overcoming the Blues addresses spiritual concerns to provide hope and comfort for the faithful. As a counseling professor, minister, and licensed clinical pastoral therapist, Dr. Ryan Noel Fraser has recognized the ubiquity of depression among believers, as well as the overwhelming need for capable caregivers within the church. His revolutionary how-to guide offers practical guidance and holistic methods to relieve the distressing symptoms of depression in three Christ-centered ways: (1) Recognize God's abiding presence (2) Reach out to others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) (3) Respect your limitations This book seeks to motivate, mentor, and mobilize sufferers of depression in the church to see that serving is so much more than merely a short-lived distraction from your own suffering; it can be a powerful and restorative antidote--a transformative way of life that facilitates healing and hope.

Families are living stories. They tell us where we came from, guide us as we live our lives, and help us see who we could become. Especially priceless are the lives and words of those who came before us.

Christ-followers from earliest times to the present enrich us with their insight and inspiring examples. In the face of political, social and theological challenges, these saints lived lives faithful to the gospel story.

The Book of Saints The Middle Era is a devotional gateway to the thoughts and insights of church leaders, teachers, and spiritual mentors who lived between the early fourth and early fifteenth century. Living in a world of change, conflict, and controversy, these saintly persons have much to say to us today. Their words and life stories, along with prayers and Scripture selections, are brought together in this book to inspire and challenge us to a life of love and holiness, the great themes of our family story.

The New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program approaches financing the ministries of your congregation by teaching stewardship from a spiritual perspective rather than a fundraising perspective. It focuses on the question, "What is God calling me to do?" rather than, "What does the church need in order to pay its bills?" Thousands of congregations have experienced 15% to 30% increases in giving with this program in the first year, plus additional increases in subsequent years of use. You will need one copy each of the Stewardship Program with Guest Leader Guide& CD-ROM (9780687644377)for your pastor, stewardship team leader, and guest leader. Purchase this Stewardship Program Team Member Manual for all the remaining members of your stewardship team. Don t forget theEstimate of Giving Cards (9780687064069)for your congregation to use when making their commitment for the coming year."

These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also. Acts 17:6 That was the startled cry, circa 50 AD, from a hastily assembled mob in Thessalonica. Paul and Silas had been arrested for preaching the gospel. They were viewed as revolutionaries, dangerous men who were upsetting the status quo and inciting riots. But they were just two ordinary men, walking in the power of God, sharing a simple message of his love and grace. It s been a while since we ve seen the likes of this. If you ever find church boring or you believe something is missing from our churches today, you aren t alone. Mark Buchanan believes there is a visible gap between the life Jesus offered to us and the life we re living, between the church Jesus envisioned and the church we see today. When Jesus announced that the Kingdom was at hand, this can t be what he meant. Instead of counting everything loss to be found in Christ, we ve made it our priority to be safe instead of dangerous, nice instead of holy. Author and pastor Mark Buchanan believes that we need to recover a simple idea: that God meant his church to be both good news and bad news, an aroma and a stench a disruptive force to whoever or whatever opposes the Kingdom of God and a healing, liberating power to those who seek it."

New Perspectives on Breaking the 200 Barrier offers pastors and church leaders insight and strategies that will help their church move beyond the average and into the extraordinary. Based on current church trends and new research, seasoned speaker and strategist, Dr. Bill Sullivan, author of Ten Steps to Breaking the 200 Barrier - 1988, revisits the need for churches to strive to grow beyond a membership of 200, focusing this time on the congregation and their decisions that effect the church as a whole. Sullivan stresses the need for church leaders to understand the value of training the people, not just the pastors, to understand and accept the changes that come with growth and the Church's desire to expand Christ's kingdom. See www.200barrier.org for Free 'Choice Points' Leader's Guide and Free Teaching Power Point Presentation.

One day you will stand before God and give an account of your life. The most important question you can ask yourself now is, will you be ready?

Most Christians know their response to the cross determines where they will spend eternity. But did you know that how you’ll spend eternity is determined by what you do in this life?

God wants you to discover your calling—He’s not trying to keep you in the dark. In fact, He longs for you to find the meaning and purpose that comes with knowing why you’ve been placed on this earth.

In Driven by Eternity, best-selling author John Bevere uses an eye-opening allegory and extensive Scripture to unveil how our daily choices shape our eternal existence.

Life beyond the final breath is much more than a destination. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Discover your God-given destiny and make your life count both today and forever.

The evangelical church is home to many who claim to follow Christ but who show little evidence of a truly transformed life. Todd Wilson's Real Christian: Bearing the Marks of Authentic Faith biblically defines what it means to be a true Christian, calling readers to look at their own lives and diagnose where they aren t living authentically for God. With a prophetic voice, Wilson looks at how we deceive ourselves into thinking we are really living for God through believing the right things or doing lots of spiritual activities. In contrast, real Christians are marked by five key qualities: broken-hearted joy, a humble disposition, a readiness to acknowledge sin, an ability to live balanced and avoid legalism, and a deep spiritual hunger that drives growth. All of these qualities culminate in the single defining mark of a real Christian---love. To help in distinguishing genuine faith from counterfeit spirituality, Wilson draws upon the gospels, the writings of Paul, and the insights of theologian Jonathan Edwards to help readers understand the necessary marks of an authentic, transformed life, marks that show evidence of a new heart and bear spiritual fruit through the work of the Holy Spirit."

Most pastors in America are ministering in churches that are in a state of stagnation or decline. "The U-Turn Church" walks readers through the debilitating roadblocks of tradition, lack of vision or leadership, structural problems, and concerns about denominational distinctives to forge a new way forward into a hope-filled future. Through the stories of two churches that have experienced healthy transformation, readers will see that there is not just one right way to reverse decline. They will receive practical help and wisdom born of experience as they begin their own U-Turn journey.

The Apostolic Fathers represents the best and latest in German-language scholarship on the Apostolic Fathers--now available in this exclusive English edition. Crafted by an expert team of scholars, The Apostolic Fathers offers introductions to the works comprising this early Christian corpus, fully equipped with cutting-edge discussion of important topics including theological profiles, intertextuality, intellectual milieus, and anti-Jewish polemics. The foreword by Wilhelm Pratscher and closing chapter by Jorg Ulrich cap off this learned handling of the Fathers, locating them within the history of scholarship, even while pointing the way for new avenues of study.

What keeps women from being their best? Joyce has been helping women better themselves by helping identify emotional barriers and physical, mental, and spiritual obstacles in their lives for years. Now she provides another answer-confidence.

Our society has an insecurity epidemic, women in particular. Compensating by pretending to be secure-a common response-only leads to feelings of shame. Lack of self-confidence causes great difficulty in relationships of all kinds, and in marriage instances can even lead to divorce.

In THE CONFIDENT WOMAN, Joyce explores the seven characteristics of a woman with confidence, which include a woman who knows she is loved, who refuses to live in fear, and who does not live by comparisons. Joyce explains that confidence stems from being positive in your actions and living honestly, but most importantly from having faith, in God and in ourselves.