Getting the Marriage Conversation Right: A Guide for Effective Dialogue teaches you how to promote and defend traditional marriage in non-religious terms. It's a great "how to" guide to answer those tough questions you've struggled with. Author William B. May shows you how to navigate the pitfalls and avoid making this a gay vs. Christian issue. May brings into the legal definition of marriage the rights of children, and provides sensible guidelines on how to avoid common traps that hinder communications for advocating public policy about marriage. Getting the Marriage Conversation Right includes a substantial section of FAQs at the heart of the conflict. Marriage is the only institution that unites children with their parents, and that has been recognized by every culture, society, and religion, each according to their own competencies. Getting the Marriage Conversation Right shows how to get that interest recognized in laws, societal institutions, and individuals, and begin to rebuild a marriage culture.

The liturgies of the Word and the Lord's Supper that are included in this volume range from those of the church fathers Justin Martyr and Hippolytus through the Roman Mass (in both Latin and English), to the great Reformation liturgies of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Knox, Baxter, and Wesley, as well as the Middleburg Liturgy of the English Puritans and the Westminster Directory. In addition to his translations, Thompson draws upon copies of many original documents to insure accuracy. An introduction, which places the liturgy within its tradition, accompanies each text.

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Shenoute of Atripe: stern abbot, loquacious preacher, patron of the poor and scourge of pagans in fifth-century Egypt. This book studies his numerous Coptic writings and finds them to be the most important literary source for the study of society, economy and religion in late antique Egypt. The issues and concerns Shenoute grappled with on a daily basis, Ariel Lopez argues, were not local problems, unique to one small corner of the ancient world. Rather, they are crucial to interpreting late antiquity as a historical period - rural patronage, religious intolerance, the Christian care of the poor and the local impact of the late Roman state. His little known writings provide us not only with a rare opportunity to see the life of a holy man as he himself saw it, but also with a privileged window into his world. Lopez brings Shenoute to prominence as witness of and participant in the major transformations of his time.

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

THIS 38 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Knights Templar, by A. Bothwell-Gosse. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 0766138631.

God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but not religion. The reason religion changes are because of courageous thinkers who are not afraid to speak outside the Box. This book follows the evolutionary changes of Organized Religion beginning 1,000 years B.C. to 2,000 years A.D. Along with these changes, Frank Lichorobiec will show what he believes the future may hold for this new coming Age of Enlightenment. The theme of this book is to understand the soul and the part it plays in completing the tasks set before it, in reaching oneness with the creator. In order spiritual soul development and the way God has chosen to get us there, we must first understand that humanity must take baby steps in our religious walk with God, through many lifeftimes. If religion never changes, then humanity stands still religiously.

Description: This is a collection of Joan Kavanaugh's post-9/11 public pastoral prayers delivered at The Riverside Church in New York City. Written with a ""newspaper in one hand and Bible in the other,"" they address the issues of human struggle and world crisis that have touched all of our lives in this era of terrorism, anxiety, and global conflict. Prophetic and pastoral, the prayers focus on contemporary themes of conflict, violence, poverty, racism, injustice, hope, and human longing from spiritual, psychological, and biblical perspectives. They are a resource for all who want to deepen their faith as they face a world deep in turmoil. Endorsements: ""The remarkable thing about these prayers is the way they chronicle signal events impacting the life of the church, the nation, and the global community."" --James A. Forbes Jr., from the Foreword ""Joan Kavanaugh is a spirit-filled poet whose masterful use of language conveys a deep wisdom that lights up the worship service in prophetic Riverside Church. Her public prayers inspire us all "" --Cornel West, Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice, Union Theological Seminary ""Joan Kavanaugh is that rare clergyperson who touches the personal and global, weaving together poetry, activism, and a profound degree of openness to the human experience. Not only did I love this book for my personal reading, I will turn to it again and again as I lead my congregation in public prayer for God's broken world. Simply stated: every minister should have a copy in his or her library "" --R. Scott Colglazier, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church of Los Angeles ""Joan Kavanaugh's eloquent prayers provide a prophetic and sweeping vision of human possibility in an impossibly conflicted world. They call us to live in the presence of a God whose love is radically inclusive, giving voice to our perennial longing for justice and deep connection."" --Sam Keen, author of In the Absence of God and Fire in the Belly ""Combining poetic wit, prophetic passion, and pastoral wisdom, Joan Kavanaugh prays us into spaces of imagination that are rare and wonderful. She shows us what it means to be human; she gives us an anatomy of our souls. And she shows us what it means to live together; she gives us a map of the world. With our souls and world map in hand, she prays us into the arms of God, and lets us see life eternal in the here and now."" --Serene Jones, President, Union Theological Seminary About the Contributor(s): Joan L. Kavanaugh is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ who served as clergy and the founding director of the Pastoral Counseling Center at The Riverside Church in New York City for thirty-three years. Currently she is a psychotherapist in private practice in New York City.

Worship and Mission for the Global Church offers theological reflection, case studies, practical tools, and audiovisual resources to help the global church appreciate and generate culturally appropriate arts in worship and witness. Drawing on the expertise and experience of over one hundred writers from twenty countries, the volume integrates insights from the fields of ethnomusicology, biblical research, worship studies, missiology, and the arts. This book is the first in a two-volume set on the principles and practices of ethnodoxology. The second volume, entitled Creating Local Arts Together, guides the practitioner through a detailed seven-step process of assisting a local community's efforts at integrating its arts with the values and purposes of God's kingdom.

Description: Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in Seattle discovered that by forming the faith of new Christians and leading them to the waters of baptism, they as a parish were renewed and revitalized for mission in the world. Faith Forming Faith describes the year-long process of faith mentoring that has become the center of this congregation's ministry. Hoffman's easy narrative style weaves together solid pastoral and theological insights with the practical, real-life stories of lives transformed by a vibrant new faith--the lives of newcomers and long-time members alike. This is a great primer for anyone wanting more than a pastor's class, more than another curriculum. It is a book for pastors, parish leaders, or seminarians. But it's also a great witness to a skeptical, questioning world outside the Church as well, showing that a life of faith can be lived in a secular, questioning culture. Endorsements: ""This is the book for which many of us have been waiting. In our new, post-Christendom time the critical need for faith formation--catechesis--has now been understood and accepted. But how? How to do faith formation for adults, for seekers, for a new time? Paul Hoffman's inspiring report on 'The WAY' goes a long way toward answering not only the 'why' and 'what, ' but also the crucial 'how' question. Invaluable."" -Anthony B. Robinson President, Congregational Leadership Northwest ""Paul Hoffman joyously testifies to God's reviving breath stirring a congregation and bringing new Christians to baptism when a faith community embraces the Adult Catechumenate as the focus of its ministry. Those skeptical that an ancient way of forming Christians can work today will meet people whose lives were truly transformed as they walked with God, surrounded by God's people, on a journey of revelation, faith, and discovery that a congregation in Seattle simply calls 'The WAY.'"" Craig A. Satterlee Professor of Homiletics Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago ""Paul Hoffman has written a stunning book. The book describes one congregation's bold embodiment of the ancient catechumenate--a pattern of apprenticeship forming people into faith in Jesus Christ. It offers pastors, seminarians, and congregational leaders sage council for beginning this baptismal pattern of 'font-forming-faith' in their own communities, and in doing so sets out a gracious and vital proposal about the witness of faith in an increasingly secular society."" -Christian Scharen Codirector, Learning Pastoral Imagination Project About the Contributor(s): Paul E. Hoffman is Lead Pastor at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in Seattle, Washington. For the past fifteen years, along with other staff members and committed lay leaders, he has led The WAY at Phinney Ridge, a contemporary adaptation of the ancient ministry of the Adult Catechumenate.

The Author's Account Of His Travels To Monasteries Of The Mediterranean And Mid-East Area, Including Egypt, Jerusalem, Athos As Well As Details Of Native People, Their Beliefs.

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

The Story of the Sisters of Notre Dame in California, 1924 - Today

Create a small, strong congregation that is dedicated to advancing God's mission The twenty-first century is the century of small, strong congregations. More people will be drawn to small, strong congregations than any other kind of congregation. Yes, there are mega-congregations; Their number is increasing greatly. Nevertheless, across the planet, the vast majority of congregations will be small and strong, and the vast majority of people will be in these congregations. With uncommon wisdom Kennon L. Callahan--today's most noted church consultant--moves ahead of conventional thinking and in Small, Strong Congregations offers his unique vision of the church of the future. This important book chronicles the emergence of a vast number of congregations that are questioning the bigger-is-better notion in church membership. These congregations are deliberately small, active, and happy in their dedication to creating strong church communities that advance God's mission. Step by step, Kennon Callahan shows pastors and other church leaders how they can develop the values and specific qualities helpful to shape and strengthen their own small congregations.Written to be a hands-on guide, Small, Strong Congregations offers practical suggestions for creating mission and service, compassion and shepherding, community and belonging, self-reliance and self-sufficiency, worship and hope, teams and leaders, space and facilities, and giving and generosity. This wise resource is filled with illustrative examples that show clearly how myriad small churches have created solid, vigorous congregations.

THIS 22 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Principles of the Jesuits, by Henry Hadley Norris. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1564592928.

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.

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."

1880. This work was written from memory by some sisters who were present at this conference, and revised by a priest of the Congregation of the Mission. Mr. Vincent commenced stating the subject of this conference consisted of two points. The first point being how important it is to profit by the instructions given us in the Conferences, by the admonitions of our superiors, or by advice of any kind. The second point was the means to profit by theses instructions and to put them in practice.

Written for the occasion of Earlham School of Religion's 50th anniversary, this book provides a history of Ethe school's second 25 year and is a companion to Wil Cooper's history of the school's first 25 years.

The recent celebration of the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer has helped to stimulate a renewed interest in its teaching and fundamental contribution to Anglican identity. Archbishop Cranmer and others involved in the English Reformation knew well that the content and shape of the services set out in the Prayer Book were vital ways of teaching congregations biblical truth and the principles of the Christian gospel. Thus the aim of this series of booklets which focus on the Formularies of the Church of England and the elements of the different services within the Prayer Book is to highlight what those services teach about the Christian faith and to demonstrate how they are also designed to shape the practice of that faith. As well as providing an account of the origins of the Prayer Book services, these booklets are designed to offer practical guidance on how such services may be used in Christian ministry nowadays. In this overview of the Book of Common Prayer, Peter Adam brings us back again and again to its emphasis on the 'very pure word of God', setting the gold standard and hallmark of all our liturgy. Peter Adam served as Vicar of St Jude's Carlton, and as Principal of Ridley College in Melbourne Australia. He is currently Vicar Emeritus of St Jude's, and Canon of St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne.

Claiming Society for God focuses on common strategies employed by religiously orthodox, fundamentalist movements around the world. Rather than employing terrorism, as much of post-9/11 thinking suggests, these movements use a patient, under-the-radar strategy of infiltrating and subtly transforming civil society. Nancy J. Davis and Robert V. Robinson tell the story of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Shas in Israel, Comunione e Liberazione in Italy, and the Salvation Army in the United States. They show how these movements build massive grassroots networks of religiously based social service agencies, hospitals, schools, and businesses to bring their own brand of faith to popular and political fronts.

A comparison of Christianity with Muhammedanism or with any other religion must be preceded by a statement of the objects with which such comparison is undertaken, for the possibilities which lie in this direction are numerous. Hence the object of such comparisons is to trace the course of analogous developments and the interaction of influence and so to increase the knowledge of religion in general or of our own religion in particular.

The Author's Account Of His Travels To Monasteries Of The Mediterranean And Mid-East Area, Including Egypt, Jerusalem, Athos As Well As Details Of Native People, Their Beliefs.

In this enlightening study Mark Bradley looks at the growing underground church in Iran. Given the hostility of the regime, it is often assumed that Christianity is withering in Iran, but in fact more Iranian Muslims have become Christians in the last 25 years than since the seventh century, when Islam first came to Iran.

Beginning with an in-depth look at the historical identity of Iran, religiously, culturally and politically, Bradley shows how this identity makes Iranians inclined towards Christianity. He goes on to look at the impact of the 1979 revolution, an event which has brought war, economic chaos and totalitarianism to Iran, and its implications for Iranian faith. The study concludes with an analysis of church growth since 1979 and an examination of the emerging underground church.

This is a fascinating work, guaranteed to improve any reader's knowledge of not only Iranian faith and church growth, but of Iranian culture and history as a whole thanks to the thorough treatment given to the country's background.