Congregations cannot exist without finances, priorities, leadership, worship, and decision making, yet these five aspects breed the most conflict between church members and clergy. These conflicts unfortunately tend to bring about the most negative consequences: drops in giving, resignation of leaders, and, perhaps most pointedly, loss of members. The importance of congregations and their effect on our lives is clear, yet what is less clear is what makes conflicts in faith communities inevitable. In Promise and Peril: Understanding and Managing Change and Conflict in Congregations, David Brubaker brings the tools of organizational theory and research to the task of understanding the deeper dynamics of congregational conflict. With a doctorate in sociology and more than twenty years working with congregational conflicts, Brubaker helps to explore the causes and effects of conflicts on a wide range of congregations. This book will help congregations avoid the pitfalls of conflict and instead head toward a healthy relationship between and among church staff and members.

"Apples to Oranges" is about what has happened to the Christian Church since its early formation by the apostles and Jesus' teachings. With the myriad of church denominations today, we ask -- would the founders of the various denominations (if they could return today) even affiliate with their own denominations? How did the different denominations form, and then reform? Was necessity the mother of invention, or was the Church that Christ built simply the victim of human frailty over the ages? Did the Nicolaitan-like early bishops get their Nicolaitanism from trying to compete with Caesar and his royalty? Are the Nicolaitans of today more interested in church politics than in preaching the Gospel? How important were icons to the twelve apostles? Did they insert a row of precious gems in their plain robes to set them apart from each other and those who followed them? Where is biblical support for the sale of indulgences? Was the absence of a male heir to the throne a legitimate reason for starting the Church of England? Is baptizing an infant so important that those refusing to do so were drowned in Switzerland? When God says He is "not willing that any should perish," how does that affect predestination? When Jesus promises not to lose any whom the Father has given Him, are we eternally secure as believers? While sound Christian doctrine is found throughout Scripture, dogmatic practices are absent. The Holy Spirit of God breathed words of truth into the minds of the biblical writers. Since He chose not to pursue dogmatic details, we are similarly bound. Whenever we try to "improve" on God's perfect plan, we fail. When we ignore doctrines declared in Scripture, we also err. There is a need to return to the doctrines and practices of the Apostolic Church.

Christianity Today 2019 Book Award Winner This introductory guide, written by a leading expert in medieval theology and church history, offers a thorough overview of medieval biblical interpretation. After an opening chapter sketching the necessary background in patristic exegesis (especially the hermeneutical teaching of Augustine), the book progresses through the Middle Ages from the eighth to the fifteenth centuries, examining all the major movements, developments, and historical figures of the period. Rich in primary text engagement and comprehensive in scope, it is the only current, compact introduction to the whole range of medieval exegesis.

Burton Rodebound, having highly rated innate aptitudes, not political skills, experiences inertia in "Corporate." He opts for the inspirational life of the nomadic entrepreneur, to use his IQ, while helping people. He heads an art/humanities agency that appears to use his title to claim funding, but not his skills. Using his Education "Minor" for designing courses for a local college, the Dean disapproves the proposal. Work as a consultant to NY City and California design firms end due to late commission payments. His furniture design enthralls, but he cannot compete with market prices. All the United States except three experience his visits as "stock" photographer, providing metaphorical imagery for commercial use. Most income over time came from historical restoration contracting, coordinating with photography, while "on the road," living in the back of his van, on state campgrounds, and in porous boat houses. Identical living quarters applied when he opened his own art gallery, but during recession, and twelve artists suffer. Burt avoids conflicts with brown bears, pumas, cougars, and wild owls while in nature, plus an escaped convict. Cautioned by neighbors, he and friends, dressed as Santa/elves, stop singing on an August 8th. This list of mistakes continue, but just in time a famous author asks Burt to restore his mansion for a year, several stock agencies renewed their photography contract, his art work flourishes, and Burt finally senses that all his risk, danger and debt had a purpose. Dartmouth College, BA: Art/Pre-Architecture, Minor: Education; graduate studies: Pratt Institute, Silvermine Guild; GE, Advertising and Sales Promotion, Copy Writing/Production; Raymond Loewy, Industrial Design draftsman; Lippincott & Margulies, Account Supervisor, Corporate Identification and Name Change; three stock photography agency memberships; regional art show (mixed media) awards; own art gallery; member: ASMP.

A fascinating read for anyone seeking to understand the conflict between Christianity and LGBTQI individuals, this book is, as its editors proclaim, "a fearlessly wide vision of queer Christians finding a place within Christianity-and claiming their authentic experience and voice." Through essays by noted lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) religion scholars, this important compilation summarizes the history and current status of LGBTQI theology, exploring its relationship to the policies, practices, and theology of traditional Christianity. Contributors contrast the "radically inclusive" thinking of LGBTQI theology with the "exclusivity" practiced by many Christian churches, explaining the reasoning of each and clarifying contentious issues. At the same time, the book highlights ways in which "queer" theology and practice benefit Christian congregations. Writing from the perspective of grassroots Christian LGBTQI movements, many of the contributors draw upon their own experiences. They provide graphic examples of the effects exclusion has on individuals, congregations, and denominations, and also share examples of inclusion and its effects. Equally important, the work creates the basis for dialogue between traditional churches and followers of LGBTQI theology, offering practical suggestions for Christian congregations that wish to put aside exclusionary policies and practices.