In the first edition of Making the Church Work, Hammett wrote that the church is not only in need of change, but also in need of a conversion. Now his conviction is stronger than ever. In this second edition, he addresses the issues of changing values--values about what leaders and their congregations are doing as a church and the effectiveness of their techniques. Hammett is convinced that until church leaders change their values, healthy, relevant, and effective churches are not likely to appear. Unique features of this book include: ? Overview of trends and issues impacting the church's ineffectiveness ? Opportunities for individual readers and small groups, and congregations to reflect on their journey in light of these trends and issues Practical guidance for addressing some problems and for equipping the church for more effective ministry in the 21st century

This early work by Jerome K. Jerome was originally published in 1909 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'Fanny and the Servant Problem' is a drama in four acts. Jerome Klapka Jerome was born in Walsall, England in 1859. Both his parents died while he was in his early teens, and he was forced to quit school to support himself. In 1889, Jerome published his most successful and best-remembered work, 'Three Men in a Boat'. Featuring himself and two of his friends encountering humorous situations while floating down the Thames in a small boat, the book was an instant success, and has never been out of print. In fact, its popularity was such that the number of registered Thames boats went up fifty percent in the year following its publication.

This revealing, disturbing, and thoroughly researched book exposes a dark side of faith that most Americans do not know exists or have ignored for a long time--religious child maltreatment. After speaking with dozens of victims, perpetrators, and experts, and reviewing a myriad of court cases and studies, the author explains how religious child maltreatment happens. She then takes an in-depth look at the many forms of child maltreatment found in religious contexts, including biblically-prescribed corporal punishment and beliefs about the necessity of "breaking the wills" of children; scaring kids into faith and other types of emotional maltreatment such as spurning, isolating, and withholding love; pedophilic abuse by religious authorities and the failure of religious organizations to support the victims and punish the perpetrators; and religiously-motivated medical neglect in cases of serious health problems.
In a concluding chapter, Heimlich raises questions about children's rights and proposes changes in societal attitudes and improved legislation to protect children from harm.
While fully acknowledging that religion can be a source of great comfort, strength, and inspiration to many young people, Heimlich makes a compelling case that, regardless of one's religious or secular orientation, maltreatment of children under the cloak of religion can never be justified and should not be tolerated.

When God restored divine healing to His people at the beginning of the past century, John G. Lake was among the key people God used. Time managed to hide away the work done by this man of God, but the spiritual foundations of what he started still lives and is now being restored. Read how the healing rooms established by Lake have been reopened and how others are taking up Lake's mantle to carry the gift of healing around the world.

Ordo Aurum, The Golden Order of the Almighty. In 171 pages, it contains the internal structure, teachings of five degrees, and symbology of the Order. Most importantly, through the tireless work of the Loremaster and his assistant, a detailed, yet succinct record of the 2,500 year history, covering the lives of 12 of the most memorable and influential Grandmasters. Read the history of the Golden Scroll and the full text of it, discover how the form of the scepter of Nebuchadnezzar morphs over time, ponder the Visions of Nicolaus Farel 1914, and know why the Order maintains such a stronghold in the Christian metal community.

Although so many Christians live in multiracial and multicultural communities, many Christian churches do not reflect the diversity of their communities. Sunday morning worship remains racially divided. Multiracial Church Dynamics offers a straightforward examination of the topic. The strategies to move from uniracial to multiracial churches are relevant to a broad audience in the Christian community, pastors and laity alike. The specificity of the topic and the author's clear viewpoint all contribute to a clearly presented controlling idea, one that readers will understand and appreciate. Bishop William H. Willimon writes in the foreword: "Richard Stryker is not content simply to lament the sad state of the church to obey Christ's commands and to embody the reach and the richness of his salvation in our life together. In this book he offers specific, tested, practical help for pastors and church leaders who want their congregations to grow and to be all that God intends."

Nathaniel Hawthorne (born Nathaniel Hathorne; July 4, 1804 - May 19, 1864) was an American novelist and short story writer. Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in the city of Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Hathorne and the former Elizabeth Clarke Manning. His ancestors include John Hathorne, the only judge involved in the Salem witch trials who never repented of his actions. Nathaniel later added a "w" to make his name "Hawthorne" in order to hide this relation. He entered Bowdoin College in 1821, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1824, and graduated in 1825. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. He published several short stories in various periodicals which he collected in 1837 as Twice-Told Tales. The next year, he became engaged to Sophia Peabody. He worked at a Custom Houseand joined Brook Farm, a transcendentalist community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before their return to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, and was survived by his wife and their three children. -wikipedia

If we hope to share the message of Christ with people in this changed world, we must examine and reshape our worship. Our communities and our neighborhoods are becoming increasingly multicultural. Is the same thing true at your church? Is the worship at your church reflective of heaven? The Bible is clear that one day people from every tribe, language, and nation will gather together to worship Jesus together in heaven. More often than not, however, our worship here on earth is segregated, preferential, one-dimensional, and united around a musical style rather than the person of Jesus Christ. This kind of worship is not only incomplete, but it is dangerous, leading us farther and farther away from the kind of worship that heaven is about. Multicultural worship doesn't just happen. The church is in need of pastors, worship leaders, and worshipers who, with their hearts fixed on heaven, will not settle for the separate but equal mentality in worship. Worship Together in Your Church as in Heaven is a foundational book for church leaders and all those who serve and participate in worship. The authors convincingly lay out the case for a shift to multicultural worship for virtually every church. They then take readers by the hand, so to speak, and show them how to begin making the changes in hands-on, practical, doable ways.

In the fall of 2007, the author thought he would head south for the winter with his RV and find a nice place to take a vacation from the cold. He had done volunteer work in the past and thought he might visit a couple of orphanages he had heard about from friends of his and see if he could be of assistance. It wasn't long before he was deeply involved with a group of fifty children 24-7 playing dad to many, and sharing in some events that were incredibly funny, and too many times heartbreaking. Reading this story will give you a feel for the politics, the reality of corrupt churches and the politics played with unfortunate children in that country we all know so little about south of the border. After returning for three winters to the southern Sonoran Desert to be with the huge family he had become a part of, bizarre events and political moves by the churches involved and the government bring the completely true story to a climax.

The United States is easily the most religiously diverse nation in the world and perhaps in the history of the world. Immigrant groups coming from every nook and cranny of the globe have arrived on her shores bringing with them their distinct religious traditions. This handy volume provides a quick reference to the multitude of resources that are available on religious groups in American libraries and historical associations. This work focuses on the wider picture of state, local, and religious organizations. While many individual congregations maintain libraries, no attempt has been made to include them in this listing. Listings include: Adventist, Baptist, Brethren, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Christian Churches/Disciples, Christian Science, Church of Christ, Church of God, Eastern Churches, Episcopal, Evangelical Congregational, Evangelical Covenant, Evangelical Free Church, Society of Friends, Islamic, Jehovah's Witness, Jewish, Latter Day Saints, Lutheran, Mennonite, Moravian, Nazarene, Pentecost, Polish National Catholic, Presbyterian, Reformed, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, Schwenkfelder, Shaker, Swedenborgian, Unitarian-Universalist, United Church of Christ, and Wesleyan. Dr. Dickson has authored more than 500 articles and ten books. It is his hope that this handbook will provide a catalyst for historical research into American religious groups.

"Canto Libri" Canto (Latin) means "to sing" and libri means "book" - canto libri translates as "songbook" or "hymnal." A hymn is a song... religious, written with praise, adoration or prayer in heart and mind. Collection of hymns is known as hymnals. Each life is a songbook; my life, too. This is my songbook; One Chapter of my journey so far. I am sure there are many more Chapters to come; many more Chapters to share and share I will ...With total openness. Each song a sacred hymn; each breath a precious pearl; some one somewhere has been kind on my world. My life is a songbook... sung in full by some...few... but mostly in part by many...My songbook will remain...for always...Canto Libri is one song...one chapter of my life...Come share My Canto Libri, My Hymnal... I dedicate the thoughts within this book to the children who receive kind treatment at the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (London, UK) with love I pledge to donate half of the income proceeds of this book to their noble cause. The Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity deals with 192,000 patient visits every year and they are extraordinary in the way they "put the child first always." I feel blessed that I can do this and I feel even more blessed knowing that you have been kind companions on that journey with me.